Khamenei.ir

Why does Islam take the role of woman in family so seriously?

One of the duties of women at home and in the family is raising children. Women who avoid having children, due to their activities outside the family, act against their human and womanly nature. God does not approve of that. Those who stay away from having children, raising children, breastfeeding, and rearing children with affection for the sake of profession which do not necessarily rely on women’s work, are at fault. A child is best raised with their mother and her kind attention. The women who deprive their children of this divine blessing are at fault. Their act is detrimental to their children, themselves, and society. Islam does not allow this. One of the main duties of the woman is to raise her children with affection, appropriate education, and with proper attention so that when this boy or girl grows into adulthood, they become morally and mentally healthy, without unsatisfied needs, or a feeling of humiliation or other problems that many youth or teenagers suffer from today especially in Europe and in the U.S. My dear audience, you view that because the women in the West didn’t value family and child-rearing, today in Western societies there are millions of teenagers who have become criminals. Under the realm of materialistic civilizations, the splendid palaces, atomic bases, skyscrapers and scientific and technological advances they engage in crime at the age of 10 or 12: they rob, murder, smuggle, consume drugs, smoke cigarettes and cannabis! Why is that? This is because the western family didn’t value family. In the past, the situation of women was not the same as now: since some fifty years ago, specially in the US and some European countries, the situation has become worse for Western women. The day western women initiated this wrong path, they never thought that some fifty years later their society and their country would suffer from a similar calamity: that the twelve-year old teenagers would carry guns or knives and at night or during the day, in the streets of New York or London or other western cities they would kill someone if they can, kill with no compromise. This is their situation now. When family institution is broke, this situation will be created. Indeed, family is formed and managed by the woman; know this. The main constituent of the family is the woman; not the man. A family can persist without the man. Imagine a family when the man is absent, or has died for example, the woman can yet save the family, if she is wise and sophisticated. However, if the woman is taken from a family, the man cannot save the family. Thus, the family is kept together by the woman. Islam attributes so much importance to the role of the woman in family because if the woman is loyal to her family, is enthusiastic, takes child rearing seriously, looks after the children, breastfeeds her children, raise them with affection, provides them with cultural food, such as stories, Quranic lessons, useful teachings, and feeds her children with them at any opportunity like the food they eat, future generations will become elevated and successful. This is the art of the woman and is not contradictory to her pursuing studies, teaching, political and other activities.

Three arenas of women's activities described by Islam

In Islam, three arenas are defined for the women's activities. The first arena represents the spiritual growth and perfection of the woman herself. There is no difference between men and women in the arena of individual spiritual growth. That is, a man can reach the highest levels of spirituality; a woman can also reach the highest levels of spirituality… The second arena is the arena of social activities, including economic, political and social activities in the especial meaning of term, academic activity, pursuing studies, teaching, endeavoring in the path of God, striving and all aspects of life, at the level of society. In this arena also there is no difference between men and women: they are both allowed to be engaged in different social activities. If someone says men can study, women cannot: or, men can teach, women cannot; or, men can have economic activities, women cannot; they are not talking about the logic of Islam: rather, they contradict Islam. Based on Islam, in all the activities related to the human society and life undertakings, men and women have the same permissions. Meanwhile, some activities are not suitable for women, because those activities do not match their physical features. Similarly, some activities are not suitable for men, because they don’t match their physical or behavioral features. This has nothing to do with the fact that a woman can be socially active or not. Work division happens based on capacities, interests and conditions. If a woman wants to, she can do any social activity she likes… The third arena, which is also very important, is the arena of family. We referred to the role of the woman in spiritual achievements as well as the Islamic law on any type of social activity; but in this part, we will discuss the role of the woman in the family; that is, the woman as a wife or a mother. Here, the Islamic laws are so excellent and interesting that when would take pride in them. The woman as a wife receives particular attention in Islam in different stages. The first stage is choosing a spouse. According to Islam, the woman should be free to choose her spouse herself, and no one can impose on her anything in this matter. So a woman’s brothers or father—let alone other relatives—can never force the woman to marry a certain person and they do not have the right to do so. This is the opinion of Islam… these are all apt for the nature of men and women Men and women have naturally different characteristics. Within the family women should not be expected to work or have masculine features; similarly, men should not be expected to act like women, and have feminine features. Every gender has its own natural and innate characteristics, and the wellbeing of humanity, the wellbeing of the society, the wellbeing of the social system for men and women lies in respecting men’s and women’s features within the family. If they are respected, both men and women will have a happy life. However, no one has the right to oppress the other, coerce the other, or force the other to work. Some men think that the woman has to do all the chores. Of course, in the family environment, the man and the woman who love each other will do the work of the other with pleasure and satisfaction. But doing them by satisfaction is different from when a person thinks or acts as if it is the duty of the woman to serve the man like a servant. This is by no means accepted by Islam.

