Published on: Nov 12, 2024
“The believing men and believing women are supporters of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, establish prayer, give zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those – Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” (Surat al-tawbah 71)
This verse outlines the complementary duties of men and women in personal and societal life. Rather than engaging in hostility or competition, both genders are allies and supporters of one another. Each has a role in promoting good and eradicating wrongs within society, whether through teaching, guidance, or other avenues of reform. To fulfil these responsibilities, it’s essential for both men and women to have a sound understanding of their faith.
Our duty, then, is to provide equal opportunities for men and women to seek knowledge, so they can pass it on to future generations and contribute to the ongoing improvement of society.
Following recent allegations of sexual abuse of minor girls against a prominent Qur’an teacher, Muslim leaders—both male and female—have expressed horror, anger, and profound disappointment. These allegations, along with similar cases of abuse within our community, highlight a disturbing pattern: perpetrators frequently evade accountability, and justice remains elusive. Yet, despite these grievous wrongs, some voices are now suggesting that Muslim women’s freedoms should be restricted—limiting their access to mosques, centres of learning, workplaces, and social spaces. It is profoundly unjust that, once again, it is women who are targeted with restrictions, even though they are the victims of these harms.
If curbing freedoms is deemed necessary, it should be the freedoms of men—those responsible for these abuses—that are limited. Calls to restrict women’s freedoms reflect a troubling assumption: as if women are owned by men, and if women’s rights and autonomy are controlled by men. We must remember that both men and women are ultimately accountable only to their Creator, who alone has the absolute right to define duties and responsibilities for all.
Women have an equal right to space and participation in society, just as men do. Both men and women are answerable to their Creator, and on the Day of Judgment, He alone will judge them based on their obedience to Him. This life is a test, and Allah has provided equal opportunities for both men and women to fulfil their duties. Any attempt to limit these opportunities is, therefore, contrary to His guidance.
When misconduct occurs, there are just and effective ways to address it so that both men and women can continue their responsibilities freely and safely. Using such incidents as a pretext to restrict women’s rights is a misguided form of arrogance and a failure to uphold justice.
The Qur’an strongly rebukes the people of the Jahiliyyah (the Age of Ignorance before Islam) for their negative attitudes toward women. It describes their reaction to the birth of a daughter:
“When news is brought to one of them of [the birth of] a girl, his face darkens, and he is filled with inward grief! He hides himself from his people because of the ill news he has received. Should he keep her with dishonor or bury her in the dust? Ah – how evil the choice they make!” (al-Naḥl, 16:58-59).
At that time, burying infant girls alive was a horrifying custom practiced by some (though not all) Arab tribes. The Qur’an condemns this act and warns of divine retribution on the Day of Judgement:
“And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked, for what sin she was killed” (al-Takwīr, 81:8-9).
While practices like this may no longer exist in the same form, there are still ways in which women’s rights and opportunities are restricted. Depriving women of the opportunity to learn and understand their religion, for instance, can be likened to burying their mind and spirit alive. True respect and empowerment come from granting them equal access to knowledge and spiritual growth, which is a fundamental right upheld by Islamic teachings.
The Qur’an indicates that human rights and responsibilities are grounded in two core principles, applicable equally to both men and women. First, all humans are creatures and slaves of God, their Creator and Sustainer. Second, humanity originates from a single soul, as emphasized in the Qur’an (al-Nisāʾ, 4:1): “O humankind, be conscious of your Lord, who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate, and from both spread countless men and women. Be mindful of God, through whom you ask one another [for rights and needs] and with whom you have close kinship. Truly, God is ever-watchful over you.”
Each person bears individual responsibility toward God, with duties in this life and recompense in the hereafter unique to each soul. Human diversity in talents and life opportunities is to be understood alongside God’s assurance that He does not burden any soul with more than it can bear. Therefore, no intermediary authority is required between individuals and God. Instead, all matters of worship and resolution of worldly disputes are referred directly to the guidance provided by the Qur’an and Sunnah. Access to this guidance is not exclusive to a specific tribe (such as Quraysh over other Arabs or non-Arabs), gender, or social status; rather, it is determined solely by one’s knowledge of and commitment to the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Addressing cases of sexual abuse requires a proactive, transparent, and principled approach rooted in justice, accountability, and protection for the vulnerable. Here are two essential steps:
1. Report Abuse and Uphold Justice:
Whenever there is an allegation or case of sexual abuse, it must be reported promptly to the appropriate authorities. Standing united in seeking justice for victims is not only a moral imperative but also a command of our faith. By doing this, we protect both the dignity of those wronged and the integrity of our religion. Some may argue that exposing such crimes brings shame to our faith and its leaders, but this is a harmful misconception. Concealing crimes, protecting wrongdoers, and neglecting victims do not reflect piety or religious devotion. On the contrary, accountability, transparency, and justice are the true reflections of our values.
2. Ensure Safe, Boundaried Interactions:
To reduce opportunities for abuse, it’s crucial to maintain clear, safe boundaries in interactions between non-mahram individuals of opposite genders. Parents should avoid sending children to others’ homes for educational purposes or bringing teachers into their homes. Most abuse cases arise from such private settings. It’s important to remember that religious leaders, scholars, and teachers are men like any others and should be approached with the same caution. Women and men should interact with teachers or scholars in a respectful but public and professional manner. Protecting oneself and others with appropriate boundaries is not a sign of mistrust but a proactive measure in fostering a safe and ethical environment for everyone.
Returning to the earlier point, we should work towards solving problems without causing harm to anyone. We must also remember that both men and women are servants of Allah and will receive equal rewards on the Day of Judgment. This is emphasized in a well-known verse of the Qur’an, whose revelation was inspired by a question and is documented in this ḥadith narrated by ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Shaybah. He recounts hearing Umm Salamah, the wife of the Prophet – ṣalla l-lāhu ʿalay-hi wa sallam – say:
“I asked the Prophet – ṣalla l-lāhu ʿalay-hi wa sallam – ‘Why are we [women] not mentioned in the Qur’an in the same way as men are mentioned?’ […] Then, later that day, I heard him calling out from the pulpit. […] At that moment, I was combing my hair, so I quickly gathered it up and went to one of the rooms in my house to listen carefully. I heard him proclaiming from the pulpit:
‘O people, Allah says in His Book: The Muslim men and Muslim women; the believing men and believing women; the men who are obedient to God and the women who are obedient; the men who are truthful and the women who are truthful; the men who are patient and the women who are patient; the men who give charity and the women who give charity; the men who fast and the women who fast; the men who guard their chastity and the women who guard their chastity; and the men who remember Allah often and the women who remember Allah often – Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward.’
