Bibi's vision of Pakistan

I learnt many things from martyred Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in my life that made me what I

am today. I became computer literate because of her. I will never forget the day in June 1997 when I was rushed to Rawalpindi's Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology from Adyala Jail in a precarious condition. Bibi (as I addressed in deference and profound affection) sought special permission from the hospital commandant to see me. Besides three books she brought a laptop - my first ever. And handing it over she caringly remarked: "I am appalled by your health condition. Inshalllah you will soon recover and be a freeman as well. You are a Capricorn and I know what they are made of." By the luckiest stroke of fate for me Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and I share the same birthday (January 5).Bibi spent nearly two hours in the hospital. We talked about many things including the then political situation. One of her remarks was rather pertinent. "Soon both will dig their own graves and rest in peace." Looking retrospectively events later proved her prophetically correct. One of the three books that she gave me was Thucydides' book on history. "I want you to read it. I hope some day you will write history of Pakistan as you have seen it made." She also wanted me to write a book about great women that I met during my long career as a journalist.

My computer - ever since then - has become most essential part of my life. As far as she was concerned she was not only workaholic but computer addict as well. She virtually organised, ran and monitored PPP through internet. She would get the most classified information from the party workers spread in the nook and corner of Pakistan and who were given access to her email address. She would be informed by her "eyes and ears" who in the party was doing what. Whenever her party people would converge in London, Dubai or elsewhere to meet her - she would just drop a hint or two - to let them know she knew what the butler saw.I don't know if there is any other politician in the world who used computer and internet as much as she did. She would draft hundreds of letters and statements in a week to be passed to her office in Islamabad - to be issued in the name of this or that office-bearer, leader or worker - to sustain pressure on the dictator, to rebut promptly any misleading or incorrect news, to campaign and lobby internationally to mobilise pro-democratic forces to come to the aid of people of the Pakistan struggling for their inalienable right to elect a government of their choice by their vote.Even in very personal emails too she used to reiterate her commitment to revert Pakistan to the vision of Quaid-i-Azam and Quaid-i-Awam, to the empowerment of the people as sole arbiter of power and equal citizens - irrespective of their caste, creed or colour. Her vision of Pakistan was that of a nation-state with maximum provincial autonomy to the federating units.

She was profoundly concerned about the growing religious extremism in Pakistan. And she had pledged her life to save Pakistan from falling in the clutches of Taliban. Had General Pervez Musharraf listened to her advice following the terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001 in Delhi when she pleaded with him to distance himself from the jihadi groups, Pakistan today would not have been pushed to such a tragic pass and cornered by the Indian coercive diplomacy despite its genuine innocence vis-à-vis Mumbai terrorist attack - as upheld by the Director General of the Interpol who declared that India had neither provided any evidence of Pakistan's complicity in it nor has it given any proof about the sole terrorist held by it of having come from Pakistan. There is lot of weight in the observation of independent analysts that Delhi has been using its recently acquired strategic partnership with Washington for blackmailing Pakistan.Reproduced below is an email from Bibi from Dubai dated January 2, 2006 in response to my New Year greetings. Its relevance today is because of its contents that show how confident she was that return of democracy in Pakistan was around the corner. Alas Pakistan has today a formidable democracy led by President Asif Ali Zardari as the torch bearer of her glorious legacy but when the country needed her most she is not."Dear Wajid Bhai, Thank you for your New Year message. It is amazing how yet another year has passed by. It seems only yesterday that I was filled with happiness because Asif had joined us for the New Year and we took the children out for lunch...Time goes by so fast. But by the Grace of Allah, we have all been able to survive the tests of life. I feel in my bones that now the time is coming where the people will get their democratic rights and we can once again begin the journey that can help us build a constitutional system guaranteeing human dignity and protecting the weak and the endangered. I am thinking of contesting the Senate elections but have not yet made up my mind. The people I talk to within the Party and without are both divided on whether it is a good move. I still have a little time to reflect on it....Meantime our entire top rank of the Party has been wiped out in the Senate elections. I did ask them to lobby for a system where in so far as possible each party lost proportionately the same numbers. However, they felt they had better chances in the general draw and I suppose now live with the consequences....May God bless you and may we enter 2006 on a wave of success that leads to the restoration of constitutionalism, federalism, democracy, provincial autonomy and peoples rights. - Bibi"The writer is serving as Pakistan's High Commissioner to UK.

Tens of thousands gather for Benazir’s memorial

LARKANA: Tens of thousands of Pakistanis massed Friday near the tomb of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto on the eve of ceremonies marking the first anniversary of her killing, officials said.

