WOMEN, CULTURE AND HISTORY

Women nourish culture; men nourish civilization. Culture is spiritual in its essence; civilization is material in essence. Culture spans generations; civilization can form or perish in a matter of years. Western civilization disregards everything spiritual. Hence it disregards all cultures as primitive, uncivilized, barbaric, old, or impractical. The West, therefore, disregards the role of women in history by judging only the civilization-worthy roles of women.

Women have played a crucial role in human history which is no less than men. But since their role is not manifested in terms of obvious material results, the role is disregarded. This is particularly true of the role of women in Muslim society. Women played a crucial role in Muslim history, culture, and civilization. From empires to homes and universities, their role was no less than men.

But the role and position of Muslim women don't fit the Western eye. Hence the Western notion that Women in other nations are oppressed. Or that women have always been oppressed in history.

It is saddening to see Muslims calling their history misogynist. It is an injustice to all the great women of the past. It is an injustice to all the women on whose shoulders our culture and society rest.

We need not do any deep historical study to recognize this fact. We just need to look towards history from an Eastern, Muslim, or even neutral point of view.

In the words of Iqbal ؒ:

وجود زن سے ہے تصویر کائنات میں رنگ

اسی کے ساز سے ہے زندگی کا سوز دروں

The picture that this world presents from woman gets its tints and scents';

She is the lyre that can impart pathos and warmth to human heart.

شرف میں بڑھ کے ثریا سے مشت خاک اس کی

کہ ہر شرف ہے اسی درج کا در مکنوں

Her handful clay is superior far to Pleiades

That so higher are for every man with knowledge vast, like gem out of her cask is cast.

مکالمات فلاطوں نہ لکھ سکی، لیکن

اسی کے شعلے سے ٹوٹا شرار افلاطوں

Like Plato cannot hold discourse, nor can with thunderous voice declaim

But Plato was a spark that broke from her fire that blazed like flame.