Monday 4 December 2006

Giving The Daughter Secular Education ?

Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur'an:

"And (women) stay in your homes and don't display yourselves like the practice of the first Jahiliyah (pre-Islamic era." (Surah 33: Verse 33)

Rasulullah SAW said:

"A woman is an object of concealment. When she comes out; the Syaitaan accompanies her."(Mishkaat)

The above quotations clearly indicate that the place of a woman is at home. When she emerges out of the house, she becomes the tool of the Syaitaan to spread mischief and corruption. In these modern times, there is a worldwide campaign on recognition of women's rights, according to the democratic ideology which includes equality between men and women in earning, rank and position. Such a position for women in society breathes corruption and mischief. And the ghastly consequences such a position has already caused are clear as day-light for all those of true intelligence.

The harms of giving ones daughter secular education is great. It is not permissible to risk the honour of the daughter at the expense of securing her economic future. Looking at the dangers and harms in conventional schools, even the greatest worldly need cannot justify the reason for sending the daughter to a non-Islamic school.

The sustenance of every individual is the responsibility of Allah.

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"There is not a single creature on earth except that Allah Ta'ala has taken the responsibility of its sustenance." (Surah 11: Verse 6)

The Fuqahaa have explained that firstly the father has to support his daughter until marriage. Upon marriage, the husband has to support her. If the husband dies or divorces her, and she has elderly working sons, it is their responsibility to support her. If she does not have sons, then the father will have to support her again. If he is not in a position to support her then, her brothers and relatives should support her.

Islam has laid down principles to support a woman in every turn of her life. If any of the above does not materialise, she can even support herself by maintaining her honour and dignity by doing something from indoors.

She may do cooking, sewing, baking, etc. and sell. There are many avenues of income. The secular form of education is not the only way of earning an income. How many secular graduates are penniless due to unemployment and how many secularly uneducated women have regular income through private services?

Our concern should be to give our daughter good Islamic education, teach her to be a loyal wife and responsible mother. Teach her the life of simplicity and she may be taught of some skills like sewing, etc. could help her during a financial crisis.

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