Aslam u Alaikukum...Today I have decided to start a thread, in which we will have to start question solving practice of past papers and contemporary questions. I will be posting a question on daily basis, then will try to mark and discuss so that we can learn and teach as much as we can. if any body is interested in this discussion, can let me know so that we can start our discussion as soon as possible. Thanks.

Please include me I am interested..

i am interested.

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I think a lot, but i don't talk much.

yes good approach...carry on

Please post question.

Q.1 European and Human Rights Activists claim that Islam does not give proper rights to women. What do you say about this statement?{16 Score}

Various objections have been posed by European and human rights activists upon the rights given to women in Islam. To analyze whether these arguments have any veracity we must delve into this issue, in depth, and compare these objections with the injunctions of Islam and observe what they truly say about the matter at hand.

OBJECTION # 1. Women are not to be obeyed in Political matters; they are considered deficient in intelligence

Response: Umm Salama, one of the Prophet’s wives, was instrumental in advising the Prophet during the crisis at Hudaybiya in 628.A.D. (6.A.H.). Her advice prevented disunity among the Muslims after the Treaty of Hudaybiya and her opinion prevailed over that of many men, including Umar ibn al-Khattab.

According to the Holy Quran:

"The Believers, men and women, are protectors of one another: they enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil." (9:71)

The above given verse suggests that both men and women can decide what is right and prevent each other from doing what is wrong whether matters are political or non-political in nature, so there is no point of considering women as deficient in intelligence in terms of political matters.

OBJECTION # 2. They are considered deficient in intelligence also because the evidence of two women is equal to that of one man.

Response: Muhammad Asad in his book "The Message of the Qur’an" writes:

"The stipulation that two women may be substituted for one male witness does not imply any reflection on woman's moral or intellectual capabilities: it is obviously due to the fact that, as a rule, women are less familiar with business procedures than men and, therefore, more liable to commit mistakes in this respect."

Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood comments:

"The Qur’an actually taught that the testimony of a woman was just as valid as that of a man, and made no distinction regarding the gender of a witness in every single reference except one – the concession of granting two female witnesses in legal cases where women had little knowledge or expertise. The intention of this concession was to prevent women being tricked or cheated by unscrupulous men who could take advantage of their inexperience in business matters."

Sheikh Salman al-Oadah comments:

“Her testimony as a witness is half that of men only in matters wherein she is generally less versed than men. In other matters wherein women have particular knowledge, like fosterage and virginity, the testimony of a woman is accepted but not that of a man.”

OBJECTION # 3. Women are treated unequally by the fact that their inheritance is half as much as that of men

Response:

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women." (An-Nisa: 3)

Biologically, only women can bear and feed/foster the future generations. The Qur’an creates a harmonious balance in society by establishing a functional responsibility for males to facilitate this biological function of females. The fact that men are caretakers and protectors of women does not give men inherent superiority or authority over women. It establishes mutual responsibility in society.

To perform this duty a male must possess adequate means to make ends meet. Thus, men have a larger share in inheritance because it is their responsibility to take care of the needs of their families.


OBJECTION # 4. Women are considered to be deficient in their Faith. Their weakness is that for a few days in every month they have to abstain from prayer and fasting, and this abstention from worship is a proof of their deficiency in Faith

Response: Sheikh Salman al-Oadah comments:

"These are matters of Islamic Law. A woman is neither sinful nor blameworthy because of the prayers and fasts that she misses. She, in fact, receives blessings by obeying Allah and abstaining from those acts while she is menstruating."

During menstruation a women can perform other forms of worship, like reading Islamic books, giving charity, and just being a ‘mother’ for which she receives a lot of blessings. So it be said that women are deficient in religion just because they cannot pray and/or fast during menstruation, since women can perform worship in many other ways. Moreover obeying Allah by abstaining from those acts while she is menstruating is part of her religion, she receives blessings for it.

The blessings that a woman earns without fast or prayers are evident from this Hadith. Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:

“Take care of your home for that is your Jihad.”

Thus, even during menstruation women can carry out jihad.

Objection#5. Women must wear hijab while western society imposes no such restriction upon women

Response: (Hijab Question)

Thanks...

Very good effort, really a mark snatching...
But don't start introduction direct, make some story like first introduce the rights, how rights are prevailing in the society than come to the variation between western and muslim civilization..

