The existence of the human race on earth is impossible without the equal participation of both, boy and the girl. Both are also responsible for the existence of the human race on earth as well as the growth and development of any country. However, there is no doubt in saying that a woman is more necessary than man because without it we cannot think of the continuation of the human race as it gives birth to man. In the midst of a deeply sexist historical context, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) preached boldly on the importance of girl, celebrating their contributions to family and society, condemning the ill-treatment of them and campaigning for their rights.The first person to embrace Islam was a woman;Khadija(ra).The greatest scholar of Islam was a woman; Aisha(ra).The person who loved the prophet Muhammad (SAW) the most was a Woman; Fatima(ra).The Qur’an teaches us that Adam and Eve (A.S) were created from the same soul; equally guilty, equally responsible and equally valued. As muslims, we believe that all human beings are born in a pure state- men and women and that wemust strive to preserve this purity through faith, as well as good intentions and deeds.Allah says in the Noble Qur’an: Whoever works righteousness, manor woman and has faith, verily to him we will give anew life and alife that is good and pure and we will bestow onsuch their reward according to the best oftheir actions (SoorahNahl ; 97). This verse shows, very clearly, that each person will be judged according to their deeds and actions and not their status, age or sex and their reward will be according to their actions. Every person will be rewarded [or punished] according to their attitude, appreciation and efforts during this stay on earth. None will be asked about the actions and beliefs of others, nor will anyone be asked regarding that which he was unaware of or incapable of doing. In one sense, equality between men and women is possible and reasonable because they are both human, with similar souls, brains, hearts, lungs, limbs, etc. In another sense, equality between men and women is impossible and an absurdity due to their natural differences in physical, mental, emotional and psychological qualities, inclinations and abilities. Let us read what Allah Almighty Said in His Holy Book, the Noble Quran: Allah Almighty equalizes between men and women; To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female children to whomever He wills and bestows male children to whomever He wills. (The Noble Quran, 42:49). Islam declared that men and women are equal as human beings in this world and in the Hereafter. This is expressed in the following Quranic verses: For Muslim men and women,- for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah’s praise,- for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward. (The Noble Quran, 33:35). We have honoured the sons of Adam… (Quran, 17:70). By the ‘sons of Adam’, is meant the offspring of Adam (A.S), namely the human race with its men and women. Islam not only permitted the Muslim woman to acquire knowledge, but also commanded her to do so in so far as it would assist her in her life in this world and in the Hereafter. The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said that the quest for knowledge is the obligation of every Muslim man and woman. The Faith of Islam permits the Muslim woman to hold any post outside her home, provided that she assumes it in a respectable dignified manner that does not in any way subject her to any embarrassing situation that does not observe the teachings of Islam. Her employment must not harm her reputation in any way, nor must it prevent her from carrying out her duties as a wife and a mother. Islam grants the Muslim woman equal civil rights and grants her the right to manage her own business affairs such as participating in legal contracts that deal with the sale or the purchase of any property or goods, in addition to her legal right to grant gifts and to contract a will. Islam also grants her the right to personally manage her wealth and supervise all her financial affairs. The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), led men and women together into battle against the enemies. The Faith of Islam ordains equality between men and women before the law and in all civil rights. It does not discriminate between men and women except in matters when this discrimination is due to the nature of their sex, for their welfare and for the welfare of the community, the family and in particular for the welfare of women. It is natural for a man to need and find fulfillment with a woman and for a woman with a man, since they are created one from the other and for one another. During the next stage of a woman’s life, namely during her marriage, the Faith of Islam charges the husband with the responsibility of supporting his wife and family and does not charge the wife with any financial responsibilities. Allah Almighty ordered men in the Noble Quran to take care of women and to protect them; Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore, the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband’s) absence what Allah ordered them guard. Allah Almighty also ordered men in the Noble Quran to love and respect their wives. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said: The most complete believer is the best in character, and the best of you is the best to his womenfolk. Islam preserves all the Muslim woman’s civil rights which include her right to possess and dispose of her wealth and property without any intervention from her husband. According to Holy Quran (16:97): Whoever does righteous acts, whether male or female, while he is a believer, verily, to him We will give a good life, and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do. Men and women have similar obligations and responsibilities to reform and correct the society to the best of their capability. Men and women shoulder the responsibility of enjoining good and forbidding evil equally, as Allah, the Exalted, states in the Holy Quran: The believers, men and women, are helpers, supporters, friends and protectors of one another, they enjoin all that is good, and forbid all that is evil, they offer their prayers perfectly, and give Zakah (Obligatory Charity) and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will bestow Mercy on them. Surely Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
The basic principles governing the roles of girls in Hindu history were set forth in the laws of Manu. The ancient code specified that women must be honoured and adorned by their fathers, brothers, husbands and brothers-in-laws who desired their own welfare. “Where girl is honoured, there the gods are pleased. Where they are not honoured, no sacred rite yields rewards”. In the vedic world, girls were required to be present for their rituals to work, even though they had no official role to play in them. Manu continues:“Day and night, women must be kept dependent to the males of their families. If they attach themselves to sensual enjoyments, they must be kept under one’s control. Her father protects her in youth. Her sons protect her in old age. A woman is never fit for independence”. Being a girl is not easy.There are different issues that hinder the growth. The first challenge a girl faces is of survival. While there are laws that ban sex-determination of a foetus and selective abortion, this practice continues in the shadows. This not only negatively impacts the number of girls born, but also affect the health and safety of the mother. Child marriage is the second biggest hurdle faced by a girl. According to a report by girls not brides, 12 million girls are married before the age of 18 every year. This is equal to 23 girls every minute or nearly one in every two seconds. If the same trend continues, 150 million more girls will be married as children by 2030. Child marriages lead to the psychological, social, mental and physical issues for young girls. Literacy is another issue that a girl child is facing in India. It is where a girl is supposed to household chores and are permitted at home. Rape is one of the most significant issues that are faced by girls or women in India. It destroys the entire life of a girl or woman. According to statistics, it is one of the most common crimes on a girl or woman all over the world. Latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau also receals that kidnapping, abduction and sexual offenses against children were among the top two crimes committed against children. 28% of all rape victims were girls under age 18 and out of total number of children that went missing in the year 2018, 70% were girls. Apart from these there are many issues that a girl or woman faces, like dowry deaths etc. In India the National Girl Child Day is celebrated every year on January 24. It was started by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Government of India in 2008, with the purpose to spread awareness among people about all the inequalities girls face in the Indian society. The day is celebrated by organizing various programs including awareness campaigns on save the girl child, child sex ratios, and creating a healthy and safe environment for a girl child. The aim of the day is to encourage girls by arming them with their rights. The core areas the day focuses on are access to education, nutrition, legal rights, medical care, and protection from discrimination, violence against women and forced child marriages. The Indian Govt. is taking measures to save girls and educate them. The most recent initiative in this regard is Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, which is very actively supported by the government, NGOs, corporate groups, human rights activists and NGOs. Various social organizations helped the campaign by building toilets in girls’ schools. Crimes against girls and women are a major impediment to India’s growth and development. Female foeticide was one of the big problems but was banned by the government by stopping ultrasound for sex determination, scan tests, amniocentesis, etc; in the hospital. The government has taken this step to let people know that a little girl is not a sin in society; she is a beautiful gift from God. “Girls are Pearls, ladies are rubies, mothers are moulders, and women are wonderful”, Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha.
( While Sheerza Irani is pursuing Master’s Biotechnology Student, Central University of Kashmir, Dr Bilal A Bhat is an Associate Professor at S K University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology-SKUAST Srinagar. Views are their own)
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