Masculine Woman

There is a growing trend in certain Arab and Muslim societies to normalize and increase the presence of a certain type of woman. This is supported by radical feminist forces that seek to break free from values, moral boundaries, cultural traditions, divine laws, and everything connected to natural human instincts (fitrah).

This is the phenomenon of the “masculine woman”—a woman who competes with men in all arenas of life. Sometimes under the pretense of gender equality, other times in the name of women’s empowerment, and sometimes simply to prove her superiority over the “male.” Often, this is driven by blind imitation of harmful Western models, falsely presented under the guise of modernity and civilization.

This masculine woman stands in direct opposition to traditional femininity, as she resents marriage, disdains the family bond, hates raising children, rebels against obedience to her husband, and rejects the value of family life.

Worse still is what she calls for under slogans such as gender equality, equal inheritance, women’s liberation, bodily freedom, sexual freedom, multiple husbands—until it reaches the point of endorsing deviant behavior and total rejection of everything the Islamic Sharia upholds and everything that natural human instinct affirms.

This type of woman is now being encouraged to engage in combat sports like boxing and wrestling, to lift heavy weights, to hurdle obstacles, and climb mountains, along with other violent and dangerous activities that add no value to the balanced and naturally feminine woman.

Let it be clear: I’m not here to condemn women’s working, practicing sports, or participating in politics, economics, arts, or other fields, so long as it is done within the well-established boundaries of Islamic Sharia. The purpose here is to expose a destructive plan targeting the Muslim woman and stripping her from her authentic identity.

Feminism’s Impact on Muslim Women's Identity

Missing Roles

The accusation of “patriarchy” that is constantly directed at men has now become a sword hanging over their heads. A man may be labeled “patriarchal” just for upholding religious teachings, safeguarding cultural traditions, or refusing to allow women to work in certain professions.

This accusation comes swiftly, and the wave of criticism rises, applying all forms of intimidation and psychological pressure on men. Masculinity is no longer viewed as a male trait alone; some women now claim the right to adopt and apply “masculine” ideas themselves. In doing so, they slowly lose their feminine essence until they become mere distorted images of what a woman once was.

Over the past two decades, there has been a marked decline in women fulfilling their essential roles—roles that were once a vital source of strength and cohesion in building our Arab and Muslim societies. These roles include the sanctity of marriage, raising children, and preserving the family unit. In their place, we now see rising rates of spinsterhood, divorce, fear of marriage (gamophobia), and a sharp increase in family disintegration. These trends have had dangerous repercussions, including children being driven into the pits of addiction, atheism, and crime.

Dark Reality for Working Western Women

The role of the wife, the mother, and the nurturing caregiver has faded or at least significantly declined. In their place, we now see the employee woman, the politician woman, the athlete woman, and various images of the woman in global forums, many of which are cloaked in a veil of “masculinity.”

Similarly, in many societies, the modest, balanced, and traditionally feminine woman has been pushed aside in favor of the “liberated” woman, the bold woman, and the naked woman. All this under the slogans of fame and glory, in the pursuit of becoming the so-called “Iron Woman.”

Feminism and Atheism: Two Sides of the Same Coin!

Responsibilities and Conditions

This is not the correct path to progress. Allah, in His infinite wisdom, created a distinction between male and female, as He says: “And the male is not like the female” [Aal-Imran: 36] Based on this divine distinction, Islamic rulings and jurisprudence were established, giving each gender its social and functional role in a Muslim society, without injustice or bias.

The scholars of Tafsir have explained the ayah: “Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth.” [An-Nisa: 34] This means the man's guardianship stems from two factors: first, a divine favor, “what Allah has given one over the other”—as Allah has made men prophets, rulers, warriors, and legal guardians, making the affiliation to them and divorce in their hands.

Second, it is earned, “and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth.”—men are responsible for financially supporting women through dowry at marriage, alimony after divorce, and covering all their basic needs, obligations not placed on women. If the man didn’t fulfill such responsibilities, he loses the right of guardianship.

Thus, male guardianship is not a badge of honor or a privilege, but a role with conditions and obligations, followed by political, economic and social roles. If the man fulfills them with excellence, he becomes a true man; otherwise, he remains just a male without true manhood.

Likewise, a woman has specific roles and responsibilities. If she fulfills them with excellence and sincerity, she becomes a model woman, without denying her right to education, work, or public service, as long as these are within the accepted boundaries of Islamic Sharia.

Our societies are in urgent need of reclaiming the true roles of women, reviving roles that have faded, roles that once exemplified the golden age of Islam. We also need to create new, constructive roles for women that contribute to the civilization of this Ummah, not masculine roles that add no benefit and feed neither body nor soul.

Female Bodybuilding: A Sport or a Step Towards Masculinity?

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