Beyond Stereotypes

By Tayyibah Taylor

Muslim women in America are a dynamic, accomplished, remarkable group of women. On one hand they are entitled to their American legacy of freedom of speech, freedom of movement and an academic exactitude of critical thinking. On the other hand, they enjoy an Islamic legacy of spiritual agency, a mandate for the pursuit of knowledge and the directive for a life of excellence. These two great legacies combine to produce an empowered Muslim American woman. In the last century, the women’s rights movement in America has made notable strides, resulting in considerable gains. Still, many of those gains were rights that Muslim women have held for over 14 centuries: spiritual autonomy, the right to own property, the right to a life of dignity and security, the right to maintain her own name and identity after marriage, the right of inheritance and the right to divorce, just to mention a few. At a time when philosophical thought leaders and the scholars of other religions were debating whether or not women had souls, the Qur’an stipulated that women and men were created from the same essence and further ordered humans to respect the wombs that bore them. In the very first verse of the chapter Al-Nisa or Women, we read, “Oh humankind, reverence your Lord who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from both of them created a multitude of men and women. And be mindful of God, through whom you ask one of another; and reverence the wombs that bore you. Truly God ever watches over you.” The Qur’an further indicated that women fully receive their spiritual rewards proportionate to their efforts and actions. In chapter Al-Nisa, verse 124 we read that women spiritual success is not contingent on one’s gender, but on one’s deeds. “And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer, those will enter Paradise without the slightest injustice.” Other verses provide additional evidence of gender equality and emphasizes the Qur’anic perspective on spiritual accountability and responsibility for each individual. Verse 35 in the chapter Al-Ahzab states that women and men receive their rewards equally. “The submitting men, the submitting women, the believing men, the believing women, the obedient men, the obedient women, the truthful men, the truthful women, the patient men, the patient women, the humble men and the humble women, they charitable men and the charitable women, the fasting men and the fasting women, the chaste men and the chaste women, the men and women who remember God often, for them is forgiveness and a vast reward.” Despite the many rights that Islam affords women, and although the Qur’an underscores the spiritual equality of women and men, the pervasive perception of Muslim women is a negative one. Numerous studies conducted by American research organizations indicate that a significant number of Americans associate Islam with the oppression of women. This perception is amplified by countless media images and stories of abused, pitiful Muslim women, as well as by the discrepancy between the gender equality we find in our sacred text and the inequalities practiced in some Muslim majority countries. Through focused efforts, Muslim American women are helping to correct the profound gender asymmetry that has resulted in many Muslim communities from androcentric interpretations of the Qur’an and culturally-rooted traditional practices. Some of these women are choosing Islamic theology as their field of study, and as this trend increases, both the women and men of the community are benefiting. With Qur'anic exegesis derived from a human-centric perspective, these female scholars are reshaping

patriarchal assumptions and calling for a continual examination of the Qur'an as a living text, one relevant for all people, for all places, and for all times. Firmly planted in the knowledge and power Islam gives them, Muslim American women are putting their faith into practice and making positive contributions to the world around them. Refusing to be spectators of their own destiny, they are autonomous agents of positive change who are upending stereotypes deftly, seizing the opportunities and fulfilling their spiritual and social potential. While they acknowledge the challenge of gender bias and violence against women, they know this is a systemic problem throughout the world, not one specific only to the Muslim community. Some women are working as community advocates, providing essential social services and helping to heal hearts and homes. Others are presiding over courtrooms issuing edicts, and others have been elected to serve in public office. Some are innovative entrepreneurs, some are dedicated mothers who homeschool their children, others are medical doctors, professors and academics, ground-breaking athletes and award-winning authors. Muslim American women are succeeding in all spheres of society and along the way, they are demonstrating, as one scholar puts it, that modesty is not simply about covering one’s body, but about revealing one’s dignity. They also are showing that unity does not demand uniformity, by skillfully negotiating the rich diversity of the Muslim American mosaic. Not only are Muslim American women excelling, they also are making history and setting precedents. The first female in the world to enter space as a private space explorer was a Muslim American woman. As a child Anousheh Ansari dreamt of visiting the stars. With degrees in computer engineering and with proceeds from the sale of her technology company, she fulfilled those dreams and became the world’s first female private space explorer in 2006. She inspires, not only Muslim girls and women, but anyone striving to achieve a difficult goal. The very first woman in the United States to earn a doctorate in automotive engineering is a Muslim woman. Dr. Ala Qattawi, an exceptional woman who excels in a field dominated by men, is a role model for women around the world. Speaking on her achievement, Ms. Qattawi gave a glimpse of her perspective by saying, “Always set your ambitions very high, do your best and the reward and good results will be in the hands of Allah. Have good intentions and tawakkal (reliance) on Allah, even if the road is very hard.”

Her words exemplify the sentiment of thousands of Muslim American women who are focused on deliberately creating communities where everyone can thrive. They demonstrate the range of possibilities and set the bar high for life excellence. Their efforts and accomplishments continue to amaze, impress and inspire as they move far beyond the negative stereotypes.

And of His signs is this: He created you of dust, and behold you human beings, ranging widely! (30:20)

And of His signs is this: He created for you help mates from yourselves that you might find rest in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who reflect. (30:21)

And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colors. Lo! herein indeed are portents for men of knowledge. (30:22)