LIBERATION AND FREEDOM FOR THE MUSLIMAH

Sis. Jameelah Muhammad

Muhammad Islamic Center of Greater Hartford

Uswah Conference

May 11th 2013

BISMILLAH AR RAHMAN AR RAHEEM

“O’ Allah, if I speak anything that is good or if

there is any good to come from my presentation it is

from you. If I speak anything that is false and it is

not good, it is from me and is no one fault but my

own” ---Ameen

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Honorable Role of Women in Islam

My Personal History: Family & Personal Development

Personal Leadership History

Historical Examples of Women Leadership

What does the Holy Qur’an Say: Fiscal, Family, & Spiritual

Leadership.

Liberation and Freedom

Current observations/issues for women related to oppression

HONORABLE ROLE OF WOMEN

Through the Qur’an and example of Prophet

Muhammad(SAW) we have seen many examples of women

being honored, respected, and looked to for guidance and

knowledge.

Respecting parents (including your mother), Marriage

and Social Rights.

HONORABLE ROLE

HONORABLE ROLE

MY PERSONAL HISTORY

MY PERSONAL HISTORY

Family Structure: 3 Daughters and 1 Son

Expectations are high for everyone in the family

(spirituality, practice, etc.)

Eldest Sister went to Hajj (@ 18 yrs old) with my

Father in 1997.

Emphasis on education and service to community.

PERSONAL HISTORY

LEADERSHIP

Muslim Youth Committee of Detroit

MAS Monitoring Team

Youth Advisor for Islamic Conventions

International League of Muslim Women (Junior League)

Youth Taleem

Organized Imam W. Deen Mohammed to visit Oakland

University Campus

EXEMPLARY EXAMPLES

Sister Khadijah (Prophet Muhammad SAW’s) Wife

Mary (Mother of Jesus)

Mother of Moses

Prophet Ibrahim’s Wife (Hagar)

“O Consorts(Wives) of the Prophet! Ye are not like any of

the (other women If ye do fear (Allah), Be not too

complaisant Of Speech, lest one In whose heart is a

disease should be moved with desire: but speak ye A

speech (that is) Just” (Surah 33, Ayah 32)

Women & the qur’an

Fiscal rights: right to own property and the right to a

fiscal gift upon marriage.

Family rights: the right to be respected as a parent and

to receive kindness from offspring. Right to be respected

as a wife and as a daughter.

Equality in Judgment based on deeds performed on

earth. Opportunity to achieve righteous and piety equal to

male counterparts

LIBERATION

“Tumult and Oppression is worse than slaughter” (Surah 2:

Ayah 191)

The liberation and freedom of the female mind and identity is

intrinsically linked to the liberation of her male counterpart.

A community that does not empower, honor, and provide

prescribed equalities for women cannot thrive. We want our

community to thrive so how do we empower and enable women

leadership?

LIBERATION

EXCERPT FROM IMAM W. DEEN MOHAMMED

“Most of our men are not informed. Don’t

understand what gives balance and full meaning in

the context of the texts. The prevailing rule in our

life is JUSTICE. We must first ask, “Is it Just?”, if we

know it is not right we should hesitate until we

consult the Qur’an and the life of the Prophet(SAW).

LIBERATION: IMAM MOHAMMED

No compulsion or domination in our religion

“Society” has favored the Male, despite this we see

women as heads of state and even Prime

Ministers/Presidents of other countries. (Income

disparities)

Domestic violence will open up door for other injustices

Women have rights over men, and men have rights over

women (balance) * physical differences

WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE?

Emphasis on Women Education: Particularly in Women leading

discussions on spiritual and religious topics. Supporting and actively

promoting women speakers. Sisters Taleem, Sister Hafiz?

Creating spaces and opportunities for Women to lead on

concerns of Culture and Family in the community: Sisters

classes, StrongEnd School , Fashion Shows etc.

Educating other communities about gender issues:

Responsibility to share best practices and lessons learned with others.

WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE?

Men and Women addressing the commodification

and objectification of women in society and the

media. (Internalized Oppression)

Fighting for economic rights and economic

equality in general, and ensuring that the issue of

economic oppression related to women is a part of

this fight.

CONCLUSION

Liberation and Freedom for the Muslimah is a right that is

granted graciously to her through the Holy Qur’an and the

Sunnah.

This can be further nurtured through family structures and

community life.

Society however does not always recognize, teach, or

respect these rights.

As Muslims we have an obligation to address this and

ensure justice.

There are practical things we can do in our communities to

combat to uplift women and therefore increase community

prosperity.

THANK YOU!