Excerpts from statements made during a meeting with an assembly of women from Khuzestan

Hijab provides security for men and women

In order to prevent the mingling of the sexes and preserve ethical boundaries, Islam has obligated women to observe modest dressing (hijab). Hijab is a means of providing security: by observing hijab, Muslim women provide security both for themselves and for Muslim men. Wherever hijab is taken away from women, wherever they push women towards bareness and nudity, security is taken away primarily from women and secondarily from men and the youth. To preserve a healthy and secure environment wherein women can pursue their tasks and men can carry out their responsibilities, Islam has set hijab as an obligation: hijab is an outstanding obligation by Islam and its advantages are as I described.

Is observing hijab and chastity only obligatory for women?

Islam has set certain limits [in the arena of social activities] which do not pertain to women needing permission to take part in activities. Rather, it is pertains to the mingling of men and women—which is a sensitive issue in Islam. Islam believes that men and women—wherever they are, on the streets, at office, or business places—must observe certain limits between themselves. There is a limit, and a buffer defined between Muslim men and women. Relationships between men and women, are not like relationships among men, or among women [in unisex settings]. This has to be respected, by both men and women. If this sensitivity demanded by Islam regarding the relationships between men and women is properly observed, women can do any type of activities that men can do in the society, if they are physically able, have the time, and want to do them... In order to provide them with a safe and healthy environment, where women can perform their activities in the society, and men can fulfill their responsibilities, Islam has defined Hijab, and it is one of the remarkable laws of Islam.

Excerpt from statements made during the Friday prayer sermon in Tehran

Statements made during a meeting with the officials of the Ministry of Health and deans of universities of Medical Sciencies

Islam does not prevent women from economic and social activities

It is wrong to assume, we should prevent women from partaking in economic and social activities with reference to Islam. Islam has not prescribed such a thing. However, Islam has not recommended imposing hard works, tough businesses, social and political tasks on women, either. Islam has adopted a moderate viewpoint; that is to say, if women have the opportunity and the time, and if it does not prevent them from bringing up their children, if they are enthusiastic and eager and have the physical strength and energy and if they are willing to take part in social, political and economic activities, they should not be prevented. But if they are forced to take a job and work certain hours per day so that they can have a share in covering the household expenses, this is not what Islam has asked women. Islam considers this as a form of imposition on women.

What are the features of the Abrahamic Hajj?

Leader's Hajj Message

Who is Imam Ali? The ruler whose kindness and generosity are acknowledged by Muslims and non-Muslims

Who was the one who coupled politics and morals? Which ruler never used even the slightest portion of state property for himself and would secretly give food for poor families at nights?

Imam of the time is present among the people

Believing in Imam of the time [Imam Mahdi (a.s.)] helps the people not to succumb [to evil]; provided that they fully comprehend this belief. When this belief is truly placed in hearts, his presence is felt among the people. The sacred, beloved and infallible Imam-- the hub of the universe, the refuge for the entire creation-- is present; even though he is in occultation and has not reappeared. How is it possible to think he is not present? The devout believers will feel his presence in their hearts, via all their emotions and senses. Those individuals who pray and supplicate to God, read the Nodbeh supplication with attention, and recite the Ziarat of Aale-Yassin understand what they say. They feel the presence of this great person; even if he has not yet reappeared. His absence does not affect the feeling that he is present. He has not reappeared; but he is present in the hearts and among the people. How is it possible to believe he is not present? A true Shia is someone who feels this presence, and feels himself before him. This gives vitality and enthusiasm to a person. This great nation—above all— needs this hope. The nation-- who fights in the path of God and for the sake of magnificence of Islam, and has become a pride for the whole of history and history of Islam, in particular, and has raised the flag of Islam in our era—needs this bright hope, more than anything else. This belief provides the hope for them.

Two effects among the great effects of believing in Mahdawiyyah

On the matter of the birth anniversary of his excellency [Imam Mahdi], and the belief in this truth, if one investigates and searches in two directions or areas, they will notice great results: Firstly, in the spiritual and mental aspect with regard to closeness to God and individual development of humans. The person who believes in this cause-since they build spiritual relation with the center of divine blessings, the pivotal point and core of God's mercy, will have a better opportunity for enjoying the means of spiritual development and closeness to God. That is why, the people of wisdom, in their spiritual supplication, constantly consider him and give special attention to his excellency. Spiritual bond, remembrance, and attention to the manifestation of God’s mercy, power and justice will itself lead humans to growth and elevation, and provides them with the means of progress in spirituality and wisdom. The second aspect is in the social and public life and what relates to the collective fate of nations and humanity. In this arena, believing in Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and his reappearance represents a great resource from which nations can benefit a lot. Imagine a ship in a stormy sea. If the people aboard the ship believe that there is no land around their ship within thousands of miles, and they have limited food and water reserves and limited means for movement, what would they do? Can you imagine that they would take any actions at all to move the ship forward? No! Because they think their death is inevitable, they have no hope to take any measures.

