Eman Sakina

In Islam, the religion for men and women is the same. Men and women are identical in terms of being addressees of the faith. However, their arenas of activity have been separated. Women are charged with the responsibility of nurturing future generations while maintaining and providing for their families is the responsibility of the men. In the same manner, even among men, there are differences in terms of their respective arenas of activity. One such difference, that Islam makes is between the arena of activity of scholars, on one hand, and political leaders, on the other. Scholars have the responsibility of being guides and teachers of the people so that the latter does not go astray.

The following Quranic verse gives us appropriate guidance about the role of the ulema:

It is not right that all believers should go out [in times of war] altogether. Why then does not a party from every group come to [the Prophet] to acquire a deeper knowledge of religion and to warn their people, so that they can guard themselves against evil? (The Quean 9: 122).

As a Muslim, understanding and learning Islamic values is an obligation that can be disseminated to Muslims or other humans. The concept of ulama in the Qur'an is the plural form of the word alim which means "knowing or knowing."Therefore, ulama can be interpreted as a person or group of people who have a broad and deep level of Islamic understanding accompanied by sincerity and honesty in doing (Juhari, 2018, Vol. 1, No. 2: 25)

We see that there is no requirement for a scholar only from men. Women also have the same potential and opportunity to become ulama.

Women in this civilization are very rarely not forbidden to be in the position of making decisions, elaborating, and implementing religious laws. In addition to the rights that have been given to women, a woman has an essential role in influencing public decisions or policies of Islamic society. Among them are Hazrat Khadijah, Fatima, and others. They are seen as women who have specific capacities and ideals. Their opinions and thoughts are in line with the opinions and thoughts of men, and they also have an essential position in the early development of Islam (Zahara, 2019Vol 6, No 2: 101).

Islam does not distinguish between rights and obligations that exist in human anatomy. Rights and obligations are always the same in the eyes of Islam for the two different anatomies. Islam puts forward the concept of justice for anyone and anyone regardless of their gender.

Muslim women have a very strategic role in educating people, improving society, and building civilization. An educated Muslim Ulema can help many weaker sections of society where women fear getting an education or are not treated fairly. A woman can learn how to fight for her rights if properly guided by a woman’s ulema.

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Thus, providing a platform for women’s ulema is important today so that she can raise her voice and learn what to do in times of crisis. There is no difference between men and women in the human capacity as a servant. Both have the same potential and opportunities to become servants of the idea.  The ideal servant is the people who are “pious."