CONTRARY to what Western media and academics would have us believe, it was Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Islamic teachings that transformed the status of women from being a non-entity and ‘property’ to someone who plays a central role in grooming and holding a family together.
The pre-Islamic Arab world saw girl child as a burden and a curse which was to be eliminated as early as possible. Islam and its Messenger (peace be upon him) changed all this by restoring her respect and her rights. Commenting on the pre-Islamic conditions of women in Arab society, Holy Quran says:
'And when the news of (the birth of) a female (child) is brought to any of them, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with inward grief! He hides himself from the people because of the evil of that whereof he has been informed. Shall he keep her with dishonour or bury her in the earth? Certainly, evil is their decision.' (Quran, 16:58-59)
History bears witness to the fact that baby girls have always been neglected by their respective societies. The ignorant people of the past and present, wherever and whenever found, have balked at having daughters. Poor girl children are made to feel ‘unwanted’ and ‘unwelcome’ as soon as they arrive in this world.
Commenting on the status of women in pre-Islamic era, Mary Wollstonecraft says in her book, Vindication of the Rights of Women,o that Islam 'challenged an age when women had no legal standing as daughters or wives, being under the legal identity of their fathers and husbands' (247). This meant that they could not own property, enter into contracts, or conduct business. They had no representation in the government, and they could not vote. Islam changed all this. And following the recognition of women’s rights by Islam, rights for women were adopted slowly in Britain, and even more slowly in France.
Prior to 1840’s, in the United States, women had practically no political or economic rights. The lawmakers of the time didn’t feel that women were important enough or intelligent enough to do anything by themselves. In light of this view, all laws concerning women were to the advantage of men. Women were minors if not married and seen as property if they were. Married women had no right to seek divorce; and, if divorced, had no rights to their children. Women also didn’t have any rights when it came to their occupations. The pagan, pre-Islamic Arabs regarded the birth of girl babies as a curse, and would bury alive girl children as they were seen as superfluous. The ancient Greeks did not fare any better and placed painstaking restrictions on their women.
Today, the so-called free societies continue to abuse and neglect woman, who is seen as little more than a play thing and merely as an object of desire. Many a horrendous crime takes place against women.
The Messenger of Islam, Muhammad (peace be upon him), elevated the status of women and saw the girl child as a gift given of Allah. The Prophet urged the faithful to warmly welcome their girl children and see them as their God’s blessings. Time and time again, he emphasised the importance of bringing up the girl children in an effort to elevate women’s status in Islamic society and removing all pre-Islamic, misguided notions about girls as being a curse of God.
He once said: 'Whoever takes care of two girls until they reach adulthood — he and I will come together on the Day of Resurrection like this' interlacing his fingers (meaning fathers of girl children will be with the Prophet in paradise).' (Reported by Muslim)
And in another hadith, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'They (girl children) will be a shield for him from the Fire.' (Reported by Ahmad and Ibn Maajah)
Apart from elevating the status of women and daughters by his teachings, the Prophet offered a living example in his own actions and behaviour — for example, 'One day he (peace be upon him) led his Companions in prayer whilst carrying Umaamah bint Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her) when he made ‘rukoo’ he would put her down, then when he stood, he would pick her up.' (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Raising children these days is not an easy job. Each child needs the individual attention of both parents, and time, a most precious gift that parents are sometimes unable to find for their children.
Islam makes this job easier for parents in raising girls with high moral values and a strong character. Yet ironically women’s status in Islam is attacked today by Western media and academics. They close their eyes to historical facts failing to realise that the law of Islam is as just to women as it is to men. This is because their Creator is Allah (SWT), the Most Just.
Abid Ishaq can be reached at thelinguist75@yahoo.com
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayA...n=opinion&col=