Statements in Meeting with a Group of Women Doctors from Across the Country

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

I am very grateful to you ladies who have come from various places—both from cities and different universities—and gathered here to demonstrate to anyone who sees and becomes aware, the collection of knowledgeable and specialized women who, thanks be to God, possess a significant share of faith and religious practice, as a manifestation of Islamic construction. I am also thankful for your remarks and statements. Your analysis of today's world issues is correct, and whatever is based on such insight and analysis promises blessings and progress.

In one sentence, I must say that we—those who speak in the name of Islam today and consider the mission of Islam to be the superior mission—take pride in the existence of women like you. This is because any propaganda and claim, whenever it approaches the stage of action and realization, will find its true value. We have claims in the name of Islam regarding the issue of women on one hand, the issue of knowledge and expertise on the other, and the issue of serving humanity on yet another side. Our claims are within the framework of Islam.

We believe that women in any healthy human society are capable and must be given the opportunity to take on their share of efforts and competition in scientific and social advancements, construction, and the administration of this world. In this regard, there is no difference between men and women. The purpose of the creation of each individual human is the same as the purpose of the creation of humanity; that is, reaching human perfection and benefiting from the greatest virtues that a human can be adorned with. There is no difference between men and women. The first sign of this is Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her) and, subsequently, other great women in history.

Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her) stands at the pinnacle of humanity, and no one is above her. We see that this noble lady, as a Muslim woman, found the opportunity and power to elevate herself to this peak. Therefore, there is no difference between men and women, and perhaps it is for this reason that the Almighty God, in the Holy Quran, when giving examples of good and bad humans, chooses women as examples in both cases. One example is the wife of Pharaoh, and in another case, the wives of Noah and Lot: "And God presents an example for those who believe: the wife of Pharaoh." Conversely, for the bad and misguided human who moves in the wrong direction, He gives the example of the wives of Noah and Lot.

Here, the question arises: there were men too, so why not give one example from men and one from women? No, throughout the Quran, when it says: "God presents an example for those who believe" or "God presents an example for those who disbelieve," in both cases, it uses women as examples. Does this not mean that we must respond from the Islamic perspective to the incorrect and unfortunately persistent historical view of the status of women? Islam wants to stand and correct this incorrect understanding and approach to the issue of women, which has existed throughout history.

I am surprised—except for exceptions—why it has been this way? Why has humanity always thought wrongly about the issue of men and women and wants to stand against this? If you set aside the teachings of the prophets, in all human perceptions, analyses, and thoughts, the status of men and women is incorrect, and the relationship between men and women is incorrect. Even in the very advanced ancient civilizations—like the Roman or Iranian civilizations—the perception of women is incorrect, which I do not want to elaborate on, and you surely know and can refer to it.

Today, the situation in the world is the same. Today, despite all the noise and claims made in support of women and their human position, unfortunately, the same incorrect perception exists, and Europeans, because they entered the field later than Islamic and non-European countries, became aware of the issue of women later.

You know that until the second decades of this century, no woman anywhere in Europe had the right to vote. Even in places where there was democracy, women did not have the right to spend their own money. From the second decade—meaning from the years 1916 or 1918 onwards—European countries gradually decided to give women the right to express opinions and control their own capital and equal social rights with men. Therefore, Europe woke up very late and understood the issue very late. It seems that they want to make up for this backwardness in terms of time with false noise.

Of course, in European history, there were women who became queens or were aristocrats; but the rule of a woman and the women of a family or a clan or a class is different from the issue of women. These discriminations have always existed. There have been women who were placed at high levels and, for example, became queens of a country, and this privilege was given to them through family and inheritance; but "women" were not like this, and contrary to the views of religions—which are healthy and untouched, Islam is, and other religions certainly have the same view—they have not enjoyed any rights in society.

So, you see that even today, when the world of Western civilization wants to make up for its very blameworthy backwardness regarding the issue of women, it compensates in a different way. My perception is that they overshadow human concepts regarding women with propaganda, political, and economic issues; just as it was in Europe from the beginning, and from the time women were given rights, it was mostly based on these incorrect foundations.

When I look at the scene of world thoughts and observe the perspective of Islam, I clearly realize that human society will only be able to find its health and ideal perfection regarding the issue of women and the relationship between men and women when it understands and tries to present the views of Islam without any addition or subtraction and without excess or deficiency. This is our claim regarding the issue of women in the world. We do not accept at all what is done and exists in today's material civilizations regarding women, and we do not consider it to be in the interest and welfare of women and the whole society.

Islam wants the intellectual, scientific, social, political, and—above all—virtuous and spiritual growth of women to reach the highest level, and their existence to have the highest benefit and fruit for society and the human family—as a member. All Islamic teachings, including the issue of hijab, are based on this. The issue of hijab does not mean isolating women. If someone has such an understanding of hijab, their understanding is completely wrong and deviated. The issue of hijab means preventing the unrestricted mixing and mingling of men and women in society. This mixing is detrimental to society and harmful to both men and women—especially to women.

