The Grand Imam calls on fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) academies to launch a jurisprudential revolution against the customs and traditions that have wronged women in the name of Sharia

 

The progress and renaissance of Muslim society depends on the progress and renaissance of Muslim women and guaranteeing their rights, the Grand Imam

 

We pledge to do our utmost to make your vision on women’s rights in Islam known very well, Members of the Nigerian Religious Leaders Delegation to the Grand Imam

 

The Grand Imam said it was Islamic Sharia that has treated women fairly, preserved their dignity, and given them a pivotal role in building societies. It has also liberated them from the shackles of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic period) and gave them a prescribed share in inheritance, after they were denied inheritance. It has also given them an independent financial status, prohibited the killing and burying of girls alive, guaranteed their rights to education and participation in social life, and made women equal to men. The Qur’an stipulates the rights of women, as Allah Almighty says, “Live with them in accordance with what is fair and kind” (Qur'an, 4:19) and “Women have rights similar to those of men equitably” (Qur'an, 2:228). This came in defiance of what was prevalent at the time, as the Qur’an was revealed to a society that was known for oppressing women, restricting their freedom, and diminishing their rights.

 

During his dialogue with a high-level delegation of religious leaders from Kano State, Nigeria, the Grand Imam stressed the urgent need for a jurisprudential revolution in various fatwa councils and institutions to address the customs and traditions that have wronged women and deprived them of many of their rights in the name of Sharia. He also stressed the need to discuss fatwas related to women’s affairs and rights fairly, and not to leave any opportunity for ancient pre-Islamic customs to dominate the texts of Sharia and their implications.

 

His Eminence expressed his deep regret that some scholars and muftis contribute to the spread of fatwas that wrong women in the name of Sharia, by neglecting texts that preserve women’s dignity and highlighting other texts that portray women as having a lower status than men. They have found false justifications for these visions, which led to the spread of violence and injustice against women, to the point that we see many husbands still dealing with their wives in a manner that is not humanly, morally or religiously appropriate.

 

 

The Grand Imam expressed his astonishment at the state of Muslim women, which has not reached what is hoped for, despite the existence of many institutions and associations concerned with their rights. Compared to the rights women actually enjoyed at the time of the Prophet (pbuh), many of their rights are lost now. The Grand Imam stressed the need to feel the responsibility before Allah, and to alert societies and governments to the fatwas and problems related to the squandering of women’s dignity, transgressing against their rights, and the incorrect understanding that has elevated customs and traditions over the texts of Sharia. His Eminence stated, “We must fear ِAllah Almighty when passing on His rulings to people. Our suffering because of division, fragmentation and differences should not be a reason for our lack of unity in fatwas and the vision that shapes reality. Otherwise, reality will remain far removed from divine guidance.” He stressed the urgent need to return to the rights that the Prophet (PBUH) established for women, concluding his speech with the Prophet’s advice, “Fear Allah while dealing with women.”

 

The delegation members, for their part, expressed their happiness for meeting the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and their appreciation for his efforts to present the correct image of Islam. They stressed that Al-Azhar is the beacon that enlightens the minds of Muslims, the heart of the Muslim ummah, and a mecca for knowledge seekers. They pointed out that Al-Azhar has invested in educating the children of Muslims around the world; it does not teach only Islamic and Arabic sciences, but also modern applied sciences.

 

The delegation representatives said, “We pledge to Allah and to you to do our utmost to promote the visions Your Eminence have presented regarding women’s rights in Islam.” The delegation also requested an increase in the number of Nigerian imams to be enrolled in training at Al-Azhar Academy for the Training of Imams and Preachers, and to hone their skills in dealing with modern social issues and refuting the ideas of extremist groups.