Women in the Contemporary World

By: Tahereh Sarlak
The Creator of man considered the ideas prevalent during the era of His last Messenger (P) to be of cultural and scientific value. He ordained the Book to be the greatest miracle of His Messenger (P) such that the value of teaching and learning would be established.
He has offered His first surah on the subject of education, for our contemporary weapon is the weapon of knowledge, knowledge without purification of the soul, and teaching without training. Islam, however, gives priority to training over education so as to arrive at the correct way to face our struggle.
In so far as women have a variety of responsibilities and roles in individual, familial, and social arenas, they are the most important foundation of the cultural visage of the society. Their education has a fundamental significance, while attention to the various aspects of their education and training is considered in effect an investment for attaining a wholesome and developing society.
The economic livelihood of a family has a fundamental role in its foundation and the rearing of children. Islam has addressed an important area of family law, such as dowry, dower, and alimony. In Islam, economic provision and a sufficient livelihood is one of the grounds for family happiness.
The greatest responsibility for the economic structure of a family lies on the shoulders of a man. He carries the responsibility of paying a wife's dower should she request it. The woman's sustenance is his responsibility. Charm, embellishment and adornment in woman will cause the man to have a greater need for money, and thus the further consumption of wealth. Allah Almighty has relieved woman of the worry over providing the needs of the family so that she may freely attend to the rearing of her children and provide splendor and serenity to the family.
In spite of this, woman has a role in a family's employment. She has a series of indirect jobs including services which, on the surface, have no economic value, however, the economic effects of her efforts are undeniable, such as housework, home economics, and time spent working outside the home.
In the advent of Islam, women attended to social and economic activities under the shadow of the guidance of the Noble Prophet (P). These social and economic activities occurred under circumstances such that individual virtue would be protected. Due to the presence of men who are not related to them, women should be placed under a protective network.
Hazrat Fatima (P), whose behavior is a paragon for Muslim women, emphasizes lesser contact with men outside the family, even stressing the covering of a woman's body after death.
In order to render our duties more pleasant, the Almighty Allah has provided us with model women in various roles - that of mother, daughter, wife and sister. He has depicted for us the greatest difficulties of women are such roles in the form of tales, and the manner of facing such difficulties and overcoming them.
Beginning in the 18th century, particularly after the Second World War in the 20th century, the issue of human rights and special rights for women in education, in social and political currents, has been a major event, a spiritual shaking Since the Second World War disintegrated family relations, today's worked has brought under question all sanctities, the creation of woman as compared to man, her nature and her essence. Woman, whose essence is to love as a mother and a wife, has turned into an indifferent creature, sometimes tense and violent, easily hurt and her genuine commitments turned into something artificial.
In our present society, women can be divided into three groups: (1) the few who have understanding and insight and in life are aware of their role and mission; they know that they are, what they are, and what their duties are. They have chosen their way and are on the way to their destination; (2) Those who live under their old customs and traditions they continue the same path which has been determined for them by their ancestors, and they have more or less arrived at a harmony with their traditions and what is expected of them; (3) The third group are either deceivers or deceived; they live freely in the modern world and cause the unsettling of many lives.
In the past, in social life men were subject to many difficulties and altercations, but when they arrived home to a wife who listened to their problems and provided them with serenity they would regain their composure. A woman existed at home, far from the world's troubles, who attempted toe throw cold water on the boiling emotions of her husband, having a calming effect. Today, however, men have even greater difficulties than in the past. As a result of facing the motley world, they have become tense and stubborn, with high expectations, seeking variety in life. The man enters a home and meets a wife who is not much different from her husband in having faced the difficulties of life, while her emotions are more delicate and, in the face of life's competitions, her defeats weigh more heavily on her than on a man. Each is a storehouse of dynamite. The home, which was supposed to provide serenity, is transformed into a battlefield.
In Islam, a woman's legal rights are vast. From a cultural point of view, she can hold a philosophical view on life, she has the right to seek knowledge, she can have ideas, she has a right to education, and she too can evaluate customs and traditions.
In so far as she is a member of society like a man, by preserving certain principles, a woman can have a presence in social life. From the point of view of employment, a woman has a right to work. Islam has no taboos for her. She can be a teacher, a doctor; she can engage in commerce. For the sake of preserving higher interests, Islam has forbidden woman from being employed in certain occupations, however, that prohibition is with taking into consideration her nature. The main point is that her honor not be questioned, and not cause other people's honor to be questioned. Islam gave woman economic independence when the greed of factory owners was not an issue. It wasn't such that for the sake of avarice, the owners of capital would exploit women and deceive her. Islam's goal wasn't to give women employment with smaller wages for her but higher wages for her but higher wages for men. What Islam intended was humane? If her social presence is with the aim of her development, the way is open to all women as it was during the advent of Islam.
Sources:
1. "Women" by Dr.Shariati
2. "Women's Life in Islamic Thought" by Ali Qaimi.
3. "A Survey of Women's characteristics" - Bureau of Surveying Values Governing Administrative System.
4. "Women’s Employment" - Bureau of Surveying Values Governing Administrative System.