The Dignity Already Written!

ተረጋግቼ ለመፃፍ ሞክራለሁ

I usually judge books by their covers and by their titles, too. A beautiful, intriguing name pulls me in, making me eager to turn the pages. So when I got my hands on this particular book, I couldn't resist. I kept thinking, "I can't wait until I finally have time to read this."

And then... I read two pages.

Just two pages.

Two pages that made my blood boil. 😑

The writing felt so disrespectful, misleading and so far from the truth that I deleted the book from my phone immediately. I wished I could send a five-page email dissecting just those two pages, because two pages were more than enough to reveal the poison within.

It was about feminism and how Islam supposedly "fails" women's rights. The worst part? The author is a Muslim sister.

If Islam has truly treated you the way you claim, if your rights are so "violated", then why are you still here? Why do women choose to revert to this faith every single day? Why would anyone stay in a belief system that oppresses them?

The answer is simple: Islam does not oppress women. People do.

Let's stop confusing culture with religion. Let's stop confusing the actions of flawed men with the perfection of Allah's law.

Please, don't fool yourself or get caught up in labels that dilute your deen. There is no such thing as "halal feminism", there is only Islam, which already gave women their full rights 1,400 years ago.

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Women are the twin halves of men." (Abu Dawud)

Islam elevated women at a time when baby girls were buried alive. It gave them the right to own property, seek knowledge, choose their spouses, divorce, work, and inherit—long before the West even conceived of such ideas.

Yet today’s mainstream ideological trends often come wrapped in agendas that contradict the essence of our faith. They often promote absolute sameness in every role, whereas Islam emphasizes justice (ʿadl) and fairness, assigning rights and responsibilities according to divine wisdom.

They promote absolute equality in places where Islam prescribes equity. Leading women away from their natural roles, their families, and ultimately, their Creator.

While I was still fuming over that book, I kept overthinking it. Then, right in the middle of a completely unrelated ders, the Ustaz said something that struck me:

"እስልምና ውስጥ በወንድና በሴት መሀል እኩልነት የለም፤ ፍትሐዊነት እንጂ።"

"Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you." (Qur'an 49:13) 🤍

And look, I understand wallahi, I truly do. You may have been hurt by what you've seen or heard. Maybe you've witnessed marriages where women were vulnerable, mistreated, or silenced. Maybe you've experienced it yourself. But that does not mean Islam is the problem.

The problem is men who don't fear Allah. Men who take advantage of their authority. Men who twist religion to serve their egos rather than following religion to serve their Creator.

Do not judge Islam by Muslims who fail to practice it.

Judge Islam by the Qur'an and the Sunnah.

So what should we do?

Make Dua Constantly: Allah is the only One who can transform hearts and protect us from harm.

💛 Strive for Righteousness

Become among الطيبات the righteous women whom Allah praises.

Focus on pleasing Allah before pleasing society.

Study Your Deen Directly: Don't rely solely on cultural hearsay to tell you what Islam says about women.

Go to the sources

Go back to the Qur'an.

Go back to the Sunnah.

Learn the context.

Feel the beauty of Islam for yourself.

Don't let anyone convince you that Islam is your enemy.

Build Stability & Skills: Learn skills, educate yourself, build something. Our Mother Khadijah (RA) was a remarkably successful businesswoman. Seeking knowledge and capability isn't about abandoning tradition; it's about dignity, preparation, and strength.

Dear sister, if you are in a situation that is actively harming you physically, emotionally, or spiritually know this:

Make sabr and try your best. Seek counseling, involve wise family members, make dua, and exhaust reasonable efforts to reconcile.

Marriage is a sacred bond, and Islam encourages patience.

The Prophet ﷺ said: "No believing man should hate a believing woman. If he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another." (Muslim)

But if you have tried everything, and the situation remains unbearable or harmful to your safety or deen:

Divorce is halal. It is not a sin. It is not a failure. It is a permission from Allah a door of mercy when staying together causes more harm than good.

"But if they separate [by divorce], Allah will enrich each [of them] from His abundance." (Surah An-Nisa 4:130)

Yes, divorce is among the most disliked of permissible things in the sight of Allah, but it is permissible for a reason.

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Any woman who asks her husband for a divorce without a valid reason, the fragrance of Paradise is forbidden to her." (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)

Notice the condition: without a valid reason. Where there is abuse, oppression, neglect, or legitimate harm, Islam does not demand that you suffer silently. Your dignity, well-being, and soul matter.

ብቻ «ለምን ጤና-አዳም ተባለ ጤና-ሄዋን ይሁን» ከሚሉ ሰዎች stay away!

Don't let petty labels, half-baked ideologies, and temporary trends pull you away from Allah.

Don't let anyone make you feel ashamed of your religion, nor let anyone convince you that Islam is against you. It is for your honor, protection, and salvation.

But equally, don't let anyone manipulate you into staying in a destructive situation out of guilt or fear.

Islam gave you rights.

Know them. Learn them. Claim them when necessary.

Stand firm. Study your deen. Love your Creator. Trust Allah.

His plan for you is infinitely greater than anything you can imagine. 🤍

(በዚህ ከቀጠልኩ it will turn into a book!)

May Allah guide us, protect us, and keep us firm on His straight path.