ETHICS IN ISLAM

(BHM 4053)
CHAPTER 10:
WOMEN AND MUSLIM
PEACE BUILDING
by
DR. NIK SAFIAH NIK ABDULLAH
 10.1 INTRODUCTION
❖ Islam has never abjured the notion of war, and the Qur’an allows self-
protection. Similarly, there are a number of instances of the Prophet
Muhammad taking up arms. But the wars sanctioned by the religion and
its texts are of a defensive nature when the religion and its followers are
under attack. The primacy of peace is emphasized.
❖ Muslim women are heading towards the development and peace-building
of society and state along with men.
❖ In this age of globalization, the participation of Muslim women in
different types of developmental activities is profoundly remarkable which
was not seen in several centuries before.
❖ Recently they have been engaging themselves in education, treatment,
science, peace-building and many more outstanding fields of states which
are instrumentally assisting the Muslim world towards the rapid progress.
 10.1 INTRODUCTION (Cont.)

❖They are actively playing very crucial role in every sector of

Muslim society. In addition, Muslim women are creating their
dignified position and acceptance in non-Muslim countries as
well.
❖There are several Muslim women whose contributions and strives
for development, education and peace-building are vigorously
recognized across the world.
❖They are Khadijah (R.A.), Aishah (R.A.), and from this
generation are Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain (Bangladesh),
and Nobel Laureate Tawakkol Karman (Yemen).
 10.2 DEFINITION OF PEACE BUILDING

❖ In 2007, the Secretary-General’s Policy Committee has described peace-

building as:
“A range of measures targeted to reduce the risk of lapsing or relapsing into
conflict by strengthening national capacities at all levels for conflict
management, and to lay the foundation for sustainable peace and
development”.

❖ Peacebuilding strategies must be coherent and tailored to specific needs of the

country concerned, based on national ownership, and should comprise a
carefully prioritized.

❖ Peacebuilding includes activities designed to prevent conflict through

addressing structural and proximate causes of violence, promoting sustainable
peace, delegitimizing violence as a dispute resolution strategy, building
capacity within society to peacefully manage disputes, and reducing
vulnerability to triggers that may spark violence.
 10.3 OUTSTANDING STEPS OF WOMEN COMPANIONS OF
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (S.A.W.) TO UPHOLD PEACE-
BUILDING IN EARLY HISTORY OF ISLAM

1. Khadijah (R.A)
❖ Khadijah (r.a.) was born in Makkah in the year 556 CE. Her mother’s name was
Fatimah binti Zayed, and her father’s name was Khuwaylid bin Asad.
❖ She was a very popular leader among the tribe of Quraisy and a very prosperous
businesswoman who died while fighting in the famous battle of Fujjar.
❖ Khadijah thus grew up in the lap of luxury. She gave her earnings to the poor and
to the orphans, to the widows and the sick. She helped poor girls get married and
provided their dowry.
❖ Khadijah was one of history’s most remarkable women. She inherited her father’s
skills at a time in history when society was male-dominated and dangerous. Upon
her father’s death, she took over the business and traded goods through the primary
commerce centers at that time – from Mecca to Syria and to Yemen – hiring the
most trustworthy men of character to brave the dangerous trade routes.
 10.3 OUTSTANDING STEPS OF WOMEN COMPANIONS OF
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (S.A.W.) TO UPHOLD PEACE-
BUILDING IN EARLY HISTORY OF ISLAM (cont.)

❖ Her business was larger than all of the Quraisy trades combined, and it was the
most acclaimed with a reputation of fair-dealing and high-quality goods.
❖ She had a keen eye and was highly intuitive, earning the monikers, Ameerah-
Quraisy (“Princess of Quraisy”) and al-Tahira (“The Pure One”) due to her stellar
reputation.
❖ Prophet Muhammad once said that the four greatest women of mankind were:
Khadijah binti Khuwaylid, Fatimah binti Muhammad (his youngest daughter,)
Mariam binti Emran (the Virgin Mary) and Asiah binti Muzahim (the wife of
Pharaoh).
 10.3 OUTSTANDING STEPS OF WOMEN COMPANIONS OF
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (S.A.W.) TO UPHOLD PEACE-
BUILDING IN EARLY HISTORY OF ISLAM (cont.)

Khadijah’s Role in Peace Building:

❖ The 1st wife of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was constantly proactive in case of
peace building in society when some people were so poor that they could not get
married on time because of intensity of poverty. She extended the hands of
assistance towards them.
❖ She was a main instrumental case in terms of propagating Islam and making
successful vision and mission of Prophet Muhammad. When no one believes him
as a Prophet, she first believed him and accepted Islam, and submitted her wills to
the commandments of Allah.
❖ Once Prophet Muhammad was having mockery, misbehaviors and threatening of
killing and other all sorts of humiliation from disbelievers, he got Khadijah with
him always as very powerful supportive personality who spent her all wealth to the
preaching and giving shelter those poor people who embraced Islam but nothing to
eat and lead their normal lives.
❖ Khadijah (r.a.) was not only a role model for that time but also forever.
 10.3 OUTSTANDING STEPS OF WOMEN COMPANIONS OF
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (S.A.W.) TO UPHOLD PEACE-
BUILDING IN EARLY HISTORY OF ISLAM (cont.)

