Islam-Sikhism - Female Rights (BLIND EQUALITY)

Much has been said by the surreptitious Sikh proselytisers about the status of women in Islaam in comparison to Sikhism. The basic contention revolves around the premise that 'gender equality' in all affairs of life is the measure by which fairness and justice is determined for the treatment of women in a given religion. Hence, the postulate is that exact fairness and justice can only be reached when this equal opportunity's policy is implemented in all spheres of life.

We will endeavour to show in this article, insha'Allaah (God-Willing), that such a proposition is unrealistic, untenable and impossible to uphold or defend. We shall further demonstrate not only the absurdity of this fanciful claim and how far removed it is from the real world, but also how unjust this call for equality is.

"And among humankind is he who disputes about Allaah without knowledge, without guidance and without a Book of Enlightenment." (Qur'an 22:8)

BLIND EQUALITY

In Islaam, Allaah from His absolute perfect Wisdom has defined Gender Roles for men and women that specifically compliment each sex's distinct mental and physical makeup. The female constitution possesses unique characteristics and abilities that are fine-tuned to make her best-suited in fulfilling a particular role or type of work that the male would be incapable of achieving, at least to the same degree of standard, due to the absence of these qualities.

Allaah therefore facilitates the strategic use of distinct knowledge and skills possessed by women and men to fulfil complimentary gender roles.

Hence, what is known as Gender Analysis leads to men and women having different experiences, talents, knowledge and needs which have been instilled by their Creator.

The Scientific American ran an article in May 2002 entitled: Sex Differences in the Brain, which suggested: [1]

Men and women differ not only in their physical attributes and reproductive function but also in many other characteristics, including the way they solve intellectual problems. For the past few decades, it has been ideologically fashionable to insist that these behavioral differences are minimal and are the consequence of variations in experience during development before and after adolescence. Evidence accumulated more recently, however, suggests that the effects of sex hormones on brain organization occur so early in life that from the start the environment is acting on differently wired brains in boys and girls. Such effects make evaluating the role of experience, independent of physiological predisposition, a difficult if not dubious task.

The fact that "the male is not like the female" (Qur'an 3:36) is a self-evident truth that requires no further elaboration or proof.

Is there any doubt that the male is different from the female in many ways? Islaam understands that women are like men in some aspects, but differ from them in others. Most of the rulings of Islaam apply to men and women equally. However, in cases where a distinction is to be made between the sexes, by necessity of the mental and physical differences, the Muslim will regard that as a mercy from Allaah and a sign of knowledge of His creation, whilst the non-Muslim, due to heedlessness, sees it as oppression, inequality and injustice; stubbornly insisting that men and women must be equal.

Unfortunately, many Sikhs, similar to others who have no guidance from an all-Wise Creator, have fallen into this mistake, the degree of which varies between the numerous sects of Sikhism. Some Sikhs have opted to accept this ideology by jumping on the bandwagon of the liberalists (who have placed God in the back seat and formulated their own man-invented standards of freedom, democracy, gender equality, etc.) and have attempted to justify it by making recourse to their holy text - Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Others simply accept the idea upon ignorance without ever having thought about the dire ramifications.

We refer to this assertion, which rejects the aforementioned self-evident truth - "the male is not like the female" (Qur'an 3:36) - replacing it with the call to absolute equality, as 'Blind Equality'. The protagonists of such a worldview demand Functional Equality between the two genders. However the question we ask is:

There is a reason why the all-Wise created us different. If He intended both genders to be equal in its functionality, He would have made us all females or all males. However, the fact that He created us differently is recognised by Muslims as part of the universal "balance" (al-Meezaan), part of which is that each sex compliments the other by fulfilling a designated role. Furthermore, Allaah has revealed laws that sustain this different but complimentary functionality, which maintains this "balance", by not allowing one to mix with the other.

