By Najah Al-AtassiThere is a story in the Quran that I find very liberating. The Quran tells us about a time when Abraham, peace be upon him (PBUH) asked, “Lord, show me how You revive the dead. Lord replied, “Have you not believed?” to which Abraham said, “Yes, but to reassure my heart.”
The Quran tells us that Abraham’s heart was full of faith and love for Allah SWT. Prophet Abraham was described as “Kalil Al-Rahaman,” a very high honor and rank among all prophets. Yet, he wanted Allah SWT to grant him reassurance to prevent any drop of doubt in his heart. And Allah SWT, the most compassionate, gave Abraham what he asked and showed him how he revived the dead.
So consider this article, as my earnest attempt to seek answers to questions that puzzle me. I want to reassure my heart and mind that Islam is a great religion for all times and places.
The science of logic requires just one opposable example to counterproof a theory. Most Muslim scholars preach that women are not qualified to be leaders as they are emotional creatures, who are not capable of thinking matters through. You will hear them citing the Hadith, ‘No people will succeed if they let a woman lead them.’
I find it very hard to believe that this Hadith was meant to be a universal rule and not based on any situations or conditions. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had come to deliver the religion of Islam, a religion that came to teach impartiality and equality to all human beings including women and people who were enslaved.
I don’t see Prophet Muhammad stating this Hadith in a definitive sense as those scholars make it out to be. So here, I raise the examples of Angela Merkel, Jacinda Arden, and Rashida Talib who counter the scholars’ belief that all women should be prevented from becoming leaders, especially since these female leaders have actively helped Muslims while many male leaders did not!
Here, I raise the examples of Angela Merkel, Jacinda Arden, and Rashida Talib who counter the scholars’ belief that all women should be prevented from becoming leaders, especially since these female leaders have actively helped Muslims while many male leaders did not!
Angela Merkel, who stayed in power for 16 years, made Germany prosper and stood up to Putin more than any other European leader. She gave over one million Syrian refugees German citizenship and in comparison, other Muslim leaders made it impossible for Syrians to acquire even working visas.
Jacinda Arden quickly declared the Christchurch Mosque massacre incident in New Zealand, a terrorist attack. Additionally, she told Donald Trump—whom the terrorist is said to have named in his manifesto—that “the best way the US could support New Zealanders during this difficult time is by offering sympathy and love for all Muslim communities.” I do not recall many Muslim leaders telling Trump this message during his awful presidency.
One of Joe Biden’s sharpest critics was Rashida Talib, who spoke out against his response to the Israeli attack on Palestinians in May 2021. She succeeded in persuading President Biden to take action against Israel, something that many other male Muslim leaders failed to do.
Biden told Talib, “I admire your concern for so many other people. I pray that your grandmom and family are well. I promise you I’m going to do everything to see that they are, on the West Bank. You’re a fighter and God, thank you for being a fighter.”
Now consider that in accordance with the teachings of many Muslim scholars. A highly competent and powerful individual like Rashida, a lawyer and yes, a woman would only carry half the value of any male testimony. Any man over 18 needs two females to counter his testimony regardless of his qualifications. How is this still the case in this day and age?
Women possess the most valuable natural resource in this world, the capacity to conceive and give birth to children. Just like all imperialists want to control countries with natural resources, religious and non-religious establishments (led by men) want to impose their guardianship on women.
They want to convince women that they are not good enough to think for themselves. That they are not worthy enough to make decisions concerning their bodies and lives. This is identical to how the Taliban stopped women from going to school, and ironically enough, the supreme court of the USA (controlled by conservative Christians) overturned Roe V. Wade taking abortion rights from women.
Women today are more educated, capable, and accomplished than ever before in history. How can you expect women of today, to believe in any religion if they are identified by their gender and not by their capabilities?
I find it very troubling that some religious people believe that, it is God’s wish for men to control women, prevent them from becoming leaders, treat them as lesser beings, and deny them the right to choose what to do with their own bodies. Is this really God’s teachings, or is this how some powerful men abuse religion to strengthen their power? Women today are more educated, capable, and accomplished than ever before in history. How can you expect women of today, to believe in any religion if they are identified by their gender and not by their capabilities?
I believe that Islam is an anti-fragile religion. A religion that is not threatened by modernity changes. It is a religion that mandates Muslims to always think critically and work to promote growth and prosperity on Earth in all times and places.
I believe that Islam is an anti-fragile religion. A religion that is not threatened by modernity changes. It is a religion that mandates Muslims to always think critically and work to promote growth and prosperity on Earth in all times and places.
I am a proud Muslim. I believe God created me to honor me. I pray that God Almighty, who allowed Abraham to ask what was in his heart to reassure him, will guide me to find answers that will also reassure my heart. Then and now, the first step is to ask!