Muslim Women, Agency and Resistance Politics by Inshah Malik

Author:Inshah Malik
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783319953304
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

The acceptable politics according to Dokhtaran is a moral politics based on the principles of justice as envisioned by Islam. Modern politics and statecraft are not permissible for either men or women for the fact that they undermine the crucial question of justice, as is the case in Kashmir. Dokhtaran rejects modernity, secularism and its attendant statecraft. Instead, Dokhtaran demands a Caliphate which is not defined in terms of its governing systems but more in terms of a Pan-Muslim geographic location which is marked by the rule of Shariah law. Furthermore, in their idealism, Shariah law represents the epitome of justice which is otherwise elusive under the present political and occupational order. This idealism is further strengthened by repression and political violence perpetrated routinely against its members including Aasiyeh Andrabi who is imprisoned on a routine basis.

Dokhtaran maintains that gender roles are natural but there is spiritual equality between men and women. They have same rights but different duties. Islam makes men guardians and protectors of women because society is profoundly unequal. They argue these are pro-women steps which bargain with patriarchy and ensure safety and security of women. At the beginning of Islam, girl-infants were buried alive due to deep-rooted hatred for girls and when Islam asked men to abhor such practices women’s protection could be ensured. This is why Islam emphasises men’s role as only protectors and guardians—not as women’s owners.

When society is hardly equal, modernity pushes women into the public space where they are neither safe nor equal. In fact, they are more at risk, and vulnerable, Dokhtaran argues. The roles are divided based on the potential and strengths of each gender. Men are stronger and better equipped to deal with stress and better disposed to be rulers. While women do not fare well in stressful situations and are often short-tempered as a reflection on her personal life, Aasiyeh says:I know this from personal experience; if I could have my way, I would have divorced my husband [a] hundred times in a single day.

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