tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20631069.post4339644085955115784..comments2024-03-28T03:20:17.335-04:00Comments on Ibnat al-Hidayah: Daughter of Guidance: Mahram-lessAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177578450022894894noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20631069.post-39609546709835659532007-07-24T02:27:00.000-04:002007-07-24T02:27:00.000-04:00Walaikum as-salaamI think you're right--two issues...Walaikum as-salaam<BR/><BR/>I think you're right--two issues. But mostly it's the mahram issue. You can call it a FOB mentality, that might be right, but I think there are a lot more FOB imams here than we seem to notice. But the problem isn't a local one. The biggest issue that I personally have encountered, or perhaps the most personal of big issues, is the hajj/umrah one, the fact that a woman can't go alone. <BR/><BR/>Someone recently posted as a comment (which I have not published) on my blog a long list of fatwas from a website that seems to me of somewhat dubious credentials which maintain the "women belong inside the home" mantra, and even attempt to institute it legally. That bothers me immensely, but it's just a website. <BR/><BR/>I love the imam at my masjid here, for example, who I have never seen wear anything but a thowb, but who is clear in his understanding of Islam as a beautiful faith that seeks to make people better in character, and not by restricting them except from forbidden acts which cause harm. At the same time, we had a visiting "sheikh" a year or so ago who gave a talk about women and their role in society, and asserted that women should stay at home. He wouldn't take questions from the sisters (fancy that!) but the brothers challenged him (alhamdulillah) by offering hypothetical scenarios where a woman lacks other options. It's clear that exceptions must be made--however, there are so many exceptions to be made, I think it indicates a flaw on the part of the rule. And indeed I see it as a rule of men, and not a rule from Allah swt and His Messenger saws. <BR/><BR/>One beautiful part about Islam is that even people who know nothing about Islam can't be fooled on some aspects... the deen has been preserved in a way. Nobody can start saying there's only 3 prayers a day instead of 5 and actually be taken seriously by the vast majority of Muslims, even lay Muslims. But when it comes to the issues regarding women, what should be such basic knowledge has disappeared into the depths of ancient scholarship, and traditions are taking over. <BR/><BR/>Much to the detriment of the family unit, I should add, because it is detrimental first and foremost to the woman's spirituality. InshaaAllah I'll write more on this later. A sister I was talking to last night who lived in Saudi for a while gave me some insight into this issue as well. <BR/><BR/>Jazakallah khair for your comment.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15177578450022894894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20631069.post-79178959681507483382007-07-23T19:33:00.000-04:002007-07-23T19:33:00.000-04:00Assalamu Alaicum.Please contact the real scholars ...Assalamu Alaicum.<BR/><BR/>Please contact the real scholars ( "Haqqani" Ulema ) for your questions. If you want to understand Islam alone , the devil (Satan) might try to confuse you. <BR/><BR/>Besides, please be careful of the Imams for dollar. Those guys will try to get you addicted to a "sanitized " version of Islam which will keep the people under control. <BR/><BR/>Real Islam is always revolutionary !!It first causes spiritual revolution , then social revolution and finally causes an international revolution defeating the evil empires which might be in many forms.<BR/><BR/>For your questions, please visit the following links.<BR/>##############<BR/>http://islam.tc/ask-imam/index.php<BR/>#############<BR/><BR/>May Allah keep your feet steady and strong on the highway to heaven.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20631069.post-71187144841382552282007-07-23T13:20:00.000-04:002007-07-23T13:20:00.000-04:00Salaam Sr. Amy,Great Post! You seem to be address...Salaam Sr. Amy,<BR/><BR/>Great Post! You seem to be addressing two issues here - the mistreatment of women and the Mahrem issue.<BR/><BR/>With regards to the gross mistreatment and inequality, I admit that I'm 4 years removed from the American Muslim scene, but even when I was back in the states, I never sensed such a 'backwards' mentality in our community (Baltimore and Albany). The leaders of those communities never taught the community to restrict or imprison the sisters (the way you mentioned)...that seems like something a FOB Imam might say. :-)<BR/><BR/>With regards to the Mahrem issue, it is definitely something that needs to be addressed with urgency...moreso than faraway issues such as Palestine or Iraq. Not that those issues aren't important, but our leaders tend to focus too much on them neglecting the more local problems.<BR/><BR/>I pray that Allah give strength to the sisters who are suffering from these backward mentalities and give us the strength to fix these problems.<BR/><BR/>WA-<BR/>NaeemNaeem:https://www.blogger.com/profile/15397380149160556040noreply@blogger.com