Feminism in Islam

I should say that for Muslim women who claim be "Feminist"
Muslims, the application of a "feminist" and "Muslim" are two
paradoxical terms which in themselves have the same
meaning. The primary understanding of feminism is the belief
in equality among both men and women and to apply the
necessary steps to promote such an ideology. But in fact when
one looks at the definition of what it is to be a Muslim we cannot
but infer the contexual implimnentation of Qur'an. God in the
Qur'an states that men and women are equal in his eyes
because both of course belonging to the animal kingdom (one
species) and as well as being composed of the same physical
elements in which makes them a being. The differences God
mentions are pure biological which has no inference in the
qualities of both.

Of course for women who argue the inequality of Muslim
women in the Muslim community is the western secularist
argument to evaluating the Muslim community. but if we
ourselves are to evaluate the community on a microcosmic
(small) level such as men and women separated in the Mosque
we can only suppose that such known inequalities would be
due to cultural influence and not the Islamic. The problem with
western feminism is that western feminist are evaluating the
roles of men and women based on the western idea of equality.

Western Feminist must understand that Islam is not just a
religion but a culture an d perhaps the symbolism of the
division in the Mosque is not pure status but mutual respect
between men and women. I'm quite surprised to hear the
language of feminist when they say:

"How is it that men have a space in which it centers the Imam
which in itself shows male dominance of women?"

The answer to such a shallow question from me is that how
men are seperated in the mosque depends on how the Imam
runs the mosque. For instance in some mosques men are on
the lower level and women are on the top. In some countries
women are not allowed in the mosque which is forbidden
saved if women are on their monthly cycle (even this is debated
by feminist).

But when such seperation is evaluated based on such
inferences western feminist must look at how the internal
structure (such as how the Khutba is conducted) and if the
women in the mosque are inconveinenced. But in no way does
a women being seperated by a man shows the inferiority of
women in fact I myself can say why can't a man go in the
woman's corner? In the Mosque men are not allowed where
the women pray? A woman from the group has every right to
tell the men that he cannot pray with/or near them. If we wish to
talk about the varieties of power in the Muslim community it is
indeed equitable for both men and women to show power in he
mosque.

But for Muslim women to call themselves "feminist Muslims" are
indeed contradictory terms base don what I have mentioned
earlier in my commnetary. Also we must becareful as Muslims
to interpret the Qur'an based on our own ideologies because
while interpreting the Qur'an any words or parables that the
Qur'an shows we cannot imply anything based on our own
emotion. to do show would result in Bid'ah. if we differ then
Allahu Alim we must consult with a learned thinker i.e Scholar,
Alim, or your respectable Sheikh.

Edited by Israfil