In the history of Islam, women have been described with characteristics that men do not possess. There is no historical account of a Muhajir (Emigrant) woman becoming an apostate after converting to Islam whereas this has been the case with men. Among the more than four hundred hypocrites who were living in the early days of Islam, there was only one woman named Asma bint Marwan. We also see in the biography of the Prophet (s) that no one was allowed to say something that would degrade women in his presence.
According to Islamic tradition, the way one treats women shows the dignity or debasement of the person and that a noble-minded person never insults or hurts women.
If someone, even a companion of the Prophet (s), does not respect women in the family, he will be subject to the torment of the grave. This is Islam’s view of women. Therefore, Islam is not a source of violence, and interpreting it as a violent religion is based on personal ideas.
In this regard, Imam Khomeini (ra) believes that women are not incomplete and the way to scientific, intellectual, mystical, and moral perfection is open to them. In Imam Khomeini’s books, including “Forty Hadiths,” which covers the subject of morality, the addressee is a human being, not a woman or a man. Also, in “Misbah al-Hidayah,” he deals with the essence of man.
Moreover, there are remarks in Imam Khomeini’s speeches, that when analyzed from a rational or philosophical perspective, lead us towards a harmonious and coherent philosophical system in thought and belief on the one hand, and the imaginary issues i.e., enacting individual and social laws for humanity on the other.
In his meetings with women, he used to stress that in Islam, while men and women are equal in every way, some rulings specifically address women or men.
On the other hand, in Imam Khomeini’s works, we read: “It is from the laps of women that man begins his ascent.” That is, women are the teachers of men and in response to those who claim that women cannot become a prophet, we should say that women are the mothers of the prophets.
On another occasion, he states: “Women are the leaders of our movement.” “More than owing this victory to men, we owe it to women.” “Islam wants the progress and spiritual nourishment of both men and women.” Also, he states: “We are indebted to women for our uprising. Men would take to the streets following the example of women. Women would inspire the men. They themselves would be at the forefront.”
Reviving Women’s Legal Position in the Practical Life of Imam Khomeini (ra)
Imam Khomeini’s thoughts changed the preconceived criteria, standards and notions about Islam. Given the thoughts and statements of Imam Khomeini (ra), the women experienced development and found their place in the system of creation. He raised the status of women from the lowest positions to the peak of human excellence and growth.
Imam Khomeini (ra) and his thinking broadened the horizons of women’s views and accelerated their movement towards perfection. The status of the Iranian women was changed and they realized the right path (the path of God): “It was a spiritual transformation, a mental transformation backed with a strong will. From small children to elderly men; from small girls to elderly ladies; all strata of people rose up together and persevered, collectively and individually, for the cause of God.”
“This was a transformation that human beings could not have brought about. It was a divine transformation. That is, the Muqallib al-Qulub [Transformer of Hearts] affected it. He removed that dread from the hearts (of the people); the dread that everyone had of these regimes…It was a spiritual transformation that God, the Blessed and Exalted, wrought in this nation. We shall prevail as long as we safeguard this transformation and also this movement just as we have done up to now.”
Under the leadership of Imam Khomeini (ra), the “women” knew that Islam is not opposed to their social activities and true civilization. The Iranian women, who had lost their dignity and identity, attained their status of humanity with the help of Imam Khomeini (ra) and the Revolution, and this was what he tried to achieve.
“We want the women to remain in their sublime status of humanity… The woman should have a hand in determining her destiny.”
The women began following the religious school of thought because they realized that the high position and rights Islam has given to them cannot be found in any other school of thought. Islam opposes the unconditional isolation of women.
“What conditions did they have at that time and what today? Our women began following the Islamic school of thought.”
Imam Khomeini (ra) brought freedom for women with his divinely-inspired and pure thoughts. He freed the “traditional woman,” the “bigoted and sanctimonious woman,” and the “Western-oriented woman” from the bonds of Western and traditional thoughts showing them the light of the Holy Quran and Islam.
In a word, Imam Khomeini (ra), in this era, revived the character of “Muslim women” by introducing “Lady Fatimah (a)” as the best role model.
“The regime has trampled upon and deprived the women of their freedom as it has done in the case of the men. The women, just as the men, have filled the prisons of Iran. It is here that their freedom is threatened and imperilled. Islam is very much against such a state of affairs. We wish to liberate them from the corruption that menaces them.”
“Women will be free in the Islamic society and there will be no restriction on their admission to the universities, working in the offices and being elected to the houses of the parliament. What will be restricted is moral decadence in whose regard both men and women are treated equally; it is unlawful for both.”
“In an Islamic system, the women enjoy the same rights that men do, that is, right to education, right to work, right to property, and right to suffrage. Women enjoy the same rights that men do in all fields. However, there are certain cases that are forbidden for men to prevent corruption, likewise, there are certain cases that are forbidden for women because they cause corruption.”
The jurists’ disagreement on the legal eligibility of women for political activity and their incompetence to head the government on the one hand, and the need to take into account the role of time and place in the implementation of jurisprudential rulings related to women, especially from Imam Khomeini’s point of view as the one who presented the theory of Islamic governance, on the other hand, made it necessary to study and analyze the necessity of and need for political participation of Muslim women as well as their role in governing the country.
It is important to note that some of the rulings that are considered as self-evident in some denominations, may not necessarily fall under the category of “immediate perceptions of shari’ah” and even in some cases, whereas all denominations consider an issue as “self-evident” it may not be the case and hence the issue needs to be reviewed again.
“The eligibility of women to be at the head of the government is apparently one of the indisputable rules of Islamic jurisprudence in all religions and in the eyes of all jurists.”
During Imam Khomeini’s stay in Paris, a journalist asked him: “From an Islamic point of view, to what extent would women be allowed to participate in the construction of an Islamic government?” Imam Khomeini (ra) said: “Women play a significant role in building an Islamic society; Islam promotes women to where they can realize their humanistic values in the society, and more beyond the boundaries of being simply an object, and along with such growth, they can assume responsibilities in constructing an Islamic government.”
Reference: Pajouheshnameh Matin (Journal of the Research Institute of Imam Khomeini and Islamic Revolution). Vol 23, No 91, Summer 2021, Pp 139-159.
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