"And they (women) have rights (over their husbands) similar (to those of their husbands) over them." (Qur'an 2:228)

This is from the justice of Allaah.
It should also be pointed out that the word "equality" is quite often and erroneously attributed to the Qur'an and to Islaam in recent times. One thing that people misunderstand is that when they say "Islam is the religion of equality", what they should be saying in contrast, however, is that Islam is the "religion of justice". The great scholar Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen elaborated upon the understanding of justice in this respect as follows:

Here we should note that there are some people who speak of equality instead of justice, and this is a mistake. We should not say equality since equality implies no differentiation between the two. Because of this unjust call for equality, they started to ask: 'What is the difference between male and female?' So they made males and females the same, and then the communists said: 'What difference is there between ruler and subject? No one has any authority over anyone else, not even fathers and sons; the father has no authority over his son,' and so on.

But if we say justice, which means giving each one that to which he or she is entitled, this misunderstanding no longer applies, and the word used is correct. Hence, it does not say in the Qur'an that Allaah enjoins equality; rather it states:

"And that when you judge between men, you judge with justice." (Qur'an 4:58)

Those who say that Islam is the religion of equality are lying against Islaam. Rather Islaam is the religion of justice which means treating equally those who are equal and differentiating between those who are different.

No one who knows the religion of Islaam would say that it is the religion of equality. Rather what shows you that this principle is false is the fact that most of what is mentioned in the Qur'an denies equality, as in the following verses:

"Say: Is the blind equal to the one who sees? Or darkness equal to light?" (Qur'an 13:16)

"Not equal among you are those who spent and fought before the conquering (of Makkah, with those among you who did so later)." (Qur'an 57:10)

"Not equal are those of the believers who sit (at home), except those who are disabled (by injury or are blind or lame), and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allaah with their wealth and their lives." (Qur'an 4:95)

Not one single letter in the Qur'an enjoins equality, rather it enjoins justice. You will also find that the word justice is acceptable to people, for I feel that if I am better than this man in terms of knowledge, or wealth, or piety, or in doing good, I would not like for him to be equal to me.

Every person knows that he would find it unacceptable if we say that the male is equal to the female. [2]

Based on this, Islaam does not regard men and women as equal in matters where such equality would result in injustice since an inappropriate recognition of equality would be a severe form of injustice.

Most of the rulings of Islaam apply to men and women equally. However, in cases where a distinction is to be made between the sexes, by necessity of the mental and physical differences, the Muslim will regard that as a mercy from Allaah and a sign of knowledge of His creation, whilst the non-Muslim, due to heedlessness, sees it as oppression, inequality and injustice; stubbornly insisting that men and women must be equal.

The first sentence is extremely important for us to elaborate upon in order to answer the polemic of some Sikhs who assert that salvation favours the Muslim male.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed, Allaah has said in no uncertain terms in a beautiful verse from His Book:

"Truly, the Muslim men and women; the believing men and women; the men and the women who are obedient (to Allaah); the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and conduct); the men and the women who are patient (in performing all the duties which Allaah has ordered and in abstaining from all that Allaah has forbidden; the men and the women who are humble (before Allaah); the men and the women who give charity; the men and the women who observe fasting; the men and the women who guard their chastity, and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues - Allaah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (Paradise)." (Qur'an 33:35)

"So, their Lord accepted of them (their supplication and answered them saying) 'Never will I allow to be lost the work of any of you, be you male or female. You are (members) one to another. So those who emigrated and were driven out from their homes, and suffered harm in My Cause, and who fought, and were killed (in My Cause), truly, I will expiate from them their evil deeds and admit them into Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise); a reward from Allaah, and with Allaah is the best of rewards.'" (Qur'an 3:195)

"Whoever works righteousness - whether male or female - while he (or she) is a true believer, truly, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (Paradise in the Hereafter)." (Qur'an 16:97)

The above are self-explanatory. From the apparent meaning of these emphatic verses, it is determinable that any Muslim, irrespective of gender, will be rewarded. Allaah assures the believers that He will not "allow to be lost the work of any of you, be you male or female". The vast majority of the Holy Islamic Laws (Shari'ah) are established upon equity and justice. However, a difference between the two sexes and the respective roles allocated to each one necessitates a differentiation of laws.

