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Women's Emancipation during the Prophet's Lifetime #3
Muslim Woman's Participation In Professional, Political And Social Life
In volume 3, the author showcases women's participation in politics and professions in the early Muslim society established by the Prophet.
Many of us imagine that in the early periods of Islam, women were largely confined to the home. They are surprised when they learn that some of the female companions were professional women, took part in the political life of the early Muslim state, implementing the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah.
This Eight volume series is the author’s abridged version of his longer work with the same Arabic title, Tahrir al-Mar’ah fi ‘Asr al-Risalah spanning a twenty-five year study comprising fourteen great anthologies of ahadith, but in this book he only rarely includes hadiths from any anthology other than the two most authentic ones of al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Many of us imagine that in the early periods of Islam, women were largely confined to the home. They are surprised when they learn that some of the female companions were professional women, took part in the political life of the early Muslim state, implementing the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah.
This Eight volume series is the author’s abridged version of his longer work with the same Arabic title, Tahrir al-Mar’ah fi ‘Asr al-Risalah spanning a twenty-five year study comprising fourteen great anthologies of ahadith, but in this book he only rarely includes hadiths from any anthology other than the two most authentic ones of al-Bukhari and Muslim.
- GenresIslam
152 pages, Paperback
Published January 10, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 13, 2022
Volume 3 of Abd al-Halim Abu Shuqqah's "Tahreer al-Mar'a fee 'Asr ar-Risaalah"/ "Women's Emancipation during the Prophet's Lifetime" left me with mixed feelings.
This book discusses Muslim women's participation in professional, social, and political life. As with the previous volumes, the author provides ahadith and narrations of women during the time of RasulAllah (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) who were educated, who worked in various ways, engaged in social participation publicly, and took part in political activities.
In each chapter, the author lists principles that he holds to be important regarding each point; most of them are pretty good, but some were... flimsy (or odd!) and easily argued against - e.g. "if working helps a woman get married, it becomes a duty for her to work."
When talking about women's work, he falls into the usual nonsense we find in Muslamic discourse - that women's financial independence makes them "rivals" to men (?!), that society will be shaken if women aren't dependent on men in some way (ugh hella disturbing), and vague statements about work that is "suitable to women's nature" (without ever elaborating on what that work is or what makes something unsuitable for us).
He does, however, spend a lot of time urging Muslim men to support their wives in benefiting society for the ultimate good, which is nice. He also provides examples of Sahabiyyaat who worked.
The author's Ikhwani background becomes very obvious when the discussion turns to political participation - if I hadn't known about that background, some of it would sound ridiculous (arguing that Muslims in politics will prevent faahishah - meanwhile Ilhan Omar be dancing at Pride parades), but given that the author came from Egypt and speaking from the context of an Islamic political revolution, it makes sense and in principle, I agreed with pretty much everything he said. Ngl, that was probably my favourite chapter lol.
Overall, I'd give this volume a 3.75/5 🌟 Still a good resource, but disappointing at times and flimsy at others.
#Bookstagram #Muslimbookstagram #IslamAndWomenReads #IslamAndWomen #MuslimWomen #MuslimNonFiction #IslamicBooks
This book discusses Muslim women's participation in professional, social, and political life. As with the previous volumes, the author provides ahadith and narrations of women during the time of RasulAllah (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) who were educated, who worked in various ways, engaged in social participation publicly, and took part in political activities.
In each chapter, the author lists principles that he holds to be important regarding each point; most of them are pretty good, but some were... flimsy (or odd!) and easily argued against - e.g. "if working helps a woman get married, it becomes a duty for her to work."
When talking about women's work, he falls into the usual nonsense we find in Muslamic discourse - that women's financial independence makes them "rivals" to men (?!), that society will be shaken if women aren't dependent on men in some way (ugh hella disturbing), and vague statements about work that is "suitable to women's nature" (without ever elaborating on what that work is or what makes something unsuitable for us).
He does, however, spend a lot of time urging Muslim men to support their wives in benefiting society for the ultimate good, which is nice. He also provides examples of Sahabiyyaat who worked.
The author's Ikhwani background becomes very obvious when the discussion turns to political participation - if I hadn't known about that background, some of it would sound ridiculous (arguing that Muslims in politics will prevent faahishah - meanwhile Ilhan Omar be dancing at Pride parades), but given that the author came from Egypt and speaking from the context of an Islamic political revolution, it makes sense and in principle, I agreed with pretty much everything he said. Ngl, that was probably my favourite chapter lol.
