Holy verses

Holy verses

From Rakyat Merdeka

Actually the Koran and hadiths (a collection of stories relating to words or deeds of the prophet Muhammad) do not clearly prohibit a woman from being a head of state. It is no longer the time now to prevent a woman from becoming a leader on the basis of certain verses and hadiths separated from their sabab wurud (origin).

The Koran and hadiths were not only meant as guidelines when they were first established through divine revelation but they are relevant for all people at all ages. If we study comprehensively and profoundly the spirit of the Koran and the general tendency in the policies pursued by the Messenger of God, we'll find that God actually offers equal opportunities to His servants, regardless of gender.

Islam does distinguish between man and women but it does not discriminate between them. Biologically a man differs from a woman, but in social life and in relation to the nation and the state, the role and the function of men and women are the same. Fazlur Rahman -- a contemporary Islamic thinker -- has said that the difference between men and women is not essential in nature but functional.

So, there is gender equality in Islam, actually. If we read through the history of Islam, many women became formal and informal leaders. The Prophet's wives were good examples. Siti Khadijah and Ummu Salamat were leaders and successful business women. Siti Aisyah was a female community figure that commanded respect while Siti Hafsyah was a reliable leader in her time.

In the Koran (An-Nami and Al-Anbiya Epistles), there is a story about the famed Queen Balqis, a woman leader of the Saba' race who could govern justly despite the presence of male figures around her. So, if you look in the mirror of history, you can say that a woman -- whoever she is -- may become a leader.

IDRUS MARHAM

Jakarta