Organization - Compulsory for Both Men and Women
Nonetheless, I
believe that Jama'ah (organization) is necessary for
both men and women. It provides a positive environment in which we take
inspiration from others. It is on the account of being a part of this
collective existence that we find motivation to do more and more good deeds and
the courage to abandon the Nawahi (the
forbidden things). Therefore, Allah (SWT) has not deprived women of the
blessings and spiritual benefits of belonging to an organization. Allah (SWT)
says in Surah Al-Taubah:
"And
the believers, men and women, are protecting friends of one another; that
enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and that establish worship and they pay,
the poor-due and that obey Allah and His messenger (SAW). As for these, Allah will
have mercy on them. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise." [Al-Qur’an
9:71]
It was due to the
blessings and benefits of the organizational environment that the Prophet (SAW)
took Bai'yah from Muslim women as well. As a result, women felt that they were
also part of an organization, that they too had allegiance to a leader that
they also had to listen and obey the commands of the Prophet (SAW), that they also
had to do good deeds, and that they were under an oath. This gave rise to the
spirit of self-criticism, that if they deviated from their oath, then they
would be breaching the covenant and held responsible for it.
Consequently, we
have a women's wing in Tanzeem-e-Islami and they also take Bai’yah. Our highest
priority is to emulate, in all matters and as closely as humanly possible, the
example set by our Prophet (SAW). Consequently, in the Tanzeem that we have
formed for the purpose of bringing about an Islamic Revolution, we expect both
men and women to refrain from evil and to struggle for making Allah's Word
supreme and we consider both men and women as being bound by the pledge of
allegiance occurring in the 111th verse of Surah Al-Taubah.
"Allah
hath purchased from the believers their lives and their wealth; for theirs (in
return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause and slay and are
slain: a promise binding on Him in truth through the Torah, the Gospel and the
Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the
bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme."
[Al-Qur’an 9:111]
‘Fee al-Maroof'
refers to obeying someone as long as the orders are within the
bounds of Shari'ah. In case of the Prophet (SAW), such condition need
not exist, however, for any other leader it is necessary to enforce this
condition.
However, the more
stricter Bai'yah of "listening and obeying fee al-Ma'roof", which we find
in an agreed-upon Hadith, has been exclusively reserved
for men only. The oath administered to women is the one found in the 12th verse
of Surah Mumtahanah.
"O
Prophet! when believing women come to thee to take the oath of allegiance to
you that they will not associate in worship any other thing with Allah that they
will not steal that they will not commit adultery (or fornication) that they
will not kill their children that they will not utter slander intentionally
forging falsehood and that they will not disobey you in any just matter, then
you should receive their allegiance and pray to Allah for the forgiveness (of their
sins): for Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful." [Al-Qur'an 60:12]
In the said
verse, instead of positive demand of "listen and obey", women are
asked "not to disobey" the messenger of Allah (SWT). It is easy to
note that the pledge of allegiance for women is much more lenient as compared
to men. This is further supported by the fact that the above Ayah includes the
wording of ‘Fee Ma'roof’ even in the obedience to the Prophet (SAW).
In conclusion,
women need to belong to a Jama'ah and to pledge allegiance to an Ameer
so that they can have constant self-censor and a consciousness of being an
active participant in the struggle for the establishment of Deen. However, they
are not entrusted with the responsibility of directly taking part in this
struggle. They have a comparatively more passive, but equally vital, role to
play. Hence, the best course of action for them is to stick to their Divinely-prescribed
role.
May Allah (SWT) prevent us from taking on unnecessary burdens and May He
(SWT) help us in performing our duties in the best possible manner. Ameen!
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