FAQ

Prepared by Zahra Ibrahimi

Q: I am rather surprised at the word ‘awakening’ being used so repeatedly nowadays in connection with the recent Muslims’ Movements. I often ask myself “Were the Muslims sleeping before?”  that they are regarded as being awakening now? I would appreciate some comments in this regard, thank you. (Zakkiya, Karachi)

A: Dear Zakiyya, the awakening of the present day Muslims is in fact a comprehensive, all-sided one. This awakening will, by Allah’s help serve to liberate Muslims not only from the oppressive rules, but also from the corruption and deviation imposed upon their individual lives and on the lives of their societies at the hands of the agents of imperialism who in fact aim at the destruction of humanity, though in the name of democracy, liberty and under the guise of defending human rights. The fact that Muslim women are adopting Hijab and turning away from the Western styles is one indication of their Islamic awakening. Of course this auspicious movement needs constant care, promotion and protection in the face of the enemies of Islam and their plots. May Allah help all of us be self- sacrificing workers for this reviving Movement.

Q: I want to write a scholarly paper on the rights and duties of men and women.  Could you please give me some information on this matter! Are the men prior to women regarding the rights? (Ismail, Malaysia)

A: As men and women are the same in the human reality, in most cases men and women have the same rights and responsibilities in the legal system of Islam. The difference in rights and responsibilities doesn’t represent the superiority of any sex over the other and is primarily a legal title according to their roles. As Imam Khomeini emphasized,: “In terms of human rights, there is no difference between men and women because they are human and women could interfere in their fate like men. The difference between men and women is not related to their prestige.”

Individually, men and women have no differences in terms of growth and spiritual evolution.  Considering different activities including political and social activities, in the Islamic view, men and women have the same rights.  The social rights of women include economic, political, cultural, academic and etc. Imam Khomeini always has emphasized on women’s social laws and performing roles by women in social arenas and added, : “The men and women are free to go to university, to vote, to do transactions and to choose jobs freely.”