CNN: So what you’re indirectly telling me is that Muslim women don’t have the freedom to outside of the home. That is what you’re saying right?
SM: Muslim women have every right to work in Islam, this can be related to a story of a woman who lived over 1400 years ago, the Prophet (pbuh) beloved wife and consequently his employer at one time, Khadija (pbuh). Khadija (pbuh) was a savvy business woman, who at that time owned one of the most widespread businesses amongst all the Quraish[5]. She exported goods to far away markets such as Syria, from Mecca, which at the time consisted of many days of journey. She was a very intelligent and successful woman, who established herself as being one of the wealthiest women in Mecca[6]. This story explains the fact that Muslim women are not disallowed from working, but prioritize, and are recommended to seek the welfare of their families before the workplace.
CNN: I’m so shocked to hear you don’t have an accent! Congratulations! I’m guessing you’ve been here in Canada for a while now. It always strikes me as to how may of you leave your countries and come here, isn’t it difficult when the majority of you are immigrants?
SM: Doesn’t the saying go, don’t judge a book by its cover? The majority of us living here in North America are born and raised here, including myself, for the most part being first generation Canadians. This fact alone negates the false impression of those who assume that we can’t speak the English language. It may actually surprise many to see that some Muslim women may speak English with more eloquence and manner than the general English speaking population. This is mainly due in part to the commonality of bilingualism and diversity in the skill of language, which most Muslims tend to possess (ie. Holding roots to the languages spoken by their parents). Besides this, although many of us can’t speak Arabic, the language of the Holy Quran, we are all taught to read and write the language fluently. Many of us go on for further studies to actually strive to learn the Arabic language itself, in order to understand the Quran better.
CNN: Wow, okay, I guess you’ve clarified many things for me in our short conversation. Don’t get me wrong though, I still find it odd as to how you guys conduct yourselves. Besides what we’ve discussed there are so many things that I really just don’t understand. Lastly, all I can say is that I really think you all should crack out of your shells, leave your old ways, and realize that this is a free country!
At this point, as I roll my eyes, I feel I should conclude. Usually after seeing Muhajibi women, and even conversing with us, many people are left with the same sort of view as CNN has stated above. I cannot stress enough the importance of Muslim women primarily, to put forth time and effort in learning and perfecting our deen (faith). InshAllah setting a good example through the use of our knowledge, we will be able to ward off such misconceptions, as well as drown out those that may subsequently arise. So my Sisters in Islam, all I can say is strengthen yourselves in the deen, and prove that you really aren’t big green monsters from Mars! May Allah (SWT)[7] bless our Ummah[8] with strength, oneness, and piety. Ameen.
Written By:
Sr. Mujahida
[1] http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/reference/glossary/term.MAHRAM.html
[2] http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/reference/glossary/term.MAHRAM.html
[3] (PBUH): peace be upon him/her.
[4] Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4741;Muslim, 2543
[5] “Quraish”: the main tribe in Mecca at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
[6] “Great Women of Islam”, By: Mahmood Ahmad Ghadanfar; Darussalam Publications.
[7] (swt): Lit. subhana wa ta’ala (All praise is due to Allah the most High)
[8] “Ummah”: whole entire Islamic nation.
