Islam Rejects Patriarchy
In the era of modernity we are facing unkindness toward women. So one cannot claim that modernity has given women freedom but what it has led to is giving rise to instrumental use of women in the West.
We see that in such important works as The Spirit of the Laws by Montesquieu there is no mention of women’s rights and even sometimes there are critical views about women.
In the past hundred years, there have been some movements formed to defend women’s rights that have also influenced Muslim countries.
In the sacred books of the Ahl al-Kitab (People of the Book), which have been distorted, we see unkindness toward women. For example, it has been said in those books that Eve caused Adam (AS) to b led astray. But the Quran rejects this and says it was Satan who tempted Adam (AS). The Quran points to the lofty spiritual status of Eve and even considers the status of infallibility for her
As for Maryam (SA), the Quran says: “And when the angels said to Mary: ‘Allah has chosen you and purified you. He has chosen you above all women of the worlds.’” (Verse 42 of Surah Al Imran)
After the advent of Islam, women who had previously had no social status reached such a status that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) kissed his daughter’s hand. Imam Ali (AS), outstanding figure in the Muslim world, said he would feel peace and calm beside his wife Hazrat Zahra (SA).
God says in the Quran: “And of His signs is that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you might reside with them, and has put kindness and mercy between you. Surely, there are signs in this for those who think.” (Verse 21 of Surah Ar-Rum)
Such verses show that we must be careful what is happening in society regarding women and must not allow instrumental use of women. This (instrumental use of women) is something that is happening in the West. Feminism has not led women to a superior position despite slogans of defending women’s rights.
