In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
All praise is due to God, Lord of the Worlds; and may peace and greetings be upon our Master and our Prophet, Abul-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad; and upon his pure, untainted, chosen Progeny; particularly the Remnant of God on earth.
Welcome, all you esteemed women, especially the families of our dear martyrs, and in particular the families of the recent martyrs who were demonstrations of the country’s strength and the Islamic Republic’s authority. I would like to thank the women who spoke here. The statements made by Martyr [Amin Abbas] Rashid’s wife, Rashid’s mother, and Martyr Salami’s daughter, were rich in both meaning and substance. In terms of content and meaning, their words reflected a clear mind and elevated thinking in these women and the community of self-sacrificing women in our country. In terms of composition, their texts were beautiful and compelling. I would like to thank all the women, and these speakers in particular.
We remember Siddiqah al-Tahira [Lady Fatimah Zahra (pbuh)] these days. I will say a few brief words about her, followed by a few words on women’s issues, which is an important topic in the world today.
As for Lady Fatimah Zahra (pbuh), her virtues cannot be enumerated. There is no limit to them. If we wanted to introduce her in one phrase, we would describe her as being a celestial figure, a perfect human being – like those other Infallible personages. They’re human beings, but their place is in the heavens. We, earthly people, are unable to see or even gaze upon their rank, station, and radiance. It’s much like how a human being cannot stare directly at the sun. That is the great status of Fatimah Zahra (pbuh).
She was a celestial being in every dimension of her life, whether it was in her worship and humility before the Lord – you’ve heard about her worshiping, her supplications in the middle of the night, and her prayers for others – or in her altruism and self-sacrifice for others. Even though she was immersed in divine knowledge, spirituality, and turning her attention to God, she wasn’t heedless of the earth or of other human beings. On her wedding night she gave her wedding dress to a beggar, she went without food for three days, and she gave her meal for breaking her fast to the needy. She attended to the people’s needs.
With regard to resilience in the face of hardships and calamities, who else is there who can withstand and endure the hardships that afflicted Lady Faṭimah Zahra (pbuh)? In this situation too, she was a celestial human being, a human being of the highest spiritual realm. She was courageous in defending the rights of the oppressed, she clarified the truth and enlightened others, and she understood political matters and took action. You see, these are all attributes of Fatimah Zahra (pbuh). As a woman and someone with feminine features, [she excelled] in homemaking, as a wife, and in raising her children. She brought someone like Zainab (pbuh) into existence and raised her. She nurtured people like Imam Hussain (pbuh) and Imam Hassan (pbuh) in her embrace. She was present in unforgettable parts of history: her presence in Shi’b Abi Talib, in migrating to Medina, in some of the Prophet’s battles, in the event of Mubahala. The list is endless. Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) was adorned with these virtues and there was no end to them. In short, she was as the Prophet himself stated, Sayyidatu Nisa’ al-Alamin – the Foremost Woman of the Worlds.
According to a narration, people asked the Holy Prophet (pbuh), “Doesn’t this title ‘the Foremost Woman of the Worlds’ apply to Lady Mary (pbuh)?” His reply was, “Mary was the foremost among the women of her own time, the women of her [own] world. However, Fatimah is the foremost of the women of all worlds, throughout all periods of history.” This is Fatimah Zahra. You’re learning from such a figure, you move toward becoming like such a personage, you choose your goals based on this personage, and you pursue them. Praise God, these are points that the women of our society and the women of our country pay attention to, and they must continue to pay attention to these. That was about Lady Fatimah Zahra (pbuh).
As for the topics that are related to women – which are debated around the world today, largely because of the injustices that have been and are currently being committed – I believe two subjects among those that concern the female gender are more important than the rest. One is the “dignity of women,” and the other is “women’s rights.” These matters must be addressed.
Women have a high, exalted status in Islam. Perhaps the most advanced, fitting expressions and words about a woman’s identity and personality are found in the Quran. For example, I have noted the following here:
- The first issue is the role of men and women in the creation of human life and human history. There’s equality between men and women, “Indeed, We created you from a male and a female” (Quran 49:13). This says that in the creation of the human race with its history of many thousands of years, and God knows how many thousands of years it will continue into the future, the foundation of this system is one man and one woman. This means that according to the Quran, women have half of the impact on human life.
