HER ROLE & HER HONOUR

Evidence from the Holy Quran: Believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another: then enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil.(Surah at-Tawba:71) Quran: And say to the believing women that then should lower their gaze and guard their modesty, and not display their ornaments except to their husbands or their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands of their sons, or the sons of their husbands or their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons or their women or those whom their right hands possess, or the male servants not having need (of women), or the children who have not attained knowledge of what is hidden of women; and let them not strike their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may be known... (Surah an-Noor:31)The role of a Muslim lady is quite unique in the fact that Islam has already prescribed here role and responsibility to Almighty God, her husband, her children, other family members, her community, and society, as well as herself. Every aspect of her life from birth to death, has been outlined and placed in perfect order by Creator Himself. As Almighty God cares for and tends to the needs of all creatures, great and small, why would He not address the needs of His superior creation, which is human kind?Outwardly, it would be extremely difficult not to recognize a Muslim lady, if she is indeed adhering to the commands of Almighty God. Her dress itself, to her submission to God and her acceptance of Al-Islam as her way of life. Her modest dress, as well as behavior, manifests her attempt at following the orders of Allah stated in Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad ibn Abdullah (s.a.s.). For when she goes forth, her attire tells all that she is Muslim, and she wears her attire as a cloak of honor and dignity, for all to see, recognize, and respect.The relationship of the Muslim lady towards her husband and family members has also been explained in the Holy Quran. She is a loving wife, mother, responsible homemaker, devoted daughter, caring sister, reliable friend neighbor. She is an educator, nurse, facilitator, and councilor. It is her responsibility to see that her family's needs are attended to, if not by her husband, then just as capable. Towards her husband, a Muslim lady is friend, lover, advisor confidante, help-mate, and supervisor of his home. She is this way, because she her husband will obey the command from Almighty God to love, maintain, and protect her at all cost. Men are protectors and maintainers of women because Allah has given the one more strength than the other, and because they support them from their means. (Surah an-Nissaa:34). Because she has been given the assurance that she will be maintained, a Muslim lady does not have to go out to work; rather she can stay home and care for her family, which is her main responsibility. However, if she chooses to work, in the home or out, she may do so and is she chooses to aid her family financially, she may also do so, obtaining thereby Allahs blessings. Yet if she chooses not to aid financially, Allah has stated in the Holy Quran to women what they earn and to men what they earn. Since it is not the responsibility of a woman to maintain her family she does not have to do so, nor give any money to her family. And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display of yourselves like that of the former times of ignorance. (Surah Ahzab:33). O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters and believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad). (Surah Ahzab:59). Islam encourages that Muslim ladies stay home and tend to their families. However, it does not mean that ladies cannot go out for business, for family needs, for society needs, or just socially visiting family and friends. If Muslim ladies expected to only stay in the home, there would not have been rules and guidelines on how to dress and conduct oneself outside of the home. According to traditions of the Holy Last Messenger (s.a.s.), women receive many blessings for being home, yet she may leave her home for various reasons, and not incur Allah's displeasure.Hadith: The Prophet said to some women, "Those of you who stay at home will gain the action (merit) of the Mujahideen (those who strive in the path of Allah)." The Holy Prophet (s.a.s.) said, "If a wife of any of you should ask permission to go to the mosque, do not stop her." Muslim ladies may work outside of the home in jobs that do not her religion. For example, if she is not required to uncover herself, remain alone with a man who is not her relative, serve or associate around alcohol, pork, or drugs, etc... Muslim ladies are doctors, lawyers, teachers, business owners, bankers. They are also politically and socially involved in communities here and abroad. They fund-raisers human rights activists, and moral consciousness raisers. They may function in these arenas with the permission of their husbands and the support of their families and communities. If there is a conflict between these activities and home life, the Muslim lady knows and undoubtedly understands that any and all activities outside the home, but never would she abandon her family. Family is her first and foremost obligation. The Holy Prophet (s.a.s.) has stated that, "A woman is the guardian of the family of her husband and of his children, and she will be asked about them (as to what extent she fulfilled their rights)."Contrary to misconceptions and lies perpetrated against Muslims, in Islam, the Muslim lady is not an object of scorn, nor reduced to one with no moral rights or social obligations. She is not property to any man, nor subservient to anyone. Islam has not taken away any rights, rather it has increased and enhanced her rights and obligations to the Creator and herself. Almighty God answers the prayers of both men and women. She observes prayers, fasting, performing pilgrimage, religious holidays, Islamic injunctions, modest dress and behavior similar to her male counterpart. Her good deeds are rewarded by Almighty God and her bad deeds may punished or forgiven by Almighty God, just like the Muslim male. As stated in Holy Quran, women have rights similar to the rights of men. Many verses of Holy Quran speak about believing men and women, patient men and women, pious and women, men and women of virtue, righteous men and women, and their rewards with Allah (Almighty God). In the religion of Islam, the Muslim lady has found a perfect way of life. To achieve that perfection, she must live up to the guidelines prescribed by Almighty God in letter and spirit. She recognizes her obligations and strives to fulfill them according to Islam. She acknowledges that the Supremacy, Sovereignty, Final Authority, and the only Ruler is Almighty Allah. The Holy Quran is the book follows, for in it the essentials of the Islamic system are beautifully laid out for her and each and every Muslim. She has no doubt in its authenticity. She is sure of it and she is sure of herself an her role in this society. She is a Muslim lady, with much deserved honor and dignity. And she is proud and honored to be amongst the God-fearing, God loving creation of the Almighty.--------------------

by

Mariam Murchie

Why Women's Month? Why gender equality?

