Book Islam The Choice Of Thinking Women

Book Description

It has been through Allah's Mercies and Blessings that I have been able to complete
this book, which I began in Sha'ban 1414 AH (February 1994). I am a Muslim, a
fact which I must make clear to the reader from the outset, for this is a book with
an objective, to clarify what is arguably the most frequently discussed aspect of my
faith: the position of women in Islam. In doing so, I wish to take this matter
beyond the usual defense of Islam and seek a positive understanding of why
women are embracing Islam in increasing numbers. I will also examine the role of
feminism in today's world. For far too long, Muslims have had to put up with the
criticism, based on ignoance, that their faith is "irrational in the modem age".
Islam, and Muslim women in particular, continue to be subjected to ridicule and
mockery throughout the Western world. In all of this the media play a key role in
orchestrating misinformation, slander and downright lie about Islam. Despite the
almost superhuman efforts to break the spirit of Islam in Muslims, this faith
remains the fastest growing religion in the world. In Europe and North America the
progress of Islam is well documented in census reports. Moreover, it is reported
that out of every ten "new" Muslims, seven are women. Speculation abounds as to
why individuals - especially women - accept Islam when they have been
bombarded, courtesy of the Western media, with inaccurate and demeaning
"information" about the faith. The simple fact remains that when the light of truth
shines into the soul, the mind and heart are opened and every aspect of the human
being submits to the Creator of the Universe. This transformation suppresses
materialistic, worldly desires, and brings about serenity, contentment, and inner
peace. A common error is the assumption that Islam is merely a "religion", in the
sense that it defines belief in God, or prescribes certain acts of worship to be
performed or rules to be complied with. In fact, Islam is much more than a
"religion" in this narrow sense. It is a Been, a complete way of life which
encompasses every aspect of human life, from the "religious" to the social,
economical, medical and political. The core of Islam is Tawhid No matter how
uneducated, remote or isolated a Muslim may be, Tawhid is the focus of his or her
belief. This firm and unequivocal belief in the absolute uniqueness of Allah, the Lord
and Creator of all, is the very essence of Islam. Belief in Tawhid is to affirm that
there is only One Creator and Sustainer Who deserves to be worshipped and
obeyed. Our belief is clear: Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal,
Absolute; He begets not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him. [al-
Ikhlas 112.1-4] Allah is He, other than Whom there is no other god - Who knows
(all things) both secret and open; He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Allah is He,
other than Whom there is no other god the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of
Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted
in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme: Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the
partners they attribute to Him. He is Allah, the Evolver, the Bestower of Forms (or
Colours). To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names: whatever is in the heavens and
on earth, declares His Praises and Glory, and He is the Exalted in Might, the
Wise. [al-Hashr 59 22-24] Allah! There is no god but He the Living, the Self-
subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the
heavens and on earth. Who is there that can intercede in His presence except as He
permits He knows what (appears to His creatures as) Before or After or Behind
them. Nor shall they compass ought of His knowledge except as He wills. His
Throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding
and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory). [al-Baqarah
2.255] The individual's voluntary submission to Allah through sincere belief in
Tawhid brings emancipation from worldly, materialistic bonds, and raises the
Muslim, the one who submits to the will of Allah, to a higher level.

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