Before the advent of Islam, pre-Islamic Arabia was a lawless society where the powerful bestrode and exploited the weak. Dispensing justice was not part of their system, and divesting people of their inborn rights was standard practice. The powerful laid down the rules, and the vulnerable were forced to toe the line. Moreover, the status of women was unimaginably abysmal. They were treated worse than any other creature and considered mere commodities and objects of lust to be satiated in a powerful male-preponderant society.
In pre-Islamic Arabia, giving birth to a female child was often viewed as a curse, and infanticide was practiced, with daughters being buried alive. Women were subjected to oppression, mistreatment, and abuse. They were often won and lost in wagers by their consorts without their consent and denied their rights to education, inheritance, and choosing spouses. This dystopian system prevailed for eons until Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) brought the final message of Islam, challenging the status quo of the Arab chieftains and elevating the status of women.
With the advent of Islam, Muhammad (PBUH) transformed the societal landscape by abolishing the benighted and entrenched customs and practices. The role and status of women improved significantly, with increased honor and dignity. They began receiving their share in family inheritance, and fathers were obligated to consider their daughters' preferences when choosing a life partner. Additionally, the practice of dowry was prohibited. Islam introduced a new system predicated on justice, egalitarianism, guaranteed rights, and unity infused with empathy, tolerance, protection, and piety among Muslims.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had a multidimensional relationship with his daughters: biological, psychological, and emotional. He had a deep bond with them characterised by profound respect and love. A hadith narrated by Hazrat Aisha (RA) describes the Prophet's affectionate nature: "When the Prophet saw Fatima (RA) approaching, he would welcome her, stand up, kiss her between the part of her eyes, take her by the hand, and sit her down in his place." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi, 3872). Whenever his daughters were unwell, no matter how dire the situation was, he always took his time out and looked after them. This demonstrates the care, respect, and love the Prophet showered on his daughters that shone through his actions.
Millions of mothers, women, and young girls are unaware of their remarkable women heroes in Islamic history
Unfortunately, in many families, giving birth to a female child is still stigmatised. They fail to recognise that the gender of a child is solely determined by Allah Almighty. Mothers are often criticised by their husbands' families and relatives, and in extreme cases, marriages are strained or broken over this issue. The drama industry, media channels, and religious scholars have a significant responsibility to fulfill in this regard. Since millions of people tune into these channels and listen to religious scholars on YouTube daily, they can shape public perception by citing relevant Quranic references and enlightening them through regular programming on this topic at least once a month.
The status of daughters in our deen is such that, in one hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "If anyone has a female child and does not bury her alive, or slight her, or prefer his male children to her, Allah will bring him into Paradise.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, 5146)
When a girl gets married, her mother often advises her about her husband's rights and how to charm him. However, there's often no similar guidance from the husband's parents on fulfilling his wife's rights. There are many responsibilities and expectations beyond just financial support, such as emotional care and companionship. It is highly advisable and essential for the soon-to-be couples to read each other's rights and duties before signing their Nikah documents.
Millions of women in Pakistan are unaware of their inherent rights as daughters, wives, and mothers, as enshrined in the Constitution. This lack of awareness makes living in Pakistan challenging for them. When faced with morally and ethically wrong situations, such as privacy breaches, honor killings, and domestic violence, they often bear the brunt of it and suffer in silence largely due to fear and ignorance of their rights. In 2024, Punjab witnessed the highest number of domestic violence cases at 1167, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saw 446 cases, Sindh reported 375 cases, and Balochistan recorded 160 cases. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), a total of 346 people fell victim to honor killings, particularly in Sindh and Punjab. In 2023, there were 490 victims, and in 2022, there were 590. To assert their voices and reclaim their rights conferred in Islam and the constitution of Pakistan, they need to educate themselves about their rights and roles and develop critical thinking to protect themselves from any kind of mistreatment.
In Pakistan, millions of girls do not attend seminaries, and there are few female religious scholars on social media who provide comprehensive education to women on their rights and roles in Islam. Millions of mothers, women, and young girls are unaware of their remarkable women heroes in Islamic history, such as Aisha bint Abu Bakr, a prominent Islamic scholar who narrated over 2,000 Hadiths; Nusaybah bint Ka'ab, a brave warrior who defended Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the Battle of Uhud; and Shifa bint Abdullah, a pioneering female judge and market inspector in Islam. There's a pressing need to educate women about these inspiring figures.
You see, Islam honours its female heroes, and their stories are worth learning about. They contributed significantly to spreading Allah's message alongside Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Today, a large number of young girls are enamored of the meretricious world, and their minds are being hijacked and influenced by celebrities and social media personalities, often admiring them wrongly as role models rather than learning about the aforementioned real inspiring historical figures.
In our country, women are often perceived as homemakers, obligated to domestic roles and household chores. This perception largely stems from the 'misinterpretation' of the Quran and Hadiths by some fundamentalist scholars. Rarely have I seen male religious scholars emphasise the importance of women's education and discuss their rights and roles in society during their sermons.
Women comprise more than 49% of our country's demographics. They are the linchpins of this country and their empowerment is pivotal. If they want their rights be reclaimed and voices heard, then their inclusion in religion and science is sine qua non in shaping the trajectory of their lives and the country's future, and their participation in this regard cannot be overlooked.
Islam is a holistic religion that aims for the betterment of all individuals, men and women alike. It vigorously upholds women's rights, supports their education, and valorises their opinions and preferences, as substantiated above. Both men and women must study religion and understand their rights, duties, and inspiring historical figures. By doing so, especially girls, they can empower and enlighten themselves financially, socially, and religiously, becoming real role models for future female generations and lending positive change to their communities.