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{\title The Role of Muslim Women in an Islamic Society}{\author Universitetsansatt}{\operator Universitetsansatt}{\creatim\yr2004\mo10\dy19\hr14\min49}{\revtim\yr2004\mo10\dy19\hr14\min49}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages9}{\nofwords3892}{\nofchars22189}
{\*\company Universitetet i Oslo}{\nofcharsws27249}{\vern99}}\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\formshade\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot \fet0\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectdefaultcl {\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang{\pntxta .}}
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\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \s1\qj\keepn\widctlpar\outlinelevel0\adjustright \b\fs28\cf1\loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\f4\cgrid {\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 The Role of Muslim Women in an Islamic Society
\par }\pard\plain \qj\widctlpar\adjustright \loch\af4\hich\af4\dbch\f4\cgrid {\cf1 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  The Role of Muslim Women in an Islamic Society and the stand of the Muslim Brotherhood regarding Womens' rights to vote, be elected, occupy public and governmental posts, and work in general.
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s2\qj\keepn\widctlpar\outlinelevel1\adjustright \b\cf1\loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\f4\cgrid {\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 INTRODUCTION
\par }\pard\plain \qj\widctlpar\adjustright \loch\af4\hich\af4\dbch\f4\cgrid {\cf1 
\par }\pard\plain \s2\qj\keepn\widctlpar\outlinelevel1\adjustright \b\cf1\loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\f4\cgrid {\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 The Status of Women as Defined by Islam
\par }\pard\plain \qj\widctlpar\adjustright \loch\af4\hich\af4\dbch\f4\cgrid {\cf1 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 The woman is a mother and it is said that "Paradise lies under her feet" (reported by Al Tabarani). In an authentic hadith the Prophet (peace be upon him)(SAAS) was asked by a man: 'Who is the one most worthy of my 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
care?'. The Prophet replied: 'Your mother'. The man asked: 'Then whom?'. He replied: 'Your mother'. The man further asked: 'Then whom?'. He replied: 'Your mother'. The man asked: 'Then whom?'. And in this fourth time the Prophet replied: 'Then your father
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 .\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ' This shows that Allah has placed the care of the mother as a primary responsibility of her sons.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Allah, exalted be He, says: \{Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to parents. When one or both of them attains old age i\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
n your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor repel them but address them in terms of honour.\} (Surat Al-Isra' (17), ayah 23).
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 A woman is also a daughter and sister and like their male brothers, are born of the same lineage and from the same womb\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 : \{
He bestows female (offspring) upon whom He wills, and bestows male (offspring) upon whom Him wills.\} (Surat Al-Shura (42), ayah 49). The Prophet (SAAS) says: 'Women are the (equal) sisters of men'.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 A woman is also a wife who is a source of comfort for \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 her husband as he is to her: \{
And among His signs is this, that He created wives from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts)\} (Surat Al-Rum (30), ayah 21). Allah also said: \{They\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 are like a garment to you and you are like a garment to them\} (Surat Al-Baqara (2), ayah 187)
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Women make up half of society and they are responsible for the nurturing, guidance and reformation of the subsequent generations of men and women. It is the fema\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
le who imbues principles and faith into the souls of the nation.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Allah, exalted be He, created Adam from clay and Eve from Adam, and mankind came from both of them: \{O mankind! Fear your Guardian Lord, who created you from a single person, created out of \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
it, his mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;\} (Surat Al-Nisa (4), ayah 1). \{It is He Who created you from a single person, and made his mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her (in love).\}
(Surat Al-A'\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 r\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 af (7), ayah 189).
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
There is no direct or indirect text in the Islamic Law (Shari'a) that even remotely suggests that women are inherently evil or impure as found in some distorted creeds that attribute lies to God. In fact, the Prophet (SAAS) said in an a
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 uthentic hadith that 'A believer is never impure'.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 People are differentiated in Islam according to their faith, God-consciousness and good conduct. Allah, exalted be He, says: \{O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of male and female, and made yo
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 u into nations and tribes, that you may know one another.
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Verily, the most honourable of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most God-fearing\} (Surat AI-Hujurat (49), ayah 13). He also says: \{And their Lord has accepted of them, and answered them:\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
 'Never will I suffer to be lost the work of any of you, be he male or female: you are members, one of another',\} (Surat Al-Imran (3), ayah 195).
