Women In Islam : Fairness or equality? ( Part 3 )

When some people claim that Islamic treatments for women are unfair, they must have their own reasons, but we have to question, first of all, what is meant by 'fairness' since different view for one word might yield the different outcome for the whole issue.

If they consider fairness to be the equality, it means that we are not in similar perspective. In Islam, the absolute definition for this word is to place things in their rightful place. As the result, the equality might be a part of the fair, but it is not necessarily equality means fairness.

In particular issue, the differences between men and women are not only in physical, but also in emotion. In fact, most of the women are influenced by their emotional rather than their rational and vice versa. Therefore, there are a few roles or tasks that played by men should be unalike than their spouses. It is not determined by religion, but the nature itself.

Thus, Islam is a true natural religion has chosen to say both men and women complete each other in their life rather than say they are equal.

Women and the right to divorce

The divorce issue in Islam might be considered the main argument to prove that Islam doesn't provide the justice for genders. In fact, it is true that only husband own the decision to divorce her wife, but In Islam divorce is not the only way to break the husband-wife relationship. Apart from Talak (divorce), there are khulu’ and  fasakh that also be given to female if she want to end her married status.

What makes Talak different than others is it is prompt decision to break the relationship and only involve between Men and their spouse compared to others that need the judgment from the court. In a few cases, Talak is an amicable way to settle inner problem without involve many parties.

It is obvious that men are less influential compared to women. Thus, the power of talak should be held by him as Islam considered men to be the leader of the family. In fact, the journey of husband-wife relationship full with various challenges and could not avoid from emotional influence. So, not surprisingly, talak is on men’s hand since they are stronger impatient to handle the problem.

Men are leader for women

Another misunderstanding would be on the versus “Men are leader of women”. Most of the people even Muslim understand this versus means that men are always top on women. In other words, no wonder how much stronger or talent of the women, at the end they have to be under men's power.

In fact, it is true that in some situations we could not deny that women are more talent, more responsible and have better character than their counterparts and Islam is not against it. Based on this versus, the problem are not from it, but from those who are trying to interpret it without enough knowledge in Arabic language principal, coupled with bad intention.

The versus have to be read completely as follows

“ Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend ( for maintenance) from their wealth”. ( An-Nisa’ : 34 )

According to the whole phrase in the versus, Quran describe the word ‘men’ as those who are better than women, means if men want to be the leader of the women they have to prove themselves better than their partners. Moreover, the second condition for qualifying them to be the leader is they have to spend their property for the support of women.

Meanwhile, based on grammatical Arab, the word ar-rijal ( men ) consist with ‘alif lam’, In Arabic, ‘alif lam’ show that the word is specific. Therefore, when Allah said ar-rijal, it not means men in general, but it refers to men who are the leader for their wives.

 

Women In Islam : The status of daughter and mother ( Part 2 )

It is clear that Al-Quran shows the equality between men and women in important positions such as husband-wife relationship, hereafter rewards and possessing the wealth. Thus, it is enough to reject the claim that Islam treats women as the second status. In contrast, there are two privileges that only been given for females as follows:-

Special reward for growing up the daughters.

Before Islamic era, Arab societies had considered females to be the burden for family. At that time, most father felt insulted when their wives gave birth a girl. As the result, many baby girl have been killed for the sake of family dignity. However, the situation completely changed after the presence of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as Islam strongly against the physical abuse for women.

Moreover, the Prophet (PBUH) has raised the status of women since they are children. A good example would be the prophet’s promise for those who own the daughter will get special rewards from Allah as follows:-

"He who raises two daughters until their puberty will be with me in Paradise like this", and he symbolized the proximity by showing two of his fingers with a slight gap between them." (Muslim)

“He who is involved (in the responsibility) of (nurturing) daughters and is generous to them, will have them as a fortification for himself against the Hellfire.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

The status of Mother.

The female's honour are continuing when they get married and give birth to a child. In Islam, a mother has the special position as mentioned in the Al-Quran:-

"And his carrying and his weaning is in thirty months"( Al-Ahqof :15)

This versus describes the hardships suffered by the mother for her baby. As the result, Islam grants mother more right than father. Moreover, The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) shows a beautiful example of the noble position of the mother:  

A man came to the Prophet and said: O Messenger of Allah! Who from amongst mankind warrants the best companionship from me? He replied: "Your mother." The man asked: Then who? So he replied: "Your mother." The man then asked: Then who? So the Prophet replied again: "Your mother." The man then asked: Then who? So he replied: "Then your father." ( Al-Bukhori and Muslim )

Women in Islam : Don't judge by Muslim practices ( Part 1 )

Some people try to portray Islam as a religion which not appreciate women. Moreover, they argue that women in Islam are treated as the second class person such as unfair dividing for the inherited wealth, no right to address their choice for marriage and disallowed to raise their voice in politics.