2. Aishah binti Abu Bakar (R.A)

❖ Aishah (r.a.) was the youngest wife of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) and most
beloved daughter of his nearest friend Abu Bakar as-Siddiq (r.a.).
❖ She had a brilliant mind and a remarkable memory. Her knowledge of the many
branches of religion like Fiqh and Shariah, her wisdom in interpretation, her
mastery of the teachings of the Prophet, her trustworthiness and integrity – all
these qualities made her one of the most remarkable personalities of the time.
❖ Thus, she was adorned with huge qualities of different fields which elevated her
position on pinnacle where no other women ever could reach.
 10.3 OUTSTANDING STEPS OF WOMEN COMPANIONS OF
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (S.A.W.) TO UPHOLD PEACE-
BUILDING IN EARLY HISTORY OF ISLAM (cont.)

Role of Aishah (R.A) in Peace Building:

❖ On that day when Muhammad (s.a.w.) passed away, there was not even food for a
single day in his household. Aishah maintained this tradition of generosity and
liberality right up to her last days.
❖ During the days of prosperity, abundant riches arrived daily, but she always
distributed them among the needy by the time evening fell. The most outstanding
trait of her character was her innate magnanimity and benevolence. Her generosity
is well-known, and no beggar left her door empty-handed.
❖ On one occasion, at one sitting, Aishah gave away 70,000 Dirhams in charity for
Allah. One evening she received Dirhams 1,00,000 from Amir Mu'awiyah who
was in Syria and by nightfall the entire sum had gone to charity. Her maid
reminded her that she was fasting and she should have kept something for herself.
She asked her why she had not reminded her earlier. On another occasion,
Abdullah bin Zubair sent her 1,00,000 Dirhams, and similarly they were also given
away as early as possible.
 10.3 OUTSTANDING STEPS OF WOMEN COMPANIONS OF
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (S.A.W.) TO UPHOLD PEACE-
BUILDING IN EARLY HISTORY OF ISLAM (cont.)

❖ The character of Aishah who used to donate everything what she had
forgetting her own neediness.
❖ For the Muslim women of this period, the legacy of Aishah is the best
pathway where she showed her generosity and compassionate for the needy
people of society.
❖ It is extremely true that is she intended to deposit money for herself and own
purpose, she could do many things but she had done everything only for the
sake of Allah whose prime intention was to please Allah.
 10.3 OUTSTANDING STEPS OF WOMEN COMPANIONS OF
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (S.A.W.) TO UPHOLD PEACE-
BUILDING IN EARLY HISTORY OF ISLAM (cont.)

Aishah’s Peace Building by Knowledge Distribution:

❖ Aishah (r.a.) attained a lofty status because of the knowledge and wisdom with
which she had been blessed. She was consulted by the other Companions and
women Companions on the finer points of religion.
❖ Many of the traditions and authentic Ahadith originate from her. From among the
many Companions associated with the Prophet (s.a.w.), Aishah (r.a.) was one of
the most Hadith narrators and number of Hadith was 2210.
❖ Imam Thahabi (r.a.) wrote that Aishah was superior to all other women in her
knowledge and wisdom. She was a theologian of the highest order. During the
caliphate of the Khulafah-ur-Rashideen, her Fatwa was accepted.
❖ She had mastery over the Shariah laws regarding inheritance. People are used to
come to her for Fatwas on various issues since she was the closest company of
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).
 10.4 PEACE BUILDING OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN
DIFFERENT COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

1. Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain (1880-1932) (Bangladesh)

Short Biography:
❖ Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain (1880-1932), she was a Muslim social
reformer who dedicated her whole life to education and the empowerment of
women.
❖ She was born in 1880 in Bangladesh during British colonial rule, Rokeya was
brought up in a Muslim family that followed the purdah, a strict set of social
rules which required women be secluded from education.
❖ In that time, there were some Muslim families who would not send their
daughters to school thinking that if girls go to school, their veil tradition might
be broken or other Islamic rules will not be followed properly; consequently,
they will engage with various types of immoral activities and so on.
10.4 PEACE BUILDING OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN DIFFERENT
COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD (cont.)

Education:
❖ People used to think that women do not require education. Their job is only
taking care the domestic chores. However, the support from her brothers and
husband would give her the strength to persevere through harsh criticism, and
inspire her to become the author of several books and eventually open a
school for girls.
❖ Rokeya’s father was a rich landowner who had educated his two sons but kept
the daughter out of education thinking that Hijab will not maintained if she
goes to school. She has learned Bengali and English from her brothers silently.
❖ Rokeya married Syed Sakhawat Hossain a civil servant who firmly believed
that the education of women would cure society of its evils. Hossain would
prove to be a supportive husband and encouraged Rokeya’s writings and
activities and he set aside money so she would be able to start a school for
Muslim women.
10.4 PEACE BUILDING OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN DIFFERENT
COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD (cont.)

