Sisters Got Rights

RE: My post about walls in the masajid.

I just came across this awesome Muslim Male Privilege Checklist. Lately, I've been trying not to focus as much on these outward social issues. I've been trying to look inward and make sure that I'm in touch with God and how I'm supposed to be living my life. I've been trying to read Quran more and I've been listening to lectures, etc.

Even though that reflection has been important and beneficial, our ummah has issues. I've been made to second guess my criticisms of the status of women in the masjid--to try to focus on what I'm there for, which is to pray. But sisters' grievances cannot be ignored. Our place in the masjid reflects our place in Islamic society, and our God-given rights are being eroded. My complaints about a musty prayer space might seem insignificant, but there is so much more at stake. For example, Jamerican Muslimah's item #10 on her Muslim Male Privilege Checklist:

"If I wish to end my marriage, my decision is not scrutinized by an imam or other members of the Muslim community. It is respected as the final one. I am not denied a divorce or told to make tremendous personal sacrifices in order to remain in the marriage."

In Islam, men and women are equally empowered to end their marriages. If you want a divorce, you got it. It doesn't matter who you are. But as Jamerican says, women are pressured to forgo that right. Women's rights in Islam are even concealed from them in some communities.

In this context, it's natural for Muslimahs to take inspiration from that filthy secular movement, feminism. When the reality of their daily lives does not reflect Islamic ideals, of course Muslim women are going to look for other ways of gaining the rights that are manifestly theirs. And there is nothing wrong with that.

The demonizing of feminism in so many communities is disgusting to me. I mentioned before that the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, reflected that he would still participate in the Pact of the Virtuous even in Islam. A vision of justice doesn't have to be rooted in Islam for it to be valid. Allah loves justice, and Allah is aligned with any movement for justice, no matter the source. Allah is down with feminism. There is no question.

But more importantly, Allah has prescribed human rights for women, including very specific rights in their various social roles. The same is true for men. We can't call ourselves Muslims if we deny that this is true, if we fail to give people their rights.