More than 35,000 people had already arrived in rural southern Pakistan ahead of Saturday's ceremonies at the Bhutto family mausoleum in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) spokesman Ijaz Durrani told AFP.People were travelling by train, bus, car, bicycle and even on foot to reach the site, he said. Hundreds of thousands were expected by Saturday.Bhutto, 54, was assassinated on December 27, 2007 in a gun and suicide attack at an election rally in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, just two months after returning to Pakistan from exile.Her killing threw the country into chaos, sparking violence and leading to months of political turmoil that ended in September when her widower Asif Ali Zardari claimed the presidency.Zardari and their son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who co-chairs the PPP with his father, were expected to lead the procession of mourners on Saturday amid tight security.Saturday's commemoration ceremony is due to begin at 09:00 a.m. with a reading from the Holy Quran. Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani are expected to address the crowd.About 8,000 police, paramilitary rangers, party workers and volunteers have fanned out around the tomb to protect Zardari, his son and two daughters, Gilani and other dignitaries expected to attend, the PPP spokesman said.Events in Bhutto's honour will also be held in cities nationwide.

In Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, visitors carried portraits of Benazir Bhutto, and vendors were doing a brisk business in Benazir Bhutto memorabilia, selling posters and CD recordings of her speeches, witnesses told AFP.
Zardari has ordered local officials to arrange for meals for the mourners, Durrani said.
Hundreds of tents have been set up to accommodate those who needed to sleep Friday night near the gravesite, a local police official told AFP.

The government has declared Saturday a national holiday in honour of the charismatic, Oxford-educated Bhutto, the first woman to lead a Muslim nation.
One year on, Pakistan's reverence for the two-time former premier continues unabated — television programmes about her life have been running for days, and the government has issued a 10-rupee coin and stamps bearing her portrait.
The home minister of southern Sindh province, Zulfiqar Mirza, has warned of the possibility of violence linked to the Bhutto commemorations, but provincial spokesman Waqar Mehdi said authorities had taken appropriate steps.
'We realise the gravity of the situation and thus we are taking all possible foolproof measures to avoid terrorism at the anniversary of the death of our leader, who herself was also a victim of such a savage act,' Mehdi said.
A special security wall has been erected around the mausoleum as part of a raft of precautions taken to safeguard Zardari. Closed-circuit cameras have been installed, and mourners will have to pass through metal detectors.

Nation pays tribute to Quaid today

The nation pays tribute to the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, on his 132nd birth anniversary on Thursday.The day will be observed with seminars and special ceremonies at which services and contributions of the Quaid will be remembered.Television and radio stations will air programmes highlighting the life, thoughts and achievement of the great leader.National flag will be hoisted on government and private buildings across the country.National leaders have issued statements and messages for the occasion.President Asif Ali Zardari said in a message that it was important to recognise that social development guaranteed national security and stability.“We need to appreciate that democracy, development and social and human welfare are no less guarantors of peace and security,” the president said.He said militants and their “godfathers wanted to make Pakistan a security-driven state instead of a welfare-oriented state, because it suits their political agenda”.Stressing the need for defeating the elements preaching hatred, the president said that the Quaid’s birthday was an opportunity for the people to rededicate their lives to the father of the nation’s ideals.“The Quaid-i-Azam believed in the power of ballot and not bullet, and stood for constitutionalism, rule of law, respect for human rights, tolerance, pluralism and honouring the mandate of the people.”President Zardari urged the people to reclaim the Quaid’s Pakistan and unleash their creative powers through freedom and an end to terrorism and violence.“It is a day … to pause and ponder as to what steps we must take to restore the ideals and principles for which the Quaid created this homeland of ours.”President Zardari said it was unfortunate that the country suffered extremism, poverty, unemployment and inflation because of dictatorships and unrepresentative rulers.He said it was sad that militants and their supporters were threatening the Quaid’s ideals and depriving people of basic necessities of life.