Her Active Efforts in Peace-Building:

❖ Her husband Syed Sakhawat Hossain was a civil servant who firmly believed
that the education of women would cure society of its evils. Later on, he
inspired her to continue her education after marriage.
❖ Because of his support and encouragement she wrote some books on necessity
of women education and her husband deposited some portion of their income
in order to build a school for Muslim women.
❖ She built The Sakhawat Memorial Girl’s School which still exists today.
Founded in 1910 in Bangladesh with only 5 girls students. Because of
hindrance it was transferred in Calcutta in 1911.
❖ She founded Muslim Women’s Association, 1916 which is always still
working in women empowerment and women rights.
❖ She joined many conferences in home and abroad.
❖ Every year 9th December is observed as “Rokeya Day” in Bangladesh.
10.4 PEACE BUILDING OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN DIFFERENT
COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD (cont.)

2. Nobel Laureate Tawakkol Karman (Yemen)

Short Biography:
❖Tawakkol Abdel-Salam Karman was born on 7 February 1979 in
Mekhlaf, Yemen.
❖She is the daughter of Abdel Salam Karman, a lawyer and
politician, who once served and later resigned as Legal Affairs
Minister in Ali Abdullah Saleh’s government.
❖She is the sister of Tariq Karman, who is a poet, and Safa
Karman, who works as journalist for Al-Jazeera.
❖She is married to Mohammed al-Nahmi and the mother of three
children.
10.4 PEACE BUILDING OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN DIFFERENT
COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD (cont.)

❖She is a Yemeni journalist, politician, and human rights activist.

❖“Women Journalists Without Chains”. (co-founder 2005).
❖She has been called the "Iron Woman" and "Mother of the
Revolution" by Yemenis.
❖She is a co-recipient of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, becoming
the first Yemeni, the first Arab woman.
❖She redirected the Yemeni protests to support the "Jasmine
Revolution," as she calls the Arab Spring, after the Tunisian
people overthrew the government of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in
January 2011.
❖She has been a vocal opponent who has called for the end of
President Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime.
10.4 PEACE BUILDING OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN DIFFERENT
COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD (cont.)

Higher Education:
❖Karman earned undergraduate degree in commerce from the
University of Science and Technology, and graduate degree in
political science from the University of Sana’a.
❖In 2012, she received an Honorary Doctorate in International
Law from University of Alberta in Canada.
10.4 PEACE BUILDING OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN DIFFERENT
COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD (cont.)
Her Peace Movement:
❖ Karman has led protests against government corruption. Her stand is on the
outstation of Saleh because of his continuous corruption.
❖ Karman routinely speaks out against both the Shia insurgency in Yemen and
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula calling both of them are threats to Yemen's
national sovereignty.
❖ She has accused the Houthis of receiving foreign aid from the Iranian
government and objects to what she believes are foreign efforts to leave the
Houthis alone since they are also fighting against Al-Qaeda.
❖ Karman objects to U.S. drone policy in Yemen, calling the use of them
“unacceptable” and has argued that using them in populated areas violates
human rights and international laws.
❖ She has been providing scholarships to promising students from Yemen to
study at Istanbul Aydin University at undergraduate and postgraduate level, in
conjunction with the MBI Al-Jaber Foundation.
 10.5 WHAT TO DO MUSLIM WOMEN IN THIS
21ST CENTURY?
❖ Muslim women are required to adopt the best ways in case of rearing their
children. So that their babies become very intelligent and full of wisdom.
❖ Muslim women should have to have a complete idea of Islam so that other
doctrines do not distract them and make them confused regarding Islam.
❖ They should know what position Islam gave to them and what position of
women in other religions.
❖ Muslim women are allowed to be what they wish but it must be based on
shariah. In this case, they can be best scientist, best engineer, best medical
doctor, best educator, best social worker and best politician.
❖ Finally they are humbly requested to be constant in rituals. If they become
pious, men are compelled to be pious and obedient to Islamic rules and
regulations. Overall, they should come forward with men to build peace in
society and state.
 10.6 CONCLUSION
❖ In Islam, women are the main instrumental case, without whom peace-
building in society is entirely impossible.
❖ Because of their active role in inception of Islam at the period of Prophet
Muhammad (s.a.w.), Islam achieved its maturity on earth.
❖ The contributions of women companions of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) in
establishment of Islam are well known to all in history.
❖ Due to their bold encouragement and endless assistance to men companions,
they could build a peaceful society in Al-Madina and other Muslim territories.
❖ In this modern age, Muslim women are not stopped anymore. Along with
men, they are also playing significant role in peace-building of society across
the world.
❖ It is suggested Muslim women can do in case of peace-building in society
what men cannot afford at all.
❖ In order to bring peace and tranquility in society Muslim women have to come
forward; this is because without their cooperation and involvement; building a
peaceful human society is fully unimaginable.
 THANK YOU

@NSNA2020
Source:
Aslan, E., & Hermansen, M. (2017). Religion and Violence: Muslim and Christian Theological and Pedagogical
Reflections. Germany: Springer VS.