Islam recognises women as equal but not Taliban

Ever since the Taliban captured power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the world media has been full of speculation about how they would conduct themselves, particularly towards women. Images of women wrapped in blue burqas from their earlier rule of 1996-2001 were flashed and the atrocities on women, especially the prohibition of girls from going to school, recapitulated.

The first statement from the Taliban raised optimism. “We are going to allow women to work and study. We have got frameworks, of course. Women are going to be very active in society but within the framework of Islam,” Zabihullah Mujahid, the group’s spokesperson, had said at a press conference in Kabul. He declared that “there will be no discrimination against women,” adding that “they are going to work shoulder to shoulder with us.”

However, when we see the situation today, it is clear that these promises were not meant to be kept. On the contrary, women’s rights have deteriorated significantly under the Taliban rule. Girls above the age of 12 are now prohibited from attending school, with secondary education for girls being effectively shut down across the country. This has deprived a whole generation of Afghan girls of their basic right to education, which is unpardonable.

Moreover, many women have been barred from working, except in specific roles, such as healthcare, and, that too, under stringent regulations. The workplace, once a domain where women could contribute meaningfully, has now become largely inaccessible to them.

The restrictions extend to everyday life. Women are no longer allowed to travel without a male guardian (mahram), severely limiting their freedom of movement. These regulations, justified by the Taliban under the pretext of protecting women’s honour, have led to a revival of an era of isolation and repression, stripping women of their autonomy and rights.

Questions are being asked about what is meant by the “framework of Islam” that the Taliban has spoken of, and how it correlates with their actions. Since the Taliban claim to act according to Sharia, it is important to understand its meaning.

Sharia in Arabic means the path to be followed by Muslims and is often described as the Islamic law. The original sources of Sharia are the Koran, Sunnah (the habitual practices of Prophet Muhammad) and Ahadees (the recorded sayings of the Prophet).

Based on these, and subservient to them, are two more sources: Ijma (the Consensus of Jurists) and Qiyas (analogy/interpretation).

There is a lot of misinformation over Islam treating women badly. Nothing could be farther from the truth. As early as 14 centuries ago, Islam recognised women as equal partners to men in all possible ways. They participated in business, war and all other activities shoulder to shoulder with men. Islam was also the first religion to recognise property and inheritance rights for women, something that was granted in many other religions only in the 20th century.

The holy Koran and Hadith are full of injunctions that emphasise the equality of men and women. A few examples of this are given below.

“And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women” (Surah Al-Baqarah — The Cow 2:228). “They (your wives) are your garment, and you are a garment for them.”(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:187). “I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you male or female — you are equal to one another.” (Surah Al-Imran — The Family of Imran 3:195). “The believers, men and women, are helpers, supporters, friends, and protectors of one another.” (Surah At-Tawbah — The Repentance 9:71).

Islam, as enunciated in Surah An-Nisa (The Woman), gives women comprehensive rights. It says that a woman cannot be forced into marriage by her family or guardian; her consent is mandatory. A marriage can be annulled if a woman has been forced into it. A woman retains her maiden name after marriage, maintaining her individuality. She has complete financial independence and can dispose of her money as she pleases. A woman can demand divorce as per her right to khula and even disallow polygyny in the marriage contract.

One verse from the Koran is essential to recall: “When one of them gets a baby girl, his face becomes darkened with overwhelming grief. Ashamed, he hides from the people because of the bad news given to him. He even ponders: should he keep the baby grudgingly, or bury her in the dust. Miserable indeed is their judgment” (Surah An-Nahl — The Bee 16:58-59). Other similar verses include: “Do not hate having daughters, for they are the comforting dears” (Al-Tabarani); and “Whoever has three daughters and he cares for them, he is merciful to them, and he clothes them, then Paradise is certain for him.” (Jabir ibn Abdullah). These verses clearly show that Islam champions gender equality at its core. The Taliban’s treatment of women, therefore, is in gross violation of the original teachings of Islam.

Ahadees further emphasise the respect and equality that Islam accords to women. it is clearly reflected in: “Verily, women are the twin halves of men.” (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi); “Men and women are equal halves.”(Abu Dawud); and “The most complete believer in faith is the best in morals, and the best among you is the best to their wives.” (Tirmidhi). When asked who deserved the most respect, the Prophet repeated thrice, “Your mother,” placing her before the father in importance (Narrated by Abu Hurairah and Bukhari).

Islamic tradition also highlights the virtue of having daughters, contrasting sharply with such cultural practices as female infanticide, which still persists in some regions.

Despite such clear teachings, the Taliban have failed to uphold the principles of Islam regarding women’s rights. This deviation has not only led to the current dismal state of women’s education and participation in public life in Afghanistan but also the rejection of the regime, including freezing of their financial assets worldwide. The departure of the US from Afghanistan, leaving all its assets behind, was a great opportunity to rebuild the country. The Taliban have pushed the country back by decades because of their obstinacy to treat women badly despite the Islamic injunctions, which they had promised to uphold.