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Feminism and Islam

By Minha Khan & Manizhe Iqbal | April 24, 2015

Feminism. The word itself is received with sighs and the rolling of eyes. Now you’re either in the group of people who thinks that feminists are a group of crazy females demanding dominance over the other sex, or you have absolutely no idea what feminism is. Either way, let me tell you this, whether you accept it or not- you need feminism. 
Feminism in its true nature is no more than the radical notion that women are people too. We live in a man’s world, where being male is the default. If you, like me, are female, it is almost guaranteed that society will see you as a mutation. And I for one, am sick of being treated as the weaker sex and still being expected to do the same- if not more- amount of work as men.

To be a respectable female in this society you have to cook, clean, maintain a house, raise 3 children while keeping up a stable job and having washboard abs. As compared to men, who are expected to do no more than making a good salary, it doesn’t really make sense to me as to how we’re seen as the “weaker” sex.
This year, I’ve been told over and over again: “when you grow up, you’re going to have to do everything your husband says.” And “you’re going to make a terrible wife, you’re too opinionated!” And in all honesty, I’ve been quite put off when people I held in high respect have kindly informed me that no matter what I dream to become or how hard I work towards my goals, my future is limited to being a housewife. There are two problems with this. Firstly, who are YOU to tell me that my future is going to be sacrificed because I was blessed to be born female? And secondly, why is being a housewife seen as an insult or a lowly occupation?

I have a friend who wants to grow up and be a mother of 12. Another friend of mine wants to travel the world as a photographer. Funnily enough, both of them are equally well-read on feminism and both have firm faith in the fact that a woman’s dreams do not have to be limited to her gender.
 Feminism isn’t a tool to make women stronger- they’re already strong- rather it is to make the world perceive that strength differently. 

Why is it that whenever a woman succeeds, they give credit to the man in her life and when she fails, they blame her entire gender by saying “women don’t have what it takes”? Have we become no more than a pretty face and future obedient wife? I know girls at school who began the year aspiring to become surgeons, scientists, medical researchers. And now as we come closer to the end of the year, you ask them what they want to be when they grow up and they shrug, defeat clear in their eyes. Because no matter how much we voice our opinions, stand up for our rights, yell and scream demanding some kind of equality- we’re still seen as “just women”. 

Looking at the religious point of view, the verse which has been repeated over and over again is: “and the men are one degree over them [women].” You’d expect a feminist like me to be enraged, possibly burn down mosques and begin protests. But I see no reason to do so. This, along with the numerous examples in Islamic history, is doing nothing but empowering women. Giving men a degree over women does not refer to anything except backing up the verse stating: “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women.” It is not giving them the right to abuse us. It is not giving them the right to put aside our rights. And it is most certainly not giving them the free way to do and say as they please while we on look them- living through them. We are no less to them in either the reward for our good deeds nor punishment for our sins. If the Prophet’s companions turned to Aisha (RA) for answers regarding issues of the law because of her vast knowledge and precise understanding, who are you to tell me that women are incapable of being a marine biologist or a renowned lawyer because of their “mental capacity”? To conform to these standards set for us by society is not a sign of weakness, but surrender. 
Hear me out when I say do not let the patriarchal media dictate what you can and cannot do. The biggest enemy of women today is women themselves, the ones who not only tell themselves that their gender is a handicap but bring down the spirits of the young female souls who still wish to soar higher- to reach their capabilities.


The sky isn’t the limit- just ask Neil Armstrong. The possibilities are endless. Stop playing the victim; you don’t have to always be the damsel in dismay. Be your own heroine. Be princess charming. 
And change the world. 

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