Even in Islamic laws, women are burdened with a few obligations that not required for men such as cover the whole of their body. In extreme cases, they said men can abuse their wives for their desire with women have no choice to say 'no'. In other words, women just a tool for men.

In fact, it is bias to judge Islam based on Muslim cultures or their practices. Obviously, what are Muslim doing nowadays, not all of them are linear with Islamic teaching, even not surprising to say most of them against to Quran and Hadith.

Thus, to understand Islam and its teaching, we have to refer its main sources which are Quran and Hadith. As for the general principle, we look to Quran while to know how this religion has been practiced, they should find out through the prophet teaching or hadith.

Regarding women, there are a few versus in Quran mention about them in general. For example, the relationship between husband and wife is described by Allah as follows:-

“They are your garments and ye are their garments” (Al-Baqarah: 187)

It is interesting to say that Allah gives a fascinating parable between spouses as the remnant which means it is needed by people either to protect their body and to show their status. Thus, it shows that women are important to men as women also need their spouse.

In other versus:-

And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect. ( Rom: 21)

In this versus, Allah say how women are the person who can take comfort in for men. He also create love and mercy among spouses. In conclusion, Both complete each other as no body can say Islam look down the women.

Meanwhile, as for their act and worship, Allah said

For Muslim men and women, - for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise, - for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward. ( Al-Ahzab: 35).

Meanwhile in another versus, Allah stress:-

"He that works evil will not be requited but by the like thereof: and he that works a righteous deed - whether man or woman - and is a Believer- such will enter the Garden (of Bliss): Therein will they have abundance without measure” (Al-Ghofir: 40)

According to these versus, all of the practices are specified clearly with both of them deserve to get forgiveness and award from Allah. It means that Allah never differentiate between men and women based on their gender.

As for possessing wealth, Allah said:-

To men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn.. ( Nisa’: 32)

It is clear that wealth's principle in Islam, every person has a right to own their fortune as long as they work hard to achieve it.   

To be continue... 

  

From mayor to the great leader.

After the abolition of caliph system, the Muslim land was divided into many countries according to their nation. Eventually, nowadays, there are more than 50 Muslim countries all over the world. Although becoming independent, most of the Muslim countries are still not achieve a proper standard of ideal country. Underdevelopment, corruption, famine in some cases, a non-sustainable environment, dictatorships and other sociopolitical and economical calamities are synonymous with Muslim countries as their leaders need to carry a good part of the blame.

However, in recent decades, the emerging of Recep Toyyib Erdorgan (Turkish President), Mahmood Ahmadinejad (Previous Iran President) and Joko Widodo (Indonesian President) has changed people’ perception toward Muslim leaders.  Their charismatic through words or works not only has influenced local citizen, but also admired by Muslims around the world regardless the different political ideology. 

Why did people respect them? A number of reasons might have been put forward for this, but by far, the apparent similarity among them is an excellent track - record as mayor before elected as the country’s leader.

Erdogan for instance, after winning in local election in 1994 and elected as the mayor of Istanbul, he showed his impressive reputation to solve chronic problem in that city. Over the period of his governance, even he was criticized by secularist for banning alcohol in city cafe, but they also admitted  the significant reformations by Erdorgan such as tackling water shortage, reducing pollution and unraveling the traffic congestion.

Erdogan : The current Turkish President

Unlike Erdorgan and Jokowi, Ahmadinejad maybe unpopular among some of Muslim Sunnis. They claimed that Ahmadinejad only attracted others through his harsh words to western leaders especially the USA. However, in fact, Ahmadinejad has proven his leadership through his record as a mayor. Before elected as the Iran president, Ahmadinejad served himself as a mayor of Tehran. His achievement in enhancing the traffic system and emphasizing on charity such as distributing free soup to the poor pave him the way to be one of 65 finalist world mayor in 2005. Interestingly, from 550 nominees, only nine of them from Asia include Ahmadinejad.

Ahmadinejad's life impress many people

Meanwhile, Jokowi, the current Indonesian president has experienced task as a mayor for two times, first in Surakata and second in Jakarta. Serving for 9 million residents, which is one of the most populous urban agglomerations in the world, Jokowi has introduced many policies and approaches such as visiting poor area through Jakarta, inaugurating Jakarta MRT, initiating programs aimed towards transparency, improving education and welfare system. On 18 October 2014, he has been chosen as the cover for Time magazine.

