Islamic Perspectives: Women, Family, and Societal Impact in Islam

This essay delves into Islamic perspectives on women, family, and societal structures, examining the aims and objectives of Islamic law, particularly concerning the protection of women and family. It explores the author's agreement with the view that extreme freedom can undermine the family unit, analyzing the Islamic approach to women's roles and rights, including the concept of equality within the framework of Islamic values. The essay discusses the potential consequences of full-time working mothers, contrasting Islamic and Western cultural perspectives on freedom and equality. It highlights the importance of the hijab as a symbol of protection and the emphasis on women's moral attributes over physical beauty. Furthermore, the essay concludes with a speech advocating for a balanced approach between work and family, emphasizing the importance of emotional security and the regulation of marital institutions to maintain social order and honor women in Islamic societies. The essay references relevant scholarly sources to support its arguments.

Running head: ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES 1
Islamic Perspectives
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September 2, 2024

ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES 2
Islamic Perspectives
QI. The aims and objectives of the Islamic law are the protection and safety of the human race
from all evil. Some of the objectives include the protection of religion where Muslims can freely
worship Allah. The preservation of life, the protection of honor and chastity are additional aims
and objectives of Islamic law. The last two objectives are the protection of the mind and
preserving wealth and prosperity (Levine & Raghavan, 2012). The objective that concerns
women and family is the protection of honor and chastity. It addresses the issues of divorce,
marriage, and the punishment for adultery and fornication.
Q2. I agree with the author that extreme freedom will result in the abolishing of the family as a
unit. Islam allows for women to have freedom from the perspective that we are equal but not the
same. Women are empowered to be in control of their bodies and to take responsibility by
dressing decently (Abdulsalam, 1998). This brings social order with regard to the family by
avoiding premarital sex which contributes to divorce later in marriage. Illicit sex due to the
extreme freedom given to women is responsible for illegitimate children, divorce, and ultimately
the abolition of the family.
Q3. Some of the consequences of a full-time working mother include burnout which manifests as
insomnia, fatigue and depression. Others end up becoming alcoholics (Abdulsalam, 1998). The
effect of adopting the Western culture of “freedom and equality” will be the sabotage of
motherhood and the family, divorce and illegitimate children, and women suffering mental and
emotional difficulties. The children in Islamic communities will also grow up without the
security and love that is important to grow emotionally safe and confident. The quest to remain
beautiful and sexually attractive will drive women to cosmetic surgeries which are dangerous for
their health.

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Q4. Speech to the UN
This speech is an eye-opener for the Western society that often has preconceived misconceptions
about women and the family in Islam. Contrary to the assumptions that women are oppressed in
Islam, the opposite is true. One of the objectives of Islamic law is the protection and honor of
chastity of Muslim women.
While affording women freedom, Islam acknowledges that women are equal but not the same as
men. She is not less or lacking but different with unique needs. The hijab is the symbol that
women are afforded protection from the opposite sex when she is out in the public. Islam allows
women the freedom to work but appreciates her role in the growth and nurturing of children to
be emotionally secure and confident. It, therefore, advocates a balance between work and family.
The moral attributes of a woman that is more valued than her physical beauty is the delineating
line between the West and Islam. The emphasis on beauty that is buttressed by “freedom and
equality” is the reason why the family unit in Western societies is threatened with extinction. The
regulation of the marital institution on matters of divorce, adultery, and fornication has
established moral and social order in Islam that celebrates and honors women.

ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES 4
References
Abdulsalam, R. H. (1998). Women's ideal liberation: Islamic versus Western understanding =
al-Taḥrīr al-mithālī lil-marʼah : muqāranah bayna al-mafhūm al-Islāmī wa-al-mafhūm
al-Gharbī . Jeddah: Abul-Qasim Publishing House.
Levine, J. P., & Raghavan, C. (2012). Self-Determination and Women’s Rights in Muslim
Societies. Waltham, Mass: Brandeis.