\par \{\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, and has faith, verily, to him will We give a life that i\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
s good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.\} (Surat Al-Nahl (16), ayah 97).
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 There is nothing in the Quran or the Sunnah (Prophet's tradition) to support the allegations made by the distorted creeds that\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
 have attributed lies to Allah by claiming that it was Eve who seduced Adam into eating from the tree. The Quran categorically addresses the Divine command to both Adam and Eve: \{
O, Adam dwell you and your wife in the Garden, and eat thereof as you both w\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 i\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
sh: but approach not this tree, lest you become of the unjust. Then Satan whispered suggestions to them, in order to uncover that which was hidden from them (before); he said: 'Your Lord only forbade you this tree, lest you should become angels or such be
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 i\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ngs as live for ever.' And he (Satan) swore to them both, (saying) that he was their sincere advisor.\} (Surat Al-Araf (7), ayah 19-21). Both repented together: \{
They said: 'Our Lord, we have wronged our own souls: If You forgive us not and bestow not upon\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be lost.'\} (Surat Al-Araf (7), ayah 23). Also \{
Then did Satan make them slip from the (Garden), and get them out of the state (of felicity) in which they had been.\} (Surat Al-Baqarah (2), ayah 36).
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Thus, the Quran and the\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  authentic traditions have refuted all false claims and superstitions that may arise concerning women and their purity.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 A woman's responsibility in faith is exactly the same as that of a man. She is accountable for her belief in Allah and the Prophet (SAA\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
S) even if her closest of kin, like her father, husband or brother disagrees with her in this. Allah, the All-Wise and All-Knowing gave an example of the infidels through two women and an example of the faithful also citing two women. \{
Allah sets forth an\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
example for those who disbelieve, the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot: they were under two of our righteous servants but they both betrayed their (husbands by rejecting their doctrine), so they (Noah and Lot) benefited them (their wives) not against Alla
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 h\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
, and it was said: 'Enter the Fire along with those who enter!' And Allah has set forth, as an example to those who believe the wife of Pharaoh: Behold she said: 'O My Lord! Build for me, in nearness to You, a mansion in the Garden, and save me
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 from Pharao\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
h and his doings, and save me from those that do wrong'; And Mary the descendant of 'Imran, who guarded her chastity and We breathed into (her body) of Our Spirit; and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of his Revelations, and was one
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 of the devout (servants).\} (Surat Al-Tahrim (66), ayah 10-12).
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 The Muslim woman, like the Muslim man is called upon to believe in Allah, the Day of Judgement, the Book, the Angels, and the Prophets, etc. She is also asked to perform prayers, pay out the Z\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
akat duty, fast in the month of Ramadan and perform Pilgrimage to the Holy Places if she can do so. She must also call for the good and forbid evil in addition to being responsible for the well-being of the Muslim community. \{
The believers, men and women,\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 are guardians, one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil,\} (Surat Tawbah (9), ayah 71); \{
O you who believe! When there come to you believing women refugees, examine them. Allah is more knowledgeable of their faith. If you find them\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 to be believers, do not return them to the infidels\}
 (Surat Al-Mumtahina (60), ayah 10). \{O Prophet, when believing women come to you to give you the pledge that they will not associate anything in worship with Allah, that they will not steal, they will n\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 o
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
t commit adultery (or fornication), that they will not kill their children, that they will not utter slander intentionally forging falsehood, and that they will not disobey you in anything that is virtuous then accept their allegiance and ask Allah to for
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 g\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ive them,\} (Surat Al-Mumtahina (60), ayah 12).
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 A woman also has to study the Islamic teachings for her own personal guidance the same as the male. She is responsible for conveying and communicating Islam. \{Ask the knowledgeable people if you do not know.\}
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  (Surat Al-Anbia' (21), ayah 7) \{
of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may get instructions in (Islamic) religion, and that they may warn their people when they return to them, so that they may beware of evi\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 l
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 .\} (Surat Tawbah (9), ayah 122).
