INTRODUCTION
'Women', they already existed from the beginning, there are many stages of women's life since to be a companion of Adam up to number civilizations in ancient period, the coming of Islam and now, what the people called by modern era. So many different how the women survive and develop from time to time in several of fields, especially what I want to point here is in the educational aspect, it contents of any knowledge and sciences.
Muslim women in science have become leaders in their fields nowadays, receiving awards, earning patents and making contribution that further man's knowledge of the world. That will be figures of the women Muslims today, how their sisters can achieve that goal, then to push all the Muslims ummah for attain all knowledge as possible.
My topic in this project is 'Why should women be aware of knowledge?', that I divided into some chapters and parts are:
Women in history and today's life
- The Ancient Women
- The Women in Period of Islam
- Women in Today's Life
Women and Education
- Education, Philosophy and Science
- Women and Knowledge
Islamic perspectives of women
- The Status of Women
- The Equality of Men and Women
- Woman's Place in Society
My method in this project is collecting all sources of different women story in various periods of life and civilization, describing definition of education and philosophy and the relation between them, defining science and its importance for women and examples of women scientist figures. Finally I explain the ideal perspective of women is in the Islamic views, here I mention the status of women, their equality with men, and their position in society.
By, Alfina Hidayah
CHAPTER ONE: WOMEN IN HISTORY AND TODAY'S LIFE
History had told us the life enlargement of human beings from its beginning. And woman is part of this long story and she already exists to company, submission, and helps a man. Indeed woman also give a birth of man's children and makes them grow up. But again, where does the history tell us about woman? How is life keep her alive? Why does world forget them through long history?
Part One: The Ancient Women
According to some religions, Hawa or Eden is to be blamed for the first mistake that Adam sent to earth, the Christians and the Jews believed that. Come foreword in the history of ancient Egypt , Babylonians, Persians, India and China
In Ancient Greek and Roman, the existence of woman considered to be the second position of human beings, half man etc. Aristotle view about woman is that "A woman was an un-finished man…"[2] Another story that an ancient Greek man were repressed and inhibited their women in palace and they made low class woman for sale, then anyone can buy and own woman as other property. The husband can do everything to his wife, selling, torturing, expelling or even he can kill her.
What happened in Ancient Arab before Islam is the same as other places, no respectable level for women. The woman was a slave and chattel, and even they killed their daughters.[3] What terrible thing happened to women for thousands years?
Part Two: The Women in Period of Islam
The places of women rise up when Islam came as the merciful teaching for whole universe, because Islam came as a perfect religion and civilization. There is no marginalization of sex in Islam, whether man and woman both are equal according to their functions. In the time of Rasulullah Salallahu 'Alaihi Wassalam there was kind of freedom for women, they were allowed to be active out of their homes, learning, teaching, attending Khutbah of Prophet Salallahu 'Alaihi Wassalam in the mosque and also they participate in jihad, giving an oath and Hijrah.
By this, there are many female figures of Islam, such as the wives ra of Rasulullah Salallahu 'Alaihi Wassalam, His daughters ra, another figures are Al-Syifa (a first female teacher), Rufaida (a founder of hospital and Red Cross), Zubaida (wife of Harun al-Rasyid), Qohromanah (first female judge), Laela Katun (a first woman participated in Crusade war), Ummu Khalil (a female master of Egypt), Qoro Fatima Khanum (a leader of war), etc.[4]
According to modern thinking, giving equal status to women meant bringing them out of their homes and standing them face to face with men in all facets of life without any regard for the practical and moral problems which might arise. The modern man imagines that his feminine counterpart has in actuality been accorded a superior position. But what actually happen is that the status of women is the same as it was in ancient times, there still being mutually exclusive divisions into male and female spheres, with the corresponding attitudes still very much in evidence. Fourteen hundred years ago Islam launches a much needed woman's lib movement, whose purpose to free women from artificial curbs and to give them position which any normal human beings should have in society, without any sacrifice of femininity or traditional values, without creating any problems in society. In contrary with the whole liberation movement of the west has been swamped in a welter of emotion, creating a number of social problems.[5]
CHAPTER TWO:WOMEN AND EDUCATION
Part One: Education, Philosophy and Science
'Education' has been derived from the Latin words Educare, Educatum or Educere. Means to train, to bring up and to nourish. The former implies that education is something external; to be imposed or put in from outside, the latter indicates growth from within. Aristotle definition as a process necessary for the creation of a sound mind, to train body, mind and soul.
