Grand Mufti refers to women as 'helpers of men' in White Ribbon Day statement
The Grand Mufti is under fire for referring to women as “helpers” and mentioning an ancient sermon that says husbands have “rights” over their wives, in his White Ribbon day speech.
Australia’s most senior Muslim minister posted the statement to Facebook where he referred to an ancient sermon known as Muhammad’s Final Sermon indicating woman were submissive.
Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed was accused of ‘cherry picking’ parts of the speech, which can also be known as the Farewell Sermon, that states men should 'treat women well.'
White Ribbon Day is the international day for the elimination of violence against women and was celebrated on Wednesday to raise awareness about domestic and family violence.
The Grand Mufti’s statement read: “Kind and compassionate treatment of women is so significant in Islam that in his farewell pilgrimage sermon the Prophet Muhammad said: ‘Treat women well for they are your helpers and partners’.”
When the Grand Mufti posted the statement on Facebook, social media user James Davis questioned the choice of final sermon, claiming the prophet must be aware that that part of the sermon gives permission for men to strike their wives.
“Grand mufti, you must be aware that in almost all translations of the final sermon that you are referencing, the prophet gives permission for men to strike their wives for certain misbehaviours, “ one user wrote.
“With all due respect, rather than just cherry pick the line that says ‘treat women well’, will you go further and denounce the text giving permission to strike women as wrong?”
The full version of this part of the sermon states: “O People, it is true that you have certain rights with ¬regard to your women, but they also have right over you. If they abide by your right, then to them (women) belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness.
Do treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.”
It is the latest in a string of controversial incidents for the Mufti, who came under fire for saying the the Paris attacks were caused because of “racism” and “Islamophobia” was partly to blame.
Another incident has risen from a book written by the Mufti more than 20 years ago, it reportedly described non-Muslims as wanting women to walk around "exposed as a piece of sweet pastry... devoured by the eyes of men".
he Daily Mail published excerpts from Ibrahim Abu Mohamed's religious text An Invitation to Contemplate that contained the passage.
Dr Mohamed reportedly wrote that while Islam wanted women to be a "companion, who is beautiful, compassionate and good", non-Muslims wanted them to be a "girlfriend or a mistress, a tool for pleasure for a cheap price".
In the book translated into English in 1993 Dr Mohammed also wrote "Islam wanted you beautiful on the outside, and clean on the outside, and clean on the inside, not preoccupied with meaningless exteriors, not subservient in your opinion and choice to any, independent of though, making sound decisions and of free will".
"They wanted you... with legs and arms exposed, filling the shopping malls and the streets, competing for the glimpses of men."
Dr Mohammed was also criticised for his comments following the Paris terrorist attacks that killed more than 120 people.
He said part of the cause of the attacks were racism and Islamophobia around the world.
The Daily Mail quoted one of the book's English translators, Keysar Trad, saying it was a "fairly literal" translation.
"Islam promotes modesty for both men and women. From time to time, we use a variety of linguistic tools to glorify modesty," he said.
