Khilafat Centenary Souvenir 1908-2008 — Page 112
Khilafat Centenary You should know that Allah the Almighty has opened the doors of you r progress through Islam and Ahmadiyyat. If you do not rise to the occasion now, when will you do so? Which time can be more appropriate to struggle for the attainment of yo ur rank and position than now"? task of reforming women by taking appropriate steps in va riou s stages. He encouraged women to get an education and become a useful member of the society. Her sole job was not confined to performing hou se hold chores and bringing up the children, even though this was essential in and of itself, because she was capable of much more. In one of his speeches, I noticed that as soon as I moved my feet to raise them, those fish whom I took for women started rising up. They became so big that my feet started itching and the feet of that man started to melt and eventually melted away, completely. Then I changed my subject and said, while addressing the women: ---------------. he informed women that there "It is time to serve Islam and Ahmadi yyat. If men and women do not work together and do not struggle for the conquest of Islam, then Islam will never spread in the entire world. You should recognize yo ur status and while keeping yo ur responsibilities in view, should serve the religion as much as is possible". Then I said to them emphatically: " If men do not listen to you, neither do they offer their services for the religion, nor do they let you work for the religion, then leave them and inform them that yo ur relationship with them can only exist as long as they are ready to serve the religion". While uttering those words, I woke up. "(1) Huzurra trained women through his speeches which he used to deliver from time to time and through his books. In his speeches, he would discuss their issues, their responsibilities and rights, and their true status in society. If one gets a chance to read any of his speeches, one will find the love and concern of a very devoted mother, close attention and thoughtfulness of a dedicated teacher, and kindness and care of a sincere friend. Hadhrat Musleh Mau'ood ra accomplished this huge is a kind of bread being sold in stores which stays fresh for da ys and women should bu y that bread and save their time so that they can contribute more and more towards the religious responsibilities. He advocated the equality of women with men. She was equal to men in all capabilities and capacities: "These are women w ho have declared themselves inferior and low -g rade. Otherwise Allah has made them the sa me that men are. . . . Like men , they are also endowed with all such faculties like ear, heart , and tongue as are required to get knowledge. "(2) He asserted: "Remember! No religion can advance unless wo men move forward. Thus the progress of Islam depends upon the progress of women. Women are like the two walls out of four walls of a room. If two wa lls of a room fall down, can the roof stay?" (3) Huzur ra extended the concept of equality between men and women and informed them that women were as much responsible for their duties to the society and religion as men were. They were equally responsible for the propagation of religion and for the establishment of the religion in the society and in the house. Huzur ra tried to re-establish the basic rights of women as were given by the religion but were taken away by the taboos of societies. He advised the Jama'at to give women their share in inheritance. He urged people to give women the right of decision in the matter of their marriages. He protected the