Building Prophetic Communities for Women, with Usts. Lobna Mulla & Maryam Amir
Feb 22, 2023
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Ust. Lobna Mulla & Ust. Maryam Amir discuss the disengagement of Muslim women from Islamic institutions. They explore challenges faced by women in the community, the impact of limited knowledge and political influences, misconceptions about periods, inclusion of women in congregational prayer, and a historical figure's contributions to the Muslim community.
Muslim women face challenges in feeling valued and supported within their families and communities, impacting their faith and sense of worth.
Misinterpretations and misrepresentations of Islamic teachings contribute to negative perceptions of women's worth and value in Islam.
Promoting inclusivity, education, and women's leadership in Islamic institutions can empower Muslim women and counter misrepresentations of their roles and worth in the religion.
Deep dives
The Challenges Facing Muslim Women in Islamic Institutions
One of the biggest challenges facing Muslim women is the feeling of being undervalued in society and in Islam. Many women struggle with not feeling valued by Allah and not being given the support they need within their families and communities. Women face difficulties when dealing with issues such as assault, doubts in faith, and lack of support in religious spaces. These challenges impact a woman's faith and her overall sense of worth and belonging as a Muslim woman.
The Impact of Misinterpretations and Misrepresentations
Misinterpretations and misrepresentations of Islamic teachings further exacerbate the challenges facing Muslim women. The podcast episode discussed incidents where hadiths were taken out of context, leading to a negative perception of women's worth and value in Islam. Colonial influences, as well as cultural and societal beliefs, have also contributed to the distorted views of women's roles and worth in the religion. These misinterpretations and misrepresentations lead to harmful self-doubt and negative thoughts about Allah's love for women.
The Need for Inclusivity and Education
To address these challenges, it is crucial to promote inclusivity and education within Islamic institutions. Women should be given leadership positions and involved in decision-making processes. By including women's perspectives and voices, institutions can better understand the needs and experiences of Muslim women. Additionally, expanding knowledge about the historical roles and contributions of women in Islam can help counter the misrepresentations and empower women with a positive understanding of their worth and value in the religion. Creating alternative spaces where women can participate, such as women-only events, classes, and recitation competitions, can also provide a nurturing environment where women feel valued and can strengthen their faith.
Importance of Women in the Message
The podcast discusses the significance of women in the message and challenges the minority opinion that restricts their access. It highlights the examples of women companions who actively participated in prayer and seeking knowledge in the presence of the Prophet. The podcast emphasizes the cultural shift brought about by the Prophet in creating a space where women felt valued and included. It argues for the representation of Muslim women in institutions and decision-making to ensure their engagement and inclusivity.
Preserving Islamic Tradition and Empowering Muslim Women
The podcast explores the need to highlight women's issues in Islamic studies and narratives. It highlights the importance of a holistic view of Islam that includes women's experiences and contributions. The guests discuss the importance of representation of women in institutions and decision-making to create an Islamic environment that facilitates the inclusion and engagement of Muslim women. They also address concerns about the limit of inclusion and emphasize the importance of engaging Muslim women to pass down Islamic values to future generations.
The Prophet (S) once critically said, “O people! Some of you scare people away [from faith].” He was addressing the best generation of Muslims when he said this, so it certainly still applies today.
Are Muslim communities pushing women away today? What do we lose when women are disengaged from Islamic institutions? How can we improve access and connection to the tradition for Muslim women?
Earlier this season we talked about The State of Masculinity. This week, join host Mohamad Zaoud in conversation with Ustadha Lobna Mulla and Ustadha Maryam Amir as they discuss how we can make our communities better for women.