When I first referred to myself as a feminist amongst a group of my Muslim friends, I remember their eyes widening. However, I didn’t blame them. If a few months prior to that moment, any of my friends had called themselves a feminist, I probably would’ve scoffed at their “western” ideologies and laughed it off. Although it took me a few years, I’ve began to understand that the misconception of women in terms of feminism, has to do with the South Asian culture, rather than Islam as a religion.
Contrary to what Westerners believe, Islam isn’t and never was meant to portray women as oppressed and silent. Islam and Muslims are often bashed for gender inequality. What most non-Muslim’s don’t know, is that Islam actually has a long standing of female empowerment. People today often say that Islam and feminism do not go together. However, Islam gave women the rights they deserved over 1400 years ago while women in the West begin to gain basic rights only about 100 years ago, if not after.
I’ve begun to understand that the misconception of women in terms of feminism, has to with the South Asian culture, rather than Islam as a religion
Some misconceptions of how Muslim women are viewed include that of being confined to the kitchen, lack of inheritance, inability to divorce, and the right to education. Most aspects of Islam that people view as incorrect, are in fact a result of culture being portrayed as Islam. According to the texts of many different Imam’s, rather than the women of the house having to drudge over the stove, it is entirely up to the female as to whether or not she wishes to cook. However, most women do choose to cook, as their husbands are often the ones working, while they choose to stay at home. When it comes to inheritance, in the West, until the late 18th century, women were not allowed to inherit property, unless they were married. Whereas in Islam, a verse of the Quran was sent down specifically in regards to women and their inheritance. Thus, in Islam despite whether a woman was married, widowed, or unmarried, she was privy to receiving inheritance from her family.
Divorce is often a taboo topic within South Asian cultures. This again brings up the confusion between culture and religion. While culturally, divorce is frowned upon, in Islam, if after wholeheartedly trying to make a marriage work, and it doesn’t, women are permitted to initiate divorce proceedings. It goes as far as the Quran stating that if after a divorce, the woman has nowhere to go, the man whom the divorce took place with, is to allow her to stay in a part of his home, until she finds a place to stay. Lastly, Islam puts a great emphasis on women getting a good education. Islam has such an importance for knowledge that to gain it is seen as superior to Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said something along the lines of “Seeking knowledge is an obligation on every Muslim.” I believe that it is important to note that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said every Muslim, rather than every man.
These misconceptions are ones that individuals who live in the West believe they should “free” Muslim women from. Westerners believe that as Muslim women, we are all oppressed by our parents, siblings, and our spouses. One thing I’ve noticed that is quite common is that of this strand of feminism that believes in women’s rights, but only when it comes to wearing revealing clothes, or showing off our bodies. If you call yourself a “feminist”, your feminism should include respecting me when I decide to wear a hijab, or wear modest clothing. And to be frank, the choices most of us make, are on our own. I stand with you when it comes to helping women who truly are oppressed, and I’m all for women’s rights. But, spoiler alert: not every Muslim woman is asking to be liberated or freed. Because in all honesty? We already are.
