This is my conclusion for what i’ve learnt about feminism and women in general over the last few weeks while i’ve been researching the subject for a debate. This is the culmination of my emotions and thoughts.

 

Feminism, although ambiguous at times, is seen to have collective principles which are shared by most, if not all feminists. The ideals of gender equality are shared amongst most as are the characteristics of a feminist being a strong, pro active character in the family, in society or in a specific field. I decided to break down feminism into 3 main areas which I felt were most important.

 

Feminism in Popular opinion

This is how feminism is presented to us through the media. It was agreed in the debate that although there are serious issues around how females are sometimes treated in public and in private, the media have tried to use feminism as a tool to divide man and woman and try to make them independent of one another, or at least present to us an independence which we find appealing. Sometimes we like to think we can get everything done by ourselves and need no help, but no man and no woman is an island, and to think we can be independent of one another is just mind boggling. I take strength knowing that there’s a strong woman in my life who will help me when she feels that I need it and I hope that she feels the same. The prophet Muhammad took solace in Khadija when he came down from the mountain after having had the first ayah from the Quran revealed to him. She was his rock and in her he confided.

The media show us an image of women and uses them to entice us (both male and females) into consuming goods, services and entertainment. This is un-feminist, anti- feminist if you must. Yet the media still feel that they have the right to push there own ideals of feminism to the public whilst they promote an alternative agenda through there actual actions. Hypocrisy

Feminism in Society

This is where we see feminism in action. In our families, amongst our friends and in our communities. It is where we see females we know, stand up for there own rights and are strong enough to know how best to deal with the environment in which they live.

Women are home makers, but so are men. There cannot be an argument however, for a mothers connection to a child which far out way that of a father.

Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) reported that a person came to the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) and asked: “Who among people is the most deserving of my fine treatment?” He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) replied: “Your mother.” He then asked, “Who next?” The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) replied: “Your mother.” He asked again: “Who next?” He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said again, “Your mother.” He again asked, “Then who?” He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Your father.”

 

Feminism as a pro-active ideal, has been taken up by the white, middle class and is rarely seen amongst the working classes. Unfortunately, because feminism, whenever it has popped up throughout history, has led to action and eventually to change when working class females are involved. i.e the suffragette movement.

Feminism in Islam

“Your Heaven lies under the feet of your mother” (Prophet Muhammad) 

I feel that after the statement above, I really don’t need to elaborate any further on the status of women in Islam. Although there are some cultural issues with the mistreatment of women, issues such as forced marriage, forcing of hijab or honour killings, these are outside the fold of Islam and are issues which need to be tackled by the small groups of people who still hold backward, ignorant, cultural ideals that are incompatible with our religion.

 

I feel as if over the last two weeks, I have analysed and critiqued my own attitudes and beliefs on the role of women who are in my life. I like to think that I’m now more patient and softer towards women who I possibly took for granted previously. Although the issue of feminism is highly important, it plays a part of a much wider, connected web of judgement and attitudes based upon things we have no control over, such as our gender, race, height etc. It is wrong to judge a person based on factors over which we have no control and this is the final say on the subject. Need to look into how the media creates perceptions of others which then become our own perceptions. Read the next line and the first picture in your head will be the one created by the media. The second picture, I hope, is more Humane.

 

Black, Female, Immigrant

 

Love to my mum, Love to my sister, Love to my aunties, Love to my cousins, Love to my female friends and Love to Calcifer. You all guide me, my thoughts and my emotions.

May Allah keep me focused and keep my intentions pure.