There are many people have different ideas of education aims, are: the conservative or cultural aim, the progressive aim, education for citizenship, Social efficiency as an aim, vocational aim, knowledge as an aim, personality development as an aim, etc. however formal and informal education are not contradictory but rather they are supplementary to each other.
Philosophy is the pursuit of wisdom, the study of realities and general principles. It is concerned with a search for the eternal truth. It is said that every teacher has a philosophy of education, whether he is aware of it or not. It is relation between philosophy and education by saying "Philosophy and education are like sides of coin, the former is the contemplative side, while the latter is the active side'.
Sir John Adam says: Education is the dynamic side of philosophy. Philosophy and education are interdependent, philosophy depends upon education for the formulation of aims and objectives and education depends upon philosophy for its guidance.
Educational philosophy is a branch of general philosophy, education to a large extent, is dependent upon educational philosophy. Philosophy formulates the aims and objectives of education which in turn, influence the practice, the subjects of study and the methods of teaching. The educational philosophy draws its data from a wide variety of sources it starts from the humble data of common sense and goes into philosophical thinking of great concentration and of high standard. It draws from science, history and traditions.[6]
Whereas science, it means to know, there are three main ideas of science: (1) science is systematized body of knowledge, (2) science is a way of investigating, (3) and science is a way of thinking. Science is a way of thinking, a person with a scientific attitude will have the following characteristics: Open mind ness, objectivity, freedom from superstitions, belief in cause effect relationship, accuracy and truthfulness in reporting observations, methodical way of solving a problem, up to datedness, respect for other people opinion, though may not be agreeable, ability to distinguish between scientific evidence and scientific proof, ability to discern between fact and fiction.
Science has brought about change in our way of thinking, attitudes, out look and our life style. As such the average span of human life has been doubled by bringing about a change in health, medicine, and sanitation. There is revolutionary change in communications transportations, agriculture, engineering, power, etc. the impact of science is evident in agriculture, health, modern civilization, democracy, etc.
Science education is essential as it is of immense value in the student's individual life and his life in society. In the present era of science, people are pursuit of scientific knowledge necessitated by the space age and explosion in knowledge in information technology. Science education has taken an important place because it has influential values in intellectual, vocational, aesthetic, practical, psychological, moral, and cultural and adjustment arena of an individual.[7]
Part Two: Women and Knowledge
There are some motives which obliged women to seek knowledge, as became Muslim according to the Islamic Shari'ah, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan ever said in his book about some reasons why women should be aware of knowledge, a number of them are:
- Woman is source of goodness: some verses in Qur'an and some traditions which elaborate this point: "live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take a dislike to them, it may well be that you dislike a thing which God has meant for your own abundant good." This verse draws our attention to the fact that nothing is perfect in this world and that apparent imperfection may conceal some virtue. If in certain respects a woman is imperfect, there will be other respects in which she is perfect: it is her plus points, on which attention should be focused.
- Freedom of expression: there was a common woman has criticized the ruler of an empire of Umar ra, and the latter withdrawing his words. The right of absolute freedom of expression as we find in this incident, is a clear indication that woman has been granted her full rights in Islamic society.
- Woman as a source of knowledge: in the first era of Islam, academic activity related mostly to work on the Hadist and athar. We will find in this age that a number of the prophet's companions were women, and they contributed in large measure to the narration and preservation of the traditions of the prophet. 'Aishah, herself handed down to posterity a substantial proportion of what comprises the vast whole of Islamic knowledge.