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 The hudood (punishments) that are prescribed in the Shari'a are the same for men and women; the female thief is punished the same as the male thief, the adulteress is punished like the adulterer, the female wine-drinker is
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  punished like the male wine-drinker, and the female who wages war on Allah and the Prophet is punished like the male who does so.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 In qisas (retribution), the woman's soul is equal to that of the man. The murderess is like the murderer and the murdered wo\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
man is like the murdered man. Qisas is exacted from a man if he kills a woman exactly and as equally as when he kills a man. Blood money rules do not discriminate between male and female.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 It has been shown throughout the history of Islam that women took\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  part \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 in the First and Second Ba'yat al-\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Aqabah (pledges of allegiance). 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Furthermore, it was Khadija, the wif\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 e of the Prophet Mohamed (SAAS) \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 who was the first to believe in, supp\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ort and comfort our Prophet. It 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 was Somayya who was among the first to be marty\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 red upholding Islam. \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Al-Bukhari and Ahmed (reporters o\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 f the traditions of the Prophet 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Mohamed) cited Al-Rabiyya' the daug\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 hter of Mu'awadh as saying: 'We \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 used to participate in the battles wit\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 h the Prophet of Allah. We gave 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 water to the fighters, served the\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 m, an\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 d returned the dead an\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 d wounded \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 to Medina.'
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Also Muslim, Ibn Majah and Ahmed (in \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 their narrations) said that Umm \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Ateyya, the Ansari , said: 'I acc\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ompanied the Messenger of Allah 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 (SAAS) seven times, guarding the camp\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 , making the food, treating the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 wou\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 nded and caring for the sick'.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 In his Sahih, Muslim reported Umm Su\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 laim, the wife of Abi Talha, as \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 saying that she carried a dagger on th\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 e day of the battle, of Hunain. 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 When the Prophet (SAAS) asked her ab\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 out it she said, 'I carry it so \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 that I can defend \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 myself against the\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
 enemies.' The Messenger (SAAS) \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 did not forbid this. Nusaibah, the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 daughter of Ka'b, foug\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ht in the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 wars of riddah (apostasy) at the time o
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 f the caliphate of Abu Bakr and \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 she suffered many wounds caused by stabs and strikes.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 A marriage is\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  not valid in the Shari'ah\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  of Allah without the approval, \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 acceptance and consent of the woman and\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
 it is forbidden by the Shari'a \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 that she be forced to marry someone that she does not accept.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 The woman has full financial status that is no less than that of\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 man. She has the right, in the same \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 way that a man does, to possess 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 all types of wealth whether it be in \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 the form of assets, real estate \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 or cash. She has the right to use her wealth in any manner she wishes
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 to as long as it is approved by the Shari'a.\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  So she can buy, sell, \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 trade, barter, provide grants and loan\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 s, incur loans, exchange assets 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 etc. All these actions do not require \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 the consent of any male wh\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ether \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 this be her father, husband, or br\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
other. In his sahih, Al-Bukhari \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 titles one chapter: "A woma\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 n is pe\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 rmitted to free slaves and give \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 gifts to someone other than her 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 husband, unless she is mentally \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 deranged." In this he reported that \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Umm al-Muminin, the wife of the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Messenger of Allah (SAAS), Maimunah b
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 int Al-Harith freed a girl born \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 as her slave wit\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 hout asking for the Pr\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ophet's (SAAS) permission. When \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
she mentioned this to him he said\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 : 'If you had given her to your \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 maternal uncle as a gift, your rewa\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 rd (with Allah) would have\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  been 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 greater.'
