FORWARD

Perusing through thescriptof ‘Islam The choice of Thinking Women’ has been an excitinglearningexperience for myself I feel honoured to write a forward for Br. Ismail.There is no doubt thattheissue of the status of woman in Islam is among the most abused and mostworn out propaganda tool in the hands of the Islamaphobe lobbyworldwide.Their barrage of abuse against Islam on this score has resulted ingreatconfusion in the minds of people, including unfortunately, someMuslims.The unreasonable and sometimes paranoiac extent to which they havestoopedto hype up public opinion against Islamic Hijab, a symbol of modestyanddignity in Muslim female garb, can be understood from the caption of aphotograph in one weekly journal of International circulation whichcarriesthe photograph of a Muslim woman donning a veil as ‘The veiled threatofIslam!.In a climate where suchhostilityexists against the viewpoint of Islam on the status of woman, it is ofabsolute necessity that the distortions and confusion created by theWesternmedia be rectified in a clear, sober, captivating and intellectualfashion.Another essential element is to present the facts in a manner that isunderstoodand appreciated even by unbiased non-Muslims seeking the truth. Atleastthis would repair some of the damage done to the good name of Islam bythose hell-bent on vilifying it by any means.This book sets out toachievesome of the above points. The author has taken great trouble to explainthe pre-Islamic status of women from direct sources. Thereafter, thestatusof women in Islam is explored from various angles. Furthermore, presentday developments on woman’s rights and the ‘shifting sand’ stand offeminismin this matter is analyzed in some detail. The fragmentation of thefeministmovement and its diverse and extreme viewpoints are exposed. Themind-bogglingconfusion in their camps becomes manifest. Their alleged claims ofrepresentingwomankind as a whole are exploded.It is necessary for allthinkingwomen to make an informed choice of the way of life they wish to adopt.This book will assist them in their choice – Insha Allah. It will equipjustice-loving persons with sound arguments to counter the deluge offalsehoodand damaging propaganda pervading the media of the world on thissubject.This book will make anidealgift for all, Muslim and non-Muslims alike. May Allah accept this workin His infinite mercy and make it a means of guidance for the honestseekersof truth from all denominations. May He reward the author with abefittingreward and accept from him monumental works of Islam – Ameen.Mufti Zubair Bayat Principal, ZakariyyaSchool,Stanger, South Africa.