There are many cases in point that a sincere seeker of truth would only dispute at his/ her peril. For example, motherhood which in Islaam is subject to particular laws that of course are only prescribed upon women. There are conditions for birth, after-birth, purification rights, breastfeeding, etc. all of which a Muslim mother must know. Likewise, the father's role is subject to particular laws and conditions. For example, he is considered the breadwinner of the family unit having been given the important (and often arduous) responsibility of working in permissible (halaal) ways to maintain the family, as well as being the head of the household. All these separate yet complimentary roles carry different rulings that are mandatory upon the appropriate sex who in turn will be subject to accountability.

BLIND EQUALITY GONE MAD

"Verily, you follow nothing but conjecture and you do nothing but lie." (Qur'an 6:148)

"And most of them follow nothing but conjecture. Certainly, conjecture can be of no avail against the truth. Surely, Allaah is All-Knower of what they do." (Qur'an 10:36)

"They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture." (Qur'an 4:157)

As a result of Sikhs adopting and favouring this unjust notion of equality, a definite form of perversion has occurred resulting in a violation of that balanced way in life which Allaah intended humankind to be upon. Hence, they have fallen, to their detriment, towards an extreme in their behaviour and outlook on life.

One such example is the manner in which Sikhs dress. It is sad to see this perverted acceptance of blind equality taking such a strong hold among Sikhs that men and women attempt to dressed in almost identical fashion, which also includes the dastar (turban). [3]

"They follow nothing but conjecture and what their own souls desire, even though there has already come to them Guidance from their Lord." (Qur'an 53:23)

However, Islaam commands women to wear clothes that are different from those worn by men due to the obvious difference in the way each sex is tempted by the other. What is known as Gender Sensitivity is understood and appreciated by Muslims who are cognisant of the fact that the appropriate allocation of different roles necessitates recognition of different needs. Hence, the instructions for the dress-code of a woman is related to the disposition of each gender and how they relate to each other. The sexual temptation posed by each towards the other is markedly different, and from the wisdom of Allaah, He has prescribed a distinct and purpose-made dress code that sustains the balance in life and protects from immorality and extremism. It would make no sense to tell women to expose those parts of their body that men are allowed to expose because of the differences in the temptation posed by one towards the other.

It is precisely for this reason that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) strictly cautioned his followers from making any attempt at imitating the opposite sex warning them of God's punishment if men began to imitate women and vice-versa. He said:

'Abdullaah ibn 'Abbaas said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cursed men who imitate women and women who imitate men." (Bukhari 5546)

For men to imitate women and women to imitate men, deliberately and by choice, is strictly forbidden (haraam) according to scholarly consensus.

In fact, the strict observance of gender sensitivity and maintaining the unique outward distinction of both sexes was so strict that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) even forbade effeminate men from entering upon women ordering instead that they be banned from living among people so as to act as a deterrent while safeguarding against this unnatural characteristic. Imam al-Bukhari in his famous collection, Saheeh al-Bukhari, included this hadeeth in under the following two chapter headings:

(1) It is forbidden for men who resemble women to enter upon women.
(2) Expelling men who resemble women from peoples' houses.

However, due to the absence of correct and beneficial knowledge from the all-Wise, Sikhs are either unaware or unwilling to accept this reality and thus promulgate, under the guise of blind equality, the notion that women imitate men and vice-versa. If only they realised that women imitating men only leads to womanhood having no true intrinsic value.

Another example, which is related to the above, is the conduct of interaction among the Sikhs in their Gurdwara (we put aside for the moment the manner of conduct outside their places of worship, such as the house or at weddings and parties, etc.).

It is generally the case in Gurdwaras that men and women, though remaining as separate groups, occupy the same open space as they sit equidistant from Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which itself is installed on a higher level as a mark of respect.

