This important pillar of society is being maltreated in one way or the other

Women are an inalienable part of society, without whom the survival of humanity is impossible. We scientifically know that most species have male and female members and in most cases, female is treated with utmost care and respect. But in humans, the story is somehow complicated. This important pillar of society is being maltreated in one way or the other. Their rights are snatched and are severely tormented. Women have a very critical and crucial role in the society.
Women as mothers: If society as a whole has a functional brain then the story can be different and women will get a lot of respect and care because our sole existence is dependent on women. We are born from the womb of our mother and the mother takes care of us when we aren’t born yet, she does everything with proper planning so that we may not develop any negative. The process of her care doesn’t stop here but remains with us till the mother is alive. She gives us her blood to drink in the form of milk and wants to see us smiling while taking all the pain for herself.
Women as sisters: As a sister, a woman takes special care of her home, she makes huge arrangements for everything, and does the work that otherwise isn’t meant for her; washing clothes and making different dishes. A sister can’t see her brother worried and in need of something, she surely does something to solve the issue of her brother. I am lucky that I am a brother of four beautiful and loving sisters. They manage everything for me. Their love and affection towards me are one of my major blessings. A sister wants to see her brother as a model in letter and spirit.
Women as wives: As a wife, a woman takes care of the home and children. She remains busy doing different activities at home. A wife remains available for her husband in whatever circumstances. She has just one goal which is to make her husband happy. She sacrifices what is not to make you feel comfortable, leaves her parents and family and adopts a new family least bothering about the ifs and buts.
Women in Islamic history
Women in Islamic history have played great roles not just in family and household issues but played great and crucial roles as entrepreneurs, warriors, doctors/nurses, teachers, etc.
Women as entrepreneurs: There are people and scholars who claim that women can’t take part in business and similar activities, but we know that Khadija (RA) was a woman who was a great entrepreneur and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself took part in Khadija (RA’s) business. So women do have a future in business and none can stop them from doing so.
Women as warriors: During Prophetic times, there was no regular army or police, but at times of war, the companions turned to become soldiers. Meanwhile, the female companions were no exception. The great names like Khawla Bint Al-Azwar, Nusaybah Bint Ka’ab, Umm Hakim, etc can be taken as examples as they actively participated in various battles and Prophet (PBUH) didn’t stop them, so how can we today stop women to take part in alike fields.
Women as doctors/nurses: During Prophetic times, there were no separate departments, but there existed people who used to treat patients in many ways, and the women of that time were no exception. We have great women names who worked as doctors/nurses during the times. A few names like Rufaida Bint Saad, also known as Rufaida Aslamiyah, Umm Ayman and Summaya can be taken as examples.
Women as mentors/teachers: In Islamic history, women have played the role of teachers in a beautiful way. The best-evolved teacher is Ayesha (RA). She used to teach a huge number of students and had a good hold on different subjects.
What now: An Assessment
In the above lines, we discussed the role of women and how they contributed in different fields but what is their position today, do they enjoy the status and privileges or they are barred? We need to have a serious look at all this. We don’t allow women to drive a cab but allow them to travel with other men. We have devoted our sisters to religious education and what about the issue when they go for ECG and USG and the male technician does these tests in major places? We need to develop our women folk so that they can become independent of such men who later exploit them.
Religion has given them great freedom but the illogical scholars have barred them. Now there are two extremes: one is of feminists, who have hijacked women and have made them a market icon and tool of entertainment. On the other side are the illogical scholars who don’t allow women to move freely even in places where religion has set them free. The need of the hour is to rush back to the natural laws and follow all that suits contemporary women.
Muttaqi Naik is a senior research scholar at BGSBU Rajouri. He can be reached at [email protected].

Muttaqi Naik