- Regarding general obligations, Almighty God created human beings for a specific purpose to attain a certain rank [of perfection]. In this pursuit, men and women are equal in the logic of Islam, without distinction, “And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being faithful ...” (Quran 4:124). Righteous deeds and faith carry the same weight for both genders and they can lead to people’s salvation. This appears in multiple verses in the Quran. The verse I quoted is from Surah Nisa’, but the same concept has been stated in numerous other verses.
- Regarding attaining spiritual perfection and the means to achieving it, when a woman, like a man, is characterized by faith and righteous deeds, her ability to achieve the highest spiritual perfections becomes easy, and the path is open to her. You see, all of these points eliminate misunderstandings, both in those who are religious but lack a true understanding of religion, and also in those who don’t believe in the fundamentals of religion. In Surah Aḥzab, [it says], “Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and the truthful women, the patient men and the patient women, the humble men and the humble women, the charitable men and the charitable women, the men who fast and the women who fast, the men who guard their private parts and the women who guard, the men who remember Allah much and the women who remember [Allah much] ..." (Quran 33:35). All throughout [the verse], men and women are mentioned side by side. Ten supreme, equal titles are listed for men and women as servants of God – as believing servants. Those who possess these characteristics receive God's grace, His forgiveness, and divine attention. They’re worthy of reaching celestial, spiritual, divine stations.
With regard to the rights that men and women have over each other, in the blessed Surah Al-Baqarah we’re told, “Wives have rights similar to the obligations that are upon them …” (Quran 2:228). This is the logic seen in the Quran. Look at how and in what way it establishes a complete equality between men and women in how they’re believers, human beings, and people who have reached a higher spiritual level. According to Islam, women can be active in society, in business and work, in political activities, in most governmental positions, and in all fields of life. The portrayal that the decadent, corrupt, amiss Western culture presents for women, which I will delve into later, is totally renounced by Islam. The way women are viewed [in Islam] is that women have lofty qualities and a magnificent status. She is living in this material world while advancing and journeying in the spiritual world.
Among the points that exist in Islam regarding women is the issue of limitations in interactions with men. While the aforementioned equalities exist, there are also limitations in relations between men and women, which is one of the features of Islam. This has been totally disregarded in the decadent Western culture. And the reason for this is clear. The reason is that sexual desires and urges have a very strong attraction, and they must be restrained. Islam has been able to restrain these with its laws. If the laws of Islam aren’t followed, the resulting lack of restraint will do the same thing it’s done in the West today, which you hear about and which is evident in the corrupt gangs and organizations in the US, Europe, and most Western countries.
The attire of both men and women falls into this category. It’s one of the established limits that exists for both men and women. The issue of covering is not exclusive to women. Women's hijab is one example of this, physical boundaries between men and women is another, and the encouragement to marry is also of this nature. These are the very things that restrain that dangerous, hazardous factor.
So, the status of women in Islamic culture is rational. First, it is a very high status, which I only briefly touched upon. Second, it’s completely logical. It’s in accordance with women’s nature, society's needs, and society's best interests.
In Islam’s view, men and women are two balanced human elements. They’re completely balanced while they share many commonalities, and yet they possess certain distinct characteristics that differ based on their physical constitution. These two elements must be considered in managing life, continuing the human race, making progress in civilization, and fulfilling spiritual needs. In other words, men and women manage the world, while also managing their own inner selves. One of the most important things they do is forming a family. Unfortunately, the formation of a family has been forgotten in the erroneous logic of the capitalist culture and Western culture. Next, I will briefly speak about the fact that there are certain rights in a family: rights for women, rights for men, and rights for children. There are mutual rights between these three elements: a man, a woman, and children.
So, let’s talk about the issue of women's rights now. We’ve already discussed the status of women.
Regarding women's rights, the first right that must be recognized for women is the matter of justice in social behavior and justice within the family – justice in society and justice at home. This is the first right that women have and it must be ensured. Everyone is responsible for ensuring these. Governments and governing bodies are obligated to ensure these rights, just as individuals are.
Safeguarding a woman’s security, dignity, and honor is one of her rights. A woman’s dignity must be protected. The evil capitalist logic tramples on and destroys women’s honor. In Islam, the dignity of women and respecting women are some of the most essential elements. According to a narration, the Prophet (pbuh) stated, “A woman is a flower in the home, and she isn’t a servant."
