The image of the hijabi Muslim woman created by the West after 9/11 has been consistent: she is constantly depicted as oppressed, submissive to men, forced to cover up and unable to make her own decisions. Even in many Muslim countries, still under the cultural influence of colonization, women wearing the hijab or headscarf are often discriminated against, ridiculed and they are unable to find job opportunities.

How is it possible that hundreds of years of Islamic history were so easily forgotten, even in those lands where Islam was born? Islam changed history forever by bringing new values for the whole of humanity. Allah SWT explicitly stated in the Quran that men and women are equal. Islam forbade female infanticide, instructed Muslims to educate daughters as well as sons, insisted that women have the right to choose their husbands and gave women the right to divorce. In the Quran, both women and men are advised to lower their gaze.

If we just look at the years of the Islamic revelation, we see endless examples of women who weren’t afraid of defying the patriarchal laws of Quraysh. I’m not talking only about the wives of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم. In fact, more than 1200 women were listed as companions of the Prophet صلىالله عليه وسلم, or sahabiyyat.

The first believer of Islam was a woman, Khadijah. The first martyr of Islam was also a woman, Sumayyah. In addition, oneof the first Muslim women to participate in battles wasNusaybah, who fought in the Battle of Uhud to defend ourProphet صلى الله عليه وسلم. Let’s not forget Asma, the daughter ofAbu Bakrعليه السلام, who secretly organized the escape ofProphet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم from Mecca to Medinaduring Muslim persecution. Let’s remember Aisha, one of the “Mothers of the Believers,” who led an entire army against Ali, the fourth caliph! Moreover, she was a true jurist, a faqiha, as she transmitted hundreds of hadith (Islamic teachings or sayings of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم). 

In the Quran, we are given further examples of strong and piouswomen including Bilquis, the queen of Saba, (Queen of Sheebain English), who was a wise political leader. Then, there’sMaryam, mother of Jesus عليه وسلم, who has an entire chapter ofthe Quran named after her. In addition, there are many otherinspirational women from our Islamic history, mentioned in theQuran, including Asiya, the adopted mother of Moses  عليه وسلم , and Sarah and Hajar, the wives of Abraham عليه وسلم.

Evidently, these Muslim women from Islamic history, were brave and wanted to, alongside the men, contribute to the new Muslim society. I look at them as universal examples of female identity: courage, humility, determination, strength, and perseverance.

Yet, the hijab continues to be considered by certain societies as an example of oppression.  Take the most recent hijab ban in Karnataka, India, as one example where hijabi women have lost their right to education. Even in Europe, as a whole, any employer can legally fire an employee if she refuses to take off her hijab when asked to do so! Therefore, the hijab does not, in any way, prevent women from pursuing their dreams, but such laws forbidding women to wear the hijab, do! Our Islamic history is a testament to that.

Reminder: May is “International Muslim History Month.” Take this opportunity to learn more about Muslim men and women from the Golden Age up until now, who have shaped humanity as we know it.

About the Author

Lucia Rallo is a Kindergarten teacher at Maarif School USA. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Venice. She also speaks four different languages fluently and studied many more. She is passionate about female-related topics in Islam. She loves traveling, reading, writing, arts and crafts, modest fashion and having fun with her children, too. She currently lives in New Jersey with her husband and three children. You can find her on Instagram @lucia_aurelia

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