𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (423)

False Claims of Oppression and the Honour of Women in Islam A questioner asks: The people of desires and misguided ideologies advance a false premise, claiming that women suffer from oppression and suppression in the home, in the marketplace, and elsewhere. Based on this, they call upon women to display themselves immodestly and to rebel against both the Shari'ah and sound tradition. What guidance do you offer regarding this matter? Sheikh Salih Al-Fawzān hafidahullah: It is well known that a sick person finds sweet water to taste bitter; likewise, those sick people who have been afflicted with hypocrisy, disbelief, or other sicknesses, perceive the rulings of the Shari'ah as bitter and unpalatable, whether regarding women or other matters. ومَنْ يَكُ ذا فَمٍ مُرٍّ مَرِيضٍ يَجدْ مُرّاً بهِ المَاءَ الزُّلالا Whoever possesses a sick and bitter mouth will find even pure, fresh water to taste bitter This the nature of a sick person. These people are, in truth, sick. Those who imagine that the Muslim woman is oppressed are sick; they are afflicted with a reversed perception—seeing truth as falsehood and falsehood as truth. May Allāh protect us. In reality, the woman in Islam—praise be to Allāh—is honoured and dignified. She is safeguarded in her home, respected, granted authority, and provided with means of comfort and well-being. What oppression is there in this? True oppression is in compelling her to leave her home, burdening her with tasks unsuited to her nature, and driving her into the domains of men. To place her among men in offices, on airplanes, or in other workplaces where she must contend with them and they with her—this is the real oppression. As for her being honoured, protected, and provided with comfort and ease—this is expansion, this is goodness, and this is Islam.