Overall, I'd give this volume a 3.75/5 🌟 Still a good resource, but disappointing at times and flimsy at others.
#Bookstagram #Muslimbookstagram #IslamAndWomenReads #IslamAndWomen #MuslimWomen #MuslimNonFiction #IslamicBooks
May 23, 2022
This book is an abridged version of Tahrir al-Mar’ah fi ‘Asr al-Risalah (a longer arabic version) and the Author mostly quoted al-Bukhari and Muslim’s authentic hadiths. It focuses on muslim women’s participation in professional, social and political life and divided into many principles as points for discussions. A few of them are confusing to me, but I guess its all comes down to how each of us choose to perceived the author’s views and examples of the women involvement during the Prophet’s time.
There’s two types of people :
1. Those who advocate a Western type of social change claim that married women must be financially and economically independent so that they can enjoy and exercise their free will.
Author’s comments : Its a recipe for undermining the foundations of the family. To be of healthy and sound structure, the family must rely on the cooperation of its individual members and the proper division of responsibilities between them. It cannot be based on total independence of its members or on rivalry between them.
2. Those who say a woman cannot achieve personal fulfilment and develop her character unless she has a job.
Author’s comment: Its wrong. A woman can achieve such fulfilment and development when she is a housewife undertaking suitable measures for participation in social and political activity. We do not deny that employment and professional work give a woman highly useful experience in life.
I stand for in any given circumstances, muslim women should always be allowed making decisions of their own should they wanted to participate in anything as long as it’s permissible in Islam, and getting themselves involved with the community to make the world a better place.
Mikhail Gorbachev quotes:
“I do not think that women's returning to their purely womanly mission would deprive her of the chance to do professional work or to participate in social and political activity. All it means is that there is urgent need to achieve the right balance between the woman's primary mission with her family and at home, and her other opportunities and missions.”
Purely womanly’s mission? Primary mission with family and at home are not solely for women, but men too. ☝🏻 Overall, its a good and light reads if you’re looking for these specific topics to delve into.
There’s two types of people :
1. Those who advocate a Western type of social change claim that married women must be financially and economically independent so that they can enjoy and exercise their free will.
Author’s comments : Its a recipe for undermining the foundations of the family. To be of healthy and sound structure, the family must rely on the cooperation of its individual members and the proper division of responsibilities between them. It cannot be based on total independence of its members or on rivalry between them.
2. Those who say a woman cannot achieve personal fulfilment and develop her character unless she has a job.
Author’s comment: Its wrong. A woman can achieve such fulfilment and development when she is a housewife undertaking suitable measures for participation in social and political activity. We do not deny that employment and professional work give a woman highly useful experience in life.
I stand for in any given circumstances, muslim women should always be allowed making decisions of their own should they wanted to participate in anything as long as it’s permissible in Islam, and getting themselves involved with the community to make the world a better place.
Mikhail Gorbachev quotes:
“I do not think that women's returning to their purely womanly mission would deprive her of the chance to do professional work or to participate in social and political activity. All it means is that there is urgent need to achieve the right balance between the woman's primary mission with her family and at home, and her other opportunities and missions.”
Purely womanly’s mission? Primary mission with family and at home are not solely for women, but men too. ☝🏻 Overall, its a good and light reads if you’re looking for these specific topics to delve into.
October 18, 2022
Don't forget to send salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ while reading this book/these series.
January 14, 2024
■ In response to some “orthodox Islamic belief systems” where a good muslimah must stay confined within their home and their movements should be restricted only to selected occasions and locations, this volume provides valid arguments and clarity to address these issues.
■ Women deserve proper education, women deserve rights. After all, when Islam emerged during the Jahiliyyah period, it empowered women! Therefore, women's involvement in workforces and political scenes is necessary for our ummah to strive successfully, biiznillah. Men and women has their designated fitrahs and are created to complement each other in running this earth. That is why, to have a smoother management at all levels, beneficial interactions among men and women being present in the same place, is inevitable. Of course, at the same, we must abide by the Islamic code of ethics. Islam is easy, there are guidelines for everything. People complicate matters.
