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A FATWA THAT STIRRED MUSLIMS
Ali Engineer, Asghar
Ali Engineer, Asghar
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Engineer_fatwa.pdf
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Abstract
"Most of the Ulama who defended the fatwa argue that women can work in what they keep on calling shar’i hudud (limits of shari’ah). Firstly question arises why apply these shar’i hudud only to women? And secondly who will define these limits? For these ulama any mixing of men and women is an act of fitna (mischief). For them a woman’s character and integrity has no meaning or significance at all. If she raises veil from her face in a mixed gathering, she is transformed into a fitna. There are several instances in the Holy Prophet’s life when men and women came together and Hazrat A’isha even led the battle of Jamal (Camel) and there were hundreds of sahaba (companions) were around and no one told her not to venture out of home to take part in the battle. Shifa bint-e-Abdullah, a leading lady, was appointed by Hazrat Umar as market inspector and no one protested. What was she doing as a market inspector? Dealing with women alone? The Qur’an, which is the primary source of shari’ah, does not refer to hijab (veil) for ordinary women at all. On the other hand, it advises women not to display her zeenah (adornments) publicly (24:31) but refrains from defining what constitutes zeenah or adornment. It has been defined by various commentators depending on their cultural environment. Qur’an does not even say whether they should cover their heads, let alone faces. It says, on the other hand “except what appears thereof” leaving space for interpretation. There is near agreement among commentators that face and two hands should remain open. However, it advises women to cover their breasts."(PG 1)
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With permission of the license/copyright holder