“The day rock beat paper” was the way an advert in a weekly newspaper put it. It’s true and for many who aren’t aware of it, it’s the day 53 years ago when women across South Africa challenged the constitutional court to revise the regulations that governed women’s role in society. It’s the day that women made it their right to vote. That’s what Women’s Day is commemorating.

In Barack Obamas words, “The cynics will soon realise that the ground has shifted beneath them”. That’s what happened then in SA, and the effects of that great day are observed today in many aspects of our day to day living. Women are at the forefront of almost everything from households to large corporations to opposition political parties. And all of these women are strong women, people that have had to bite the bullet to keep up with a dynamic world.
But why? Why such a struggle? Why does it have to be so difficult?
The answer is simply this: Rock has only beaten paper! In legislation, women are no different to men. They should have the same opportunities, allowed the same aspirations and be granted the same level of respect. In practice the grey areas of bureaucracy lend itself to inequality and unfairness.
I have met many women that dwell within the confines of these grey areas unsure how to make the next move. One woman I met wasn’t allowed to take up a more senior post because she would be working with a man whose wife would be unhappy with the situation. Another woman got a brilliant post but no amenities were provided for her. A good friend of mine is contractually bound to a company but her degree is being wasted on tea, coffee and biscuits! I’ve met women with harrowing stories of men cooing at them in their work environments and making their lives unbearable. I too have experienced having to make a choice between being aggressive or assertive to end a tirade of verbal and non-verbal denunciation. In many situations PPE for women does not exist and so the closest male size is substituted. Of course this becomes a safety risk as safety shoes are still too big, sleeves too long, waist sizes different, zippers on uniforms make the uniforms uncomfortable and the woman lands up doing more of a balancing act than actually doing any work!
There are many more stories like these and often the easiest solution to the problem is to find a new job. That sound quite easy so I guess in the process we should find a new society to live in, a new area of expertise oh and why not also find a new set of rules!
Realistically though, more than 50% of South Africa’s work force is made of women. Many of these are single parents who can’t give up a job because a substantial amount of the money goes towards feeding, clothing, schooling and sheltering the young ones.
Its circumstances like that and more that tell the true tale of equality, how less than 40% of working women in SA are in top managerial positions even though women make up more of SA’s population, how so many of these are overqualified for the jobs they’re In but rarely make it right to the top, how earning an equivalent salary (to a male counterpart in the same position) is not commonplace even though the woman (in the case of a single parent) has usually got more responsibility.
There’s the topic of the economic crisis. Companies all over the world are “cutting back”! What does this mean? Well the most dispensable person tends to go first. E.g. the last person in becomes the first person out or perhaps the woman of child-bearing age whose contribution to productivity becomes questionable. This is the “power” based capitalist corporate environment that Deon Chang, a trend analyst, observes. The inherent patient, nurturing nature of women is an asset to any industry especially in times of economic need says Chang. It is power hungry characteristic of men that brought us into this crisis and as the world realises it, the more amiable personality of a woman is being emphasised on and women are being placed into better positions to restore the balance says Chang.
The better positions are not easy territory to manoeuvre and with it come the concept of the “Boys Club”. This is the social networking that goes on right under the noses of the woman, in the sports bar or on the soccer pitch. There is no space in this network for a female colleague and so the woman, be it a senior or junior, experiences a sense of isolation. Her reaction is usually defensive and this often awards her the “bitch” title. If not then she has used Machiavellian tactics to “fit in” or “move up”. This latter option is at the expense of her self-worth and morals.
Digging deep into the core of societies misnomers of gender equality won’t alleviate the problem of inequality. Gender equality does not institute that women lose their femininity nor does it require men to give up their protective nature toward women. These are innate to us as individuals and are a God-given gift. Gender equality doesn’t expect that women be given tasks that are physically impossible for them nor does it allow for them to be judged on their physiques. It does however give them the option to choose to be treated fairly and justly, to get the opportunities based on their skill and not their gender, to stand for a worthy cause and not fight for one that is lacking in substance.
Kiatlin Duck Sherwood brings up the topic of mediocrity in her address to fellow female engineers. She urges women to put their best foot forward and aim high because being anything below standard is not good enough for a male dominated environment. Its only when a woman outshines the rest that recognition is duly given. Until then recognition is reserved for the often “average” male counterparts. Until then “books” will continue to be judged by their delicate covers.
I beg you earnestly, if you’re going to judge this book, don’t judge it by its cover. Read the pages, delve in its descriptions, ponder the messages…there’s more to me than meets the eye.

Words of President Barrack Obama, Deon Chang , Kaitlin Duck Sherwood and Batsesane khumalo are quoted under correction.