TFD Desk
KARACHI: Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was an exceptional benefactor of women, granting them equal rights and protection from oppression. He gave women the right to live, to seek knowledge, to economic independence and ownership, and safeguarded them against violence. These views were expressed by Dr. Rizwana Ansari during the monthly Hamdard Shura Karachi meeting, held yesterday at Hamdard Corporate Head Office, presided over by Gen (r) Moinuddin Haider, Speaker Hamdard Shura. The session’s theme was “The Status of Children and Women in the Light of the Life of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).”
Along with the guest speaker, Dr. Zeenat Haroon, Associate Professor at the Department of Qur’an and Sunnah, University of Karachi, and Ms. Sadia Rashid, President Hamdard Foundation Pakistan, also attended the discussion.
Dr. Rizwana Ansari emphasized that true love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) lies in following his words and character. She lamented that Pakistan currently ranks 147th in the global gender equality index, with over 5,000 women losing their lives each year due to domestic violence. Despite Islam granting women education as a basic right, millions of Pakistani girls remain deprived of schooling. She added that although Islam gives women the right to marry by choice and to inherit property, many still face honour killings, denial of inheritance, and lengthy court battles for justice.
Speaking on children’s rights, she noted that despite Qur’anic and Prophetic instructions on kindness and compassion, millions of children in Pakistan are subjected to forced labour, abuse, and violence. With over 25 million children out of school, the situation reflects a worrying neglect of the Prophet’s teachings on education and upbringing.
Guest speaker Dr. Zeenat Haroon highlighted that Islam raised the dignity of women, fixing their share in inheritance, granting freedom of choice in marriage, and recognising their roles as mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives. She said the Prophet (PBUH) showed unparalleled kindness to children, carried them in his arms, joined them in play, and taught that raising daughters or showing compassion to orphans brings Paradise close to believers.
During the discussion, Gen (r) Moinuddin Haider, Cdre (r) Sadeed Anwar Malik, Engineer Ibn-ul-Hasan, Shahla Ahmed, Col (r) Mukhtar Ahmed Butt, Musarrat Akram, Muzaffar Ijaz, Sultan Chawla, Dr. Amir Taseen, Brig (r) Tariq Khalil, Prof Dr. Hakim Abdul Hannan, Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan, Mubashir Mir and others observed that the Jirga system, based on tribal customs instead of Islamic teachings, often imposes unjust punishments on women for men’s crimes – a practice strongly condemned in Islam.
Speakers recalled that the Prophet (PBUH) abolished the barbaric practice of burying daughters alive and instead gave daughters a position of dignity and respect. He declared: “Whoever has three daughters, raises them well, and clothes them according to his means, they will become a shield for him against the fire of Hell.” Yet, they regretted that incidents of infanticide and honour-related killings still occur in Pakistan, underscoring society’s failure to uphold the Prophet’s teachings.
The post Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) – true benefactor of Women and Children, speakers stress at Hamdard Shura appeared first on The Financial Daily.