This of course is in stark contrast to the traditional mosque that also houses separate seating areas, but makes sure a visual division or barrier is setup between the two sexes. Usually, arrangements are made for separate entrances for the male and female ensuring that no free-mixing occurs. The wisdom behind this, as explained above, is the recognition of sexual temptation posed by each gender towards the other. Hence, not only is there a prescribed purpose-made dress code, but an additional safety precaution is established by cordoning off the two sexes to ensure that all potential avenues of temptation are cut off; thus, allowing for complete and undisturbed attention to be paid towards the purpose of attending the mosque - to worship the Creator.

However, in their naivety, Sikhs often forward the excuse that it is impossible for temptation to arise in a place of worship, or during worship, and in front of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The need of an outward show of equality, i.e. men and women sitting in the same room equal-distant from their Holy Book, supersedes the need to protect the natural temptation that will inevitably arise between men and women situated in the same locale.

Women usually attend the Gurdwara wearing their most beautiful garments, bathed in perfume, looking their most attractive, and often with a flimsy transparent cloth (chuni) draped over their head, which leaves exposed both the neck and parts of the chest. It is inconceivable to imagine under such circumstances that no man would take advantage of the opportunity of flicking a quick glance over at a woman who is barely meters away across the room, especially if the room is full of women.

In matters of worship, how is it possible for men and women situated in the same room; separated by no barriers, to sustain their concentration upon worship without any of them being distracted by the opposite sex?

If this is the case in their places of worship, we can only imagine the horrifying consequences that result from the mixing of sexes at home, school, during festive occasions such as wedding parties and religious congregations and melas, etc. all under the umbrella of blind equality.

Islaam does not teach nor does it hold to such dangerously naïve, untenable and impossible scenarios, rather it deals with reality.

"Should not He Who created know? And He is the Most Kind and Courteous (to His slaves), All‑Aware (of everything)." (Qur'an 67:14)

We have seen that this blind call to equality in all spheres of life is both untenable and impossible due to the clear and apparent physiological differences of men and women.

Since Allaah has facilitated the strategic use of distinct knowledge and skills possessed by women and men to fulfil complimentary gender roles, it would be impossible for one to assert that both man and woman are equal without ignoring this a priori difference.

Any wise person, who has sat down and reflected without jumping on the pseudo-bandwagon of equality, will come to the inevitable conclusion that the restrictions and regulations set for two different people of different backgrounds, cultures and age group must differ. It would be unreasonable to establish equal rules for a six-year-old child and a seventeen-year-old since both differ in their mental and physical maturity.

After recognising, acknowledging and implementing this amongst ourselves, how is it possible, therefore, for us to discard this understanding for the One whom we accept as being the all-Wise and all-Knowledgeable?

How is it possible for someone to affirm that God created each sex upon a completely different physiology and yet established laws, regulations, allowances and restrictions equally for both?

In Islaam, woman has been given a role to fulfil, determinable from the specifically tailored physical makeup created by Allaah, which differs from her counterpart. Hence, we have shown that He, from His perfect Wisdom, has set laws and conditions for each complimentary role as part of Islaam's gender sensitivity.

However, in Islaam these differences are few and far between since most of the rulings of Islaam apply to men and women equally.

Hence, it is unfair and ignorant to assert that women in Islaam have "greater roles to fulfil, but less rights". Such a proposition is simply untrue.

May Allaah guide us towards the Truth and away from the whims and desires of man-invented philosophies, which on the face of it may sound good, but when deconstructed and examined, fall flat on its face simply because:

"What is there after Truth, except falsehood? How then have you turned away?" (Qur'an 10:32)

[1] http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID
[2] Sharh al-'Aqeedah al-Waasitah, 1/180-181
[3] Some quote the following verse from the SGGS to:
"naapaak paak kar, hadoor hadeesaa; saabat soorat dastaar siraa
Purify what is impure, and let the Lord's Presence be your religious tradition. Let your total awareness be the turban on your head." (Ang 1084, SGGS)
Where it is said that "Sabat Soorat Dastar Sira" means that a Sikh is instructed to wear a Dastar making no exception to women.