As the world prepares to celebrate International Women’s Day this Friday, questions continue to be raised as to whether Islam is compatible with the idea of feminism and equality of women. Unlike many apologists, I would like to concede that Islam does not advocate the equality of men and women. In fact, from my limited understanding, the Qur’an has prescribed altogether contrasting rules, duties and rights for men and women in most spheres of life. Arguing otherwise is just an attempt to succumb to intercultural pressures that Muslims face on a day-to-day basis.
Women are only entitled to half the inheritance of that of a male, according to the following verse of the Qur’an.
“Allah commands you as regards your children’s (inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that of two females” (4:11)
Islam has given men the responsibility of providing for their wives. Men have also been given a right to marry multiple times concurrently (in certain conditions), whereas women do not have this right under any circumstance.
“Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth.”
The Quran also explicitly states that the testimony of one man is equal to that of two women, in terms of credibility and accuracy.
“And get two witnesses out of your own men. And if there are not two men (available), then a man and two women, such as you agree for witnesses, so that if one of them (two women) errs, the other can remind her”
Islam also demands a distinct dress for Muslim women, as suggested in the following verse:
“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed…”
Having pointed out the possibility that Islam does not hold men and women to be equal beings in most walks of life, I would like to talk about feminism as it is commonly understood. Most people on the western (American and Western European) feminism bandwagon constantly criticize Islam for not preaching the equality of men and women, Like I have mentioned before, I am not going to argue that Islam does comply with the western understanding of feminism.
The western construct of feminism is a movement to put men and women on an equal footing by fighting against perceived injustices to women, including the Islamic headscarf, genetic mutilation, honor killings and forced marriages. This understanding has emerged in a specific culture with certain norms and values, and cannot merely be exported to other regions in the world.
The mindset of the superior west saving the inferior east should be dropped completely. People in the west need to understand that their idea of feminism might not blend into other cultures, because feminism is not a monolithic entity. It cannot be transferred cross-culturally, because women in every society develop their value systems in certain contexts with certain educational backgrounds, sexual orientations, nationalities, socioeconomic classes and races.
Islamic feminism is a concept that has emerged within the Muslim world. It is believed to be an answer to western critics who are trying to impose their set of societal values onto Muslims in the form of feminism. It is a movement that understands that not all women are coerced or forced into wearing headscarves, or forced to look after children while their husbands go out for work. It recognizes that Muslim women are not oppressed and voiceless, but part of a larger cultural story that has not been understood by those on the outs.
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