Recently, a list of signs that the end of days was sent to me; I read it with keen interest. By the end of my reading I believed but disturbed. There were clear signs of moral decay, breaking of nations and civilizations, poor leadership and the possibility of miracles, which has yet to show itself; then there were the women issues.
Part of the enlightening list was a claim that the end of days would come when women are seen as clothed and yet are completely naked. Well, I’ve seen that. It’s everywhere in the print, broadcast and digital media. Technology has made it very easy to proof that this point has arrived, and hence, doomsday is approaching. The ‘strong’ and ‘independent’ women, however, claim it as their right to self-expression and, it is their bodies after all! The men agree, nod and oogle with delight; clap their hands in support.
Then it hit me that in most religion, men are held at the helm of leadership and responsibility. With mine stating that men are raised one level above his women due to the grave responsibilities set on his shoulders…so, wouldn’t the ‘naked’ women be his fault? Women are to be held at the highest pedestal. How has he failed his women that he could not keep them clothed? So, how is it that women shedding to their barest at the persuasion and support of men, are the fault for the ills of humankind; being a contributing fault (a sign) for doomsday’s approaching?
So, I thought perhaps the list of signs should be reworded as, “men, whom God has placed his dependents as his sole responsibility have failed to keep his women clothed; though they are deemed fully attired are left naked to the eyes of non mahram”. Better? I think so.
I can never understand why women are to blame for all the ills in the world. If the child is a bully, it’s the mother’s fault for not being a better mother. If a woman is harassed, it is her fault for dressing provocatively. If a daughter is abused, it’s the mother’s fault for being irresponsible. If the marriage fails, the wife is blamed for not knowing how to care for the husband and family. If a divorcee plans to date again, she is unworthy because she must be damaged goods to have been divorced in the first place. If a girl is friendly, she is a slut. Do I need to continue?
A Muslim expatriate, an ex-colleague of mine once said, the world would be a better place if women know their roles and responsibilities as the provider of honor; keeping the balance of life as an honest daughter, wife and mother. And here I thought that Muslim men ARE the keepers of honor. Yet, like most men cloaked in religious garments and hiding behind misinterpreted scriptures (an over-genaralization), they have passed the buck instead to their womenfolk who’s honor is supposed to be protected by them; the men who are their assigned protectors. Are you confused yet?
I think that the truth is that men want to have the cake, icing, and cherries on top, and eat the entire cake by himself, but he does not want to take the responsibilities of actually baking it. And if he did try, but the cake didn’t rise or gets burned, he doesn’t want to admit his ignorance, so he’d point his fingers to his mother for not teaching him; his sisters for not supporting and helping him; his wife for not being a better partner by showing him how to manage the oven and his daughters for not loving him enough to just show him the respect he deserves as the man of the house and eat the bloody cake, anyway! I call that an irresponsible brat!
I think doomsday is coming and I don’t really care when, because God is just. He will not forsake those who have diligently listened and followed his guide. I think that those keeping an eye on signs of doomsday are the cowardly, because they’ve been really irresponsibly naughty. I think men know that they have failed their dependents, their women and daughters, so he feels compelled to write a list and share the responsibilities by passing the buck around.
However, I believe that there is another face to men. Responsible men are confident of his deeds and receive what is coming with an open heart because he’s done his job. I am confident, God willing, his dependence has absolutely nothing to be worried about; they’re well clothed.
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