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The Status of Hoors - The Maidens of Paradise
There
were questions and objections regarding the Maidens of
Paradise. The objections came from various dimensions. None of them
was new for me. Some people may not be aware that it is one of the
main objections against the Qur’an and Islam raised by Orientalists and
people inspired by modern Western thought. In Christian ideology, the
Hereafter is a spiritual concept. In such a spiritual world, the presence
of women (maidens) is considered highly objectionable. According to
this particular line of thinking, presence of romance and sexuality in
Paradise is considered inconceivable in a truly divine religion. These
critics feel that such talk by an apparently spiritual person puts the very
character of that person in question.
In addition, the modern western thought considers women equal to
men in all aspects of life. Even from this aspect, the concept of Maidens
reserved only for men is difficult to accept for anyone brought up under
the influence of modern education.
I have responded to this objection against Islam for years. It has
progressed from being academic in nature to a high level of mockery
and disdain; the following satirical verse that paints the picture of
Paradise is a good example of the level of contempt held against this
concept:
“Beastly Mullahs are running after the terrified Maidens…”
Obviously, due to such remarks even some less informed Muslims
despise mention of the Maidens of Paradise. Some of our brothers in
the religious circles are also at fault as the style and manner of their
description of Maidens often evokes ridicule and criticism. It is
nevertheless a fact that at least Qur’an does not describe the Maidens
in a manner that would prompt such a reaction. However, is the Qur’an
devoid of the concept of Maidens? Anyone who has read the book with
deliberation knows that such is not the case. The Qur’an has clearly
mentioned the Maidens of Paradise. If the Almighty has mentioned this
concept so clearly, I have absolutely no problem in presenting it to
people with full confidence. In fact, an in depth study of sociology and
psychology tells us that such references in the Qur’an are a clear proof
that it is a divine book revealed by our all-knowing and wise Lord.
The main point of wisdom to appreciate regarding this issue has
been elaborated in a conversation between two of the central
characters of the novel. In short, the basic reasoning behind this is that
in this world, based on their roles, Islam has assigned the husband a
level higher than his wife, in terms of husband-wife relationship. It is
also a fact that practically speaking, because of their physique and social
circumstances, women are usually dependant on men socially as well as
for their physical protection. This will not be the case in Paradise.
Women in the Paradise will be men’s wives but they will be equal to
them in every aspect and not dependant on them in any way. However,
men will remain dependant on women for those physical needs for
which they are dependent on them in this world as well.
This dependency on women that the men will have in the Paradise
is the answer to the objections raised by the Western thought. The
equality of men and women that the people of the West champion in
this world will be fully present in the Hereafter, however, that will lead
to an issue of inequality of rights for men, and not the women. That
inequality has been addressed through Maidens. Therefore, the
objection that the reference to the Maidens is unjust does not bear
merit after this explanation.
It should also be kept in mind that a study of psychology of men and
women reveals that they are quite different psychologically. It is a basic
psychological need of women to be prominent and centre of attraction.
Women will still have a higher status in the Paradise because unlike the
Maidens, they will have become worthy of the Paradise due to their
good deeds. Obviously, their status and beauty will be higher than that
of the Maidens. For this reason, Maidens will not be able to take away
the central role and status of women of Paradise.
However, the issues related to men are a bit different from women.
I tried to explain this difference in the words that men are a necessity
for women (in this world) whereas women are more than a necessity
for men; they are in fact, a big blessing and a gift for them. I would like
to humbly avoid elaborating this further in words. However, it is indeed
true that the extent to which the Western civilisation has elaborated
this fact by unduly using women in advertisements and media, perhaps
no one else has done so in the entire history of the humanity.
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