How Mohalla System Can Improve The Life Conditions Of Muslim Women?
By
Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam
6 April
2024
The
Mohalla System, A Community-Based Approach To Governance And Social
Organization, Has The Potential To Significantly Improve The Life Conditions Of
Muslim Women In Several Ways
Main
Points:
1.
Increased Community Support: The Mohalla System
fosters a sense of community and solidarity among residents. By promoting
mutual support and cooperation, it can provide a safety net for Muslim women
who may face various challenges, including economic hardships, domestic
violence, or discrimination.
2.
Empowerment and Participation: In many
traditional societies, women may have limited opportunities for participation
in decision-making processes or community affairs. However, the Mohalla System
emphasizes inclusivity and grassroots democracy, offering avenues for women to
actively engage in local governance and community initiatives. By involving
women in decision-making bodies and leadership roles within the Mohalla System,
their voices can be heard, and their perspectives considered in shaping
policies and programs that affect their lives.
3.
Access to Resources and Services: Muslim women,
particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, often face barriers in
accessing essential resources and services, such as healthcare, education, and
employment opportunities. Through the Mohalla System, community members can
collectively address these challenges by mobilizing resources, advocating for
improved services, and implementing community-based programs tailored to
women's needs. This can lead to better access to healthcare facilities,
educational institutions, vocational training programs, and other support
services that enhance women's quality of life.
4.
Promotion of Women's Rights and Gender
Equality: The Mohalla System can serve as a platform for promoting awareness
and advocacy on women's rights and gender equality issues within Muslim
communities. By fostering dialogue, education, and awareness campaigns, the
Mohalla System can challenge harmful norms and practices that perpetuate
gender-based discrimination and violence. Community leaders and members can
work together to promote gender-sensitive policies, enforce legal protections
for women, and create a culture of respect and equality within the community.
5.
Social Cohesion and Solidarity: Strengthening
social cohesion and solidarity within neighborhoods through the Mohalla System
can contribute to the overall well-being of Muslim women. By building networks
of support, fostering positive social interactions, and celebrating diversity,
the Mohalla System can create a more inclusive and cohesive community
environment where women feel valued, respected, and empowered to lead
fulfilling lives.
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(Representative Photo)
In Islamic
history, mosques were more than just places for worship. They were also places
where people learned personal, family, educational, economic, and social issues
and where community problems were talked about and solved. People could no
longer use the Mohalla system, which had clear and precise legal protection and
redress processes for individuals, families, and communities, after it lost its
power and vitality. When the Mohalla system was limited to officiating at
certain ceremonies, like weddings and funerals, the community lost its
leadership and a place to talk about Islamic solutions to its issues. The women
of the Muslim society paid the most. Because problems with women are the
community's biggest problems that can't be solved.
Marriage
Problems
People in
the neighbourhood mostly use the Mohalla system when they are married. Getting
permission for marriages, collecting money for girls' weddings, and holding
ceremonies are the only things that most Mohalla groups do. What does it mean
from an Islamic point of view for mosque imams to be ready to watch expensive
weddings with lots of guests?
Tens of
thousands of girls cry because of people who silently allow the evil practice
of dowry to happen in the Mohallas. If the Mohallas are brave enough to say
that cash marriages and expensive weddings will not happen, it will be a
revolutionary move and the most important religious service of our time.
Part of the
deal is that the wedding price is set, and the father of the girl is asked to
pay it. On the other hand, whatever is seen as Mehr is given to the girl
as a gift, regardless of how good the girl is or how good the man is. Mehr is
not really kindness. A woman should be able to get it when she gets married.
Due to the fact that her Wali (parent) can ask for the amount that is
fair and appropriate for her, there should be a way for him and the Mohalla
officials to agree on and purchase the Mehr that is hers.
Mohallas
should also help people get married by setting up pre-marriage counselling. A
lot of young women in our community get married without having any clear ideas
or plans for their new life together. As a result, more and more educated
people are getting divorced these days. So, pre-marriage training should happen
in the Mohallas so that people can get a good idea of what married life is
like.
Just
Divorce
With the
understanding of the Mohallas, divorce and having more than one wife are very
common today. In Islam, Talaq is not as easy or smooth as it is in the
West. There are many steps that need to be taken to make it work. If, after all
your efforts, you still can't get back together, a third Talaq ends the
split. However, this must be done before the shameful and against Islam act of
performing Triple Talaq at once can continue unchecked in the community. The Mohallas
should be very against acts of defiance that go against what Allah says, and
they shouldn't be ready to finish these kinds of divorce procedures.
