afarag@ub.d.umn.edu (aly farag) (06/08/90)
A note on women in Islam
Aly A. Farag
It always fascinates me what ALLAH has said in the Qur'an
regarding four women: the wife of Noah (peace on him), the
wife of Lut (peace on him), the wife of Pharaoh, and Mary
the daughter of Imran. We read in Suraat Al-Tahrim, Chapter
LXVI, Verses 11-12. (Yusuf Ali translation):
Verse 10: "God sets forth, for an example to the unbeliev-
ers, the wife of Noah and the wife of Lut: They were
(respectively) under two of our righteous Servants, but they
were false to their (husbands), and they profited nothing
before God on their account, but were told: Enter ye the
fire along with (others) that enter!"
Verse 11: "And God sets forth, as an example to those who
believe, the wife of Pharaoh: Behold she said: 'O my Lord!
build for me in nearness to Thee, a mansion in the garden,
and save me from Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from
those that do wrong."
Verse 12: "And Mary the daughter of Imran, who guarded her
chastity; and We breathed into (her body) of Our spirit; and
she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of
his revelations, and was one of the devout (servants)."
It seems to me that the four women involved were not setting
at home raising kids (to use a silly but common expression).
They were active and were making their own decisions based
on what was happening around them. A wife of a tyrant be-
came a believer and a wife of a Prophet became unbeliever.
The story of Mary occupies a whole Suarah (chapter xix) in
the Qur'an as well as many other verses elsewhere. If women
should make their choices in matters of belief, I cannot see
any logic why shouldn't they make it in many other matters
too. The accusation that Islam has enslaved women simply
does not match any Islamic logic and the principles of Islam
contained in the Qur'an and the Sunnah are very clear on
that.
The trouble I see is that people use what in a certain cul-
ture or a certain country as a measure for Islamic teach-
ings. While this can be a reasonable logic in real Islamic
states, I cannot see any logic behind it otherwise. So, I
have a suggestion: since Islam is a collective way of life
and since a number of schools exist for its interpretation,
why don't we, the Muslims on the net, translate a set of
opinions for the famous Muslim scientists "Fukahaa" on the
issue of women in Islam as well as other issues of impor-
tance too?
As an example, on the issue of women in Islam, we might sim-
ply translate to Mohamed Al-Ghazaly, Yusuf Al-Karadawi, and
their alike. I'm really very disturbed by the flames of
those few who seem to enjoy insulting Islam by reporting
constant lies on the net. The source of disturbance is not
that I'm afraid on Islam rather, because I cannot debate a
bigot. It seems to me that if we state the opinion of Islam
as expressed by those who understand (or understood) it
best, we will make the issue clear and will also show how
stupid are the bigots.
In reading the opinion of some sincere Muslims on the net, I
sometimes wonder about their logic too. Again, it seems to
me that if people know the opinion of Islam, on an issue,
from some of its reputable sources, they will get a satis-
factory answer than a set of discrete opinions which might
not go well with Islamic reasoning "Fikh".
To make myself clear, let me refer to just one piece of
literature on the issue of women on Islam that answers a
number of specific questions which I read consistently on
the net concerning women in Islam:
Mohamed Al-Ghazaly, 100 questions on Islam, part II, 1st
edition, Dar-Thabet, Cairo, Egypt, pp. 242-288, 1984.
Q85: Polygamy and Inheritance;
Q86: Islam, women, and current traditions
Q87: Fields of work for women in "Al-Fikh"
Q88: Islam, family, and women responsibility.
Q89: Is the "Nikkab" (shadoor (sp?)) obligatory for Muslim
women?
Mohamed Al-Ghazaly is a graduate of Al-Azhar, published
more than 50 books (best sellers usually), has a long his-
tory in serving Islam, won the most prestigious awards
from Egypt, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia, etc.
If we can translate such work, a lot of benefit will be
gained. Can any body help? Please e-mail. Also, there are a
number of books translated in English by ISNA (Islamic So-
ciety of North America). I'm tying to get the most recent
books and I will publish it on the net.
I also wonder why many of the known scientists on Islam in
the U.S. do not write on the newsgroup? Are they familiar
with it? Any body there from Toronto? Their Islamic center is
leaded by a famous scientist. I read to him in Al-Azhar's
magazine. We need to recruit those who know to the net. They
don't have to worry about the stupid flame that comes from
few on other newsgroups. What about ISNA people: Ahmed Zaki
and others. I don't want the newsgroup to look like a student
commodity!
I have not been convinced with the value of a moderated group
as much as I do now. It's really enjoyable to read to peace-
ful people no matter how sneaky or tough their enquiry might
be. I applaud (although very late) those who made this news-
group possible. It has to stay this way.
Quick responses:
1. To Merigh Mohamed: Do you want an answer in Arabic to your
questions? If so, please e-mail me your U.S. mailing address.
2. To Shabeena Jan: Your questions on birth control is
answered in Former Sheik of Al-Azhar, Mahmoud Shaltout: Al-
Fatawa. Can you read Arabic? Or, can any one help you with
it? If so, please e-mail me your U.S. mailing address.
--aly farag
afarag@ub.d.umn.edu
(218) 726-6103