■ "Learn from history for a better future." As Muslims, we should always go back to the Quran and authentic hadiths. Then, the fatwas and other Kitabs by our verified, respectful scholars in Islam, in all fields. These sources provide solid and sound foundations and exemplary acts for us to refer to and get inspired. From there, we can effectively strategise plans to be implemented in today’s problems. I highly appreciate the author’s and translator’s sincere efforts to fix these centuries-old misconceptions. One of the few “pioneer” genres in the scene of English Islamic Books.
■ May Allah swt reward him abundantly for his intentions and good deeds. Having said that, within his content in this particular volume, here and there, there were times his explanations were a bit unclear or confusing. I am not sure whether it is due to linguistic issues due to cultural differences, or the meaning was lost in translation. Or, it was just me who failed to understand his words. Wallahualam.
■ Overall, this volume is recommended to gain useful insights. It triggers critical thinking and serve as a good starting point in seeking knowledge in this particular field.
■ Women deserve proper education, women deserve rights. After all, when Islam emerged during the Jahiliyyah period, it empowered women! Therefore, women's involvement in workforces and political scenes is necessary for our ummah to strive successfully, biiznillah. Men and women has their designated fitrahs and are created to complement each other in running this earth. That is why, to have a smoother management at all levels, beneficial interactions among men and women being present in the same place, is inevitable. Of course, at the same, we must abide by the Islamic code of ethics. Islam is easy, there are guidelines for everything. People complicate matters.
■ "Learn from history for a better future." As Muslims, we should always go back to the Quran and authentic hadiths. Then, the fatwas and other Kitabs by our verified, respectful scholars in Islam, in all fields. These sources provide solid and sound foundations and exemplary acts for us to refer to and get inspired. From there, we can effectively strategise plans to be implemented in today’s problems. I highly appreciate the author’s and translator’s sincere efforts to fix these centuries-old misconceptions. One of the few “pioneer” genres in the scene of English Islamic Books.
■ May Allah swt reward him abundantly for his intentions and good deeds. Having said that, within his content in this particular volume, here and there, there were times his explanations were a bit unclear or confusing. I am not sure whether it is due to linguistic issues due to cultural differences, or the meaning was lost in translation. Or, it was just me who failed to understand his words. Wallahualam.
■ Overall, this volume is recommended to gain useful insights. It triggers critical thinking and serve as a good starting point in seeking knowledge in this particular field.
September 3, 2024
Veldig repetitiv, gjentagende avsnitt og sitat. Kort fortalt gir forfatter legetime begrunnelser, støttet med en rekke ahadith, for muslimske damers deltagelse i samfunnet.
«A man shares with his wife the reward of her social work when he encourages her to do it. His reward is increased in relation to the help and encouragement he gives her.”
“It is not open to any husband to stop his wife doing something for gods sake...”
The prophet said - “Obedience applies only to what is reasonable.”
Abdullah Ibn Rafi narrated that Umm Salamah, the prophets wife responded to a general call. She had heard the prophet standing on the platform and saying - “You, people.” She went responding - “I am one of the people.”
“…Islam does not forbid extending the rights to vote to women.”
“Voting is a method by which the community representatives… Islam does not debar women from choosing such deputies to defend their rights and to express their views as citizens.”
“Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi refutes the arguments of those who are opposed to women’s elections as members of parliament… He feels that women’s election to parliament will definitely serve the interests of society”
“Islam gives men and women equal rights to acquire knowledge”
«A man shares with his wife the reward of her social work when he encourages her to do it. His reward is increased in relation to the help and encouragement he gives her.”
“It is not open to any husband to stop his wife doing something for gods sake...”
The prophet said - “Obedience applies only to what is reasonable.”
Abdullah Ibn Rafi narrated that Umm Salamah, the prophets wife responded to a general call. She had heard the prophet standing on the platform and saying - “You, people.” She went responding - “I am one of the people.”
“…Islam does not forbid extending the rights to vote to women.”
“Voting is a method by which the community representatives… Islam does not debar women from choosing such deputies to defend their rights and to express their views as citizens.”
“Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi refutes the arguments of those who are opposed to women’s elections as members of parliament… He feels that women’s election to parliament will definitely serve the interests of society”
“Islam gives men and women equal rights to acquire knowledge”
October 28, 2022
Nowadays, with various hedonism and ideology such as feminism and Islamophobia, this book has enlightened readers on the significance of women in social life considering her roles in family growth, equal and sharp. Well done!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews