Voice of British Muslim Women

Dur-e-Shewar Anwar, Walsall

Equality has for generations been touted as the only acceptable outcome of a successful feminist movement. To appear progressive and forward thinking companies, organisations and movements must all accomplish equality between men and women. However, this sole focus on gender equality is fundamentally flawed, as it has led women to chase after a patriarchal ‘normal’ that has been created by men, to suit men. For as long as the capital ‘F’ feminist movement has been around, women of diverse cultural and ethnic background have been trying to tell society that in fact feminism (as it currently stands) is not fit for purpose because it does not take into consideration the wants and needs of all women and the severe and negative consequences of this struggle for staunch equality are becoming more and more apparent. Most recently, we see the increasing pressure that is put on Muslim women in particular by the governments of many Western nations that have criminalised veiling in schools, the workplace and in some places in any public setting, driving many Muslim women out of work and education.

So, what is the solution? Enter – the concept of equity, wherein bespoke systems and structures are put in place to meet the needs and desires of women, allowing them to have equal access to rights and opportunities that are in accordance with their specific needs and circumstances. The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is a sign that opinions about what justice between genders means and how it should be enforced is (mercifully) moving away from this idea of stringent equality, into a realm that balances equality with equity. And although I am delighted to see this shift in perspective, I am unsurprised that the mass conscious has drifted here, as the philosophy of equality and equity has underpinned the Islamic teachings regarding gender rights since the revelation of the Holy Qur’an, over 1400 years ago.

In the Holy Qur’an God teaches us that a fundamental part of creation is that all things in the Earth have been created in pairs (36:37); and it is this that allows the natural world to have balance. Such is the wisdom that underpins the creation of two genders – male and female – whose innate characteristics differ from one another, not in the service of inequality or oppression but rather in the service of harmony. Wherein each party depends on their other, where one can support and uplift the qualities of their counterpart, whilst also fulfilling their shortcomings, thus establishing balance and justice within mankind.

With the primary objective being to establish justice, the philosophy and teachings of Islam take into consideration both the similarities and differences between the two genders and accommodate for their needs accordingly. Take for example, the fact that women alone have the capacity to bear children, as such Islam affords women the privilege not to work, and instead be fully provided for by the husband who is instructed to treat his wife with the utmost love, kindness, fairness and respect. So significant is the good treatment of a wife, that in one narration the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed the men that the best among them, were those who were best to their wives. In return, the wife is primarily (although not solely) responsible for the spiritual and moral training and development of her children and the safeguarding of her family. The physical capacities and personal characteristics of men and women, in this instance, are very different, but both are needed to cultivate strong positive family values that translate into moral individuals who can serve their community. And so, the responsibilities of each party are made clear and the rights of each party are looked after, in an equitable way, by the teachings of Islam.

All this is not to say that Islam does not feature or value equality; where it necessitates it equal rights and opportunities are granted to both genders – both men and women have equal right to access knowledge and education; as the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) states that knowledge is the lost property of a believer, both men and women have a right to work and claim financial independence, in fact many would argue that women in Islam are granted more privileged rights in this area as women may earn but are no required to contribute to any financial provision of the household. And most importantly, men and women have equal right and opportunity to attain the highest levels of spirituality in Islam. Nothing can better illustrate the philosophy of gender equality in Islam as the following verse of the Holy Qur’an (33:36)

“Surely, men who submit themselves to God and women who submit themselves to Him, and believing men and believing women, and obedient men and obedient women and truthful men and truthful women, and men steadfast in their faith and steadfast women, and men who are humble and women who are humble, and men who give alms and women who give alms, and men who fast and women who fast, and men who guard their chastity and women who guard their chastity, and men who remember Allah much and women who remember Him — Allah has prepared for all of them forgiveness and a great reward.”

Thus, in no uncertain terms, God teaches us that when it comes to judging ones character, when it comes to good deeds and the attainment of God’s pleasure, mercy and reward men and women are considered equal.