Simple
logic: If you adopt a moral standard by which the Quraan is considered
immoral, then you have two choices. You either reject that moral
standard or you reject the Quraan!
Have you heard of the Bechdel Test? This is a feminist standard used to determine whether a written story or film meets the bare minimum requirements of representing women. The Test is straightforward: Does the story or film in question have at least two female characters who speak to each other about something other than a man?
What feminists realized is that many stories and films have minimal female representation and the few female characters that do appear are simply love interests of the male characters, who are the focus of the narrative. This is a gross violation of gender equality and, hence, of justice, as far as feminism is concerned.
Now, is the Bechdel Test a good standard of justice and morality? Is it a good standard for determining female representation and visibility? Virtually all feminists would say, "Yes, of course! Women MUST be represented!"
Well, if we judge by this feminist standard, then the Quraan would be considered unjust and immoral (as would the Prophet (saws), his companions and literally all the scholars of the Islamic tradition prior to maybe 20 years ago). For example, Surah Yusuf, which Allah describes as "the best of stories," does not pass the Bechdel Test and, therefore, does not adequately represent women as far as feminism is concerned.
The feminist asks, "How is this the best of stories when not a single woman is referred to by name? How is this the best of stories when the only women mentioned are those who lust after and conspire against a man? What about Yusuf's mom or sisters? Why are they not mentioned anywhere? Was there not a single positive woman in that time to include in the narrative?" This is all the feminist sees but the rest of us recognize the folly of questioning Allah in this way.
This is just one example but it encapsulates why many Muslim feminists end up leaving Islam. They eventually realize that the feminist morality they have adopted renders scholars, the companions, even the Prophet (saws), even Allah as immoral, wa Na'oudhubillah. So they reject it all and apostatize!!!
So what is the upshot? Well, first of all, Muslims MUST reject the Bechdel Test, clearly. If the best of all stories in the Quraan does not meet the feminist standard of morality, then our very Imaan depends on throwing that standard in the trash.
Then what can be said about female representation?
Feminists, Muslim and non-Muslim, emphasize representation. "Women's voices need to be heard!" they shout. Well, of course they do. Islamically, no one disagrees with that. Of course women's voices are important and need to be respected and represented. Allah acknowledges this in the Quraan when He says, for example:
"Indeed Allah has heard the statement of her that disputes with you concerning her husband and complains to Allah. And Allah hears the argument between you both. Verily, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Seer."
But feminists are not satisfied with these assurances. It is not enough that women's voices are represented. They need to be represented in a particular way. Speaking panels need to include as many women as men. Mosque boards need to include a proportional number of women as men. Books need to cite as many women as men. Islamic orgs need to give women as much visibility as men. Etc.
Visibility is the important concept here. To be represented, women must be physically seen. Otherwise, one is guilty of "hiding" and "marginalizing" women and this is the epitome of injustice, we are told.
But then, where was the female representation among the Rightly Guided Caliphs? Where is the female representation in Surah Kahf? Where is the female representation in Surah Baqarah? Where is the female representation in Al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj? Where is the female representation among the authors of the authoritative Hadith collections or the most prominent books of Fiqh or the most cited books of Tafseer (which is not to deny that there were female scholars?), etc.
If feminism informs our standards of female representation, then we stand to lose a great deal of our religion, if not the entirety of it.
If we dump feminist standards, then what standards should we adopt?
We adopt Islam's standards, the Quraan's standards.
Maryam (ra) was not looking for representation. She was not demanding to speak her mind and "be heard." Infact, Allah commanded her to remain silent. But then by His command, her baby spoke for her and miraculously defended her from the crib.
Have you heard of the Bechdel Test? This is a feminist standard used to determine whether a written story or film meets the bare minimum requirements of representing women. The Test is straightforward: Does the story or film in question have at least two female characters who speak to each other about something other than a man?
What feminists realized is that many stories and films have minimal female representation and the few female characters that do appear are simply love interests of the male characters, who are the focus of the narrative. This is a gross violation of gender equality and, hence, of justice, as far as feminism is concerned.
Now, is the Bechdel Test a good standard of justice and morality? Is it a good standard for determining female representation and visibility? Virtually all feminists would say, "Yes, of course! Women MUST be represented!"
Well, if we judge by this feminist standard, then the Quraan would be considered unjust and immoral (as would the Prophet (saws), his companions and literally all the scholars of the Islamic tradition prior to maybe 20 years ago). For example, Surah Yusuf, which Allah describes as "the best of stories," does not pass the Bechdel Test and, therefore, does not adequately represent women as far as feminism is concerned.
The feminist asks, "How is this the best of stories when not a single woman is referred to by name? How is this the best of stories when the only women mentioned are those who lust after and conspire against a man? What about Yusuf's mom or sisters? Why are they not mentioned anywhere? Was there not a single positive woman in that time to include in the narrative?" This is all the feminist sees but the rest of us recognize the folly of questioning Allah in this way.
This is just one example but it encapsulates why many Muslim feminists end up leaving Islam. They eventually realize that the feminist morality they have adopted renders scholars, the companions, even the Prophet (saws), even Allah as immoral, wa Na'oudhubillah. So they reject it all and apostatize!!!
So what is the upshot? Well, first of all, Muslims MUST reject the Bechdel Test, clearly. If the best of all stories in the Quraan does not meet the feminist standard of morality, then our very Imaan depends on throwing that standard in the trash.
Then what can be said about female representation?
Feminists, Muslim and non-Muslim, emphasize representation. "Women's voices need to be heard!" they shout. Well, of course they do. Islamically, no one disagrees with that. Of course women's voices are important and need to be respected and represented. Allah acknowledges this in the Quraan when He says, for example:
"Indeed Allah has heard the statement of her that disputes with you concerning her husband and complains to Allah. And Allah hears the argument between you both. Verily, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Seer."
But feminists are not satisfied with these assurances. It is not enough that women's voices are represented. They need to be represented in a particular way. Speaking panels need to include as many women as men. Mosque boards need to include a proportional number of women as men. Books need to cite as many women as men. Islamic orgs need to give women as much visibility as men. Etc.
Visibility is the important concept here. To be represented, women must be physically seen. Otherwise, one is guilty of "hiding" and "marginalizing" women and this is the epitome of injustice, we are told.
But then, where was the female representation among the Rightly Guided Caliphs? Where is the female representation in Surah Kahf? Where is the female representation in Surah Baqarah? Where is the female representation in Al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj? Where is the female representation among the authors of the authoritative Hadith collections or the most prominent books of Fiqh or the most cited books of Tafseer (which is not to deny that there were female scholars?), etc.
If feminism informs our standards of female representation, then we stand to lose a great deal of our religion, if not the entirety of it.
If we dump feminist standards, then what standards should we adopt?
We adopt Islam's standards, the Quraan's standards.
Maryam (ra) was not looking for representation. She was not demanding to speak her mind and "be heard." Infact, Allah commanded her to remain silent. But then by His command, her baby spoke for her and miraculously defended her from the crib.
Here is the critical question the screechers don't want you to ask. Does the lack of visibility from the Sahabiyaat mean that they lacked influence? Absolutely not. It is feminism's deceit to conflate visibility with influence and power. Influence and power do not require being visible and, in fact, a great deal of power is obtained through deliberate lack of visibility.
In sum, we don't need to be fooled by this toxic, man-made ideology of feminism that has corrupted the minds and hearts of so many of our brothers and sisters. The time has come to throw it away !!!
Brilliant, dear sisters!
ReplyDeleteD.