Jokowi, popular among poor people

Those persons remind me about one of the famous caliphs in Islamic history, which was Umar Abdul Aziz. Apart from his character as a pious leader and in-depth knowledge in Islam, his best performance in coping with poverty could not be deniable. Even his leadership only two years but record showed that there were no poor who qualified for zakat at that time. Interestingly, according to history, Umar Abdul Aziz also has governed Madina province before appointed as a Caliph.

All in all, one could not deny that leadership must be proved by dynamic work. Being a mayor maybe a good position show leadership qualification before becoming as the county’s leader. 

The Wealth : Lesson from the story of the owner of two gardens.

One of the interesting story in chapter Al-Kahfi is the owner of two gardens with his friend. This tale is a debatable issue among Muslim scholar whether it just a parable as Quran did not mention the whole story and its characters, place and time clearly or it is a real story. However, majority of them argued that all of the stories in Quran really happened include this tale.

Actually, unclear subject that narrated by Quran is not the issue as the main objective of Quranic stories is to give the lessons to reader. It is enough for Muslim when they understand the meaning beyond of the story rather than to find answer for unclear matter through the story.

In this particular story, it is about what is the Quranic perspective on wealth.

Money cause the happiness?

It is impossible to deny that money help human to achieve a better life, but is it means that humans live for money? In reality, money does not always create happiness for them. Take an example, a person who wants to earn six-figure salary, but when he reaches this position, it's still not satisfy him as his desire become to own more.

In contrast, Pursuit the wealth sometime leads to unhealthy competition among people. When a person overambitious to achieve his dream in possessing luxury, sometime he is willing to do anything regardless legally or not, but by far the important is it fulfill his desire.

On top of that, obsession for searching the money always makes people ignore their obligations. In many cases, we can see parents no longer have enough time to spend with their children, because many are working unsociable hours to cope with the pressure and world demand. Children consequently affected as they grow up without love, care, and education.

The moral of the story of owner of two gardens.

The issue is not the money as it also one of Allah creation, but the problem is how people deal with it. Different perspective cause different results. Thus, the story of the owner of two garden is the best guidance in understanding the wealth.

Regard to this story, one of them who was gifted by Allah with fascinating gardens. It contained two gardens of grape and surrounded by date palms. Between two gardens there were cornfields and the midst of them was a flowing river.

However, this award leaded the owner became arrogant, felt honorable and looked down to others. Moreover, he deemed his gardens will not perish and he believed that if he brought back to his Lord, surely he got something better in exchange.

His attitude followed by triggered response from his friend as he reminded him that all of human created from dust as it means one could not feel that he is better than other. Then, he advised him about all of the award that gifted by Allah should be followed by expression ‘Masha Allah' that means Allah's will (be done)! There is no power but with Allah!'

Finally, All possessions of the owner of two gardens were ruinous and then followed by his regret

"Woe is me! Would I had never ascribed partners to my Lord and Cherisher!" (Al-Kahfi: 42)

Apart from lesson, the interesting about this story is Allah give a parable of human life as he said

“Set forth to them the similitude of the life of this world: It is like the rain which we send down from the skies:
the earth's vegetation absorbs it, but soon it becomes dry stubble, which the winds do scatter: it is (only) Allah who prevails over all things. ( Al-Kahfi: 45).

This story was closed by a conclusion from Allah about wealth and sons as following:-

“Wealth and sons are allurements of the life of this world: But the things that endure, good deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best as (the foundation for) hopes. ( Al-Kahfi: 46)

When Allah said wealth and sons are allurements, he did not mean that both must be ignored. In contrast wealth and sons are individual responsibility. For example, in dealing with property, Muslim must follow divine rules such as paying zakat or dividing pusaka based on what has been taught by religion. Likewise, sons also have their right to their parent.

However what are concern by Islam, a real Muslim should not put their wealth and sons as their goal in life. In contrast, they must change them to become the avenue to achieve the real happiness in hereafter. It could be. For example a Muslim who contribute part of his wealth for the sake of religion, surely, he will reap it after his death. Another example would be, when a person have succeed to educate his son becomes a pious person, he will gain continuous reward later as long as his son pray for him.

PhD : For the sake of religion

Last week, I attended the research methodology course which organized by Islamic Science University of Malaysia. It was obligatory for those who were appointed as fellow of university. For me, being the fellow is my greatest achievement since returned from Jordan. Even this position not guarantees me to become lecturer later, but at least they have provided me the special sponsorship for PhD and it enough to aware me that I must be grateful for Allah.

During the course, even the most participants were fellow, but there were a small number of junior lecturer, tutor and administrative staffs. The course was fascinating as much information and experience have been shared by USIM senior lecturers which majority of them have done their PhD at United Kingdom. Meanwhile, the majority of us may fly to the same country ( UK ) since the new policy is introduced by Ministry of Education that require every fellow must register at the one of top 200 universities in the world.

