The Call for Education: A Critical Examination of the Taliban’s Restrictions on Women in Light of Islamic Teachings and International Condemnation

By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 21 February 2025 Exploring the Taliban's Restrictive Policies on Women’s Education through the Lens of Islamic Teachings and Global Human Rights Advocacy The issue of women’s education has garnered significant global attention, particularly in Afghanistan, where the Taliban's policies have persistently targeted women's rights and access to education. The collective stance of 17 female foreign ministers urging the Taliban to lift restrictions on women highlights the urgency of this ongoing crisis. As world leaders condemn these repressive measures, it is essential to examine the issue of women's education from an Islamic perspective. This involves focusing on the contributions of influential women such as Hadrat Aisha (RA), along with the need for both religious and modern education in today's world. Educational Contributions of Hadrat Aisha (RA) and Influential Muslim Women Hadrat Aisha (RA), the wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was one of the most prominent scholars of her time. Her profound understanding of the Qur'an, Hadith, and Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) made her one of the foremost authorities in early Islamic history. Hadrat Aisha’s contributions to preserving and transmitting knowledge are immense, with over 2,210 Hadiths attributed to her on various topics, including theology, law, and social issues. Hadrat Aisha’s (RA) educational legacy is particularly relevant today. She hosted study circles where she imparted knowledge to both men and women, challenging the view that women's intellectual roles should remain confined to private spaces. This demonstrates that in Islam, education is a fundamental right for all, regardless of gender. Hadrat Aisha’s (RA) knowledge extended beyond domestic matters and contributed to societal and intellectual growth. Other notable Muslim women who made significant contributions to education include Fatimah al-Fihri, the founder of the University of Al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco, and Nusaybah bint Ka’ab, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who was both a warrior and educator. Hadrat Zaynab bint Ali, known for her eloquence and resilience, played a key role in preserving the history of Islam. These women, like Hadrat Aisha (RA), exemplify Islam’s encouragement of education for both men and women, highlighting the active role of women in society. The Importance of Education in Islam: Qur'anic Verses and Hadith Islam places a significant emphasis on knowledge, encompassing both religious and modern education. The first revelation of the Qur'an, “Read in the name of your Lord” (Surah Al-Alaq, 96:1-5), calls for the acquisition of knowledge, not limited to religious education but extending to all fields such as science, philosophy, and the arts. This reveals Islam’s holistic approach to education, emphasizing its importance for human development in all spheres. Furthermore, in Surah At-Tawbah (9:122), the Qur'an highlights the need for knowledge within the community: “And it is not for the believers to go forth to battle all at once. For there should separate from every division of them a group [remaining] to obtain understanding in the religion.” This verse stresses the necessity of both religious and worldly education, which ensures the prosperity and growth of the community. The Hadith, “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim” (Sahih al-Bukhari), reinforces the idea that the pursuit of knowledge is mandatory for all, regardless of gender. This includes both religious education, which deepens faith, and secular knowledge, which benefits society and individual well-being. Another Hadith from Sunan Ibn Majah says, “The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it,” underscoring the nobility of imparting knowledge. In Islam, the integration of religious and modern education is vital for comprehensive personal and societal development. Religious education provides a moral framework, while modern education equips individuals with practical skills needed to navigate the contemporary world. The Taliban’s policies, which exclude women from education, directly contradict these core Islamic principles. By denying access to both religious and secular education, the Taliban prevents women from fulfilling their societal and spiritual roles, violating the Islamic teachings that stress the right of all Muslims—male and female—to seek knowledge. Global Condemnation: A Unified Stand against the Taliban The recent call by 17 female foreign ministers from various countries for the Taliban to repeal its restrictions on women is a powerful reminder of the international community’s commitment to human rights, particularly women's rights. The joint statement, issued on February 15, 2025, highlights the growing consensus that the Taliban's policies harm Afghan society. The ministers’ condemnation of the Taliban’s December 2024 decree, which banned women from medical education, underscores the serious consequences of such restrictions. In Afghanistan, where female medical professionals are crucial to the healthcare system, this policy threatens to dismantle critical healthcare infrastructure and worsen the country’s health challenges, including high maternal mortality rates. The Taliban’s Ideological Divide: A Misinterpretation of Islam The Taliban defends its policies by claiming they align with “Sharia law.” However, many Islamic scholars, institutions, and governments refute this claim, stressing that Islam advocates for the right of both men and women to seek knowledge and engage fully in society. Al-Azhar University, a leading Islamic institution, has condemned the Taliban’s actions, asserting that their restrictive policies are a distortion of Islamic teachings. Call for Action and the Role of the International Community The international community must continue to pressure the Taliban to reverse its oppressive policies and restore Afghan women’s rights. Initiatives like the United Nations Human Rights Council and the CEDAW framework are vital tools for holding the Taliban accountable. Beyond statements, concrete actions must be taken to ensure Afghan women regain their right to education, healthcare, and public participation. Afghan women’s inclusion in peace and decision-making processes is crucial for their future. History shows that excluding women from negotiations only perpetuates their marginalization and strengthens their oppression. The international community must continue to support Afghan women and highlight their resilience, as demonstrated by their continued protests against the Taliban’s repressive laws. Conclusion The ongoing struggle for Afghan women’s rights, particularly in education, represents a violation of both human rights and Islamic principles. The Taliban's restrictions on women's education contradict the Qur'anic and Hadith injunctions that promote knowledge for all Muslims, regardless of gender. Figures like Hadrat Aisha (RA) and Fatimah al-Fihri exemplify Islam’s long-standing tradition of encouraging education for both men and women. The international community’s unified stance against the Taliban’s policies, especially the joint statement from 17 female foreign ministers, reinforces the importance of global solidarity in protecting women’s rights. Pressuring the Taliban to lift its restrictions is crucial, not only for Afghan women but for the broader fight for women’s rights and education worldwide. The struggle for women’s education in Afghanistan is not only a contemporary issue but one deeply rooted in Islamic values. Supporting Afghan women in their fight for education upholds the core principles of justice, equality, and empowerment that are fundamental to both human rights and Islamic teachings. … Kaniz Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam. URL:https://www.newageislam.com/the-war-within-islam/education-taliban-women-islamic-teachings/d/134687 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism