As-Salaamu’ Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatu
Beloved Brothers & Sisters:
I thought I might share this article with you all as there is little doubt
that globally and unilaterally all men seem to agree only on one thing
regarding women. There was a time in Islam when women preached from the
mimbars of mosques and held positions of great importance in society but
alas the men hoarded all for themselves and subjected women to the rank of
slave and servant. Shamefully our women have endured centuries of
oppression so that the egos of men could be satisfied.
Today, fortunately, [for the women] the situation is ripe for a radical
change. As Muslims it will be a return to what use to be the norm in
Islamic society prior to the systematic defunctionalization of women in our
Deen. Women are taking a big interest in learning Quranic Sciences and
inshaAllah as more of our women become versed in Islam the tyrannical grip
that men hold on the Deen will be broken to the benefit of Islam.
Allah Hafiz,
from the servant of ALLAH
SOURCE: THE BERGEN RECORD
Who has the right to bar women from religious leadership?Thursday, July 13, 2000
By DAVID WATERSScripps Howard News Service
Let’s see if I’ve got this straight. The Roman Catholic Church, controlled
by single, celibate men, claims that God limits the priesthood to single,
celibate men.
The Southern Baptist Convention, controlled by single and married men,
claims that God limits the office of pastor to single or married men.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, controlled by men, claims
that God limits the ordained priesthood to men.
The Church of God in Christ, controlled by men, claims that God limits the
office of pastor to men.
Orthodox Judaism, controlled by male rabbis, claims that God limits the
rabbinate to men.
Islam, spiritually led by male imams, claims that God limits the role of
spiritual leader to men.Seems a bit suspicious, doesn’t it?Think about it.
What theological views do Catholic, Southern Baptist, Mormon, COGIC,
Orthodox Jewish, and Muslim male leaders share?Not many.
They disagree on such fundamental religious issues as God, creation,
revelation, inspiration, conversion, judgment, and salvation. They venerate
different and, at times, competing authorities, stories, and rituals. They
have distinctive theologies, doctrines, teachings, practices, and codes of
conduct. They can’t even agree on a dress code.
Yet, amazingly, they do seem to agree on this one theological matter: Only
men can lead their religious institutions.
What’s the source of all of this religious male chauvinism?
God, these men tell us.
But which God? The God of Moses, or Paul, or Mohammed, or Joseph Smith?
Scripture, these men tell us.
But what book? The Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, the Koran, the Book
of Mormon?Doctrine, these men tell us.
Whose? St. Augustine’s? Martin Luther’s? Joseph Smith’s? C.H. Mason’s?
This patriarchal piety is difficult to pin down.
After all, the men in charge of these religious institutions don’t claim men
should be in charge of everything.
Women can lead regular schools and universities, these guys say, but not
seminaries and other places of sacred learning.
Women can run stores and banks and all kinds of secular places of business,
but not places of sacred business.
Women can finance and design and build and fix and furnish and clean those
sacred places of worship, they just can’t lead them.
Women can be in charge of the other women and the children and the food, but
not the men.Women can be in charge of entire nations, just not entire
denominations.Seems to me there are two possible explanations for this spiritual
authoritarianism.
Either, in the complex history of monotheism, the only clear message God
sent us is this: Men should be in charge of My religious institutions.
Or, the only clear message we are getting from the men in charge is this:
Women should not be in charge of us.
Copyright © 2000 Bergen Record Corp.
Masooma