I was reading an article by Hatoon Al-Fasi xommenting on the possible prohibition against women on the main floor of the Mosque in Makka. She mentions how the Prophet forbade people from prohibiting women from coming to the mosque. While we've heard this many times before in different contexts, what we seem to not see is why he needed to say this in the first place? Does it not seem apparent that there were people even then who wanted to push women out of the public sphere? Now, what's sad is that this trend continues to this day despite the Prophet's admonitions and excellent character in accomodating women and caring for them. Why? Perhaps I am right: Ignorance (Jahiliyya) never died out and ignorant ideas and practices continue to reassert themselves, only more dangerously after having coopted Islamic personalities.
Thus, when we discuss these things, why not keep in mind the fact that they even had to be said out load in the first place and what it says about the circumstances it was said in. Let us also not forget that Ignorance is but a thread away from us at all times.ÂÂ
Absolutely! Urgh. Nakia and I will begin stoning the blasphemers at 4 PM GMT.
Osama is right, down with the House of Saud.
Dismantle the kingdom for the sake of Islam, they have been more destructive than the Ottomans.
The Shia militias should be firing katsuysha rockets in Riyadh and Jeddah, firing them on Galilee was a waste!
"...accomodating women and caring for them..."
??????
When I read this sort of thing, so common in Muslim publications, I steal a glance in the mirror and wonder: are all we women fragile? handicapped? blind from birth? or...?
The mirror shows me nothing but my son's eyes, face and nose looking back.
Hedonist,
This is a personal question, are you single or remarried now?
Just wondering . . . you seem to be a very strong woman, I would imagine it would be difficult to find a suitable Muslim mate in the "mosque scene."
Well, I meant that in that time, a man could do whatever he wanted to his womenfolk; some used and abused them while the Prophet choose to do the opposite and so set the bar high for how his followers were suppossed to treat thier womenfolk. I do think, however, that social conditions have changed and such enlightened paternalism is not wholly desired or even necessary. But, to deny that such was a good thing on other times and places would just ignore past realities and cloud our understanding of the existance and inevitability of social change. (note: change does not necessarily equal progress)
- A Salafi in worship, a Sufi in society, a Secularist in government.
"She mentions how the Prophet forbade people from prohibiting women from coming to the mosque."
Huh? I distinctly remember a Hadith in which the Prophet (SAW) told his Companions not to forbid their women from going to the Masjid...
"Do not stop the maid servants of Allah from going to the mosques of Allah." (Muwatta of Imam Malik)
"When the wife of one of you asks about going to the mosque, do not stop her." (Bukhari)
"Do not prevent your women from (going to) the Mosques, though their houses are best for them." (Abu Dawud)
Mouse, I actually wrote a double negative: he forbade others from forbidding women... Yeah, I know its a messed up way to write and sloppy, but that's what happends at when I can barely keep my eyes open...
- A Salafi in worship, a Sufi in society, a Secularist in government.
Oops, I misread... heh... :)
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