NEW YORK - Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani is ranked among the “50 Most Powerful People of the World” selected by Newsweek, a leading American weekly magazine. The list, carried in the magazine’s January issue, is led by President-elect Barack Obama, whose legacy, it said, will be decided by actions he takes over the next four years.Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan also make the list. Among others, it includes Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, United Arab Emirates President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Iran’s Supreme leader Ali Khamenei and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.Gen Kayani is placed at 20 on the list. In theory, Newsweek says, he answers to President Asif Ali Zardari. But Gen Kayani and his troops remain the dominant power in what could be the “most dangerous country in the world”. “He’s responsible for Pakistan’s nukes; for the battle against Al-Qaeda and its tribal allies along the Afghan border; and for managing tensions with neighbour India,” Newsweek stresses, noting that so far, the Pakistan Army has kept itself out of politics and seems focused on the battle against extremists. “In the wake of the November terrorist attacks in Mumbai, Kayani stood firm on Pakistan’s sovereignty while also taking measures against the alleged sponsors of the outrage,” it says.“Kayani insists he’s a committed democrat, but he nevertheless argues that military interventions (there have been four since independence 61 years ago) are sometimes necessary to maintain Pakistan’s stability. He likens coups to temporary bypasses that are created when a bridge collapses on democracy’s highway. After the bridge is repaired, he says, then there’s no longer any need for the detour,” it added.Obama, who tops the list, is followed by Chinese President Hu Jintao, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, German Chancellor Angela Markel and powerful Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.A surprise inclusion in list, which the magazine admits is subjective, is Osama bin Laden, whom the Newsweek describes as “global terrorist”. North Korean leader also Jim Jong II finds place in the list. Placing Sonia Gandhi at 17th spot, the magazine says though Indian political scene is riven by factions, Congress remains the strongest national force and rules unchallenged. “In the world’s largest democracy, she is the queen.”The magazine describes Shahrukh Khan, who occupies 41st spot, as the King of Bollywood.“It’s not just that his romantic flicks make gazillions - it’s where those gazillions come from. Khan is huge in the Muslim world, even in Pakistan and Afghanistan. (The movies thrive on the black market.) Their main appeal is certainly the song-and-dance numbers, but Khan (a Muslim married to a Hindu) makes devoutly secular films where love trounces bigotry,” it says, adding that Sonia Gandhi gives Khan’s DVDs to visitors, especially Muslim ones. “Here’s hoping tolerance will leap from reel life to real life.”For Osama bin Laden, who finds 42nd spot, the magazine says the manhunt may not have been successful, but it has driven him far underground. Once a glutton for publicity, he hasn’t shot a new video since September 2007, and no audio message from him has been heard since May 2008, it adds and quotes knowledgeable Taliban sources as saying “the sheik” (as acolytes call him) rarely has contact with even his top lieutenants, who are steadily being eliminated: in 2008, at least eight of the 20 most wanted Al-Qaeda operatives died in Predator attacks along the Afghan border. “The underlings who have replaced them don’t match their brains or planning skills, Taliban sources say. But as the Mumbai attacks showed, Osama’s ideology continues to inflict monstrous harm,” it points out. Awarding Chinese President Hu second place, Newsweek says he is a guy “you wouldn’t think twice about - cautious, colourless and corporate and in the past, he has lost spotlight to other world leaders with bigger egos and sharper elbows. “But to underestimate Hu Jintao would be a monumental error. His position as China’s President makes him CEO of a financial juggernaut that’s projected to post USD 280 billion trade surplus this year. While the rest of the world plunges deeper into recession, Hu the Humble is emerging as the one who is holding the lifeline.” The economic crisis and market meltdown has got “Economic Triumvirate” place among the top ten. They are central bankers: Ben Bernanke of the US Federal Reserve; Jean-Claude Trichet of the European Central Bank (ECB); Masaaki Shirakawa of the Bank of Japan; and, to a lesser extent, counterparts in China, India, Brazil, Mexico and elsewhere.“They are enormously powerful, and in 2009 they may determine whether the global economy avoids calamity, the magazine notes. Not since the early 1980s, when high inflation plagued many advanced economies, or perhaps the 1930s, has their role been so crucial as global economic growth is slowing to a standstill,” Newsweek says. “Economists at Deutsche Bank forecast that the world economy will expand a meagre 0.2 per cent in 2009 - the worst year since at least 1950. In 2007, growth was almost 5pc. Without stronger growth, the slump might feed on itself and fuel economic nationalism,” it warns.Giving reasons for placing Kim on the list, Newsweek notes that he is in bad shape after suffering a stroke but still presides over a handful of nuclear weapons, an arsenal of long-range missiles and a million-man army.A weakened leader could in fact feel compelled to prove his toughness by threatening outside world. An in recent weeks Pyongyang has halted its rapprochement with South Korea and “torpedoed” talks aimed at getting it to give up its nuclear weapons. “Whether strong or weak, he’s still dangerous,” it observes.Others on the list include the Dalai Lama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Gen David Petraeus, Iraqi leader Nuri al-Maliki, US House speaker Nancy Pelosi, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Pope Benedict XVI, Media Mogul Rupert Murdoch and popular show host Oprah Winfrey.

