Bakhabar, April, 2013 - Bihar Anjuman

Be mindful in yourtreatment of women!This venerated position of women was imprinted on the psyche of every maleof the society. This was achieved through equating the service and happinessof parents to great and meritorious acts like striving in the Path of Allah andHijrah (migration) for the sake of Allah. Such was the zeal with which the oncemale dominated society treated and served their women that a companiononce carried his mother on his back to allow for her to fulfil the rights of theHaj (Pilgrimage) and yet thereafter acknowledging that he had not fulfilledthe right of her one ‘turning’ towards him as an infant out of concern for hiswell being.The Noble Messenger of Allah(peace be upon him) also said, ‘Among theMuslims the most perfect, as regards his faith, is the one whose character isexcellent, and the best among you are those who treat their women well’(Hadith-Tirmidhi). In another narration it is mentioned ‘I command you totake good care of the women’ (Hadith-Bukhari) and also, ‘Do not beat Allah’sfemale servants (i.e women)’ (Hadith-Abu Da’ud, Ibn Majah). The NobleMessenger of Allah(peace be upon him) also said ‘How does anyone of youbeat his wife as he beats his camel and then embraces her?’ (Hadith-Al-Bukhari)Based on the above some scholars like Ata bin Rabah (May Allah’s mercy bewith him) stated, the fact that the Noble Messenger of Allah(pbuh) neverresorted to the permission of beating and said, ‘He who beats his wife is not agood person’ (Hazimi, al-Itibar)From the above we learn that Islam encourages the kind treatment of womenand forbids in both word and spirit, their abuse in any form, be it physical,verbal, emotional and psychological. It therefore stands to reason that rape issomething that Islam condemns in the strongest terms and, in fact a rapist inan Islamic country would be sentenced to death by the Islamic courtsIt was this type of thought that permeated the psyche of Muslim societiesfrom the time of the Noble Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) until thisday and any behaviour to the contrary by Muslims today is nothing other thantheir deviation from the principles advocated by Islam and the lifestyle of theNoble Messenger of Allah(pbuh). Issues like honour killings and spousalabuse in Muslim societies which are often highlighted in the media and forwhich Islam is criticised are practices that have their place in culture and haveno basis in the Qur’aan and Sunnah. Shariah always has an ‘inner’ as well as an‘outer’ mechanism that are used to achieve its objectives. In the issuediscussed, if the psyche of the society could be described as the ‘inner’mechanism to allow for women to be respected and honoured then it must besaid as an ‘outer’ mechanism Islam advocates the institution of Hijab so thatwomen are judged for what they are truly worth and not merely objects formen’s gratification. As much as the media always makes an issue of andmaligns the treatment of women in Islam it is interesting to note that Islam isthe fastest growing religion in the world (Guiness book of records) and in thewest, in particular, most reverts are women who have no hesitation indonning the hijab. In fact, they do so with much pride.In Islam rape and all other forms of women abuse are reviled. In fact TheNoble Messenger of Allah (pbuh) discouraged and penalised adultery,fornication and rape.Wa’il ibn Hujr reports of an incident when a woman was raped. When he therapist was later positively identified the Messenger of Allah (peace be uponhim ) said “Stone him to death.” (Hadith-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud).May Almighty Allah Ta’ala grant us the wisdom, courage and moral strengthto uphold the rights and dignity of our women in society …ameen.We appreciate feedback on our articles. Please send feedback or anyconstructive comments to: feedback@eislam.co.zaAtitudeofcomonIndianMuslimsWe are going to counter it as follows:We will first keep our own home safe andchildren secure and not bother as to what isthe status of community.We will not even comment on any such issuesfor fear of inviting any trouble for ourselves.We will not even encourage the doers in ourcommunity doing good work for socioeconomic and educational development ofcommunity.We will not generate recignise and nurtureour leadership Instead we will kill it.We will not unite and protest against mediaharming the community by giving judgmentagainst it.We will not learn any lessons from a tinycommunity Sikhs who come to street unitedlyif any one tries to harm or damage thiercommunity.We will not learn any lessons even after BabriMosque, Gujrat and Sachar committee reportand we will not stand solidly behind anyleader who takes up our cuase instead we willpull his leg.We will not allow our Alumni associations andinstitutions (educational or social) to grow,instead make all efforts to either divide themor destroy.We will keep sabr and sabr coz this Duniya isnot for us what awaits us a good Hereafter inlieu of our entirely personal religious rituals.We will wait and expect others to take up thecuase of community like education andharassment thuswe wiil expect that a Sir Syed or Gandhishould be born but not in me or in my home.We will counter it by keeping ourselvesdivided in various sects- Sunni Shia BareilviDeobandi Ahle Hadis and fight amongourselves.We will counter it simply by watching talkingand preaching on powelessness of communityand take no action.it is as simple as that.Think, Act, Participate,Encourage ( TAPE)Nafisul HasanBakhabar10