-The issue of women's social presence and the role of this group in society has been one of the most discussed and challenging points in different societies. In Islamic countries, dealing with it has been either excessive or negligence. Some have considered the model of the western society as an ideal model. Some others have considered Islamic hijab and modesty as an obstacle to the social presence of women and girls. They have taken an aggressive stance against it. In this article, both views are briefly criticized and the view of Islam is introduced.
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The Social Presence of Girls and Women in the Prophet and Imams era:
According to Islamic historical and religious sources, Umm al-Mu'minin Khadijah Kobri "S" was a business woman and did business.[1] Hazrat Zahra "S" taught women Sharia rulings and resolved girls and women's religious disputes. His presence in the mosque and his speech in defense of the position of “Willayah” and “Imamate” are other documents that not only do not prohibit the presence of girls and women in society, but sometimes consider it obligatory.[2]
Hazrat Ali (pbuh) allowed his scholar daughter Zainab Kobri (pbuh) to educate the Muslim women of Kufa and solve their scientific and religious problems. Hazrat Zainab organized a session on Qur'an interpretation for them and answered their questions and doubts. That is why Imam Sajjad (a.s) called her “The Scholar with out being taught”[3]
Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said: When the Messenger of God conquered Mecca, the men pledged allegiance to the Noble Prophet (s.a), then the women came to pledge allegiance to him, [4] and God revealed the 12th verse of Surah Mumtahnah. This verse is one of the most important examples of the effective emergence of girls and women in the society at the highest level.[5]
Conclusion:
Islam does not consider women as a worthless creature to have a gender attitude towards her, nor does it have a liberal view of her. Rather, there is a third way to play the role of a woman, and that is for a woman to become a precious person, to be both a person and precious. On the one hand, she should have a spiritual personality and on the other hand, she should not be vulgar in society. In the light of this character and preciousness, chastity is established in the society. The institution of the family and the spirit of the family remain in the society.
Sources:
[1] Khasayes Al-Kubra, V.1, P. 154
[2] Bihar al-Anwar, V. 29, P. 216
[3] Bihar al-Anwar, V.45, P.164 ... وأنت بحمد الله عالمة غير معلمة فهمة غير مفهمة...
[4] Bihar al-Anwar, V. 21, P. 134... فقالت : يا رسول الله كيف نبايعك؟ قال : « إنني لا أصافح النساء » فدعا بقدح من ماء فأدخل يده ثم أخرجها فقال : ادخلن أيديكن في هذا الماء فهي البيعة...
[5] Quran (60: 12) يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ إِذَا جَآءَكَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتُ يُبَايِعْنَكَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن لَّا يُشْرِكْنَ بِٱللَّهِ شَيْـًۭٔا وَلَا يَسْرِقْنَ وَلَا يَزْنِينَ وَلَا يَقْتُلْنَ أَوْلَـٰدَهُنَّ وَلَا يَأْتِينَ بِبُهْتَـٰنٍۢ يَفْتَرِينَهُۥ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِنَّ وَأَرْجُلِهِنَّ وَلَا يَعْصِينَكَ فِى مَعْرُوفٍۢ ۙ فَبَايِعْهُنَّ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُنَّ ٱللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