I have quoted this hadith on numerous occasions. There’s a reason I wish this to be repeated. A qahramanah [in Arabic] refers to someone who bears the burdens of work. Suppose a person has a garden, an orchard, or a business. The one who organizes affairs and shoulders the burdens is called a qahramanah in Arabic.
The Prophet said, “A woman is a rayhanah.” Rayhanah means a flower [in Arabic]. The woman is a flower in the home, “and she isn’t a qahramanah.” She isn’t a servant in the home for you to say, “Why didn't you do this? Why didn't you do that? Why isn't the house clean?” A rayhanah is a flower. A flower must be cared for and protected, and she will enrich you with her color, fragrance, and qualities. So you see, this is how Islam views women.
In one place, the Quran presents a striking parable to illustrate the importance of a woman's actions, her mindset, and the path she travels, “And Allah presents an example of the believers: the wife of Pharaoh” (Quran 66:11). In other words, Almighty God presents a model, a parable, an example, an index for the believers. And that index is for all believers, not just for women, “Allah presents an example of those who believed ...” He presents exemplars for all believers. Who is that exemplar? One is the wife of Pharaoh, and the other is Maryam [Mary], the daughter of Imran (Quran 66:12). In other words, all men in the world and all believers in the world should look at these two women to ascertain whether they’re on the correct path or not. They should see how they [those exemplars] conducted themselves and what they did. That [course of action] is their path to salvation. This is Islam’s perspective with regard to women.
Women's rights in society must be protected and there shouldn’t be discrimination – though it does exist today. In many Western countries today, women's wages are lower than men's wages for the same work. That is the reality today. That is sheer injustice. There are the issues of women’s work being of equal value with the same work that men perform – equal wages, equality of governmental benefits for men and women, such as insurance for working women, insurance for female heads of households, special leave for women, and tens of other issues. These rights must be observed. This applies to society.
In the home environment, the most important right that the lady of the house, the woman of the house, has is affection. Affection. The first and most important need she has, and the most important right she has, is affection. There’s a hadith that says that men should tell their wives, “I love you.” That is, they need to clearly state this [even though] she may know it. This is the first [right of a woman].
Another important, fundamental woman’s right is her right to live in the home “free from violence.” Now, the decadent Western culture is filled with cases of violence by men against women. Women are killed by their husbands, and they are beaten by their husbands. These things are happening in the West. This is one of the gravest deviations. In a story – it is a story, of course, but it reflects a reality about the US – a man comes home and beats his wife very terribly. That’s how it is there. But if a [correct] culture becomes prevalent, this will be the outcome that if a woman does certain things, is stubborn, or acts defiantly to the point where he may even become angry and think of beating her, that won’t happen and he won’t beat her. When such a culture becomes prevalent, violence in all forms will be repudiated.
Managing the home, the manager of the home, the head of the home – these are [roles of] women and ladies. Husbands should assist in the physical hardships that come from childbearing. Housework mustn’t be forced on women; they shouldn’t be forced. They should be appreciated for keeping the household running despite insufficient incomes. Consider this point, which we often overlook, a man's salary may be a fixed office salary, for instance. The price of goods rise, but the household continues to function. At noon, lunch is ready. Who takes care of this? Which artist is it that keeps the household running?
Another right [for women] is providing them with the means for advancement and progress, such as the acquisition of knowledge (education), certain occupations suitable for women, and other such things. This is a summary of the Islamic perspective regarding women. It’s merely a summary. If anyone wishes to explain the Islamic perspective on women fully, a half-hour or one-hour session will not suffice. It would take much longer than that. What I’ve just mentioned is merely an overview.
The exact opposite is the Western perspective, the Western capitalist perspective. It’s in complete contrast [to the Islamic perspective] in the truest sense of the word. In Islam, a woman has independence and the ability to move and progress. She has a title and her own identity. But that isn’t the case there [in the West]. A woman’s identity is subordinate to her husband’s identity [there]. You have a family name [in the West], but once you get married, that surname is cast aside and the husband’s family name replaces it. That’s a sign. It’s a symbol of being absorbed into the man and being overtaken by the male identity.