- In the field of action: at the period of Islam, women worked not only in their homes but outside as well, this was because their men folk were so preoccupied with preaching Islam, and the household responsibility was left to the women then to deal with both internal and external duties. They even tended the animals, did the farming and worked in the orchards, etc.[8]
From these reasons we know that Allah has gave women an extraordinary power to do in every fields of life, we can conclude that there is no an exception to women can not learn knowledge when it is possible. Especially in modern world today, for every one should own knowledge, at least it will be benefit for their selves. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala said: "…Are those who know equal to those who know not? …" (Az-Zumar: 9).[9]
The role of family and society are very essential to encourage women in seeking knowledge, whether parents or husband. But unfortunately what happened today is not exactly the same as Prophet taught in the beginning of Islam, because through history we know there are kind of freedom for women in study and even for jobs, but nowadays there are many men in family are very restricted to their women, and in very bad condition that sometimes men use the words of religion to restrict their women. Then, in the reaction we find a number of problems happened in society; such as the thought of feminism in Muslim women, etc.
However, formal and informal educations are not contradictory but rather they are supplementary to each other. If it is possible for women to achieve a higher education, so why not? There are a large number of women can not attain their education due to many problems, then if woman has not possess any problems and difficulties so it will be better to complete her education as high as possible because no prohibition in religion for seeking knowledge but orders it.
The problems and difficulties that sometimes interfere with education are: family problems, financial problems, chance and opportunities, self interest problem, and personal problems such as indolent or laziness etc.
The famous women Muslims Scientists today, are: Professor Dr. Bina Shaheen Siddiqui, Dr. Siddiqui has made significant contributions to medicine and agriculture through her study and classification of indigenous plant materials.
Sameena Shah : Recently at the international Workshop on Machine Learning in Canada
Professor Samira Ibrahim Islam: Professor Islam was nominated as a distinguished Scientist of the World for the Year 2000 by UNESCO.[10]
CHAPTER THREE: ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES OF WOMEN
Islam is the religion of the Muslims, a monotheistic faith regarded as revealed through Muhammad Salallahu 'Alaihi Wassalam as the prophet of Allah.[11] Islam has the basic belief that "There is no God but Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of Allah", Allah is the sole and sovereign ruler of the universe, and He sent a number of messengers to the human beings for preaching. The last prophet in Islam was Muhammad Salallahu 'Alaihi Wassalam who brought the Muslims from the darkness to the lightness by the holy book of al-Qur'an which guides the people to the right path.[12]
The obligation of women in Islam is the same as men's duty it is worshiping Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, and the human being's worship is the first obligation in Islam, there is no different between male and female in worship of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala [13] Islam views of women whether single or married they have their own rights, the right to own and order their properties and earnings without any guardianship over her property and earnings without any guardianship over her. She has the right to buy and sell, give gifts and charity. And may spend her money as she pleases. A marriage dowry is given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use and she keeps her own family name rather than taking her husband's. and Islam encourages the husband to treat his wife well, as the prophet said: "The best among you are those who are best to their wives".[14]
The status of women is also discussed in Islam since the arising of this religion by its great prophet Muhammad Salallahu 'Alaihi Wassalam. Here I will mention how Islam gives the status for women which are differ from other religions such as Judaism and Christianity etc. Some of these importances are:
- Woman is not responsible for the first fault of human beings but Adam who was responsible for that.
- Mother is most respectable than father, as mentioned in al-Qur'an surah al-Luqmaan: 14; (And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Give thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination).[15] And other proofs had mentioned in many verses of al-Qur'an and the prophetic traditions.
- Welcoming woman since their births, because whether male or female both are grants from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala and there is no different between them. And Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala has told us through the teaching of Muhammad Salallahu 'Alaihi Wassalam.
- The woman has rights in education and teaching.