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 In one saying, the Messenger (SAAS) said that women are les\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 s (than \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 men) in mind, deen and fortune, howev\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 er he has explained this saying 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 in a manner that is consistent with\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  the texts cited concerning the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 rights, dignity and honour of women.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 The lesser degree in deen does not mean a lesser degree of Iman
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 (Belief) o\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 r that she is less human,\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  in that she cannot rise to the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 highest ranks. This only means that\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
 Allah Himself has exempted her \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 from certain forms of ritual worship at\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  certain times, such as prayers \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 and fasting during her ha'id (menstruation periods) and durin
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 g her \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 nifaas (bleeding time after delivery)\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 . The lesser fortune only means \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 that in some cases of inheritance a wom\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
an's share is less than that of \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 a man's. The Messenger (SAAS) did not \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 generalise t\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 his to other rights \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 or to anything indicating a lesser statu
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 s. The lesser mind is \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 concerning the status of a woman's te\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 stimony in certain matters like \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 debts and sale contracts, and in hu
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 dood (punishments). It does not \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 imply anything other than this and is n\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ot generalised to degrade women \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 into being inferior to men.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Indeed, in this regard, it shoul\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 d be pointed out that there are \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 certain matters which only accept t\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 he testimony of a woman and not 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 that of a man. Furthermore, wo\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 men are unanimously accepted as \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 narrators of ahadith (the sayings of the Prophet Mohamed), an\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 d this 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 means that their testimony in narrati\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ng ahadith is t\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 reated like that \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 of a man. In addition to this a w\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
oman is responsible towards her \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 duties to her faith and she has fu\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ll independence in her right to \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 possess, and in her right to make contracts. If s\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
he was supposed to \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 have a lesser mind, the contract\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 s and other dealings would have \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 required the assistance of a male.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 The Quran addresses everyone, men and \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 women, equally: \{The Muslim men \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 and Muslim women, the believi\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ng men and believing women, the 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 worshi\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 pping men and worshipping women\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 , the truthful men and truthful\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 women, the pious men and pious wom
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 en, the alms-giving men and \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 alms-giving women, the fasting men and\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  fasting women, the men who are \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
chaste and the women who are chaste, the men who remember\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  Allah much \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 and the women who do likewise, Allah h\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 as prepared a forgiveness and a \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
great reward for all.\} (Surat Al-A\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 hzab (33), ayah 35). Allah also \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 says: \{It is not for a believing m\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 an or woman, when Allah and His \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
messenger have decreed a matter, that they\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  should have any option in
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 their decision.\} (Surat Al-Ahzab\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  (33), ayah 36) and \{Say to the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 believers to lower off their gaze and \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 be chaste for this is more pure 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 for them and God knows what they do\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 . Say to the believing women to \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 lower off their gaze and be \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 chaste.\} (Surat Al-Nour (24), ayah 30).
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 As for the Qawwaamah (directing ro\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 le) that men hav\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 e over women as \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 mentioned in Allah's saying \{men are th\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
e protectors and maintainers of \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 women\} (Surat Al-Nisa' (4), ayah 34), t\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 his should not be understood as \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 an abso\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 lute and general attitude in 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 all things and for all men over \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 all women. The above verse goes on to an explanation of the matter.
\par \{\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 For what Allah has favoured some \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 of them over others and for the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 money they spend.\} This determines that a directing role is c\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 onfined 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 to the family alone and to matters \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 only concerning the husband and \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 wife relationship. As was said earlier the husband has no such
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 directing role over the financ\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ial assets of his wife. All her \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 decisions concerning her own property are valid and the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 husband can 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 not nullify any of them. None of these \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 decisions require the husban\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 d's \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 permission.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 This Qawwaamah is merely a matter\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  of leadership and directing in \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 exchange for duties that should be p\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 erformed. For it is the husband 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 who pays the dowry in marri\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 age, it is\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  he who provides the house, its \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 furniture, and all its needs and it \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
is he who provides for the wife \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 and children. He cannot force h\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 is wife to pay for any of these \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 expenses even if she is wealthy. In m\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
ost cases, the husband is older \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 and it is the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 husband who is usually th\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 e breadwinner of the family and \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 mixes more, with a wider range
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  of people. Every type of gr\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 oup \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 including the family must have a leade\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 r to guide it within the limits \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
of what Allah has ordained for there can be no obedience for a huma\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 n \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 being in a matter involving disobed\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ience to the Creator. It is the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
