1)Untangling Islam from Cultural and Social Issues2) Muslim Women and Cases of Domestic Abuse
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In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate
"May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon you"
Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah
As-Salaam Alaykum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakaatuh
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1)Untangling Islam from Cultural and Social Issues
One story actively being discussed these days is about a Muslim man in Canada who allegedly killed his daughter for not wearing hijab – or so is the media reporting. Obviously, these reports are also helping the agenda of those who wish to defame Islam and Muslims in general. As expected, this news made it to the headline news of major media networks, once again putting Muslims in a spotlight that they didn’t wish to be in.
For example, in describing the incident, Canada’s National Post writes the following –
“Radical Muslim men consider themselves ultimately responsible for the conduct of the womenfolk. This outlook is rooted in a medieval ethos that treats women as nonpersons……..If their (Muslim women’s) conduct is seen as contravening this austere religious outlook, they are invariably subjected to abuse (by radical Muslim men)”.
Most Muslims know that the incident has nothing to do with Islamic teachings but as it always happens, damage control measures usually have to be kicked in including clarifying any misconceptions that may arise in such cases. Similarly, in this case, Muslim leaders reminded everyone again about the sanctity of human life and the un-Islamic nature of the incident.
Though extreme in nature, such a case and others not as extreme, highlight symptoms of a phenomenon when Islam bears the brunt of the misguided acts of a certain people. In almost all such cases, Islam takes the hit simply because Muslims are the perpetrators of such acts.
This kind of a behavior has roots in ignorance, cultural norms, social issues, and misinterpretation of religious teachings.
It is perfectly understandable and natural for people of a community where they speak the same language while practicing a religion to gradually start confusing cultural practices with religious teachings. But this is where Muslims have to be wary of any practices which go against the spirit of Islamic teachings.
So, there is nothing Islamic or Muslim about denying women the education they seek, hurting anyone innocent, being a vigilante, the many wedding cultural practices prevalent in Muslim countries, Arabic belly dancing, etc. Just because some Muslims do it doesn’t make those practices Islamic.
And finally, while Muslims take great pride in tolerance, kind behavior and good heartedness practiced towards everyone, such noble attitudes should never be used to cover up real issues and problems that may exist in certain Muslim households. For example, if a husband or a father happens to be an alcoholic who has a habit of physically abusing his family, the respect and regard for the father or the husband should not in anyway restrict one to seek help to rectify the situation. Seeking help should start by involving responsible close relatives and then slowly and gradually expanding outwards depending on the criticality of the situation.
Some media reports are also suggesting that the reason for the girl to have lost her life could have been due to domestic violence and may not have anything to do with her wearing hijab.
Whatever the truth behind the story, it’s a heart wrenching way to remind us for the need to reflect and think about these issues before communities and families experience such a grave loss.
Do you know of any cases where cultural norms or social issues are confused as being Islamic? Share your thoughts by going to the end of the page.
IqraSense.com Blogger
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2) Muslim Women and Cases of Domestic Abuse
A recent article in the New York Times highlighted domestic violence and other social issues faced by Muslim sisters in the US.
Unfortunately, such domestic abuse issues are quite common in Muslim households. The domestic issues that Muslim women face worldwide include husbands striking their wives (even when they are pregnant), family violence through marital discord, suicide, depression, humiliation, and other emotional illnesses that result from such treatment, and much more.
According to some estimates, the percent of Muslim women experiencing domestic abuse is approximately 20% in the US (almost paralleling those in non-Muslim households), even though the US has many laws protecting women rights. The statistics is probably worse in Muslim countries but many cases never surface simply because of fears of backlash from families and other community members.
The article cited above also highlighted the efforts of an organization called “Hamdard Center for Health and Human Services”, based in state of Illinois, USA, which is helping women cope with such social issues.
Call it wishful thinking but if all Muslim men followed Islamic teachings properly, the community will not need such centers. However, unfortunately reality is impervious to our wishes. Increasing number of cases warrant more of such centers and many are being established. For example, similar to the center mentioned earlier, Muslim leaders of Islamic centers in North America and Europe have established counseling centers within mosques and Islamic centers that in turn are helping Muslim women get the help they need.
As Muslims, it pains us to read such accounts. After all, more than any other religion that we know, Islam guarantees more rights to women. Then why is it that Muslim women face such challenges? The bigger question seems to be why some of the so called Muslim men have their behavior and actions out of synch with the basic teachings of Islam?
Many would argue that culture has a major role to play in such unfortunate norms. But, I would contend that no decent culture would ever allow such practices of its citizens. Who would claim such practices to be morally right according to ANY standards? They simply can’t be characterized as “culture”. Culture is defined as “the quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, and scholarly pursuits”.
So, such behavior can’t be characterized as “culture”.
More often than not, such issues have to do with acquired bad behavior that is passed down through generations. These issues also have to do with the inability of some to control their anger, and their uncontrolled reactions to events. Unfortunately a number of these men are active “mosque goers” and proponents of Muslim issues, while not following in their own homes what they preach outside. Have these men forgotten the basic teachings of what the prophet Muhammad (saws) said about treatment of women?
We can spend a lifetime discussing the root causes but what is more important is to look for ways to fix the issue because so many women are victims of domestic abuse and they need immediate relief. Only if those Muslim men can hear and understand the prophet’s sayings about women, some of which are as follows:
Prophet Muhammad’s Sayings About Women“…and to your wife you have a duty and a responsibility.”Do treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers.”“Be kind with the soft and gentle ones (females).”The most perfect of the believers in faith are the best of them in morals. And the best among them are those who are best to their wives. (Narrated in Mosnad Ahmad, and Al-Tirmizi)A woman may be married by four qualifications: one on account of her money; another, on account of the nobility of her pedigree; another on account of her beauty; the fourth, on account of her virtue. Therefore, look out for a woman that hath virtue: (This hadith emphasizes virtues of women more than their beauty, money and pedigree – something completely contrary to what is obviously promoted in today’s media and emerging “global culture”) |