Religion, Theology and Self Improvement Sundays: Women, Religion, Theology and Society Part 10: "The Sacredness Of The Female"

As we near the last few parts of this series it is important to reiterate that the end of the disrespect and mistreatment of women can only occur when the concept of female and woman that has prevailed in this world for the last 6,000 years is overcome. A new view of the female is necessary to inspire and generate a new attitude and reverance for women, of all colors, all over the world, that leads to interaction between men and women and women and women that is based upon mutual respect and deep understanding.

It is impossible to reform the view of the female all over the world unless proper male and female relationships are developed and to that end, a reconsideration of the purpose and impact of sexual relations.

It is hard to imagine an increase in respect for women worldwide that would be lasting without a proportional increase in understanding and respect for the intimate act of sex. Part and parcel to the devaluation of the female has been the devaluation of sex and the birth process.

If the female is seen as sacred, then male - female relationships must be seen as sacred, as well as the intimate union and the birth process that produces children and creates family.

To that end we offer the view of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan on the subject. We quote from an article he wrote several years ago entitled, "The Sacredness of The Female":

The Sacredness Of The Female

By Minister Louis Farrakahan

Throughout the earth the female has and continues to suffer the abuse of men and the abuse of societies that have not clearly understood the extreme importance and tremendous value of the female.

In many societies when a female child is born there is great disappointment and the female is looked down upon as someone so much less than the male, which leads to abuse, the lack of proper care, education, and cultivation of her gifts and talents, and lack of appreciation to Almighty (God) Allah for the gift of women.

The Holy Qur'an teaches us that both male and female have the same essence or come from the essence or being that is Allah, the All Wise God. He has given both male and female complimentary natures which, if acted on properly help each mate to attain to fulfillment, perfect peace, and full development or perfection.

The disrespect of women is the reason that the earth and the world is in the condition that it is in. There cannot be a new world except that there is a new and better understanding of the female, which will give us (men) a clearer understanding of self and above all a clearer understanding of Allah (God). In the Bible, Allah (God) declares, "Behold, I make all things new." The Honorable Elijah Muhammad has taught us that we cannot bring in a new world except that we accept a new idea that will give us a new way of thinking and that new way of thinking based on an idea and word that comes directly from the Supreme Being will give us His Sight. We need to see life, creation and Allah (God) as He sees Himself and sees His creation. If we can begin to perceive reality as Allah (God) perceives it, then, and only then will we treat Allah (God) and His creatures as they ought to be treated.

It is written in the Holy Qur'an, Surah 2, verse 138, "(We take) Allah's (God's) colour, and who is better than Allah at colouring, and we are His worshippers." Since it is the light of the sun which gives all things their color, then, we who follow the Light (Truth) sent down by Allah (God) begin to see or perceive reality as Allah (God) perceives it. We take His Colouring, which is His View.

What is Allah's (God's) view of the female? She is the manifestation of His attribute of mercy to the world. She is undeserved kindness to us, for, through her we are extended through the generations. It is only through her that we live again, and again, and again. It is only through her that we continue to move toward the true perfection that Allah (God) desires for His creation. She is the cornerstone of the family and therefore is critical in the whole process of nation and world building.

Allah (God) speaks to us in the Holy Qur'an saying that, "we should reverence the womb that bore us." According to Random House Dictionary, reverence is, "a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe, veneration; a gesture indicative of deep respect; an obeisance, a bow, or curtsy."

I repeat, we must reverence the womb that bore us. Since the womb of our mother is sacred, then, this teaches us that the womb of every female is also sacred, for it is from her womb that all the Scientists, Prophets, Sages, Messengers, Kings, Rulers and Gods have come and will come.

According to Random House Dictionary, sacred is, "devoted to some deity or to some religious purpose; consecrated; entitled to veneration or religious respect by association with divinity or divine things; holy; regarded with reverence; secured against violation, infringement etc; properly immune from violence, interference, etc." How many women see themselves and their wombs as sacred? If the womb is sacred, then the passageway through which the seed of life enters the womb is also sacred.

In the Bible, St. John, Chapter 10, verse 9, Jesus says, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Jesus is to Allah (God) as the passageway to the womb. Jesus is the Eternal Door to Allah (God). Therefore, as Jesus is sacred so is the passageway to the womb also sacred, because it is the eternal door to the womb.

That which is sacred must be safe and not violated. Women all over the earth, due to an improper view of self have violated themselves and allowed men and society to violate them.

It is unthinkable that a person of righteous bearing would go into a mosque, synagogue, church, or cloister and profane that which is sacred. Any person who violates the sacredness of the house of Allah (God) is considered uncivilized, savage or a heathen. We know it is improper to violate the sacred house of Allah (God), and, as Muslims we are exhorted by Allah (God) to protect all houses where Allah’s (God’s) name is remembered. How much more sacred is the womb of our mothers and the wombs of our female children and the wombs of the females in our society? How much more protection should be placed on the female? How much more should she and we guard her chastity? How much more should we be taught and encouraged not to violate the sacredness of the channel that leads to the sacred chamber where Allah (God) Himself works with women to bring about the answers or solutions to all human problems?

Click here to finish the article, "The Sacredness Of The Female"

Sunday, January 7, 2001