Conceding space to bigotry

ON November 19, the Council of Islamic Ideology of Pakistan issued recommendations giving women the right to seek divorce in written form and binding the parties to settle the matter within 90 days. Exceeding this deadline the divorce would automatically be considered valid.When the CII made the recommendations public there began much commotion in the circles of the religious parties and factions. The announcement seems to have got on their nerves. The religious parties found a new ground to mislead the public in the name of religion. They began to raise hue and cry by declaring that the recommendations were not in conformity with the spirit of the Quran and Sunnah.Two such parties, which are most vocal, started a campaign against the recommendations by challenging the very validity of the Islamic Ideology Council. They contended that the members of the Council were not reliable since they had been selected by ex-president Gen Musharraf. The irony is that they came to realise this fact after getting favours from Musharraf in return for their covert support, enabling him to rule the country for eight years.Coming from a region where culture is equated with religion, these elements wailed until the government publicly dissociated itself from the Council’s recommendations. The religious groups thus succeeded in winning their case by pressuring the government. Despite bringing the recommendations to parliament for debate, the government succumbed to these bigots. In democratic countries, parliament has the sole authority to discuss and enact legislation but in Pakistan it is often used as a way out to undermine a lawful demand. Yet the refrain remains that parliament is supreme.The political parties pursuing reactionary politics are known for their peculiar mindset, hypocrisies and manipulations. They believe only in their own version of Islam and oppose any other interpretation. But the role of the mainstream political parties has also been equally annoying. We have now a party at the helm of affairs of the state which claims to be secular and liberal. It is not the first time that this party has become fearful of bigots. In 1974, too, under the charismatic leadership of Z. A. Bhutto, the People’s Party had yielded to an exclusionary demand of the reactionary religious elements which in fact sowed the seeds of what we are harvesting now. If the government had overcome the fear of these elements at that time, the religious militancy would not have flourished in the country.In the media, especially electronic, we hear specialists speaking at the talk shows on affairs in a manner which can only mislead the viewers. Very often, one finds the same political personalities appearing on several channels. They just bicker and often squabble as well. The media, too, seems scared of these reactionary politicians. There are exceptions, indeed. Some channels try, of course, to present different perspectives on religious matters as well but that does not often lead to a healthy debate and discourage these elements from hammering out their fixed views again and again in an arrogant manner. As such, the talk shows often fail to provide a positive view of certain related issues.One also hears views which implicitly encourage militancy. In the dailies, especially in Urdu newspapers, one can read statements which indirectly favour the militants/terrorists. Those who give such statements presume that the militancy has wide support among the general public. For instance, the NWFP JI Amir, Sirajul Haq, two months, back stated that the NGOs were spreading adultery (fahaashi). Similarly, in a recent annual party congregation (ijtima), Qazi Hussan Ahmad said that this gathering would help accelerate the current jihad for Sharia.In an Urdu newspaper two weeks back, Maulana Fazlur Rehman contended that although the people (militants) defend their creed (religion) but everywhere they are called terrorists. It is worth noting what such statements suggest and if at all how much these leaders feel about the plight of the people. The religious leaders adopt such a stance because they are losing their stakes owing to the war on terror. No politico-religious leader has ever publicly condemned the killing of innocent people by suicide bombing and target killing.Even Nawaz Sharif, currently most popular leader, is also reluctant to denounce the militancy. Similar is the case of Imran Khan. He seems to have no clear party position on this matter at all. It is amazing that both Nawaz and Imran are silent on the killing of people by the militants. They only prefer to condemn the US attacks in Fata areas (and now on settled areas) but to claim that the killing of people inside Pakistan is simply a reaction to the US-led strikes within the territory of Pakistan is a jaundiced view. For instance, what have the CDs stores, shops selling items of daily use for ladies and girls' schools to do with the US strikes in Fata or elsewhere? Do these shopkeepers send the drones?It is understandable that common citizens cannot resist or counter-attack terrorists for they can easily be wiped out. They do not have the privilege of tight security nor any support from the government. Their fear is understandable. Yet those who dare speak against the scourge of militancy are dubbed as US agents by the pro-militancy 'intellectuals'.It is a pity that the government led by a party whose leader, Benazir Bhutto sacrificed her life but did not give in to bigotry, is so fearful that it publicly disowns the advice of a constitutional institution which has the sole objective to guide the state on law making in accordance with Islamic teachings.

The Companions of the Prophet (saws)

Abu Dharr al-Ghifari:
One of the earliest Muslims, Abu Dharr was the first person to greet the Prophet (saws) with the greeting of Islam: "As-salaamu Alayka Yaa Rasulullah, (Peace be on you, O Messenger of God)". After that, the greeting spread and came into general use.

Umayr ibn Sad al-Ansari:
A destitute boy from Madinah who became a Muslim at the age of ten. Later when appointed by Caliph Umar as Governor of the town of Hims in Syria, he was renowned for his frugal lifestyle and just rule: Islam will remain strong so long as the Sultan or central authority is strong. The strength of the Sultan neither comes from flogging with the whip, nor killing with the sword but from ruling with justice and holding fast to truth.

Abbad ibn Bishr:
A courageous warrior whose devotion to the Qur'an was a sign of his intense devotion to and love for God, His Prophet (saws) and His religion.

Barakah:
O Barakah, I shall depart from this world shortly. I commend my son Muhammad to your care. He lost his father while he was in my abdomen. Here he is now, losing his mother under his very eyes. Be a mother to him, Barakah. And don't ever leave him'.The touching story of the cradle to grave devotion of the Ethiopian slave girl who reared Prophet Mohammed (saws) after the death of his parents and was a selfless and courageous early Muslim.

