Last week I saw an excellent documentary on the Discovery channel about pregnancy and how the human fetus evolves in 9 months. It was very interesting to see the latest 3D scans that are used and computer generated images of the fetus in the mothers womb. The development of the fetus was explained so well and I realized that this is what is written in the Qura’an. Allaah clearly tells us how the fetus is created by dropping the sperm and the ovum in the uterus of the woman. There are many facts that modern science has just started to figure out but these statements were present in the Qura’an that was handed to mankind 1400 years ago.

Surah 23, Ayah 12-14 “Man We did create from a quintessence (of clay), (Arabic, sulalah); Then We placed him as (a drop of) sperm (Arabic, nutfah) in a place of rest, firmly fixed; Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood (Arabic, alakah); then of that clot We made a (fetus) lump (Arabic, mudgah); then we made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then we developed out of it another creature. So blessed be Allah, the best to create!”

This was revealed to Prophet Muhammad [S.A.S]. How could an uneducated man who could neither read nor write posses scientific knowledge of such great extent? Only Allaah subhanawatallah could have meant for him to know this, to educate the people. This is sure proof of the existence of God.

Pregnancy and the development of the fetus is such an amazing and wonderfull thing. After the egg is fertilized it settles in the uterine wall to start the growth. Within the first 40-42 days Allaah decides the sex of the fetus. Within the first 40-42 days the soul is blown into it and it ceases from being just another fetus to a human fetus. Abortion, illegal in Islam and if done, done after these 40 days when the fetus is alive is almost equal to killing a human. The sensory, bone and the general formation takes place through the nine months.

“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts). Verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.” [Qur’an 30:21]

Islam gives men and women the free will to choose their life partners with whom they procreate. The man is asked to choose a woman who is pious. A woman in Islam can be married for her beauty, her rank, her property and for her faith. And in turn the woman chooses a man of good charecter and good faith whom she can find solace in and is willing to spend the rest of her life with. Forcing a man or a woman into marriage in entirely unislamic and unlawfull.Islam stresses heavily against adultery and pregnancy outside marriage.

“The woman and the man guilty of adultery or fornication – flog each of them with a hundred stripes. Let not compassion move you in their case, in a matter prescribed by Allah, if ye believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a party of the Believers witness their punishment.” [Qur’an 24:2]

“Those who bring the charge of adultery against chaste women but cannot produce four witnesses to prove the charge, give them 80 lashes and their testimony should never be believed.” [Qur’an 24:4]

All these details that go into the selection of good spouses are done to ensure that the children they may have will be of a good background steeped in faith and beleif and will be proud to represent his race.

Certain Western socities encourage sexual promiscuity to such an extent that they never know who the father of their child is having slept with many men. Teenage pregnancies are a rage that fills up abortion centers. Pregnancy and abortion is treated like something of a trivial nature. While in certain Indian villages towards the north-west, indulge in female infanticide although the identification of the sex is prohibited by law. Pregnant women, if found to be carrying girl children are often encouraged by their familes to undergo abortion. And in certain cases the women are pushed into having many children just to give a male heir.

Islam is a religion of peace and common sense. Coming from a religion that considers so highly human life, seeing the way humans are treated even before they enter this Earth is unnerving. Every child that is a born, is born a Muslim.
Every child that is born, is born innocent. It is the world that makes him who he is.

The death of Soumya Vishwanathan a few months ago has opened up a pandora’s box of opinions. Soumya was a journailst with Headlines Today. She was returning home at 3 a.m. The police found her car rammed into a tree and a bullet lodged between her ear lobe. She was declared as brought dead when she was taken to Delhi’s AIIMS. The reason for her death is unknown although a murder case has been registered. The reason could be anything from road rage to personal enemity. This case has opened up the ever sensitive dealings on women’s late working hours especially in the BPO sector. As India had hit its biggest liberalization with the IT boom a few years back, lifestyles and people have changes a lot over the years. Almost everyone studying Engineering wants a job in THAT company and thanks to campus selections this is becoming more of a reality than a dream. Many are just blinded by all the luxury that a job this good offers. With regards to security at night, apparentley companies give the utmost security for women while travelling. They have the company vehicles, drivers and sometimes even security guards to make sure they reach home safely. But how much of this is acceptable and allowed in Islam?

Unlike what many people think, women working is acceptable in Islam. It is not compulsory but it is not frowned upon either. The women of early Islam were career women themselves. Khadija (may Allah be pleased with her) was the Prophet’s first wife. She was one of the best in her business. Islam encourages both men and women alike to do business rather than to work for someone else. Many women in Islam were scholars. In fact, many Muslim men studied the teachings under them. The wives of the Prophet, Saffiyah and Umm Salamah were among them. Islamic scholars were leading in science from the early times. Science forms an integral part of Islam. Everything from the Big bang theory to medicine is written clearly in the Quran. During the days of the Prophet, women like Ruffidah Aslamiyya, Umm Zaid and Umm Sulaim accompanied men to the battle field to treat the wounded. They acted as surgeons and doctors giving medical care. Through the history of Islam women have played an important part in society from politics to medicine. It would be foolish to say that women in our ummah are backward or uneducated. Islam stresses on the education of women. Noone can stop a woman if she wants to pursue her education. No other religion gives this kind of freedom.

But now, women want to work their night shifts and in close proximity to men and many are hijab-less. they want to go out an have their fun. This is unrestricted freedom. This is not allowed in Islam. The need to go out and work, especially at night in not a necessity. Women require the security and guards to make sure they are safe. What is the need to work so desperately? Women could easily work from their homes or have jobs that are not so demanding. She does not have to give first preference to her job and neglect her family. How many ever laws and strict enforcements come into action, harassment will still be the same. Especially in India.

Yet many fail to understand this. They can only think of either extremes- working like as if your lives depend on it or sitting at home behind bolted doors doing chores. There is something in between all this. There is an alternative. It is upto women to find this missing link and make it work.