This has taken a long time for the Saudi conservative Wahhabi mullahs to comprehend that ALL of Quranic and Hadith rulings are not to be taken literally.
It will take further courage to modify the following fatwa (or opinion) in the near future to declare that mature muslim women have the right to marry without the consent of their guardians and that is fully compatible with Islam... Hopefully, those days are not too far away when we shall start to see in conservative domains.
With the passage of time (and considering the geography & local practices in question), many Shariah injunctions need to be adapted to accommodate various situations prevalent at that time, place and society -- which have largely been ignored by the arm-chair clerics in the past and continue to be case for the most part even in this present time.
May Allah guide them with proper knowledge and understanding...
It will take further courage to modify the following fatwa (or opinion) in the near future to declare that mature muslim women have the right to marry without the consent of their guardians and that is fully compatible with Islam... Hopefully, those days are not too far away when we shall start to see in conservative domains.
With the passage of time (and considering the geography & local practices in question), many Shariah injunctions need to be adapted to accommodate various situations prevalent at that time, place and society -- which have largely been ignored by the arm-chair clerics in the past and continue to be case for the most part even in this present time.
May Allah guide them with proper knowledge and understanding...
JEDDAH: A senior Saudi scholar has said that women are their own
guardians and have the lawful right to manage all matters of life and
personal affairs by themselves.
Sheikh Abdullah Al-Manea, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars, went on to state that women are under the guardianship of men only at the time of marriage, and that women enjoy the same rights as men.
The senior scholar was responding to a campaign on Twitter in which many people, including lawyers and social activists, expressed their hopes that women’s guardianship would be dropped.
Responding to a question from a local publication on the issue of guardianship, he said: “Once a female is of a mature age, no guardianship is imposed on her, except in the case of marriage.”
He added: “Women are sensible and intelligent human beings who have the right to manage their financial affairs and appoint as proxy whoever they see fit to buy and sell on their behalf.”
He said: “Every lawful right men enjoy, women also enjoy and no guardianship should be imposed on them except in marriage because only the woman’s guardian or parent can give her hand in marriage.”
He explained that a mature woman is one who is able to perform the religious duties set out in Shariah, including prayers, fasting and Haj.
Saudi women agreed with the scholar’s opinion.
“I totally agree with what Al-Manea said regarding the matter of male guardianship,” said Layla Al-Muhammadi, a Saudi woman. “If men and women will be judged equally on the Day of Judgment, it is only logical for both to have at least the same liberties.”
Hayat Bakr, a Saudi university student, told Arab News that the form of male guardianship as it exists today implies that women are not able to make as good choices as men.
“This is not true. Women have proven their capabilities throughout history and in modern times as teachers, rulers of countries, businesswomen, and mothers.”
“Currently, Saudi women need a male guardian for almost all government and bureaucratic work which is a real obstacle that impedes the progress of women,” she added.
Sheikh Abdullah Al-Manea, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars, went on to state that women are under the guardianship of men only at the time of marriage, and that women enjoy the same rights as men.
The senior scholar was responding to a campaign on Twitter in which many people, including lawyers and social activists, expressed their hopes that women’s guardianship would be dropped.
Responding to a question from a local publication on the issue of guardianship, he said: “Once a female is of a mature age, no guardianship is imposed on her, except in the case of marriage.”
He added: “Women are sensible and intelligent human beings who have the right to manage their financial affairs and appoint as proxy whoever they see fit to buy and sell on their behalf.”
He said: “Every lawful right men enjoy, women also enjoy and no guardianship should be imposed on them except in marriage because only the woman’s guardian or parent can give her hand in marriage.”
He explained that a mature woman is one who is able to perform the religious duties set out in Shariah, including prayers, fasting and Haj.
Saudi women agreed with the scholar’s opinion.
“I totally agree with what Al-Manea said regarding the matter of male guardianship,” said Layla Al-Muhammadi, a Saudi woman. “If men and women will be judged equally on the Day of Judgment, it is only logical for both to have at least the same liberties.”
Hayat Bakr, a Saudi university student, told Arab News that the form of male guardianship as it exists today implies that women are not able to make as good choices as men.
“This is not true. Women have proven their capabilities throughout history and in modern times as teachers, rulers of countries, businesswomen, and mothers.”
“Currently, Saudi women need a male guardian for almost all government and bureaucratic work which is a real obstacle that impedes the progress of women,” she added.
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