Khadijah (ra):
Successful businesswoman, wife of Prophet Mohammed (saws) and the first person to convert to Islam.

Abdullah ibn Hudhafah as-Sahmi:
A companion who met two great world leaders of the day. First he was Prophet Mohammed's (saws)emissary to Khusraw Parvez, the King of Persia. Years later during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab, Abdullah ibn Hudhafah as-Sahmi was captured in battle against the Byzantine empire. Neither inducements nor torture at the hands of the Emperor Heraclius could persuade him to renounce Islam.

Abdur-Rahman Ibn Awl:
The eighth person to embrace Islam, he migrated twice to Abyssinia. Abdur-Rahman distinguished himself in both the battles of Badr and Uhud, suffering more than twenty wounds at the latter. Starting with nothing, he went on to enjoy tremendous success as a merchant, becoming the richest of the Companions. From his great wealth, Abdur-Rahman financed the Muslim armies, contributed to the the upkeep of the family of Mohammed (saws) after the prophet's death and was universally renowned for his fabulous generosity.

Utbah ibn Ghazwan:
Great Muslim military commander under Caliph Umar. Founder of the city of Basra, he continued to live in a tent so as to strengthen his faith and not be seduced by soft living.

Abu-d Dardaa:
The last man in his district of Yathrib (Madinah) to embrace Islam, he set about making up for lost time. He later declined Caliph Umar's offer to become Governor of Damascus, but instead agreed to go there to teach the people the Book of their Lord and the Sunnah of the Prophet (saws) and pray with them.

Fatima bint Muhammad:
The moving story of the beloved fifth child of Mohammed (saws) and Khadija (ra). Fatima endured a childhood of suffering because of the persecution of her father and his followers. She was so devoted to the Prophet and took such good care of him after Khadija's death that she became known as Umm Abi-ha, the mother of her father. It was only through Fatima's children that the Prophet's lineage has survived.

Rumaysa bint Milhan (Umm Sulaym):
mm Sulaym was a model Muslim, a model wife and mother. Known for her excellent character, the power of her intellect and her independent attitude of mind, she was one of the first women in Madinah to embrace Islam. After being widowed, the only dowry she demanded of her wealthy second husband was that he accept Islam. Noted for her great courage and bravery, Umm Sulaym accompanied the Muslim armies, caring for the wounded and attempted to defend Prophet Mohammed (saws) with her dagger at Uhud when the tide of battle turned against the Muslims.

Jafar ibn Abi Talib:Cousin of Mohammed (saws) and brother of Ali, Jafar was renowned for his care for the poor and was one of the first to embrace Islam. Facing persecution in Makkah, Jafar led the group of Muslims who migrated to Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) and successfully represented them before the king when Quraysh emissaries sought to have them extradited. Jafar fell in battle against Byzantine forces after his return to Arabia.

Abu Hurayrah:All Muslims throughout the ages owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Abu Hurayah. Blessed with a formidable memory, he was the single greatest of all the transmitters of the hadith of the Prophet (saws). Once destitute, in later life Abu Hurayrah rose to become governor of Madinah then Bahrain.

Adiyy ibn Hatim:This Christian Arab king, for twenty years an inveterate enemy of Islam, went unprotected to Madinah to meet Mohammed (saws) after the Prophet (saws) treated his captured sister kindly and released her.

Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum:A blind, young cousin of Khadijah (raa), Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum was one of the earliest Muslims. He was left in charge of Madinah on more than ten occasions during Prophet Mohammed's (saws) absences and later, despite his disability, went into battle as the standard bearer of the Muslims. "Place me between two rows and give me the standard. I will carry it for you and protect it, for I am blind and cannot run away."

Ubayy ibn Kab:One of the first citizens of Madinah to embrace Islam, he served as scribe to Prophet Mohammed (saws), was one of the first to commit the Qur'an to writing, and belonged to the group of about two dozen who knew the entire Qur'an by heart when the Prophet (saws) died. Regarded as a conscience to the Muslims, he later served as advisor to Caliphs Abu Bakr` and Umar and was greatly respected for his honest and frank assessments.

Aisha bint Abi Bakr:Daughter of Abu Bakr and beloved wife of Prophet Mohammed`(saws), in the fifty years following his death, she became a great teacher of Islam and preserved and transmitted over two thousand hadeeth.

Abu Musa al-Ashari:Yemeni missionary, military commander, judge and Governor of Basra, renowned for his integrity, who represented Imam Ali in the dispute with the usurper Muawiyah.

Umayr ibn Wahb:He went to Medina to assassinate Mohammed (saws).He returned to Mecca a Muslim missionary.