The birth of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is an Eid for all the mankind

The birth anniversary of the promised Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is a true Eid for all the humans; for all those who underwent a suffering, oppression; those whose hearts have been broken; who have wept; who have waited, or have endured hardships during their life-- anywhere on the Earth, or at any point of history. All of those people have felt hopeful, happy and enthusiastic on this day, and in hope for this day. This great birth and important fact does not belong to a single nation or time. It belongs to the entire humanity. It represents a covenant between God and humans: “Peace be upon you, O the covenant of Allah, which He took it and He fastened it [Ziarat of Aale Yassin].” It represents God’s guaranteed promise: “Peace be upon you, O the promise of Allah which He guaranteed it [Aale Yassin Ziarat].” All humans throughout history have felt the spiritual and heartfelt quest for this great and extraordinary phenomenon. Because the history, since the beginning till today, and since today till the world's glowing sun rises [till Imam Mahdi (a.s.) reappears] has been filled with evil and oppression. All those who have suffered from oppression and those who witnessed the sufferings of others and were heartbroken upon it, will feel hope in their hearts by remembering the birth anniversary of the great redeemer of history and humanity.

Believing in Imam Mahdi (a.s.) gives one vitality and enthusiasm

Hope will lead the people to endure, to open up the path ahead and advance. When you are told to await, it means the present sufferings are not going to last forever. You see, how this makes one enthusiastic and hopeful? This is the effect of believing in the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (God’s peace and mercy be upon him and our souls be sacrificed for him). This is the effect of the belief in the Promised Mahdi (a.s.). This belief has helped the Shia over many years to surpass all the obstacles so today, thanks be to God, the flag of dignity of Islam and the Quran is in your hands—the Muslims and [particularly] Shias of Iran. Wherever this belief exists, the same hope and fighting exist, too.

A selection of statements while meeting with a group of clergymen

By rejecting Hijab, shocking statistics on violence against women have not declined

In the West, including the United States, where they endlessly talk about equality of rights for men and women, there are horrendous statistics of violence against women, and of using them in different settings. So the issues concerning women are not resolved by the solutions provided by the West, and by rejecting Hijab and religious constraints, these problems worsen. On the other hand, Islam endeavors to create a healthy environment based on reason and thought, where the weak would not be dominated... Contrary to the West's rants about Hijab as something that limits the rights and liberties of women, Hijab has nothing to do with [suppressing] the rights and liberties of women. Hijab is a must for men and women that has to be observed by each in a certain way. Because by removing Hijab, women would face the same fate that has afflicted women in Western environments through abusing them. Islam's approach to Hijab is a very wise approach. Hijab is relevant in the limits of personal lives of men and women, and in this regard, Chador, while not proven essential, is considered to be the best Hijab. Sacred Islamic laws have defined the limits of Hijab that must be respected, without having to fall for the extremes.

By preventing hijab in the West, has the rate of violence against women increased or decreased?

In the West, including the United States, where they endlessly talk about equality of rights for men and women, there are horrendous statistics of violence against women, and of using them in different settings. So the issues concerning women are not resolved by the solutions provided by the West, and by rejecting Hijab and religious constraints, these problems worsen. On the other hand, Islam endeavors to create a healthy environment based on reason and thought, where the weak would not be dominated... Contrary to the West's rants about Hijab as something that limits the rights and liberties of women, Hijab has nothing to do with [suppressing] the rights and liberties of women. Hijab is a must for men and women that has to be observed by each in a certain way. Because by removing Hijab, women would face the same fate that has afflicted women in Western environments through abusing them. Islam's approach to Hijab is a very wise approach. Hijab is relevant in the limits of personal lives of men and women, and in this regard, Chador, while not proven essential, is considered to be the best Hijab. Sacred Islamic laws have defined the limits of Hijab that must be respected, without having to fall for the extremes.

An excerpt of statements made in meeting with a group of students

Why did the Pahlavi and Qajar regimes confront the clergy?