husband who is qualified for that leadership.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 This role is not one of repression, \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 hegemony, or tyranny but one of \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 kindness, love and gentleness. It dire\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 cts to the right path in wisdom 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 an\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 d benevolence. It is fundamentally\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  based on consultations, as the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Quran speaks of the Muslims as \{havin\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
g their affairs in consultation \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 among them.\} (Surat Al-Shura (42),\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  ayah 38); this being a general \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 injunction. There is also a specific order in Quran for
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  consultations \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 in the affairs of marriage: \{Should \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 they (husba\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 nd and wife) wish to \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
separate from each other in agreement \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 and upon consultation then they \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 can do so blame lessly.\} (Surat Al-Baqa\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ra (2),ayah 232). Similarly, in \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
divorce: \{And it is not lawful f\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 or yo\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 u (men) to take back (from your \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 wives) any of your gifts which you ha\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ve given them, except when both 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 parties fear that they would be unable\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  to keep the limits ordained by \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Allah (e.g. to deal with each other on \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 a fair basis). Then if you fear 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 that they\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  would not be able to keep the\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  limits ordained by Allah, then \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 there is no sin on either of them\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  if she giv
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 es something for her \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 freedom\} (Surat Al-Baqara (2), ayah 22\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 9). Add to this Allah's saying: \{\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
Live with them (wives) in honourably (kindness). If you ha\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 te them, it \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 may be that you hate a thing and Allah\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  brings through it a great deal \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
of Good.\} (Surat Al-Nisa' (4), ayah \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 19). Other texts in the Shari'a \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 indicate in a clear manner that ma\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 rital life is based on comfort, \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
gentleness and love and they categorical\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ly set out the meaning of \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Qawwaamah and its limits. Qawwaamah doe\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 s not mean that women are lower \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
or that they have less rights\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 , Qawwaamah means, as Allah has \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 indicated, that men are responsible for what they spend.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 The general rule, therefore, is equality\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  betw\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 een men and women. The \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 exceptions are from Allah, the All-Know\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
ing and All-Aware because it is \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 He who knows His creation best \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 and the exceptions are in those \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 specific characteristics that distin\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
guish the female from the male. \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 These differences are due \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 to the se\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 parate functions that have been \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 accorded to the male and the
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  female. It is because of these \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 complimentary and necessary distinctio\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ns that a man becomes attracted \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 to a woman and a woman becomes attrac
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ted to a man and a marriage can \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 be a happy, cons\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 tructive and a healthy one.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 The woman's nature as the mother means\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  that the\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 re are certain virtues \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 which Allah has made specific to he\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
r such as the protection of her \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 honour and the honour of her offsprin\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 g. For example, religious texts\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ordained that the wom
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 an's body, exc\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ept for the face and the hands, \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 should be covered in front of all excep\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 t those who are a mahram (those \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
she is forbidden to marry). And that a \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 woman should not sit in private \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 with a man who is not mahram.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Furthermore, the female has a greater\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  sense of modesty and \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 sensitivity. Hence, though she should\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  demand her rights and practise 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 them accordingly, this practice s\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 hould be such that \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 her modesty, \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 dignity, virtue and sanctity be preserved.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 We must not forget that the woman h\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 as a noble and significant task \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 entrusted to her by Allah Almighty, \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 child-bearing and motherhood. A 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 man cannot undertake this most\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  noble of tasks, which is being \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 d\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 enigrated today by some; furtherm\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
ore the human race itself would \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 disappear in the absence of this proc\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ess. Moreover, it is the mother \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 that suckles the baby with her milk, gi\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
ving out of care, nurturing the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 child, the effects of which remain with him through\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 out his life. The \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 woman is also the lord of the house and\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
 it is her task to care for the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 family and prepare the home as a place\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 of comfort; her role is a huge \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 responsibility and noble mission that m
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ust not be in any way neglected \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 or underestimated.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 These \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 characteristics, duties and righ\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ts which have been allocated to \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 women by Allah are in balance with\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
 the duties she has towards her \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 husband and her children. These dutie\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 s must be given precedence over \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 other responsibilities and they are necessary for the sta
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 bility of the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 family which is the basic cell of th\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 e society and the cause for its \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 cohesion, strength, and efficiency. H\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
owever, the husband has a right \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 to permit his wife to work. This\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  right is to be reg\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ulated by an \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 agreement between the husband and the wif
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 e. Such rights should not be \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 regulated by law and the authorities\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  should not interfere with them \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 except in some rare cases.
\par 
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s15\qj\widctlpar\adjustright \b\cf1\loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\f4\cgrid {\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 THE WOMAN'S RIGHT TO VOTE, B\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 E ELECTED AND OCCUPY PUBLIC AND \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 GOVERNMENTAL POSTS.