Umm Salamah:She gave up her life of wealth and privilege for Islam, became a refugee, endured the kidnap of her son and the fatal wounding of her first husband, turned down marriage proposals from both Abu Bakr and Umar before finally accepting that of Mohammed (saws) and becoming Umm al-Mumineen, mother of the believers. An eventful life!

Abdullah ibn Abbas:Young cousin of prophet Mohammed who went on to become a famed memorizer of hadeeth and great peacemaker among the Muslim factions.

Habib ibn Zayd al-Ansari:The young son of early converts, he suffered suffered a horrible death rather than renounce his faith.

Why Two Women Witnesses?

A question that repeatedly arises is that concerning the 'position of women in Islâm'. Muslim scholars have been able with great success - despite the onslaught of distortion and misrepresentation - to demonstrate the true position of Muslim women; especially of women's liberation in the advent of Islâm. The Islamic ruling on issues such as inheritance, the right to earn, the right to own property etc. have reinforced this position and have been prescribed by Allâh - the One True God - long before western nations even thought of such concepts!
The issue of two women witnesses in place of one man is the concern of the present treatise. As will become clear to the sincere and objective reader, the intellectual status of a Muslim woman is neither marred nor degraded by the commandment that if two Muslim male witnesses are not available then one Muslim male and two Muslim females should be invited to witness. Rather, this injunction is in perfect harmony with the nature and psychology of the woman as will become evident through quotations from psychologists, psychiatrists and medical research.

