GENDER, ISLAM AND WOMEN’S HUMAN RIGHTS

OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION

• Overview: Gender Justice in Islam

• The status of Muslim Women• Misconceptions

• Understanding the Muslim Woman• Spiritual Aspect• Economic Aspect• Social Aspect• Political Aspect

OVERVIEW:GENDER JUSTICE

IN ISLAM

CLASSIFICATION OF 3 KEY CONCEPTS OF ISLAMIC TEACHINGS

1. Monotheism (Tawhid)2. Prophetic Mission3. Our Human Mission on earth

(Khilafah)

Source: Gender Justice in Islam.Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro

MONOTHEISM (TAWHID) To explore and come to a full understanding of the

concept of monotheism: THERE IS NO OTHER GOD THAN ALLAH. Nothing can be on the same level as He. There is nothing which is as noble and deserves the same praise as He

The basic equality that defines and exists between humans, equal rights and responsibilities

Human excellence as measured in terms of one’s devotion

The teaching of justice, humanity, solidarity, equality

Source: . Gender Justice in Islam.Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro

PROPHETIC MISSION Returning a favour, the respect for others,

liberating ourselves from the shackles of ignorance and humiliation

The teaching of love, respect for one’s elders (parents), care and empathy for orphans and people who are destitute, the prohibition of violence, etc.

This also includes justice and empowerment to both males and females.

Source:. Gender Justice in Islam.Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro

MISSION ON EARTH Teaching about the earth’s wealth and fertility

Prosperity

The political principle of benevolence

The development of culture, science, and economics

Social and political developments

Taking care of earth’s natural resources

Source: Atty. Laisa Masuhud Alamia. Gender Justice in Islam.Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro

THE STATUS OF MUSLIM WOMEN

Who is the Muslim woman?Does she have rights?

Does gender equality really exist in Islam?

MISCONCEPTIONS ON MUSLIM WOMEN That men are the masters and women

are the slaves

That men are superior to women

That men are allowed to beat women

That one man equals two women

That one male witness equals two female witnesses

Source: Barra, Hamid Aminoddin. Gender Equity in Islam. Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy

SPIRITUAL ASPECT Gender equality best exemplified through

Adam and Eve. The Quran states that both sexes were deliberate and independent and there is no mention of Eve being created from.

Both men and women alike are recipients of the "divine breath," because they are created with the same human spiritual nature.

SPIRITUAL ASPECT Allah has invested both genders

with inherent dignity and has made men and women, collectively, the trustees of Allah on earth.

The Qur'an does not blame woman for the "fall of man," nor does it view pregnancy and childbirth as punishments for "eating from the forbidden tree."On the contrary, the Qur'an depicts Adam and Eve as equally responsible for their sin in the garden , never singling out Eve for blame.

ECONOMIC ASPECT The Shari'ah (Islamic Law) recognizes the

full property rights of women before and after marriage.

With regard to the woman's right to seek employment , it should be stated first that Islam regards her role in society as a mother and a wife as her most sacred and essential one.

There is no decree in Islam that forbids women from seeking employment whenever there is a necessity for it

SOCIAL ASPECT Islam places importance in the woman’s role a

daughter, wife and mother. 

Marriage in Islam is based on mutual peace, love and compassion, and not the mere satisfying of human sexual desire.

The female has the right to accept or reject marriage proposals. 

The husband is responsible for the maintenance, protection and overall leadership (qiwamah) of the family, within the framework of consultation and kindness. The mutuality and complementary of husband and wife does not mean "subservience" by either party to the other.

SOCIAL ASPECT Should marital disputes arise, the

Quran encourages couples to resolve them privately in a spirit of fairness and probity. Priority for the custody of young children (up to the age of about seven) is given to the mother. 

A child later may choose the mother or father as his or her custodian. Custody questions are to be settled in a manner that balances the interests of both parents and the well-being of the child.

SOCIAL ASPECT Marriage and Polygamy

It is not encouraged by IslamMen can choose to remain monogamousThe man can only marry another with the

consent of the original or other wives Polygamy can be allowed only in some

circumstances A woman can ask her husband in her marriage

contract to remain monogamous If the initial condition is violated, it can be a

ground for divorce

POLITICAL ASPECTEligibility in Public Office Wilayah khassah and wilayah ‘ammah Men as qawwamun over women Ayah al-Mudayanah on the two-women

witness equivalent to one-man testimony

Testimony in li’an Exercise of one’s profession Women as judges Can women be heads of states?

POLITICAL ASPECT The general rule in social and political life is

participation and collaboration of males and females in public affairs.

The believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another: they enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey Allah and His apostle. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise. (Qur'an 9:7)

There is evidence of participation by Muslim women in the choice of rulers, in public issues, in lawmaking, in a administrative positions, in scholarship and teaching, and even in the battlefield.

IMPORTANCE OF CULTURAL RELATIVISM While principles of Islam exist, one cannot

negate the existence of various cultures

How the Qu’ran and the Shari’a law is interpreted can be different in the Arab world and the Southeast Asia region

The Philippine context It embraces the universality of human rights

thus including women Women empowered in the public sphere, able

to participate in social and political life and develop themselves.

CONCLUSION Gender equality based on western

concepts and models

Media portrays Muslim women as oppressed and passive

Tendency to focus on the public sphere; disregarding the importance of woman in the private sphere, that is her home

CONCLUSION This may provide a distorted view of Muslim

women and their ability to exercise their rights A negative image of Muslim women exists-

“oppressed”

There is a need to break these misconceptions and realize that the principles of Islam seeks what is good for both man and woman, emphasizing their importance in the roles they play as well as the importance of preserving their dignity and rights as human beings.

REFERENCES Atty. Laisa Masuhud Alamia. Gender Justice in

Islam.Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro

Barra, Hamid Aminoddin. Gender Equity in Islam. Philippine Council for Islam and Democra

http://www.regligiousconsultation.org/hassan2.htm

http://www.jannah.org/genderequity/equityconc.html