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