[Other topics include:] the disparity in wages, failure to respect a woman’s honor and dignity, and looking at women as a means for material exploitation. They view women as instruments for material exploitation. A certain aristocrat may respect his wife personally, but that isn’t the point here. What we’re talking about is the general outlook where women are seen as objects of lust. The criminal gangs that have recently created an uproar in the US are a clear indication of this. Women are viewed as objects of pleasure. She is a tool or an instrument. When this culture becomes prevalent, a woman herself fails to realize that she has been turned into a tool. She actually takes pride in this, and she is proud of it!
[Another issue is] the destruction of the family structure. One of the gravest sins being committed by Western capitalist civilization and culture is the destruction of the family structure. The family – in the sense of it being a connected, unified, loving unit – rarely exists there anymore. I read in a book by a foreign author that a husband and wife would arrange, for instance, to both come home at 4 p.m. for one hour to have tea, and the children knew that their parents would be home at this time. Their idea of a family gathering is that, for example, the woman comes home from work at 4 p.m., the man comes home from work, and their children – their son or daughter – comes too. Then [after a short time] each goes their own separate way – either to their jobs, or to attend to some business, to get together with friends, or to go to the gym. They constantly check the time to see if it’s 5 p.m. yet – the time when the “meeting” is supposed to end. This is the state of the family there.
Fatherless children, the erosion of familial relationships, the destruction of the family structure, gangs that prey on young girls, and the ever-increasing promotion of sexual promiscuity are all being committed under the name of freedom! In the name of freedom! This is perhaps one of the worst sins of the logic and culture of Western capitalism. It brings about all that corruption and labels it “freedom.” It seduces and deceives, then they call that “freedom.”
And when they try to spread that same culture here, they say, “We’re liberating you!” But in fact, they’re enslaving people in the name of liberation. This major problem regarding the dignity and status of women in the social environment and in the family environment has turned into an flawed culture that has gone awry.
Of course, in the past and in previous centuries, this wasn’t the case in Europe. These issues have intensified mostly in the last century or thereabouts and have taken on this current form. Unfortunately, they themselves insist on exporting this culture to the entire world. The West and capitalists insist on exporting this culture, so they fabricate justifications for doing so.
They say, that if a woman observes the hijab and sets these limitations for herself, she won’t be able to progress! The Islamic Republic has refuted and crushed that nonsensical logic. In the Islamic Republic, it’s been demonstrated that a Muslim, devote woman – a woman who observes the hijab and follows the Islamic dress code – can progress further than anyone else in all areas. She can be influential both in society and at home. Guided by this viewpoint in the Islamic Republic following the victory of the Revolution, our ladies, our women, and our young girls have made great progress in numerous fields.
[We see progress] in educational statistics, in health and medical treatments, in life expectancy, in scientific and athletic fields, and in jihadi efforts of support. What this woman [Martyr Gholam Ali Rashid’s wife] said is correct that our dear martyrs couldn’t have devoted themselves so fully to the field of struggle and reached that honorable end of martyrdom without having such wives. It was these women who bore hardships and gave their jihadi support so their hardworking spouses could reach the pinnacle of struggle.
What our ladies and women have achieved today in intellectual and research centers in these fields is definitely unprecedented in Iran’s history. We’ve never had this many female scholars and intellectuals in Iran. We’ve never had this number of individuals capable of presenting dynamic thought and offering solutions. We never had this before. It’s not that we just didn't have this number. We didn't even have one-tenth of it. I can say we didn't even have one-hundredth of it. Praise God, with the advancement of science in the country and among women, the Islamic Republic has elevated women in the world to this extent today. In the scientific arena, in the social arena, in the political arena, and in the athletic arena, our women are some of the most advanced, praise God.
My final word is the following. My advice to the media is this that you should make sure you don’t become instruments for promoting the West’s incorrect way of thinking. Our media outlets must ensure they don’t become tools for propagating Western thought and the false, invalid capitalist mindset regarding women. Our media outlets mustn’t become their instruments. When the discussion turns to hijab, women’s covering, or men and women working together, the media within the Islamic Republic shouldn’t echo their rhetoric, zoom on their arguments, or magnify the things they say. Promote Islam, and communicate Islam’s view. Islam’s perspective is a source of pride. If we present this thought; this perspective; this great, effective theory; both among ourselves and in international assemblies, many people around the world, especially women, will definitely be drawn to Islam. This is the best way to promote Islam. I am hopeful that all of you will be successful in this endeavor, God willing.
May God’s greetings, mercy, and blessings be upon you.
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