One of the most important tasks given to Reza Khan was to divest the clergy of any influence with the intention of destroying religion. So, once he took power in 1934 and 1935 he began to dismantle the clergy’s influence. Reza Khan adopted a coercive manner. He assumed he could carry out his work with coercion. He banned wearing a turban and the long robe, as well as clergy titles and seminaries. He devastated—as he thought—the seminaries of Qom and Mashhad, as much as possible. Of course, he could not. Our dear Imam Khomeini was one of the seminary students of that era, the time when the clergy was supposed to completely collapse, due to Reza Khan’s pressures and repressions. But not only the clergy did persisted, but also people like the magnanimous Imam Khomeini emerged among them. The Reza Khan's dynasty did not comprise of only Reza Khan. There were also some of the so-called scholars, thinkers and ideologists of the Reza Khani system who would plan and suggest ideas. When they saw that the pressures did not work, they developed a new plan with the Reza Khan’s money, support and Command and Policy Organization. The plan included the establishment of an institute named "Wa'z wa Khataba" in Tehran. Unfortunately, the young generation are not familiar with these facts. The establishment of "Wa'z wa Khataba" [literally: preaching and sermons] dates back to 1937 and 1938-- two or three years after the beginning of opposing the clergy. The institute was founded so that anyone who wanted to remain a clergyman could remain a clergyman only if they were under the supervision of this institute, which was affiliated to Reza Khan! In other words, they only wanted clergymen who would comply with Reza Khan and serve the policies of the arrogant power.

Statements made during a meeting with the People of Sari

A selection of statements during a meeting with a number of the Army’s staff and commanders

An excerpt of statements made during a Dars-e-Kharej seminary lecture

Reza Khan was a rowdy lout

If you see that all respectful Iranian people are opposed to Reza Khan, it is because Reza Khan was a rowdy lout absolutely ignorant and unperceptive of religion. He grew up in an uneducated, rowdy family, unfamiliar with religious teachings, and when he grew up, he roamed about in cafes and bars with louts. Reza Khan was not familiar with religion at all. He was potentially ready to counter the religion—with the purpose of obliterating it. There are some mistrustful and distasteful individuals who sometimes praise, for instance the construction works done during the reign of Reza Khan, saying he developed railways and established security! They should ask whether the construction of the railway and the establishment of security were for the good of the people or foreign powers?! Who benefited from these so-called construction projects? In fact, Reza Khan was an agent that the British appointed to put an end to the religious system in Iran. For the same reason, in 1935 Reza Khan prohibited wearing a turban and banned the presence of clerics in the society, disrupted the seminary system and forced the clergy to remain at their homes.

Statements made during the sixth anniversary of the passing away of Imam Khomeini (r.a.)

Statements made during a meeting with a group of clerics

The west is in search of a lost treasure whose ultimate value is hidden in Ashura

One of our own Iranian thinkers had said—I heard that the person passed away— that "today the West is looking for figures like Sheikh Ansari and Mulla Sadra." Their life, spirituality and values attract western figures and western thinkers today. The source of all these treasures of truths and values is Islamic knowledge, and at the peak of this treasure of knowledge, is the knowledge of Ashura.

We are praying sincerely for the Afghan people: Imam Khamenei

Following the murderous attack by Takfiri groups on Kabul University on November 2, 2020, which resulted in the death of a number of Afghan students, Khamenei.ir is publishing a portion of Imam Khamenei's statements in meeting with Afghan diplomats in 1995 about the friendship between the Iranian and Afghan nations.

An excerpt of statements made during a Friday prayer sermon

Reza Khan perpetrated the extension of the D'Arcy Concession for 60 years

In the final years of the frail Qajar reign, the British wanted someone to eliminate those who rebelled in different corners of Iran. In order to prevent the threatening of their interests, they needed a thug, a bully who would at the same time comply with them. They came up with Reza Khan; they trained him and prepared him for what they wanted. First, he was a commander of the army and the prime minister, and then he was appointed as the king and the head of Iran! Only a few years after Reza Khan had come to power by the British, he started thinking he could ask them for more money in return for oil. Of course, his submission to the British did not cease; however, every servant might, at times, consider asking his master for more money! His hounding temperament incited him to adopt a bulling manner towards the D'Arcy Concession, which still had thirty years to end. He entered a meeting of regime officials and put the D'Arcy Concession in the fireplace and burned it! When he was told that "thirty years remained of the validity of the contract”, he said: "What sort of a contract is this? They must give us more money for oil." And, who was the other party of the contract? A British company! Once Reza Khan did this to the D'Arcy Concession, the British government reacted and made a lot of fuss. Eventually, the British defeated Reza Khan and made the contract last for another sixty years, which originally had only thirty years left of its validity. That is, he signed another agreement with the British. This was what the British did with respect to Iran's oil, from Qajar to the end of Reza Khan's rule.