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Famous Pakistani vocalist, Hadiq Kiyani was recently subjected to comments when a female follower commented on her Instagram account saying, “Aunty, ab tumhari Allah Allah karne ki age hai”.
Hadiqa responded back in an emphatic fashion and took her to the cleaners…
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She initiated her response reflecting the reality of our society where it is only the woman who is talked about for her age… And if not that, a woman is talked about for her body weight, her skin color, her hair or the public attire…
Hadiqa Hits Back!
She wrote, “Heads up ladies, you’re all going to age, you’re all going to gain a few pounds or lose a few pounds, get a few wrinkles and despite your success and independence, society will try to judge you and tell you to conform to their standards. But at least as women, we can’t limit one another any longer.”
She further advised the women, not to pay tiniest of attention to those who believe themselves as the arbitrators of your life. She said that instead of tripping one another, women should become aware of their rights and honor.
But Hadiqa stole the show when she highlighted a very common practice in our local culture which has normalized during the course of time.
Do Not Make Her House Her Lifelong Dungeon…
She wrote, “The idea that you’re supposed to just rest and stay in a house after age 35 as a woman in this country needs to end.”
A very un-Islamic a domestic culture of our society is to implement the belief that a woman is meant to raise children until her mid-thirties and when she is done with that, she is supposed to rest in confinement of the four walls of her house-defusing all her professional and personal aspirations…
Ironically, such practice is labeled under Islamic code, which is absolutely in contrast to what Islam presents a woman.
Societal Norms Are Not the Right Representation of Islam
Referring to the historic contributions of Muslim women in societal matters, name of Khadija (May Allah be pleased with her), the first spouse of our beloved Prophet (Peace be upon him) shall never be forgotten. Khadija was a successful businesswoman and one of the elites of Mecca. Even after her marriage to Prophet Muhammad, she continued her profession and played a vital role in spreading the message of Islam.
Role of Muslim Women in Pakistan Movement
The founder of Pakistan, Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah also stressed repeatedly upon treating woman equally and justly.
Muslim women of India also played an integral role side-by-side with men during the Pakistan movement. The names of Fatima Ali Jinnah, Begum Jahan Ara, Begum Rana Liaquat, Lady Haroon, Begum Muhammad Ali and Bi Aman are few of the many names who contributed vigorously to the cause of Pakistan.
If we ponder upon our societal norms in the light of these examples, we will not only reprimand the intricacies of our present day culture but will begin to enable our women to contribute efficaciously in the fields of socio-economic development.
