Woman, Equality, and the Philosophy of Natural Fragility
By: Shaykh Hamid Kamaluddin
In every social order, special considerations are afforded to vulnerable groups—the elderly, the disabled, children, and women. But when women demand absolute equality, why do they choose to forgo these protections?
In uncivilized societies, the weak are often suppressed, and if they attempt to rise, they are met with even harsher oppression. History confirms that when vulnerable segments resist injustice, they are accused of rebellion and subjected to violent backlash.
This raises a critical question:
Is the Pakistani woman truly so oppressed that her only path to freedom lies through rebellion?
Not every woman suffers from oppression or abuse—but a significant number do.
▪ Whether urban or rural, educated or illiterate, rich or poor—none are immune to the possibility of exploitation.
▪ An educated urban woman may live in misery, while an illiterate rural woman may enjoy relative peace.
Criticism is often directed at religious circles, yet observations reveal:
✔ Many religious men (ʿulamāʾ) treat their wives with kindness and generosity, and are less inclined toward polygyny.
✘ Meanwhile, some liberal-minded men display hostility toward their own wives but behave flirtatiously with other women, leaving their spouses in emotional distress.
It is incorrect to assume that a woman’s oppression stems solely from economic dependence on men.
In reality, she is naturally more vulnerable, which is why she is more susceptible to coercion.
If power and wealth alone ensured safety, then privileged women would never face abuse—yet even in the West, where women enjoy full legal rights, they remain targets of violence and exploitation.
Women are more susceptible to psychological, physical, and emotional harm. Islam therefore does not leave them to the mercy of law alone—it emphasizes the moral training of men.
The Qur’an and Sunnah command:
▪ Lowering the gaze
▪ Kindness toward women
▪ Honoring their dignity
▪ Granting inheritance rights
▪ Providing protection through marriage
Islam aims to control the male’s innate aggression, ensuring a safer environment for women. No matter how many secular laws are enacted, natural vulnerability means some degree of abuse will persist—unless checked by divine instruction.
If women understood that what is called “freedom” is often just vulnerability, they would never desire it.
Pakistani women know this well—hence they prefer protections over slogans of equality:
✔ They live comfortably under financial support from men
✔ They easily get seating on public transport
✔ They are exempt from waiting in queues
✔ They find many helping hands in difficult situations
Yes, abuse still occurs—but that’s true worldwide.
The solution does not lie in feminist slogans, rebellion against men, running away from homes, or abandoning femininity.
Nature cannot be changed.
The only real solution is better moral upbringing of men—a task beyond worldly legislation, and only achievable through the guidance of divine revelation—Dīn al-Fiṭrah.
As the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ said:
"Slow down, O camel driver! These are fragile vessels." (Bukhārī)
By: Shaykh Hamid Kamaluddin
❖ Weak Segments of Society and the Reality of Coercion
In every social order, special considerations are afforded to vulnerable groups—the elderly, the disabled, children, and women. But when women demand absolute equality, why do they choose to forgo these protections?
In uncivilized societies, the weak are often suppressed, and if they attempt to rise, they are met with even harsher oppression. History confirms that when vulnerable segments resist injustice, they are accused of rebellion and subjected to violent backlash.
This raises a critical question:
Is the Pakistani woman truly so oppressed that her only path to freedom lies through rebellion?
❖ Exploitation of Women: A Complex Reality
Not every woman suffers from oppression or abuse—but a significant number do.
▪ Whether urban or rural, educated or illiterate, rich or poor—none are immune to the possibility of exploitation.
▪ An educated urban woman may live in misery, while an illiterate rural woman may enjoy relative peace.
❖ Traditional vs. Modern Attitudes
Criticism is often directed at religious circles, yet observations reveal:
✔ Many religious men (ʿulamāʾ) treat their wives with kindness and generosity, and are less inclined toward polygyny.
✘ Meanwhile, some liberal-minded men display hostility toward their own wives but behave flirtatiously with other women, leaving their spouses in emotional distress.
❖ What Is the Real Issue?
It is incorrect to assume that a woman’s oppression stems solely from economic dependence on men.
In reality, she is naturally more vulnerable, which is why she is more susceptible to coercion.
If power and wealth alone ensured safety, then privileged women would never face abuse—yet even in the West, where women enjoy full legal rights, they remain targets of violence and exploitation.
❖ Women’s Fragility in the Light of Islam
Women are more susceptible to psychological, physical, and emotional harm. Islam therefore does not leave them to the mercy of law alone—it emphasizes the moral training of men.
The Qur’an and Sunnah command:
▪ Lowering the gaze
▪ Kindness toward women
▪ Honoring their dignity
▪ Granting inheritance rights
▪ Providing protection through marriage
Islam aims to control the male’s innate aggression, ensuring a safer environment for women. No matter how many secular laws are enacted, natural vulnerability means some degree of abuse will persist—unless checked by divine instruction.
❖ Freedom or Insecurity?
If women understood that what is called “freedom” is often just vulnerability, they would never desire it.
Pakistani women know this well—hence they prefer protections over slogans of equality:
✔ They live comfortably under financial support from men
✔ They easily get seating on public transport
✔ They are exempt from waiting in queues
✔ They find many helping hands in difficult situations
Yes, abuse still occurs—but that’s true worldwide.
The solution does not lie in feminist slogans, rebellion against men, running away from homes, or abandoning femininity.
Nature cannot be changed.
❖ The Real Solution: Righteous Male Conduct
The only real solution is better moral upbringing of men—a task beyond worldly legislation, and only achievable through the guidance of divine revelation—Dīn al-Fiṭrah.
As the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ said:
"Slow down, O camel driver! These are fragile vessels." (Bukhārī)
