I have often felt dejected at the
way the foreign media projects the status of women under the banner of
Islam. Whereas Islam enjoins perfect equality between men and women, it
is heralded to the world as a faith that suppresses women, confines them
within the four walls of their homes and alternately, looks down upon those
who set foot outside the custody of the house. I have however, stumbled
upon the fact that neither the foreign media nor the non-Muslims are to
be blamed. It is really a matter for men who profess to be Muslims to look
beneath their skin, into their blood with which they asphyxiate the breath
of Islam and choke the life out of it – in effect, portraying it as a cruel
faith.
Men of one faith will understand the
other faith vis-à-vis the way it is practically witnessed by them
because not all will delve into original sources with utmost devotion in
order to realize the true spirit of the other. Consider the following illustration.
Being alien to the religion of Islam, I walk into the
village of Juffure (somewhere in West Africa) with a friend. I am told
that the natives there follow the religion of Islam. I shall easily be
led into interpreting Islam as defined by the ancient customs of tribes
inhabiting the region.
Consider another illustration.
Being somewhat alien to the religion
of Islam, I walk into the city of Lahore – not to mention, a relatively
developed and education-oriented region (somewhere in the Islamic Republic
of Pakistan). I am told that a vast majority of the area’s residents are
Muslims. I, thus, understand Islam in the spirit of activity of the locals.
I have been briefed. According to which, Islam is a tolerant faith. It
grants equal status to men and women and it enjoins peace. But…
Alas! My observance runs averse to
all pre-conceived notions. Islam does not enjoin the treatment of women
in perfect likeness to men. Quite on the contrary, in fact. My discovery
owes itself to a chance affiliation with a local family. The man sets out
to work. The lady of the house stays at home. She is not supposed to be
involved in any intellectual exhibition since that is not an option on
her side of the ‘equation’. Rather, she is supposed to stay at home, cook
and keep the house clean. It takes an hour or two. Then what? Can she move
out for – if nothing else – air? Not at all. Her religion requires her
to stay inside her house and wait for the hard-working, deserving individual
to return. Eleven hours in the office and he has earned the day’s worth.
It would only be fair if he were allowed a couple of hours to chill around
with friends. Ten would be a good time to get back home. Dinner would be
ready by then. Surely, its on the table. In the follow-up – and being human
– it is only understandable that he gets a bit drowsy. The wife must not
ask for any simple talk time, for Islam enjoins on the woman to allow her
husband to relax since he is obviously providing her with food, clothes
and shelter. She need not and should not demand more. He does his share
of the work and goes to bed. She does her share of the work and must go
to bed to rise again early morning and prepare breakfast for hubby dear.
For surely, he has a tough day ahead of him. The weekend finally approaches
and she welcomes it with open arms. A tough week, full of chores at home
and zero interaction leaves her exhausted. But then, he deserves rest too.
It would be a better option for her not to get used to the bed linen and
get a wonderful breakfast-in-bed prepared for her man who obviously, deserves
getting used to the linen. She feels tired and short of sleep but she must
wear the best smile to please him. He has obviously been labouring throughout
the week for her sake. He approaches her to acquire the one pleasure he
must obtain. She can not decline because her religion forbids her to. She
must understand her. He doesn’t need to…. end of story.
And then we raise our voices arguing
about how dare they defame Islam?
The mentality of superiority that
prevails among men of our societies is a shameful incidence. Professing
to be Muslims and wanting our women to be protected from the predatory
eyes of other men is good, and we must not be apologetic about it. But
suppressing her under the man’s nauseating demands, depriving her of any
enjoyment, stealing her right to feel and to express and giving her the
sole symbol of being the answer to man’s lascivious desires is not good
– least of all, something to be proud of.
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