The Concept of Gender Equality in Islam

 Some time ago, the mass media was busy publishing a video about a mixed congregational prayer line between men and women in a boarding school. Not long after, a video also circulated showing a woman leading prayers for a congregation where there were men. 

Responding to these conditions, the Head of the Islamic Broadcasting Communication Study Program (Kaprodi KPI)    Dr. Hadiyan, MA., stated that the incident could actually be explained by using the word of Allah SWT, and the sunnah of the Prophet SAW. According to him, in Islamic teachings humans are exposed as objects of Shari'a which are referred to asmukallaf .

“Don't look at the case level, but at the level of the rules or regulations set by Allah SWT. "In the teachings of the Islamic religion, Muslims are ordered to rely on the Al-Qur'an and Sunnah," concluded Hadiyan.

Although the Qur'an does not specifically explain the procedures for worship, it can be found in the history of the prophet Muhammad SAW. Regarding women in certain worship services, for example being the prayer priest, preacher, and the position of the prayer chair mixed with men, can refer to the history of the prophet.

Women Become Prayer Imams

Long before the case described at the beginning of the article, Hadiyan said that the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in 2005, to be precise, had issued a fatwa regarding the law on women becoming prayer priests.

Through Fatwa Number 9/MUNAS VII/MUI/13/2005, MUI determined two things. Firstly, it is haram and invalid for women to lead congregational prayers in the congregation where there are men. Second, it is permissible for women to become leaders of congregational prayers in congregations where women are members.

Shaf Women Mixed with Men

Regarding the prayer rows, Hadiyan further explained that this refers to the hadith of the prophet narrated by Muslims.

God bless you هَا وَشَرُّهَا أَوَّلُهَا

“The best row for men is the first row, while the worst row for them is the last row. The best row for women is the last row, while the worst row for them is the earliest row." (HR. Muslim).

Hadiyan said that perhaps the reason for the best row for men is the first one, because it will keep his eyes away from women whose staff position is behind the men. “Rasululah provided a kind of opportunity to be the best line for the men at the front. It may be that people have different levels of devotion. It may not be solemn because there is the opposite sex. "Meanwhile, the best row for women is at the back," said Hadiyan.

Women Serve as Friday Prayer Leaders

Next, Hadiyan explained about Friday prayer sermons. He emphatically explained that there is no history of the prophet giving women the opportunity to become khatib during Friday prayers, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha prayers.

“In the Koran it is not explained explicitly. Even in the history of the prophet which became a guide after the Qur'an, there was never a woman who became a preacher. So in Islamic law the formula tauqif wal ittiba ' applies which means to be silent and follow. Listen to the Apostle, silence is not allowed to play with logic. After that, follow," stressed Hadiyan.

Gender Equality in Worship

Allah SWT., has given freedom to women and men to worship. There is no difference so that both of them can worship together side by side to both get His blessing and mercy.

As explained by Allah in QS. An-Nahl verse 97 that Hadiyan said conveys a message about equality between women and men in terms of worship to Allah SWT.

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَٰلِح courtiا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةً أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

"Whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, in a state of faith, then We will indeed give him a good life and indeed We will reward them with a better reward than what they have done," (QS. An-Nahl: 97).

From this verse it can be seen that there is no problem in Islam regarding muamalah. “Islam really prioritizes gender equality. "Salat is part of pious deeds that are open to women and men to do their best," said Hadiyan.

For example, there are feelings within women because of the many roles that Allah has given men in terms of worship, such as preacher, prayer leader, war, and so on, Hadiyan said that this is explained in the Al-Qur'an, Surah An-Nisa verse 32.

وَلَا تَتَمَنَّوْا مَا فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ بِهِ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بient اءِ نَصِيبٌ مِمَّا اكْتَسَبْنَ ۚ وَاسْأَلُوا اللَّهَ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ

“And do not be envious of what Allah has bestowed upon some of you more than others. (Because) for men there is a portion of what they earn, and for women (too) there is a portion of what they earn, and ask Allah for some of His bounty. Verily, Allah is All-Knower of all things," (QS. An-Nisa: 32).

Based on this verse, Hadiyan said that Allah spreads His virtues in the universe, both outside humans and within humans. There are many gifts that Allah has given men, such as strength, firmness, and the opportunity to wage jihad on the battlefield. However, God's gifts for women are no less numerous, such as pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and others. The gift of women is also explained through the hadith of the Prophet which says respect the mother three times before the father, that is. The ability to get pregnant, give birth, breastfeed, is a necessity, so, said Hadiyan, people who have these duties are people who have compassion and tenderness.

Regarding the position of women and men, Hadiyan quoted  Alm. Prof. Dr. Hj. Huzaemah Tahido Yanggo, MA through Contemporary Fiqh who said that women and men are partners.

"The position and relationship are not opposite but in harmony, namely tanawwu '. The partner's approach is not the opposite or opposite. So don't let it be because of each other's grace that men dominate women or vice versa. "There are advantages and disadvantages to each to complement each other," concluded Hadiyan.

Hadiyan explained that from several cases discussed, there were two lessons learned, namely vertically and horizontally. Vertically, Muslims are increasingly submitting to the glory of the Islamic religion and the Creator, because His laws are complete and perfect.

Meanwhile, horizontally, it can further strengthen interaction, cooperation and partnership between women and men to carry out big tasks. “Humans must know that each of them has shortcomings. So, men respect women for their strengths and vice versa, women respect men for their strengths. "Ta'awun cooperate with each other, not dominate each other," concluded Hadiyan.

Sumber: Website UMJ