What is the
right thing to do about Mata'in (alimony), which is the right of a divorced
woman? It is the goal of Islam to protect women everywhere. That she can have Mehr
if she gets married and Mata, if she gets divorced, are rights that
Islam gave her. In this community, it is usual to say three Talaq at
once and send the woman away without giving her anything. It should also be up
to the Mohalla to buy a divorced woman fair alimony.
Khul’
Khul’ isn't the only marriage dissolution
process besides Fasq. In Islam, women can use the Fasq and Khul’
methods, which are much easier and less complicated than Talaq. To get Khul’, a
woman doesn't have to go through any of the trouble that a guy does. If her
husband doesn't give her the safety, justice, and rights she needs, she can
leave him by going to court or giving back the Mehr. Which court will she go
to, though? The Mohalla Courts should be used in this case. There are tens of
thousands of people who don't even know about this right given to women and
live a hellish life of unfair treatment, neglect, and torture. The learned
community should remember what the Prophet said to the crowd at Hajjatul
Vidah (Farewell Speech):
"Beware of Allah when it comes to women." The teachers and leaders
who follow the Prophet are in charge of making sure that women have the rights
and justice that Islam gives them.
Multiple
Marriages
Today, the
law of polygamy is also being abused. This law was made to protect widows and
children. "Marry two, three, or four women if you're afraid you won't be
able to make things right for orphans." If you think that justice can't be
done between them, just pick one. The Qur'an gives very clear and strict
instructions on this subject. People who want to get married and say they are
descended from the "Prophet's example" should be asked: Is it
possible to have a good marriage like the Prophet's first marriage? When
Muhammad is young, he falls in love with Khadija, a 40-year-old widow and
mother of two. They get married at the age of 25. Khadija was married to
Muhammad three times. People who want to stay virgin and say they are doing it
to protect orphans are being completely honest when they say they want a second
bond while having a happy family life with their wife and kids.
In the time
of the Prophet, polygamy wasn't secret like it is now. At certain points, they
were done while the first wife and family knew about them. In that way, the
women of those times were smarter than the men. Because they got the same
justice from their believing husbands. Otherwise, there was a court and a way
to file complaints and get justice. Mohalla courts should be set up to protect
women who are being denied justice in divorce and marriage cases.
How to get
into the mosque The mosque is in the middle of the Mohalla, so getting into it
is the first right that a Muslim woman should set up and get. History shows
that women used to speak up for their rights, air their complaints, and get
them fixed in the mosque congregations during the time of the Prophet and the
Caliphs. Another place where a woman asked Umar (RA) about Mehr was in
the mosque. The women learned about the past of the prophets and felt like they
had a right to be there through worship in the mosque, the congregation of
knowledge, and the Khutbahs. Because they were able to go to these
places, men began to admire, respect, and recognize them as well. Women lost
places to talk about their problems when they were not allowed to go to church
or knowledge rooms.
The
Mohalla Samiti
Following
the rules of the Islamic Sharia is safe for a Muslim woman. As things stand,
the Muslim Personal Act in India does not give her that security. For women to
get equal justice through Sharia law enforcement, it would be better to set up
Mohalla Redressal Committees with women as members. When dealing with women's
problems, it's important to have female minds that are aware of how serious
they are. Don't even bother with the stupid and pointless claims that bad
things will happen if women go into the masjid yard. Today, she works as a
teacher. She is much smarter than the men in the neighbourhood when it comes to
schooling. Mohalla Samitis should use the ideas and opinions of Muslim women
who are smart and skilled.
In summary,
the Mohalla System has the potential to improve the life conditions of Muslim
women by fostering community support, empowering women's participation,
enhancing access to resources and services, promoting women's rights and gender
equality, and strengthening social cohesion and solidarity within
neighbourhoods. Through collaborative efforts at the grassroots level, the
Mohalla System can contribute to positive changes that positively impact the
lives of Muslim women and their communities.
-----
A
regular columnist for NewAgeIslam.com, Mubashir V.P is a PhD scholar in Islamic
Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia and freelance journalist.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/mohalla-system-life-conditions-muslim-women/d/132093
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