By: Muhammad Zaman Butt
I don’t think so that today in this contemporary world, any individual is unfamiliar with the term “feminism”. Feminism, however is the theory of political, economic and social equality of both sexes. It always acts on the behalf of women’s lib. The person who advocates the concept of feminism (Advocacy of women right’s on the grounds of equality) is called a feminist. Charles Fourier, a utopian socialist and a French philosopher firstly coined the term of “Feminism” in 1837 and now it’s spreading like a wild fire overall in the world. Some women use a woman’s card to gain their personal motive. Some of the facts of which even I agree arise in this wave that women want equal wages as men, men should show respect towards women, the concept of acid attacks victims must be reduced to zero percent, no domestic violence, no public harassment, proper equitable work environment for women like a man and no rape and a right to vote. A term suffragette is usually used for it to memorize the right to vote. A suffragette was a member of the militant women’s organization in early 20th century who, under the banner “Votes for Women”, fought for the right to vote in public elections, known as women’s suffrage.
On the other hand, we must take a look at its pros and cons equated with feminism, which degrade the dignity of pious ones. Some slogans like “Mera jism mera marzi”, Women are not the possession of men and homosexuality must be free in this country and even I came across a word “Fuck Patriarchy”, this play card was raised by a boy in LUMS (Lahore University of Management and Sciences) he was from LUMS FemSoc. It is a Feminist Society of LUMS although you people have more holes than a swiss cheese. Many of the students were engaged at that time and are members of this society even till now. Unfortunately, some of the so-called NGO’s in the name of Human Rights Organization in Pakistan is a part of this pugnacious act or maybe creating a propaganda to achieve their own personal motive. The NGO is said to be called as the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Late Asma Jahangir, who was a Pakistani Human Rights Lawyer and a social activist was a founder of HRCP. But it is sad to say that some of the members of her NGO are a part of this feminist campaign. And she even served as an UN special rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. She was also a president of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan. However, the point is due to this wave of feminism it is being misused for example, if a woman wants to take revenge from any boy or wants to deliberately insult him in the front of everyone she can claim that this person harassed me or tried to a rape me but wasn’t able to do it. A woman card is a kind of phrase which is used to describe accusations of women by either mentioning their gender to gain an advantage in discussions or implying accusing other people of sexism in order to garner support. Moreover, on the other hand, the vulgar slogans like “Mera Jism Mera Marzi” which means (My body my choice) or “Fuck Patriarchy” aren’t just about slogans. But in reality, they are expressing hate towards men. What is the reason behind that? A propaganda which is responsible for all these circumstances? Or maybe any sort of foreign funding whose motive is too disturbing our peace and create altercation or maybe validation? But, dear, fall off the back of the lorry. I personally don’t know one thing that, what kind of rights they are demanding? That abortion should be legal in Pakistan? Or homosexuality should be permitted in our dear homeland? Fornication should be allowed in Pakistan or they want to get naked in the public and walk in the streets of Islamic Republic of Pakistan whilst expecting that no one stares at them without their permission. Oh girl! Oh girl! … I mean really……???. It seems totally injudicious and impossible that would be materialized. Hats off to those feminists creating fitnah in society but in reality, it will be the coldest day in hell. What do they want? Why don’t they raise their voice in favour of Dr. Afia Siddiqui? Why don’t they raise their voice so called feminists in favour of Malala Yousafzai at that time when she was attacked by the Taliban in Swat on October 09, 2012 who was even an activist for female education and children and was known for her human rights advocacy and the rest of two girls were shot dead by the terrorists in Swat. Why don’t they raise their voice against the barbaric treatment of India on Kashmiri women and children, forget the men of Kashmiri’s because they hate patriarchy, but why not for the sake of Humanity of innocent women and children? The thing is they want their personal motive to degrade men by insulting them and gaining their so-called power. I agree with the fact that some of the men are wrong but it doesn’t mean that you degrade the whole patriarchy. Don’t forget that your father, brother, son and your unfortunate husband are also part of them, but alas do a Devon loch. Liberal female Muslims have urged that ijtihad, a form of critical thinking, be used to develop a more progressive form of Islam with respect to the status of women. In addition, the Islamic feminists have advocated for women’s rights, gender equality, and social justice grounded in an Islamic framework. Well, I’ve some points which will carry logical arguments and want their answers from feminists that, most people who are on the streets are men, most victims of violent crimes are men, most people who died in war are men, most of the household spending is controlled by men, most people who commit suicide are men due to any of their financial or psychological issues so the question which arises is the dominancy precisely? Feminists usually argue that men should cook food on their own, I agree on that point, but my rebuttal over this point is that why women feel free when they serve food in a restaurant to the strangers all the day with average salary and bear her own accommodation, food, luxuries and etc.. and feel slave in her own house where she resides with her husband, enjoys his credit card all, the day even drives his car like her own as if it was her possession? They are just presenting their illogical statements about men and creating a fuss in society and nothing else. Feminism basically undermines the traditional values and the power of a woman, which is her family and loved ones by creating chaos and misunderstanding in relationships also used as a weapon against mankind by women refusing to bear and even born babies without their consent. According to my opinion a far-sighted and well-groomed lady never does such deeds which brings feminism and its empowerment to be considered as a ruination of our society. In easy words, feminism is all about women empowerment, but unfortunately due to some tommyrots this concept has been changed into hatred against men just due to comparing themselves with a men and a peculiar terminology is used for this hatred against men called misandrist. A misandrist is actually a person who dislikes, despises or is strongly prejudiced against men in short biased.
An American Author Pat Robertson once said:
“Feminism is a socialist, anti-family, political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians”.
All rights have been given to all of them by The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) before 1441 years ago. Likely, the Quran says in Surah 4, Ayat 34: Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than others, and because they support them from their means”. In Surah Al-Baqarah verse 228, the Quran says that: “And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses, etc.) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect) to what is responsibility but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them”. It can be clearly observed that Islam gives the rights to the women most up to the mark. Despite the fact that some of the modern females or so-called feminists don’t understand this thing and try to degrade our pious culture and religion as well. Their thinking needs to be improved in such a way that to follow the footsteps of Islam and don’t become a vulgar.
In a nutshell, it can be said that the moment of a feminism is not a bad idea, but to exceed the limits of the Islamic values and to distract people’s mind plus creating obscenity and bawdry is.
The writer is a Law Student at the University of Lahore. He can be reached at muhammadzamanbutt666@gmail.com.