Regard the academic research; it is obvious that every field has its own method as science research is not similar as social science or humanities studies. However, whatever discipline studies for PhD candidates, few questions must be answered by them as follows:-

 What is PhD?

Why to study PhD?

How to complete it?

Briefly, PhD is a research to discover the ‘new’ and to give the ‘contribution’. According to these key words, PhD must fulfill few things as follow:-

1. Find Problem.

Before do the research, the student must find the issue or problem that faced by society, organization, or country first, and then decide the title and method to create the solution for the problem via their research.

2. New idea

‘New’ is the main requisite for PhD in order to avoid researcher from repeating the outcome that have been done by others because it will waste times and efforts. However, it not means that 100% new must be presented as it is impossible, but the researcher just needs to show something new in term of different angel, new application or building up the conceptual. Therefore, the researcher has to do ‘literatures review’ as it not just reading but analyzing them critically.

3. Originality

As a thesis bring new idea and new contribution, its must be done originally by researcher. So, it is crucial for him or her to follow all of the rules and ethics throughout PhD period. A true researcher must show his trust, accountability and fairness, and should avoid falsify and misrepresenting.

4. Significant study.

To fulfill the main objective of research which is solving the real and current problem, the researcher must prove his ‘product’ later not just theoretical knowledge but it can be implemented. Thus, not surprisingly in the top university, no matter how good the researcher produce his thesis, but if he fails to prove the significant contribution, technically he is considered as a failure.

With one year as preparation and 3 years for completing, I really hope that I can do my PhD very well.

“A PhD does not indicate intelligent of the person but could be an indication of his time management”

“PhD is not everything but it is something that may open your opportunities for the future”.

“Do your PhD for the sake of religion”

We have been taught about environment and peace before you.

Global warming and nuclear weapon have dominated the world news, especially after United Nation ( UN ) assembly last month. It is clear that the world society have demanded their leaders to cope seriously these threats since its may lead to catastrophic to human and natural.

Global warming is described as the rising of earth’s temperature. Years by years, our earth has became hotter than before, especially after 1950, its temperature has increased significantly. Actually, global warming is not only about temperature, but what people scare is the impacts of this phenomena such as the rising of sea level. Moreover, the dramatic change of weather threaten the survival of species. The crops would not reap and consequently many animals will extinct too. As the result, human being will face the serious problem of food.

Meanwhile, the nuclear weapon also declared as the serious threat to the world. This arm is produced from nuclear reaction and enable to cause the horrific fatalities. A small nuclear bomb when it explodes will devastate huge areas or a city like what happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Both have experienced 200,000 deaths when the nuclear bombs were dropped. It was 50 years ago and now surely its ability has increased especially after the cold war.

Hiroshima : Who are responsible?

The similarity between global warming and nuclear weapon, both are caused by humans' intellect and their desire. The first is caused by uncontrolled industries and factories since many toxins and dangerous gasses have released to nature, while the later are created by human in order to show their strength.

Surprisingly, the developed and powerful countries have blamed the third world countries for these woes. Their argument based on the poor countries, mostly Muslim have ignored the environmental issues. At the same time, they also suspected few Muslims for creating the dangerous weapons for the terrorist purpose.

We could not deny that the political and awareness among Muslims and their leader still weak. However, western and developed countries should not bias for their allegation. In fact, the environmental problem emerged rapidly after industrial revolt that gearing by developed countries. Through the wealth mission long time ago, they have colonized other lands, grasped the value materials at that lands, and manipulated its in order to fulfill their desire.

Who start first?

Regard the dangerous weapon, there still no proof that Muslim countries own nuclear weapon (except Pakistan), but the fact is clear that veto's power are developing this kind of weapons. Maybe few basic question they should answer first; Who began the world war? Who dropped the atomic weapon?

Enviroment and peace based on Islamic teaching.
Our religion has taught these issues since 1,400 ago. Based on prophet Muhammad teaching, all Muslims are disallowed to cut any tree without a solid reason as the tree gives the blessing for humans and other creations. Moreover, the Prophet also forbid people from polluting the water sources and road.

Meanwhile, Islam also promotes harmony between people regardless their religion, nation, and area. Therefore, Muslims are disallowed to start the war or conflict unless when they are threatened. However, this permission also not absolute as many rules must be followed by Muslim leaders and their fighters during if the war could not be avoided. For example, they are strictly disallowed to kill woman, priests, old people, and children. At the same time, they must avoid from destroying animals and plants which not involve in the war. Another rule is the fighters must keep themselves from burning their enemy.

So, as a Muslims, we have been taught before…