\par }\pard\plain \qj\widctlpar\adjustright \loch\af4\hich\af4\dbch\f4\cgrid {\cf1 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 We hope that we have been able to shed some light \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 on the status of the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Muslim woman in an Islamic society co\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ncerning her rights and duties. 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 We now deal with the issue of the woman\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 's right to vote and be elected \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 as a member to representative councils\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 , or to assume public office or 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 carry out professional wo\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 rk.
\par 
\par }{\b\cf1 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Firstly, women and the right of ele\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 cting members of representative\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 councils and similar bodies
\par }{\cf1 
\par }\pard\plain \s16\qj\widctlpar\adjustright \cf1\loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\f4\cgrid {\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 We are of the view that there is noth\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ing in Shari'a to prevent women \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
from taking part in these matters. Allah says: \{the men believers and\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 the women believ\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ers are responsible for each other . They enjoin the\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 good and forbid the evil \} (Surat al-Tawbah' (9), ayah 71) and His\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 saying \{Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
that is good and forbidding all Evil. And it is they who are the\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 su\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ccessful.\} (Surat Al-Imran (3), ayah 104). This verse includes a\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 command that gives women the right to enjoin the good and forbid the\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 evil and part of this is the right to vote for the representative\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 council in the elections. Some Muslim countries stipulat\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 e that it is\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 the absolute right of women to vote in the elections because these
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 countries wish to demonstrate their "democratic basis"; the Muslim\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 women should not avoid this opportunity because their reluctance to
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 vote can often weaken the position of the\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  Islamic candidates.
\par }\pard\plain \qj\widctlpar\adjustright \loch\af4\hich\af4\dbch\f4\cgrid {\cf1 
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s2\qj\keepn\widctlpar\outlinelevel1\adjustright \b\cf1\loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\f4\cgrid {\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Secondly, women's membership in repr\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 esentative councils and similar \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
bodies
\par }\pard\plain \qj\widctlpar\adjustright \loch\af4\hich\af4\dbch\f4\cgrid {\cf1 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 We are of the view that there is \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 nothing in the Shari'a texts to \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 prevent this either. The views we cited\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  earlier concerning their right 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 to vote applies to the\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ir right to be elected as well.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 There are some views which are h\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 eld by others which support the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 contrary, they say that: 
\par 
\par }\pard \qj\li60\widctlpar\adjustright {\cf1 \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 1-\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Women l\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ack the knowledge of practising \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
public affairs. Hence, they can be \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 easily misled. This argument is \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 refuted by the fact that \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 an ignorant\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  woman is like\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
 an ignorant man. \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Not all women are ignorant and not all \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 men are educated or experienced \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 in public affairs. We are dealing wit\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
h the basic right, not with the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 conditions that must be present in \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 every candidate whether they be \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 male o\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 r female. This is quite another i
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ssue. We call for the education \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 and the enlightenment of both women a\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 nd men, and the exertion of all \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 possible efforts in this connection, th
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 is being an important objective \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 and duty made binding by the Shari'a 
\par }\pard \qj\widctlpar\adjustright {\cf1 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 2- It is argue\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 d that women\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 undergo menstruation, child-beari\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ng and labour -a fact which may\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 hamper their performance in the council\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  to which they are elected. But \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 this can be refuted by saying \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 that men also may be subject to 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 misjudgement or illness which may impair thei\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 r performance. Add to \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 this, that membership in repr\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 esentative councils has certain 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 conditions including a certain age \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 range for the deputy of between \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 thirty and forty years. In most cases,\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  when a woman is around the age 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 of forty, she will have completed he\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 r burdens of child-bearing, and \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 would have attained to a phase of men\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 tal and psychological maturity, 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 as well as emotional stability. It i\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 s unlikel\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 y that a person in the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 minimum age limit can gain a seat in th\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
e representative office because \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 this requires lo\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ng experience for many \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 years in the exercise of public \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 office. Statistics show that only 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 a few members of representative \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 bodies are in or near the minimum manda\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 tory age. The majority are much \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 older.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 We are speaking about the right of standing for membersh\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ip, we are not \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 dealing with the qualifications necessa\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ry for conditions of membership 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 for men and women. It is up to the vo\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ters to choose if they see that \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 the female candidate is not in a con\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 dition or a state which en
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ables \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 her to perform her duties. It is \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 supp\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 osed that they will not support \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 her and that the body patronising her w
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ill be reluctant to go on doing \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 so or to field her as candidate.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 3- Immodesty and intermingling\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  of the sexes are also cited as \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 counter-arguments. We do not call for immodesty and f\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ree mixing of the 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 sexes. For the woman is bound by the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Shari'a to abide by the Islamic \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 dress code whether she goes out to take\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  part in elections or to attend 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 the sessions of the council in which s\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 he is a member or for any other \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 purpose. It is a duty to set\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  aside el\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
ection centres for women, which \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 are already in effect in most Isl\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 amic cou\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ntries. Women should be \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 allocated special places in the repres
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 entative councils so that there \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 will be no fear of crowding or intermingling.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 4- Travelling abroad by a female \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 membe\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 r, without company of a mahram, \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 is similarly cited in opposition but i\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
t can be countered by realising \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 that it is not necessary for her to \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 travel without the company of a \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 mahram. She need not be in a situatio\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
n without secure company nor in \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 any situatio\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 n which is not within the boundaries of the Shari'ah.
