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Short response thread to some common misinformation propagated about some female figures of Islam, such as the wives of the Prophet (saw) and of similar nature
These common narratives are spread like wildfire to usually promote ideas mostly in line with Western liberal standards, & are embarrasingly used as 'arguments' to prove the 'islamaphobes' wrong and to try and prove to them that islam isn't anti women and is a feminist religion
1) People always love bringing up this idea that Khadijah (ra) was this strong independent businesswoman who did not rely on men. What is not told is how she conducted her business (which is explained in the tweet linked). https://twitter.com/musafirAD/status/1283680457373167618?s=20
2) Its also said that Aisha (ra) was a major scholar, who taught men, and narrated ahadith, which is true. But what is not spoken of (as much) is that she (ra) taught segregated behind a screen, fully-veiled and so was not visible to men whilst teaching.
3) Sometimes it's also spread that Aisha (ra) was a leading military commander who fought on the frontlines in the Battle of Al Jamal against the forces of Ali (ra). Now this is a slanderous claim against Aisha (ra). She was on the side of Talha & Zubayr, and was very far from...
the battle, inside a tent with her camel and she was on their side for moral support.
More could be found about 'Al Jamal' in this video.
More could be found about 'Al Jamal' in this video.
4) another common narrative that is spread & to further prove this concept of 'true' female empowerment is the story of Khawlah bint Al Azwar, the warrior. It must be noted that the only source of this awe-inspiring story (that would be usually written as a film) is Al Waqidi.
Al Waqidi was known by many scholars to be a forger of hadith and a storyteller who would usually add embelishments to concise reports. You can see statements from many scholars, especially from those of the muhadditheen, on their verdicts on Al Waqidi https://twitter.com/boynamedsamuel/status/1279540331197927424?s=20
5) this story is always shamelessly spread without the actual context to dictate this feminist narrative that women aren't accountable at all & have full freedom to do whatever they want, and that men should just mind their business (the whole thing is messy and overcomplicated)
It's this story of how the cousin of the Prophet (saw) looked at a woman, and that the Prophet (saw) told his cousin to lower his gaze and didn't tell the woman to dress more modestly and change her clothing. What is cut out by people who spread this is the context of the story..
Which is that the incidence took place during Hajj, and the woman was dressed fully modestly according to islamic standards from head to toe, she just wasn't fully veiled (wearing a niqab), and so only her face was visible.
There are many more, and I'll stop here, and I know I've missed many details relating to this but these are some of the ones I know about so far, and wanted to make this short and quick, so pls forgive me for some mistakes and pls do correct me. Assamualaikum