Q.2 According to Quranic injunctions and sayings of the Holy Prophet (SAW), hijab (veil) is mandatory for Muslim women. The larger percentage of the women in our country is totally oblivious to these Quranic injunctions. Discuss reasons and suggest remedial measures.

HIJAB IN LIGHT OF ISLAMIC LAW:
Narrated Hazrat Aisha (RZ):
"According to the Holy Prophet : When a woman attains maturity it is not lawful for her to uncover any part of her body except the face and this and then he placed his hand on his wrist joint."

This implies to clothes which reveal parts of the body or very tight clothing which is forbidden in Islam:
"Allah curses those women who wear clothes but remain naked."

Verse 31 of Surah An-Nur says:
"Instruct believing women to keep their gaze low and guard their modesty. Not to show their glamour except what is exposed by itself, cover their bosom with scarf. Not to reveal their decoration except to their husband, father, father-in-law, sons, sons of husband's brothers, nephews, maternal/paternal women or servant girls, old male servants, or minors who have no knowledge of sex"


This injunction is to protect women from harm and molestation and not to subjugate them in any way. According to Abdullah Yousuf Ali:

"The word used in the Quran is "Jalabeeb". It is an outer garment, a long gown covering the whole body or a cloak covering the neck and bosom."



"O Prophet tell your wives, daughters and wives of true believers to cover their persons with outer garments (Jalabeeb)."(Al-Ahzab: 59)

REASONS:
1. Fear of being labeled as a partisan or extremist:
Women do not wish to be branded as partisans. Unfortunately, propaganda against Islam has been so strong that people brand those who wear the veil as extremists or fundamentalists. Many women thus do not wish to be involved in such issues. The hijab instead of being a symbol of modesty in dressing has unfortunately become a highly debated and controversial issue.
2. Education/improper understanding of religion:
Women are educated about the sanctity of the Islam but not its true meaning and interpretation. Thus, there is negligence of the injunctions of the Quran.
3. Professional requirements:
Women working in Multi-national organizations feel unconfident with hijab because their profession requires them to meet men; shake hands with them and do all kinds of professional dealing that the rules of the Multi-national firm require them to do. Wearing the Hijab would mean that due respect is not being given to those that they must entertain.
4. Occidental Institutions:
Western Styled educational institutions. Many private institutions within the country have tried to adopt a liberal attitude. These modernists or so-called 'Liberalists' have inculcated the idea that a woman should not be in any way submissive to man. If man is allowed to wear that which he wishes so should a woman.
According to Dr. Ismail Mahmoud Madani in his book Hijab:
"Unfortunately, ‘liberal’ Muslims and many of those who are ignorant have convinced themselves that Hijab is a cultural or Arab tradition and is not part of Islam."

5. Male dominated societies:

In a male dominated society women have to face all kinds of challenges. There is wide spread gender bias which women have to encounter. Some women are not given due respect by men when they are dressed in hijab. This forces them to seek attention and respect by displaying their beauty.


Media:

It is worth mentioning that electronic media has great influence on Women in Pakistan. There is not much recreation which is available and hence media is a source of entertainment as well as of learning new trends. Further more, the cosmetic industry has also tempted women with many attractive advertisements and promotional offers through both print and electronic media.


RECOMMENDATIONS:

Such a change in a woman must come from within for which an important change in education and curriculum is required. Not by coercion but by conviction.
Woman rights should be safeguarded and gender bias should be eradicated. Laws and reforms should be initiated for protection of Women rights in workplaces and elsewhere. If done so lesser women would choose to display their attractive clothing merely to seek some attention.
Media must be regulated. All absurdities must be avoided.
Instead of producing an intelligentsia that is conversant only with modern traditions. Pakistan needs intellectuals that are fully acquaint with modern knowledge as well as religious knowledge. In the current scenario there are two groups prevailing in Pakistan, the orthodox Ulema who have a penchant towards religious preaching and the modernists with their 'liberal' approach. Institutions at higher education level should have courses where it must be mandatory to teach modern/contemporary knowledge and trends along with religious teachings.

Thanks.

over all good attempt. but its quite pertinent to mention present scenario as well. and highlight position of women in western countries also.....
stay blessed ...

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