FORWARD
Perusing through the script
of 'Islam The choice of Thinking Women' has been an exciting learning
experience for myself I feel honoured to write a forward for Br. Ismail.
There is no doubt that the
issue of the status of woman in Islam is among the most abused and most
worn out propaganda tool in the hands of the Islamaphobe lobby worldwide.
Their barrage of abuse against Islam on this score has resulted in great
confusion in the minds of people, including unfortunately, some Muslims.
The unreasonable and sometimes paranoiac extent to which they have stooped
to hype up public opinion against Islamic Hijab, a symbol of modesty and
dignity in Muslim female garb, can be understood from the caption of a
photograph in one weekly journal of International circulation which carries
the photograph of a Muslim woman donning a veil as 'The veiled threat of
Islam!.
In a climate where such hostility
exists against the viewpoint of Islam on the status of woman, it is of
absolute necessity that the distortions and confusion created by the Western
media be rectified in a clear, sober, captivating and intellectual fashion.
Another essential element is to present the facts in a manner that is understood
and appreciated even by unbiased non-Muslims seeking the truth. At least
this would repair some of the damage done to the good name of Islam by
those hell-bent on vilifying it by any means.
This book sets out to achieve
some of the above points. The author has taken great trouble to explain
the pre-Islamic status of women from direct sources. Thereafter, the status
of women in Islam is explored from various angles. Furthermore, present
day developments on woman's rights and the 'shifting sand' stand of feminism
in this matter is analyzed in some detail. The fragmentation of the feminist
movement and its diverse and extreme viewpoints are exposed. The mind-boggling
confusion in their camps becomes manifest. Their alleged claims of representing
womankind as a whole are exploded.
It is necessary for all thinking
women to make an informed choice of the way of life they wish to adopt.
This book will assist them in their choice - Insha Allah. It will equip
justice-loving persons with sound arguments to counter the deluge of falsehood
and damaging propaganda pervading the media of the world on this subject.
This book will make an ideal
gift for all, Muslim and non-Muslims alike. May Allah accept this work
in His infinite mercy and make it a means of guidance for the honest seekers
of truth from all denominations. May He reward the author with a befitting
reward and accept from him monumental works of Islam - Ameen.
Mufti Zubair Bayat
Principal, Zakariyya School,
Stanger, South Africa.
Back
