Women Empowerment And Islam

Introduction

Women has always played a key role in human development. In few cultures, until relatively recently, have women been acknowledged as having an equal role with men, and having equal rights to participate in all social spheres. The Arabic language, which is the language of the Holy Quran and the sayings and practices of the Holy Prophet (SAW),differs from English and other languages in that it has two grammatical genders :masculine and feminine, which addresses both males and females at the same time, unless a special qualification excepts women from inclusion.

In other words, unless clearly specified, all form so masculine feminine gender apply to both males and females. i.e: when Allah addresses the believers on the issue of managing the affairs of community: and who conduct their matters through consultation and mutual consent among themselves. He is explicitly including both males and females in the voting and election process. Even the Arabic word “Raju” which means “man”is used in Arabic like “man” in English or“homme” in French or “Uomo” in Italian etc. to mean a human being and not necessarily a masculine

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subject. Other terms that are used frequently in the Divine and prophetic texts and also mean “a human being” are the terms “Muslim” and “believer”. When welcome across the mina Quranic verse or saying of the Holy

Prophet (SAW) speaking of the, they don’t exclude non– Muslims who are citizens in an Islamics tateor society, as they are expected to be treated exactly on the same footing as Muslims. This is clearly specified in the Islamic Constitution of every Islamic state.

Women empowerment and Islam

Islam set complete equality between man and woman. This is a fact readily acknowledged by everyone who knows Islam well and understands Islamic law as outline in Allah's book, the Holy Quran, the sayings and the practices of the Holy Prophet (SAW). Islam asserts the equality of men and women in their creation. The Quran states that Allah has created all mankind from singles out and from it HE created its mate, and from the two of them HE spread abroads a many men and women.

He also says: “Mankind, we have created you all out of a male and female.” Islam gives both men and women with equal human responsibility. Both men and women are equal in the reward they receive from Allah Almighty. Islam set equal political to both men and women with regard to maintaining proper order in society. According to Islam, men and women are equal in marital status.

In Islam both man and woman are equal in their financial and economic freedom. Both man and woman have, under Islam, equal rights to take up any profession. During the life of Holy Prophet, some women worked in agriculture, some tended animals, or worked in cloth making and weaving, or in some trade work. Some women were nurses caring forth sew ill or tending injuries.

Islam tell us that that men and women should be paid equal wages for the same work. So, Islam gives both men and women equal rights.

Equality among men and women and Islam

In short, Islam set up true and complete equality between man and woman, summed up in the Prophet's saying:

“Women are full sisters of men” It is to be noted from this rule that Islam sets the relation between men and women in a form of fraternity and not in the form of strive or struggle as it was set in some of the feminist movements of today.

In the rules and regulations of Islam it is cleared that women and men have equal right and status in society. All women either they are Muslims or no Muslims are sisters of men .And women have given right to stand for their rights. They have equal human responsibility, asset by Islam. Islam give equal political and social status to both men and women. In Islam both men and women are equal in their economic and financial Independence. Both men and women under Islam have equal rights to take up their profession. Islam requires that men and women should be paid equal wages for the same work. In safeguarding affair their reputation and social status, Islam treats both men and women as equal, prohibits backbiting, and slander. In Islam, both husband and wife are equally responsible for their house hold works.

The prophet describes both husband and wife as shepherd standing their family. He himself, as his wife Hazrat Ayesha mentioned, used to “mend his shoes, patch up his robs and see,” he attended to his family's needs, he was an ordinary man: he looked after his clothes, milked his sheep and served himself.”

From this beautiful example of the life of our holy prophet we can see that our Holy Prophet was too much conscious regarding the rights of women.

Role of Muslim man and woman in social life

The first statement we quote here is the Quranic verse which states: The believers, women and men are close allies to one another: They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. The first main point which draws our attention in this verse is the closer relationship between believing man and woman. This is explained by the prophet in his statement:“ In their mutual love, sympathy and compassion, the

Believers are like one body: when any of its organs has a complaint, the rest of the body responds with sleeplessness and fever.” Such a social infrastructure that matches one body cannot discard a single cell, female or males, let alone a single member. The Prophet P.B.U.H has amplified the nature of this bond in a number of statements that bring it before us in absolute clarity. He says: “The best of people is the one who brings them more benefit. He also says:“ Let anyone of you who can be of benefit to his or her , or sister do so.”

This means that every Muslim, via man or woman, should do his or her utmost to help their brothers and sisters. Islam doesn’t allow any of its followers, male or female, to adopt a passive or careless attitude. Moreover on, acts of worship are duties one very Muslim, male or female, while bringing benefits and preventing harm are duties upon all Muslims, males and females simultaneously. These duties must be fulfilled. If they remain unperformed, everybody in the Muslim community is at fault and incurs a sin. Hence, every Muslim, women or man, considers such a collective duty to be incumbent on him or her. In fact Muslims should all struggle to outdo each other in good deeds, in response to Allah's order.

Sadqah is a good word which Islam uses to refer to what explain today as civilized behavior. Sadqah gives true proof of one's belonging to the civilized Muslim community. The Holy prophet says: 'Sadqah is a true proof'.

It is manifested in some types of behavior, each of which indicates that person concerned has a sense of belonging to community. He or she is further find to make stronger bonds of close relationship. The holy prophet said Muslims to follow the rules and regulations of Allah.

Women's lack of access to equality

Allah commands us in these words: 'Do what is good.” So we should always try to do good with others. Always do what is right not what is Allah Almighty says: 'Mankind! We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into Nations and tribes, you might come to know one another' Just like Muslim men, Muslim women have to do all community duties. Half of the Muslim women are not allowed to set things right among people. Most of the Muslim women are not allowed to do work among

society. Besides all the things it is very clearly said that whoever do good deeds either man or woman, shall enter heaven and shall not suffer the least Justice..

Involving women in human development

Women played a key role in human development. But modern ways are required to play their roles in bringing about what enhances society and saves harm from it, and to combine the bond of close relationship between believing women and men, empower women to enjoin and do what is correct, and perform different kinds of sadqah that prove their belonging to the Muslim community.

WHO has taken some measures in this regard in Egypt, Alexander, which hosted the regional office for half a century. In many cities of eastern Mediterranean region many shanty towns come out, a feature of which is poor health and surrounding circumstances. WHO entered in to a contract with the university of Alexandria for the training of twelve women, who had done mid level education, in each of three shanty towns.

A number of workshops were arranged on different subjects, including preparation of healthy food, environmental inspection of schools, stay away from traditional practices and first aid etc..

Means of transport were supplied for these women who have also taken some financial help. They were also provided the tittle' environmental guides.” The non gov institutions also supplied some equipments for street cleaning and waste collection etc. and they also provided four thousand trees for plantation with the aim of spreading greenery.

The project achieved success, with good results. It has also encouraged them to widen range and scope of such projects. These types of institutions and projects may help to improve health standards, promote a safe environment and incline in come in local communities.

Conclusion

The only course of activity that guarantees advancement and prosperity for the Muslim community is to follow in the foot steps of its first era, to hold fast, with all our struggle and strive, to Allah's book and Holy prophet's sayings and his usual procedures. It will take courage to scale the ascent that may obstruct our way regarding the activation of the role of Muslim women as it was performed during the time of Holy prophet and the caliphs. It is to such a goal that is the struggle of the Islamic community should be dedicated.