The passage of the Qur'ân (Baqarah 2:282) in which the above-mentioned requirement is made has usury, capital and debtor difficulties as its theme. Allâh grants guidelines in matters relating to monetary obligations. Then business transactions are dealt with. In this section, the requirement to commit all transactions into writing is stated most emphatically (Reduce them to writing...). The section after this describes the responsibility of the scribe, or in modern parlance, the person responsible for drawing up the agreement. The following section describes the responsibility and the obligation of the person incurring the liability. The section after this explains how if the party that is liable cannot effectively draw up the contract - out of being deficient or weak mentally, or being unable to dictate - then his or her guardian should help draw out the contract and choose two suitable witnesses to observe. It must be understood that this situation arises if it is not possible for the liable party to draw out the contract by him/herself. The condition to put things into writing is still supreme. The next section then explains that two men should be called to witness and if two men are not available (And if there are not two men...) then a man and two women. The legislation then continues and reminds most emphatically that one should not be complacent about putting ALL agreements into writing - no matter whether these agreements are major or minor as this is more JUST in the sight of Allâh and more reliable as evidence. The passage of the Qur'ân further explains that for practical reasons it may not always be possible to commit on-the-spot agreements into writing. In this case, it is also recommended that it be witnessed. The section which follows then lays down the guidelines which should be followed in the event that no witnesses are present.
The purpose in giving the above outline is to draw attention to the fact the question of women witnesses relates, in this instance, to commercial agreements and is not a statement on their status.
Let's look at the section under investigation in more detail. Allâh said:
And get two witnesses of your own men, and if there are not two men then a man and two women such as you choose for witnesses - so that if one of them errs, the other can remind her... [Baqarah 2:182]
A number of questions (as well as eyebrows!) are raised when this section of the passage is read. The questions often posed include:
Do women have weaker memories than men?Why should two women be needed in the place of one man?Are women inferior to men?
One must remember that Prophet Muhammad sallâllahu 'alayhi wa sallam was neither a physiologist, a psychiatrist and nor a surgeon. He was an illiterate and could neither read nor write. He passed on the revelation exactly as he received it. Allâh, the Creator, with His infinite wisdom gave the directives best suited to humankind. He is the Creator, therefore, He knows man better than a man himself.
In this scientific age we can explore the significance of this legislation. A great deal has been discovered since the early days of Islâm. And each day of advancement brings about a better understanding of the the last and final revelation from the Creator, Allâh to the creation, humankind. As women, we are aware of the cyclical psychological strains that a woman has to encounter every month. The symptoms during early pregnancy, ante-natal and post-natal depressions, the phenomenon of menopause, the physiological and psychological problems due to infertility and last but not least the psychological problems faced after miscarriage.
It is under these situations that women can experience extraordinary psychological strains giving rise to depression, lack of concentration, slow-mindedness and short term memory loss. Let us examine these episodes in a bit more detail and with medical references from the scientific world. PMT is an umbrella term for more than 140 different symptoms and there is a lot of evidence that it causes a lot of unhappiness in many women, and consequently, to their families.
Psychiatry in Practice, April 1983 issue states:
"Forty percent of women suffer from pre-menstrual syndrome in some form and one in if our women have their lives severely disrupted by it. Dr Jill Williams, general practitioner from Bury, gives guidelines on how to recognise patients at risk and suggests a suitable treatment." [Psychiatry in Practice, April 1993, p.14]
In the same issue, George Beaumont reporting on the workshop held at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in London on pre-menstrual syndrome, says:
"Some authorities would argue that 80 percent of women have some degree of breast and abdominal discomfort which is pre-menstrual but that only about 10 percent complain to their doctors - and then only because of severe tenderness of the breasts and mental depression... Other authorities have suggested that pre-menstrual syndrome is a new problem, regular ovulation for 20 years or more being a phenomenon caused by 'civilisation', 'medical progress', and an altered concept of the role of women." [Psychiatry in Practice, April 1993, p.18]
In its examination of the occurrence of physical and psychological change during the period just prior to the onset of menstruation we read in Psychological Medicine:
"Many studies have reported an increased likelihood of various negative affects during the pre-menstrual period. In this affective category are many emotional designations including irritability, depression, tension, anxiety, sadness, insecurity, lethargy, loneliness, tearfulness, fatigue, restlessness and changes of mood. In the majority of studies, investigators have found it difficult to distinguish between various negative affects, and only a few have allowed themselves to be excessively concerned with the differences which might or might not exist between affective symptoms." [Psychological Medicine, Monograph Supplement 4, 1983, Cambridge University Press, p.6]
In the same article dealing with pre-menstrual behavioural changes we read:
"A significant relationship between the pre-menstrual phase of the cycle and a variety of specific and defined forms of behaviour has been reported in a number of studies. For the purpose of their review, these forms of behaviour have been grouped under the headings of aggressive behaviour, illness behaviour and accidents, performance on examination and other tests and sporting performance." [Psychological Medicine, Monograph Supplement 4, 1983, Cambridge University Press, p.7]
The lengthy review portrays how female behaviour is affected in these situations. In 'The Pre-menstrual Syndrome', C. Shreeves writes:
"Reduced powers of concentration and memory are familiar aspects of the pre-menstrual syndrome and can only be remedied by treating the underlying complaint."
This does not mean, of course, that women are mentally deficient absolutely. It just means that their mental faculties can become affected at certain times in the biological cycle. Shreeves also writes:
"As many as 80 percent of women are aware of some degree of pre-menstrual changes, 40 percent are substantially disturbed by them, and between 10 and 20 percent are seriously disabled as a result of the syndrome."
Furthermore, women face the problem of ante-natal and post-natal depression, both of which cause extreme cycles of depression in some cases. Again, these recurring symptoms naturally affect the mind, giving rise to drowsiness and dopey memory.
On the subject of pregnancy in Psychiatry in Practice, October-November 1986, we learn that:
"In an experiment 'Cox' found that 16 percent of a sample of 263 pregnant women were suffering from clinically significant psychiatric problems. Eight percent had a depressive neurosis and 1.9 percent had phobic neurosis. This study showed that the proportion of pregnant women with psychiatric problems was greater than that found in the control group but the difference only tended towards significance." [Psychiatry in Practice, October-November, 1986, p.6]
Regarding the symptoms during the post-natal cycle Dr. Ruth Sagovsky writes:
