Voice of British Muslim Women

Iffat Mirza, Raynes Park

The value of knowledge cannot be underestimated in the Islamic faith. In chapter 67, verse 4-5 of the Holy Qur’an it is written: ‘No incongruity canst thou see in the creation of the Gracious God. Then look again. Seest thou any flaw? Aye, look again, and yet again, your sight will only return to you frustrated and fatigued. (67:4-5) 

Islam strongly encourages investigation and research as a means to become closer to Allah the Almighty. It does not promote a superstitious form of belief, that which tells you to close your eyes to the world around you in order to maintain one’s beliefs. In fact, the Holy Qur’an quite literally challenges us to see ‘any flaw.’ If one is to look at the world around us in good faith and be open to the idea that it is indeed a sign of a Higher Being, one cannot deny Allah the Almighty is indeed Al-Musawwir: the Fashioner. 

As Muslims we are particularly fortunate to follow a teaching that so strongly promotes education and learning amongst its people. Of course, even though Islamic teachings promote education for all – with the Holy Prophet (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stating ‘It is the duty of every Muslim man and every Muslim woman to acquire knowledge,’ – unfortunately we know that around the world some power-hungry leaders have used Islam as an excuse to oppress women and limit their educational prospects. Therefore, I believe that I am even more fortunate to be of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community which maintains the purity of Islamic teachings and takes every opportunity to ensure that women are given the same educational opportunity and encourages women to exceed their potential. 

The National Lajna Ijtema – an annual gathering of Ahmadi Muslim women – is a perfect example of how the pursuit of knowledge is encouraged amongst women. Not only does the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community just say that education for all is important, but it actively creates spaces where women’s knowledge can flourish. With the series of speeches on Islamic issues as well as talks on secular topics, and of course exhibitions on the sciences, arts, linguistics, etc that are carefully curated to appeal to all ages and backgrounds, women come together to teach each other and to learn from their fellow sisters.  

In fact, this is perhaps the greatest aspect of it all. That women are excelling in all areas of studies and share that knowledge with one another and hope to inspire the next generations. The Traditions of the Holy Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) state: Hazrat Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) narrates ‘I heard the Prophet of Allah say: The word of wisdom is the lost property of a Muslim, so that, wherever he finds it, he should take it, as he is most entitled to it.’ 

Thus, we can imagine the Lajna Ijtema as a sort of ‘lost property box’ where thousands of women have come together to share the knowledge that they possess. It is a huge example of women supporting each other and the event itself is testament to what women are able to do if given the opportunity. The event, at such an enormous scale, is organised by women, for women, and is truly one of its kind. But what makes it so successful, after the Almighty’s grace, is indeed the willingness women have to work together and to share their expertise from their various backgrounds, both professionally and in terms of personal interests.  

Such willingness to share is indeed the cornerstone of any successful society or community. Communities cannot thrive in an environment of selfishness, not only in material possessions, but also in abstract terms such as knowledge. The Lajna National Ijtema serves almost as a microcosmic Utopia and is testament to what happens when knowledge is shared and not kept. It is evidence that wider society can also achieve such harmony and peace if: firstly, women are given equal opportunities to education and learning, and secondly if a culture of sharing and teaching is fostered amongst ourselves.  

Indeed, we are fortunate to have experienced this Utopia.