\par 
\par }{\b\cf1 
\par }\pard\plain \s2\qj\keepn\widctlpar\outlinelevel1\adjustright \b\cf1\loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\f4\cgrid {\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Thirdly, Women's holding of Public Office
\par }\pard\plain \qj\widctlpar\adjustright \loch\af4\hich\af4\dbch\f4\cgrid {\cf1 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 The only public office which it is \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 agreed upon that a woman cannot \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 occupy is the presidency or head of \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 state. As for judiciary office, 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 the jurisprudents have \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 differed over wo\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 men's h\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 olding of it. Some, like \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 Al-Tabari and Ibn-Hazm, said 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 this is permissible without any \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 restrictions. The majority of jurispude\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 nts, however, have forbidden it \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 completely. But there have been those w
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ho allowed it for certain types \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 of le\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 gal matters and forbade it in oth\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ers (like the Imam Abu Hanifa). \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
As long as the matter is th\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 e subject of interpretation and \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 consideration, it is possible t\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 o choose from these opinions in \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
accordance with the fundamentals of\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  the Shari'a and to achieve the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 in\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 terests of Muslims at large as gover\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ned by \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
the Shari'a controls and \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 also in accordance to the conditions a\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 nd circumstances of society. As \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 for other types of public office the wo\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
man can accept them as there is \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 nothing in the Shari'a to prevent her from doin\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 g so. Also, there is \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 to prevent her from working i\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
n what is permissible since the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 public office is a type of work th\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 at the Shari'a allowed women to\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 undertake. Women can work in professi
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ons becoming doctors, teachers, \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 nurses, or such fields which sh\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 e or the society may need.
\par 
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s2\qj\keepn\widctlpar\outlinelevel1\adjustright \b\cf1\loch\af0\hich\af0\dbch\f4\cgrid {\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 A GENERAL REMARK
\par }\pard\plain \qj\widctlpar\adjustright \loch\af4\hich\af4\dbch\f4\cgrid {\cf1 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 We, The Muslim Brotherhood, wish t\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 o draw attention to the need of \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 distinguishing between a person's \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 having a right an\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
d the way, the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 conditions, and the appropriate ci\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 rcumstances for the use of that \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 right. Thus,\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  if today's societies have\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
 different social circumstances \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 and traditions it is acceptable th\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 at the exercise of these rights \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 should be gradually introduced in ord\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
er for the society to adjust to \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 these circumstances. More importantly, such an exercise should \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 not \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 lead to the violation of ethical rul\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
es laid down by the Shari'a and \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 made binding by it.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 We completely reject the way \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 that western society has almost \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 completely stripped women of their mora\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 lity and chastity. These ideals 
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 are built upon a philosophy whi\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 ch is i\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 n contradicti\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 on to the Shari'ah \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 and its morals and values. It is im
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 portant in our Islamic Society, \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 that the Islamic principles, morals\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  and values are upheld with the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 fullest conviction, honour and au
\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 sterity, in obedience to Allah, \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 exalted be He.
\par 
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 An\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 d all praise is due to Allah, in the\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0  beginning and the end. May the \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 blessings of Allah be upon His Messe\hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 
nger and his companions and his \hich\af0\dbch\af4\loch\f0 family.
\par 
\par }{
\par }}