Celebrating “Women’s Day”

QUESTION:

What are the implications of the modern society, especially Muslim women, celebrating and wishing each other a “Happy Women’s Day”?

ANSWER:

The “Women’s Day” celebrated in South Africa has no basis in Shariah. It is celebrated in remembrance of the women that marched to the union buildings to protest the carrying of pass books. The first National Women’s Day was celebrated in 1994, the year that South Africa became a democratic republic.

The behaviour of these women is against the very grain of Shariah, as the Quraan Sharif commands females to remain within the confines of their home and not expose themselves on the streets, the way females would do so during the days of ignorance. Islam has truly honoured women in every sense of the word. She is a princess in the home of her father and a queen in the home of her husband. Whilst in the home of her father, it is the duty of the father to attend to all her needs, and whilst in the home of her husband, he takes care of all her needs. She has no other responsibility except taking care of her family. If she is widowed, then it is the responsibility of her sons to take care of her. Hence, she will always be taken care of in the best possible manner.

The are numerous verses of the Quraan Sharif and Ahadith that command one to be kind to one’s wife and fulfil her rights. There are narrations that encourage children to fulfil the rights of their mother, and there are narrations explaining the virtues of nurturing and bringing up daughters. At the same time, we have been prohibited from ill-treating women and usurping their rights, as was the condition during the days of ignorance. In conclusion, it is the Deen of Islam that gave respect to women and all human beings, hence, the “Women’s Day” celebrated by the Kuffar is not recognized in Shariah. Therefore, it is incorrect for our women to wish each other ‘Happy Women’s Day’ which is a Kuffar celebration, as the Quraan Sharif states, “Do not incline towards the Kuffar for then the fire will reach you.” [Surah Hood-Verse 113] In fact, we, as Muslims, should be educating them with regard to the rights of women, and not following their corrupt ways.               

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date:- 21 Muharram 1445 / 09 August 2023