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Women's Inclusivity PRIMER Why should I give a khutbah on making the masjid more inclusive to women? Research shows that women’s issues are among the most pressing when it comes to American Muslims and their mosque communities. The masjid, which functions as a religious center, but also as a center for civic participation and community development, should be accessible to all Muslims. Mosques are important because they are linked to more volunteerism, better mental health, and higher civic engagement. However, these important spaces sometimes alienate groups of people, including young people, women, and converts. A recent study by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding shows that, on average, women and men attend the mosque at equal rates. What is more, among young Muslims between the ages of 18-29, 75% of women said religion is central to their lives, compared to 53% of men. At the same time, Muslim women report feeling unwelcome at mosques due to a lack of relevant programming, lack of women leadership, and inadequate physical spaces. Clearly, Muslim women are a large and important segment of the Muslim community whose needs should be addressed in the mosque. exemplified the treatment and ﷺ From an Islamic perspective, the Prophet inclusion toward women in community spaces like the masjid. In one hadith, the said, “Do not prevent the female slaves of Allah from the houses of ﷺ Prophet Allah.” This hadith can be understood to mean that our communities should not present obstacles to women being present and active in the mosque. Through countless examples of women leaders in Islamic history, it is clear that our tradition is one that values Muslim women and their contributions, and nurtures them to grow into leaders. Framing the topic ● The responsibility to uphold the rights of men and women, the equal status of genders, and the command for believers—men and women—to support one another: ○ The believing men and believing women are guardians of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give ​zakah ​and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those—Allah will 1 have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise. [Qur’an 9:71] ○ Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while a believer—We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do. [Quran 16: 97] :changed the status of women ﷺ The Prophet Muhammad ● s message, highly’ﷺ Through the impact of the Prophet Muhammad ○ problematic cultural attitudes towards women that were widespread during the time later referred to as ‘the Age of Ignorance’ saw an extraordinary transformation. Islam’s acknowledgment of women’s equity in the societal, familial, and spiritual spheres was unprecedented at its time, and its demarcation of rights and obligations between men and women remains unmatched to this day. For example, some of the earliest verses revealed in the Qur’an prohibited customs like female infanticide. ○ ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (rA) became the second Caliph of Islam and one of the most influential leaders in recorded history. His own view of women s gentle guidance after he’ﷺ changed significantly under the Prophet embraced Islam. As he testifies in his own words: “In ​Jâhiliyya ​(the Age of Ignorance), we used to have no regard for women whatsoever. But when Islam came and Allah made mention of them, this caused us to realize that they have rights upon us…” To truly fulfill Islam’s mandate of justice and mercy, Umar’s realization of the proper status of women must continuously be revived in the hearts of all Muslims, at all places and times. ● The current state of Muslim American women after the most recent presidential election: ○ Nearly one in five (19%) Muslim women say they have stress and anxiety enough to believe they need the help of a mental health professional as a result of the 2016 elections, compared with 9% of Muslim men. ○ Muslim women are more likely than Muslim men to report experiencing religious discrimination in the last year (68% vs. 55%). ○ Muslim women are more likely than Muslim men to fear for their safety from white supremacist groups (47% vs. 31%). ○ Despite this deficit in security and greater likelihood for experienced religious-based discrimination, Muslim women are no more likely than Muslim men to change their appearance to be less identifiable as a Muslim (16% vs. 15%). Instead of hiding, Muslim women responded to a Trump win with greater giving. Nearly 30% of Muslim women vs. 19% of Muslim men have increased their donations to an organization associated with their faith community. 2 ● The danger of driving people away from the masjid and the importance of creating a welcoming space: ○ Abu Mas’ud al-Ansari reports that a man came to the Messenger of and said, “I do in fact delay coming to the morning prayer ﷺ Allah because of so-and-so, due to how long he makes [us stand].” I never angrier in his admonition than he was that day; he ﷺ saw the Prophet said, “O people, among you are those who chase people away! Whoever of you leads the people, let them be brief, for behind him is the elderly, the weak, and those pressed by need.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) ,ﷺ Regarding the history of the Ka'bah, 'Aisha (rA) asked the Prophet ○ "What about the door? Why did they make it so high?" He said, "Your people (​Quraysh​) did that so they could let in whomever they wanted and keep out whomever they wanted. If it were not for the fact that your people are still new [to Islam] and too recently departed from jahiliyya​, I would have [demolished the Ka'bah] and incorporated the [far] wall into the House, and would bring the door down to ground level." (Sahih Muslim) himself was commanded to consult the ﷺ Even the Prophet ○ companions in matters, not because he needed to, but in order to include them in decision-making processes and the development of the community. The Prophet’s example teaches us to take seriously the opinions and concerns of those in the congregation. “So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. [3:159]” How can we make our mosques more inclusive towards women? Rooted in our religion, there are ways to make the masjid more welcoming and inclusive for women, including: relevant programming, caring and accessible leadership, and adequate physical space. All of these contribute to an overall community culture that sees women as an integral part of the masjid. 1. Women’s leadership and relevant programming a. When women are included in the decision-making and programming body of the masjid, it is more likely that women’s concerns will be heard and addressed. Also, when women see themselves reflected in ​masjid leadership, they will feel more welcome and valued in the ​masjid​. In 3 one testimonial, a Muslim woman said, “When I see women on the board, I automatically feel the mosque is more open to women.” b. Examples from the Sunnah: i. In the earliest days of Islam, women would feel free to speak up on their own behalf, and their voices would be heard. One chapter of the Qur’an begins by mentioning the plaintive ,ﷺ entreaties of Khuwayla bint Tha’labah to the Prophet testifying: ‘Surely, Allah has heard the speech of the woman who argues with you [O Muhammad] concerning her husband and directing her complaint to Allah. And Allah hears your dialogue; indeed, Allah is Hearing and Seeing’ [Qur’an 58:1]. sensitive to women’s troubles, but ﷺ ii. Not only was the Prophet he also took heed of their advice. Following the Truce of Hudaybiya, a number of Muslims felt chagrined at some of the conditions of the truce, which they perceived as unfair. When the ordered them to sacrifice the animals they had ﷺ Prophet brought for that purpose and to shave their heads, they initially did not heed his order, no matter what he told them. Upon noting the seriousness of the situation, Um Salamah, one of his not to say anything ﷺ venerable wives, advised the Prophet more, but rather to simply to shave his own head and offer his own sacrifice. As she had predicted, the Companions quickly fell in line and followed suit, and any escalation was averted due to her wise counsel. iii. This respect and acknowledgment of women was something .taught the rest of his companions as well ﷺ that the Prophet Coming back to Umar ibn al-Khattab’s shifting perspective: during his caliphate, he appointed two different women, Samra b. Nuhayk and Shifa b. Abdullah, to fulfill the role of market supervisors. They would patrol the markets to ensure that fair business practices were being carried out, and proper Islamic behavior was maintained. 2. Caring and Accessible Leadership a. When a male scholar comes to visit, how often do men in the community have special and informal access to him? With our local community imams, how much easier is it for brothers to approach an Imam who knows their name and has an informal relationship with them? Creating spaces and opportunities for women to have access to scholars and imams within the boundaries of what is deemed appropriate by the Shari’ah is important in their spiritual growth.
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