So, where is the ayah that says that “men are entitled” to their wives “obedience?” And what does “Qawamun” mean to you – whose teachings on it do you follow and what is their interpretation? I ask because it seems like you are misinformed… I do not claim to be an expert, I am a learner who is seeking information and what I have learned is that as a woman- I obey Allah’s laws and not mans… my husband is to obey Allah’s law by taking care of me and treating me with respect and dignity and the reverse is true. Allah (SWT) has given and protected for women’s rights… remember, WM, on of the key practices is humility… al-salamu alaykum.

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It is up to us day in and day out to live right the Prophe SAWS told us to give charity and even a smile is a charity. I am always trying to do every bit I can whether that be volunteering at work, feeding the poor once a month through the Islamic program, or just being extra nice to someone who is having a rough time. InshaAllah Allah will make it even easier for me to do this and much more.

May Allah bless you and I want to give you EXTRA kudos for reminding the community of this and reminding us that there are other causes PLUS Islamic causes out there. There are MANY things out there already we sould make ourselves as Muslims known in the community InshaAllah not just at our own events.

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Two of my favorite pieces in this article 1) the call to personal responsibility and 2) examples/suggestions to approach this holistically – we tend to think of being Muslim in only a spiritual sense and not as a way of life.

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I would not be offended, but I would not like it. I know that sounds wrong but I just can’t help it The word reminds me of women who speak out against Islam rather than doing any good for the deen.

You are right though, we can change this word to have a positive connotation inshaAllah. It will take a lot of work though Barak Allahu feeki.

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Sister Amatullah, Jazakillahu khair for your thoughtful comment.
Does that mean if someone calls you a feminist you are offended? and if you are defining words by their common usage and within that usage you are defined as a feminist, does that not make you a feminist?

I would like to challenge the current definition of this word and its negative connotations. If a good word (gay) can be turned bad, then why not the reverse? If Muslim women make an active effort to fight for their rights and become productive members of society and are called feminists, the “urf” definition would change.

I understand the taboo behind the word and I’m glad you have read into it. JazakAllahu khair for the work you are doing in your community. WE definitely need more sisters like you out there. =)

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I was just getting to the point that, in my humble opinion, I would not want to be categorized as a feminist because of the connotation it carries. Alhamdulillah, I am nearing completion of my social work studies, I am an active member of the community and have worked in hospitals, nursing homes and the masjid’s social services office…If I am labeled a feminist for this work, then so be it, but I would not call myself that. Allahu ta’ala a’lam.

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This F-word does not have a great connotation in our communities and inner circles, which is why I’m not in favor of using it. Personally when someone mentions “Muslim Feminist” I think of Asra Nomani or Irshad Manji…I don’t think of sisters on MuslimahSource, for example.

One thing I learned about language is that there are three ways to define a word, and one of the ways is through the culture/customs (‘urf). Take for example the word “gay”…It used to mean happy and pleasant and now it means homosexual. If I wanted to find a word for “happy”, I would not use “gay”, even though it still carries that definition, because of the connotation it carries. Similarly, “feminist” *in my opinion* carries way too much baggage and negativity to be used to describe a practicing Muslim sister, although the intention behind its use is a good one.

I hope that made sense I like the lists you’ve put together mashaAllah, jazaki Allahu khayran. Allahu ta’ala a’lam.

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You’re a guy? Bearing in mind your admission that there are no men anymore, lol, what exactly are you trying to tell us about yourself boyo?

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Make up your mind, were men back in the day, more egotistical i.e. more manly? Or is it the other way around? You can’t stand on both sides of the fence.

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