Pars Today

If you remember the previous episode was dedicated to the status of woman in Islam with some statements from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Today’s episode will also be a continuation of the previous topic with a focus on woman’s position in family.

Creation of two different genders is a sign of God. The holy Qur’an says in ayah 21 of surah Rum, “And of His signs is that He created for you mates from your own selves that you may take comfort in them, and He ordained affection and mercy between you. Indeed there are signs in that for a people who reflect.”

This ayah has a lot of implications. Ayatollah Khamenei believes that the ayah points to man and woman or husband and wife. The ayah says that among the divine signs is the creation of mates for men and women from their own selves. The divine scripture of Islam never says that woman is inferior to man but it stresses that man and woman have been created from the same essence. Both are from the same reality and nature. Of course, there are differences between men and women as their duties are different. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution referring to another point of the ayah says that the result of marriage is to create comfort for man and woman. Ayatollah Khamenei stresses that, according to the ayah, bisexuality in human nature is for a great goal; i.e. comfort and calm at home. He states, “As for man, coming home, finding the safe environment of home, kind, loving and loyal woman is the means of calm. As for woman, to have a man and a support to love her and be like a firm stronghold for her- since a man is stronger than a woman- is a good luck and the source of comfort and salvation. A family secures this for both. To find comfort, man needs woman in the family environment. Woman, too, needs man to find comfort. Both are in need of one another for comfort.”

Comfort is the most important thing that humans need. Human salvation materializes once he/she is safe from psychological turmoil and stress and enjoys spiritual calm. This is a gift which can be materialized in family. Ayatollah Khamenei, explaining another part of the ayah, states, “The next sentence is very interesting and beautiful. It reads, ‘…and He ordained affection and mercy between you.’ The correct relation between man and woman is this: affection and mercy; the relation of friendship, the relation of kindness; they should love each other, express love and be kind to one another. Expressing love with violence is not accepted. Kindness without love is not accepted, either.”

The Leader emphasizes that the divine nature of man and woman in family is a nature that creates a bilateral relation which is the bond of love and affection. But if this relation is changed and man feels as an owner in family and considers woman as a slave this is oppression toward woman; which is unfortunately enforced by many men. Any one causing this oppression must be confronted by the law and the Islamic society.

The comfort presented by man and woman in the safe environment of home is the beginning of all-out growth and perfection. In the light of comfort human being can achieve growth and prosperity and tries to gain sublimity and perfection. The aim of creation is just this, i.e. to lead human being to the position of vicegerent of God on planet earth. Marriage and the comfort it brings about can be considered as a prelude for achieving this lofty goal. Ayah 21 of surah Rum stresses it is only the people who reflect that can discover the mysteries behind marriage and the ample blessings of it.

Ayatollah Khamenei maintains that being woman is a privilege and honour for a woman. He stresses it is not an honour for a woman to take her away from the female environment, female characteristics and female morals. Managing household affairs, raising children and tending her husband are not shame for a woman but they are the arts that have been created by God in woman and these are vital and important.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution says, “Housekeeping is a job; a great job, an important job, a sensitive job, a future-building job, childbirth is a great struggle.”

He opines that in all activities related to the human community man and woman have the same and common authority and the arena of scientific, economic and political effort is open for women. He stresses that if the Islamic society can train women in compliance with the Islamic pattern they will attain their real status. If Islam emphasizes on the mother’s role and respect in family and underlines woman’s impact, rights and duties in family it never prevents her from participating in social issues and activities.

Ayatollah Khamenei addressing women, says, “My sisters! The issue of woman and facing of communities with her is an issue that has been put forward in different communities and civilizations since old times. Half of the people of the world have always been women. The uprightness of life in the world is as much dependent on women as it is on men. Women, by nature, assume the greatest jobs of creation. The basic jobs of creation like reproduction and training of a child are in the hands of women. Thus, the issue of women is an important issue and since old times it has existed in communities, among thinkers and in the various ethics and habits of nations. Islam has chosen an outstanding stance in this regard; it has prevented going to extremes and warned all people in the world. Islam has determined the boundaries of the men who, due to being stronger or enjoying financial ability, employ women and men and maybe harass and humiliate woman; and has placed woman in her real position and even placed her equal to man in some aspects. ‘Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.’

In Islam all these spiritual and human degrees have been equally divided between man and woman. Man and woman are equal in these affairs. Anybody who works for God ‘male or female, should he be faithful, We shall revive them with a good life.’  

RM/ME