- The woman is master of responsible perfectly
- Management of the Muslim's house
- Woman is mother of kholiqoh
Equality is term which is hard to define, according to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary the meaning of equality is: "The state of being equal". There is a sense in which all human beings are equal to each other, but actually we find that there is no two human beings are really equal in all aspects. There are some differences of tastes, temperaments, faculties, power and outlook, all of which can not be applied to differences of environment or background.[17]
The women of Arabia have a very poor condition and low positions in society before Islam appear there. The women treated as slaves and chattel that whenever a man died, the chattel can be inherited to his son like movable property. Allah said in Holy al-Qur'an: "They are apparel for you and you are apparel for them". That men and women protect each other from sin and dishonour or it may mean that women lends dignity and adds beauty to their man. "They have rights similar to those against them in a just manner".
Female children should be treated exactly in the same manner as male issues, according to report of Ibn Abbas, the Prophet's cousin, he is said to have declared: "If a daughter is born to a man and he brings her up affectionaly, shows her no disrespect and treats her in the same manner as he treats his sons, the Lord will reward him with paradise".
In Modern period, Dr Alexi's Carrel he is a French noble prize winner, says in his book Man the Unknown: "the differences existing between man and women are of a mere fundamental nature".[18] The Quranic verse: "And do not covet that by which Allah has made some of you excel others, men should have the benefit of what they earn and women shall have the benefit of what they earn."[19]
In Eighteenth Century there was a great social and intellectual unrest in Europe . Powerful voices were raised on behalf of the rights of the female sex which had long suffered from innumerable legal and social disabilities. Freedom and equality of the sexes became accepted principles with the new social reformers. And France
CONCLUSION
Seeking knowledge is one of the most rewarding ways to connect to Al-Alim (The All Knowing) besides prayer. The believing faithful hold a deep love for Allah in their hearts. Perhaps it is this deep love that inspires believing men and women to strain and reach with their minds, through scientific learning in order to bring themselves closer to the One to whom they are so thankful.
A woman is a part of human beings that obliged to seek knowledge as possible. Because there is no prohibition in Islam that women can not learn knowledge, through formal or informal education is not the matter, the question is why women should not learn? While the Quran and Hadist requested to seek knowledge, so why not???
A woman is a part of human beings that obliged to seek knowledge as possible. Because there is no prohibition in Islam that women can not learn knowledge, through formal or informal education is not the matter, the question is why women should not learn? While the Quran and Hadist requested to seek knowledge, so why not???
- Hidayah, Alfina, Tentang Wanita (in Dedikasi Bulletin),
- Gaarder, Jostein, Sophie's World,
- Ibid
- Ibid, pg: 23
- Khan. Maulana Wahiduddin, Woman between Islam and Western Society, Maktaba al-Risala,
- Khalid, Tanvir, Education an Introduction to Educational Philosophy and History, National Book Foundation,
- Joshi, S.R., Teaching of Science, Kul Bushan Nangia,
- Khan. Maulana Wahiduddin, Op. Cit.,. P: 141-155
- Q.S Az-Zumar: 9. Interpretation of the Meanings of the Noble Qur'an in the English Language interpreted by Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al Hilali and Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Darussalam,
- See: 'Islam' (in Concise
- See: Hopfe, Lewis M., Religions of the World,
- Al-Buti, Muhammad Said Ramadan, Al-Mar'ah Baina Tughyani al-Nidzam al-Gharbi wa Latho'ifi al-Tasyri'i al-Rabbani, Daar al Fikri al-Mu'asir,
- See: What is the status of women (in a Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam, I.A Ibrahim), Darussalam,
- Q.S. Luqman: 14, Interpretation of the Meanings of the Noble Qur'an in the English Language interpreted by Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al Hilali and Muhammad Muhsin Khan. Darussalam,
- Al-Wahab, Ahmad Abd, Ta'addud Nisaa' al-Anbiya' wa Makanaatu al-Mar'ah fi al-Yahudiyah wa al Masihiyah wa al-Islam, Maktabatu Auhabah,
- Siddiqi, Mohammad Mazheruddin, Women in Islam, Institute of Islamic Culture,
- p: 15
- Ibid, pg: 16-24
- Ibid, pg: 34
- Ibid, pg: 2-3
- Ahmad, Anis. Women and Social Justice an Islamic Paradigm,
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