O Level Islamiat P1 Respect For Women, Relations with Non-Muslim, Opposite Sex, Parents, Relatives, Orphan & Needy
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Respect For Women
Conditions of women in prehistoric days:
The women were treated inhumanly as they had no freedom to take personal decisions in the male dominant society. They were deprived of the right to benefit of education. They were treated with brutality and were exposed to severe social humiliation. They were treated as transferrable property, once they could be bought or sold at will. Female infanticide was a common social practice as the daughters were seen as an insult to the family. They were deprived of the rights of inheritance. They were not given right in inheritance. They were treated as slaves and articles of trade. Stepsons used to marry stepmothers after father's death. Polygamy was common.
Conditions of women in Islamic society:
The social status of women was lifted high. She was given the status of equality with man in social practice. The Holy Quran says:
“Kill not your children on a plea of want”. We provide sustenance for you and for them. Come not near to the shameful deeds”.
The women were given full freedom in Islam in defence of their rights, and to exercise their own will in making personal decisions. Islam enjoins the men to treat them kindly. Women were given right of Inheritance.
Holy Prophet’s attitude towards women:
He was very kind to women. He gave great honour and respect to them. They were safeguarded in economic, social, legal, familial and moral rights. It is said in the Holy Quran “According to custom women have rights over men just as men have rights over women”.
The Holy Prophet said,
“The better among you is the one who is better for his wife and I am better for my wives”.
Praising the status of mother, “Paradise lies under the feet of the mother”.
The Holy Prophet said in his sermon, “Women have the right to own property, she is the owner of her earning, No one (father, husband and brother) has a right over them, she has the right to choose her husband. No one can impose a decision on her against her will. Also, she has right to seek separation from her husband if their marriage become impossible to sustain”.
Islam permits a married non-Muslim woman with a muslim man to retain her religion. This rule applies to Christian and Jewish women with Muslim husbands. It preserves the dignified status of women in the capacity of a mother, therefore marriage of mothers and step mothers with a son were declared forbidden in Islam. The Quran says:
“And marry not women whom your fathers married except what is past, it was shameful and odious, an abominal custom indeed”. Every woman has the right to receive education.
The women were given the right of inheritance in their parents and deceased husband's property. Holy Quran says:
“From what is left by parents and those nearest related, there is a share for men and women whether the property be large or small, a determinate share”.
Women's earning acquired by her own exertions can not be wasted by her husband. The Prophet said that as husbands have rights over their wives, similarly wives also have rights over their husbands and hence they should be treated in a considerate and kind manner.
Holy Prophet’s attitude towards non-Muslims:
The Holy Prophet treated all the people equally, whether Muslims or non-Muslims. He did not permit discrimination or ill-treatment towards human beings. He prohibits Muslims from treating cruelly the people in the war, as he had always shown tolerance towards other religions. The Holy Quran says, “Let there be no compulsion in religion”. He signed the charter of Madinah with the Jews when he migrated to Madinah. He did not force any Jew to accept Islam against his will. He was very kind to the non-Muslims, even when they came as prisoners, e.g. the prisoners of Battle of Badr were given the choice of buying their freedom by paying ransom or if they could teach, they could get their freedom by teaching ten children for a specific period otherwise they were kept in rich Muslim families as guests.
The Holy Quran says, “To you be your way, to me mine”.
The Holy Prophet was commanded by Allah to grant assylum to any unbeliever who asked for it the non-Muslims were called “Zimmies” meaning protected people because they lived in peace under the protection of Islamic society. The Holy Prophet said,
“If anyone wrongs a man to whom a treaty has been granted, or burdens him above his strength, I will advocate against him on the Day of Judgement”.
The people of the Book (Jews, Christian) share many beliefs and values with the Muslims. The Holy Prophet permitted Muslims to eat the food of the people of the Book except which is forbidden. He also allowed, Christian and Jewish women to retain and practice and prohibited husbands from interfering in their religious freedom.
Relations with the members of opposite sex
Islam has ordained both Muslim men and women who are unlawful to each other to avoid interaction. Islam does not permit both the genders to freely mix up in parties and other occasions. Men and women are both supposed to remain decent and chaste. It strongly disapproved of illicit relations between men and women. Adultery is one of the most condemned sins and carries a severe punishment in Islam. Instead Islam guides Muslim males and females towards marriage.
It is said in the Holy Quran, “Nor come near adultery for it is a shameful deed and an evil, opening the road to other evils”.
Prophet Muhammad(s) always lowered his gaze when communicating with the women who were not permissible to them. He never extended his hands towards any such women, even during when taking baits (oaths).
Rights of Parents
Allah Almighty gives regard to the rights of parents. He mentions the command to be kind to them. The Quran says:
“Show gratitude to Me and to your parents”.
When a child is born in the world, he is helped, supported and guided by his parents. Who moulds him into a stable personality to face the problems of life? The parents look for the food, health, clothing and comfort of their children with total commitment. It is said in Holy Quran, “We have enjoined in man kindness to his parents, in pain did his mother bear him, and in pain she give him birth”.
We shall be polite, courteous, and helpful to the parents. We should refrain from such activities leading to their displeasure and we should serve them in their old age.
Rights of Relatives
The most effective way in strengthen formalities is to maintain healthy relations with the relatives. It is stressed by Islam that we should be kind, supportive and helpful to our relatives. The Holy Prophet said, “That who severe the bond of kinship will not enter paradise”.
If one has poor relatives, they must not be treated inferior. They must not be avoided due to poverty. They must be helped and supported in times of trouble. The Holy Prophet said, “The one who likes to be granted more provisions and his life to be prolonged should bond his relationship”.
Rights of Orphans and the Needy
The Holy Prophet said, “I and the man who takes care of an orphan will be in paradise like this”. He pointed his index finger and middle finger to show the distance between the two.
Allah commands us to do good to the orphans and takes care of their upbringing and sustenance. If we neglect an orphan, he can convert into a dangerous element of the society due to morals and at times financial deprivation. The extension of support can help them to, overcome their short-comings. It generally stabilizes their personality, instils confidence in them and facilitates their adaptation in the society. We should not rebuke them or speak harshly to them.
The Holy Quran says, “Therefore, treat not the orphans with harshness, nor repulse the petitioner unheard”.
