Woman in the Image of Islam


From time immemorial, the life of a woman has always been treated with scorn. Before Islam grew by leaps and bounds, history has is that their plight was very miserable in the dark ages – Jahiliyyah era. Some conclusions regarding the sorrowful fate meted out to them accounts for the various kind of humiliations and maltreatments to which they were subjected in that time. For instance, while reporting the practices of men in the dark ages, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) mentioned that: “And when the news of the birth of a female child is brought to any of them, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with inward grief” (An-Nahl: verse 58); “he hides himself from the people because of the evil of that whereof he has been informed. Shall he keep her with dishonour or bury her in the earth? Certainly, evil is their decision” (An-Nahl: verse 59).

As a form of practice in the Jahiliyah societies, female new-borns were unwelcomed and apart from being buried alive, other harsh fates they faced included being looked upon as bad omen, and were traded like goods just like cattle and horses. When one reflects upon this, the Jahiliyah practices was indeed a tragic irony and equally jaw-dropping. In effect, a generational gap must be responsible for such customs to have gained its ground in the prehistoric time. However, Allah (عزّ وجلّ), in His bounty knowledge and wisdom, created women to be the companion of men right from the time of Adam. The proof of this is the verse that reads: “It is He (Allah) who has created you from a single person (Adam), and (then) He has created from him his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], in order that he might enjoy the pleasure of living with her…” (See Al-Araf: verse 189). But will anyone be guided except whom Allah guides? Lost were the people of the dark ages to be precise!

And what does Allah mean when He states that: “And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years; give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination” (Luqman: verse 14)? A cursory examination of the female categories (by juxtaposition) offers that our mothers like our wives, and our wives like our daughters, deserve to be treated with kindness. It is, however, heartrending that we moved away from that era characterized by lack of knowledge and wisdom yet remain entrapped in the darkness of the past despite the claim of civilization in the present epoch. To paraphrase a Fulbright scholar, breaking free from the confine of illiteracy has nothing to do with advanced civilization, not until we learn to unlearn and relearn in our quest for knowledge. Absolutely!

In clear terms, women are yet to gain freedom from the ridicules of the male counterparts. The bone of contention being that the contemporary societies infringe on the rights of women by placing all sorts of limitations on their inalienable birthrights. For example, where it is just and where it is irrational, they are being denied a voice in public hearing; they are being denied recognition in the social aspects of life like education, business and all that; they are being ignored in our societies with the believe that they should not be heard. And this begs for the question “why?”

Meanwhile, in addition to where it is elsewhere mentioned, Allah recognizes the right of women as much as that of men counterparts like a verse of the Quran states: “Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and he (or she) is a true believer (of Islâmic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a life that is good and pure, and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (An-Nahl: verse 97)”.

Quoting a little bird as she puts it: “it may be the cock that crows but it is the hen that lays the egg.” An interpretation of the connotation is simple: men are nothing without women. Like history has informed us, a woman conceived a baby by herself without copulation but by the might of Allah. In this regard, the virgin Mary and mother of Prophet ‘Isa (عليه السلام) is implied. And never has history been told of any man who conceived a baby all by himself. Truth be told, that is NEVER going to happen.

Then come to think of it, the pains of carrying a baby for nine months is enough to accord women some unreserved respects and the deserved admiration. In addition to that, the pain of labour await them at birth. Even after that, the nursing of the child is right there to grapple with all alone. Then I ask (you) this: where does the man exists in all the scenarios? Of course he existed in the procreation part at least and the woman bears the cross and faces her fate afterwards!

Lo and behold, may I quote this verse again? “And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful (and good) to his parents: His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years; give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination” (Luqman: verse 14). The phrase “his mother” is clearly indicated, and undoubtedly, the gratitude a mother deserves cannot be equated with any measure.

As in the narration of Abu Hurayrah (رضى الله عنه): a man came to the messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and said: O messenger of Allah, who among people is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me? The prophet said, “your mother.” The man asked, “who is next?” The prophet said, “your mother.” The man asked further, “who is next?” The prophet said, “your mother.” The man asked for the fourth time, “who is next?” The prophet said, “your father.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5971: Book 78, Hadith 2). Simply put, a mother deserves the kindness of her child in three folds compared to the father. Then I put it across to you that if the prophet could recommend such as in the narration goes, shouldn’t women be treasured and valued?

With reference to the present generation, notably, the major factor responsible for the rampancy of domestic violence in our contemporary societies is all thanks to some men with small characters and shallow thinking. Yes! They lack understanding despite the fact that Aisha (رضى الله عنها) has reportedly said: the messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) never struck a servant or a woman. Even Allah has clearly stated in the Quran that: “…They (i.e. your wives) are your garments (i.e. body cover for you) and (also referring to men in turn) ye are their garments (i.e. you are the same for them)… [See Al-Baqarah: verse 187].

In particular, it was reported from the prophet that: you have rights over your women and your women have rights over you. Your rights over your women are that they are not to allow anyone whom you dislike to tread on your bedding (furniture) nor allow anyone whom you dislike to enter your houses. And their rights over you are that you should treat them kindly with regard to their clothing and food. Also from the prophet was this narration saying: “I command you to be kind to women.” Hearken to the Prophet’s advice.

Importantly, in the image of Islam, a woman is respected in the sight of Allah by virtue of: her virtues, piety, decency and obedience to the commandments of her Rabb. And the lot of virtuous women honoured with mention in the Quran – both indirectly and directly – were Maryyam (the mother of Prophet ‘Isa), Asiyah (the wife of Fir’awn), Safura (the wife of Prophet Musa), Bilqees (the Queen of Sheba), ‘Isa’s grandmother (the wife of Imran), the mother of Prophet Musa, and the wives of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) among others.

In all sincerity, it is unconditionally mandatory upon every man to honour the women as long as the latter uphold the commandments of Allah in their relationship with those whom Allah entrusts their livelihood. It’s beyond the shadow of a doubt that women are priceless, though it remains awe-inspiring that they are the ‘perfect imperfection(s)’ created by Almighty Allah and that explains why men must treat them like delicate treasures! Indeed, “men are the protectors and maintainers of women…” (see An-Nisa: verse 34)

For the sake of emphasis, to all men alike, this is a wake-up call to embrace the constant truth. When she’s a daughter, she opens the door to the Garden for her father. When she’s a wife, she completes half of the Deen of her husband. And when she’s a mother, Jannah lies under her feet. Do you now see the worth of women?

To conclude, all men must treat the women in their care with kindness as they are made to be treasured for the pleasure they provide. Indeed, any man who knows the true status of a Muslim woman (in Islām) would yearn to become a woman. A woman is a treasure, and she is NOT a pleasure!

ABDULLAHI, Abdulhafeez is a graduate of the University of Ilorin. He hails from Ilorin West in Kwara State. Contact: +2348030681620; abdulhafeezolaide@gmail.com.

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