"The third category of puerperal psychiatric problems is post-natal depression. It is generally agreed that between10 to 15 percent of women become clinically depressed after childbirth. These mothers experience a variety of symptoms but anxiety, especially over the baby, irritability, and excessive fatigue are common. Appetite is usually decreased and often there are considerable sleep difficulties. The mothers lose interest in the things they enjoyed prior to the baby's birth, and find that their concentration is impaired. They often feel irrational guilt, and blame themselves for being 'bad' wives and mothers. Fifty percent of these women are not identified as having a depressive illness. Unfortunately, many of them do not understand what ails them and blame their husbands, their babies or themselves until the relationships are strained to an alarming degree." [Psychiatry in Practice, May, 1987, p.18]
" ... Making the diagnosis of post-natal depression is not always easy. Quite often the depression is beginning to become a serious problem around three months postpartum when frequent contact with the health visitor is diminishing. The mother may not present with depressed mood. If she comes to the health centre presenting the baby as the patient, the true nature of the problem can be missed. When the mother is continually anxious about the baby in spite of reassurance, then the primary health care worker needs to be aware of the possibility of depression. Sometimes these mothers present with marital difficulties, and it is easy to muddle cause and effect, viewing the accompanying low mood as part of the marital problem. Sometimes, only when the husband is seen as well does it become obvious that it is a post-natal depressive illness which has led to the deterioration in the marriage." [Psychiatry in Practice, May, 1987, p.18]*
Again there is a need to study the effects of the menopause about which very little is known even to this day. This phase in a woman's life can start at any time from the mid-thirties to the mid-fifties and can last for as long as 15 years.
Writing about the pre-menopausal years, C.B. Ballinger states:
"Several of the community surveys indicate a small but significant increase in psychiatric symptoms in women during the five years prior to the cessation of menstrual periods... The most obvious clinical feature of this transitional phase of menstrual function is the alteration in menstrual pattern, the menstrual cycle becoming shorter with age, and variability in cycle length become very prominent just prior to the cessation of menstruation. Menorrhagia is a common complaint at this time, and is associated with higher than normal levels of psychiatric disturbance." [Psychiatry in Practice, November, 1987, p.26]
On the phenomenon of menopause in an article in Newsweek International, May 25th 1992, Dr. Jennifer al-Knopf, Director of the Sex and Marital Therapy Programme of North-western University writes:
" ... Women never know what their body is doing to them ... some reporting debilitating symptoms from hot flashes to night sweat, sleeplessness, irritability, mood swings, short term memory loss, migraine, headaches, urinary inconsistence and weight gain. Most such problems can be traced to the drop-off in the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone, both of which govern the ovarian cycle. But every woman starts with a different level of hormones and loses them at different rates. The unpredictability is one of the most upsetting aspects. Women never know what their body is going to do to them ... "
Then there are the psychiatric aspects of infertility and miscarriage. On the subject of infertility, Dr. Ruth Sagovsky writes:
"Depression, anger and guilt are common reactions to bereavement. In infertility there is the added pain of there being nobody to grieve for. Families and friends may contribute to the feeling of isolation by passing insensitive comments. The gynaecologist and GPs have to try to help these couples against a backdrop of considerable distress." [Psychiatry in Practice, Winter, 1989, p.16]
On the subject of miscarriage the above article continues:
"Miscarriage is rarely mentioned when considering abortion. However, miscarriage can at times have profound psychological sequelae and it is important that those women affected receive the support they need. Approximately one-fifth of all pregnancies end in spontaneous abortion and the effects are poorly recognised. If however, the miscarriage occurs in the context of infertility, the emotional reaction may be severe. The level of grief will depend on the meaning of pregnancy to the couple." [Psychiatry in Practice, Winter, 1989, p.17]
Also, the fact that women are known to be more sensitive and emotional than men must not be overlooked. It is well known, for example, that under identical circumstances women suffer much greater anxiety than men. Numerous medical references on this aspect of female behaviour can be given but to quote as a specimen, we read in 'Sex Differences in Mental Health' that:
"Surveys have found different correlates of anxiety and neuroticism in the two sexes. Women and men do not become equally upset by the same things, and being upset does not have the same effect in men as in women. Ekehammer (1974; Ekehammer, Magnusson and Ricklander, 1974) using data from 116 sixteen-year-olds, did a factor analysis on self-reported anxiety. Of the eighteen different responses indicating anxiety (sweating palms, faster heart rate, and so on) females reported experiencing twelve of them significantly more often than males. Of the anxiety-producing situations studied, females reported experiencing significantly more anxiety than males reported in fourteen of them." [Katherine Blick Hoyenga and Kermit T. Hoyenga in Sex Differences in Mental Health, p.336]
It is in light of the above findings of psychologist, psychiatrists and researchers that the saying of Allâh, the Exalted:
And get two witnesses of your own men, and if there are not two men then a man and two women such as you choose for witnesses - SO THAT IF ONE OF THEM ERRS, THE OTHER CAN REMIND HER ... [Baqarah 2:182]
can be understood. One must also bear in mind that forgetfulness can be an asset. A woman has to be put up with children presenting all kinds of emotional problems and a woman is certainly known to be more resilient than man. The aim of presenting these research findings on a number of aspects related with the theme is to indicate that a woman by her biological constitution faces such problems. It does not however make her inferior to man but it does illustrate that she is different. Viewed in this way, it can only lead one to the conclusion that Allâh knows His creation the best and has prescribed precise laws in keeping with the nature of humankind.
Allâh, the Creator is - as always - All-Knowing and man (or the disbeliever in Allâh and the final, perfected, revealed way of life, Islâm) is - as usual - either ignorant and arrogant.
* As has been mentioned above the Prophet Muhammad sallâllahu 'alayhi wa sallam was neither a psychologist nor a psychiatrist. Rather, he merely conveyed the truth that was revealed to him. It is in the context of this quotation and the one before it that the following saying of the Prophet Muhammad sallâllahu 'alayhi wa sallam can be understood: "Treat your women kindly. The woman has been created from a rib, and the most curved part of a rib is its upper region. If you try to straighten it you will break it, and if you leave it as it is, it will remain curved. So treat women kindly." And in another narration: "If you try to straighten her you will break her and breaking her means divorce." [Reported by al-Bukhârî and Muslim]. This is very important advice for the man - for him to have patience and not to try to 'reform' the behavioural pattern of the woman during these times i.e. 'to straighten her'. He will not be able to do that, as it is biological in origin. Instead, he should maintain and protect his relationship with her by showing kindness.