Hijab is by no means an obstacle or hindrance to political, social, and scientific activities; the tangible proof of this is you. Perhaps some were surprised and still are surprised that a woman exists at a high scientific level in any field who aligns herself with Islamic teachings, including the issue of hijab. This was unbelievable for some, and they could not imagine it.

We overlook the vulgar and frivolous encounters of those who, during the tyrannical regime, mocked hijab. During that time, a few women and young ladies in universities wore hijab and were ridiculed and mocked. That encounter was a non-human, frivolous, and wrong approach where a person drags something they do not accept into the mud and mocks it; something that Western media are doing exactly today. During that time, such individuals were doing the work of the vulgar, which is not even a subject of discussion; but even those who were not involved in such vulgarities, but were people of thought and logic and measured speech and thought, did not believe that it was possible for a woman to be committed to Islamic issues—including the issue of hijab—and be able to progress in scientific fields and become knowledgeable; just as they did not believe that such a person could become someone in political and social matters; just as they did not think they could be an active revolutionary element.

Our revolution refuted all these false perceptions, and we saw that women were the frontline soldiers of the revolution, and this is in the true sense of the word, and I do not say it as an exaggeration. We witnessed during the revolution that women in our country became the frontline soldiers of the revolution. If women were not compatible with the revolution and did not accept it and did not believe in it, this revolution would certainly not have happened. I believe in this meaning. Firstly, if they were not there, half of the revolutionary group would not have been directly in the field. Secondly, indirectly, they influenced their children, husbands, brothers, and the home environment—where women have a significant cultural impact. It was their presence that could break the backbone of the enemy and truly advance the struggle.

In political arenas, too, we have seen and see women who have the power of analysis and oratory and are ready to take on responsibilities in the Islamic system. Of course, this work is still expanding and must progress. In scientific fields, too, you are the example and sample, and there are others like you in various fields.

Of course, I should say here that the field of medicine—not just for women—is a priority for women; because we, who believe in a social interaction and mixing distance between men and women and emphasize that there should not be unrestricted mixing between men and women and believe in hijab—in the complete and real sense of the word—cannot be indifferent to the issue of medicine. That is, we need as many female doctors as we have male doctors. Let women refer to female doctors for their medical consultations, and there is no need for us to remove this distance. We must ensure that women can consult a doctor without any problem, and that doctor should be a female doctor.

Some women thought that if a woman studied in the field of gynecology, she should only study in the field of women's specific diseases and childbirth; whereas this is not the case, and women are obliged to pursue various medical specialties—such as cardiology, internal medicine, neurology, etc. This is a duty. Today, this obligation for women is greater than for men; although in our society, the education of various fields of science necessary for building this society is a duty for everyone. Those who can, today is truly one of those days when acquiring knowledge is a religious duty; in addition to being a social duty.

Acquiring knowledge is not just a privilege for someone to want to reach a position and have a high-paying job; the issue is that those who can study are obliged to study and acquire specialties. Acquiring knowledge and specialization in the field of medicine—like other fields—is obligatory for men; but it is more obligatory for women because the field of work among women is less. Compared to the number of women in society, we have fewer female doctors. Therefore, from the Islamic perspective, this issue is a resolved issue, and our society must progress.

I want to say that you ladies have a message for the world. Make this message precise and established and deliver it to the world. The message is not just a verbal and written message; rather, it is more of a practical message. Iranian women, especially those who have been able to move within various fields of knowledge and within the framework of Islam and Islamic laws, and most importantly the issue of hijab, must practically convey to the women, girls, and female students of the world that knowledge does not mean lawlessness, and the pursuit of knowledge does not require disregard for moral standards regarding the interaction of men and women; rather, one can fully observe these standards, pursue knowledge, and reach high places, and your existence can be shown as an example of the global message of Islam.

Yes, I also agree with what you said that today the world is thirsty to see what the message of religions is. Among the world's religions, the one that claims it can build society comprehensively is Islam. Christianity today and other religions, a fortiori, do not have this claim; but Islam claims that it has the pillars of building a social system and can establish these foundations and build a healthy and advanced social system and society based on these foundations. We must show in all areas, including the issue of acquiring knowledge and also in connection with this issue, the issue of women and knowledge, that this possibility is available to Islam.

Encourage and train female students as much as you can and advance them in the field of sciences. This work will bring the revolution and the country closer to its goals. People need your services; just as they need your method, conduct, commitment, and adherence to religion.

I hope that, God willing, God will grant you success, and as you said, consider and make Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her) your model, and may the obstacles to educational work be removed from the path of Muslim women more than before. Some problems still exist severely in some educational centers. God willing, these problems will be resolved, and our Muslim girls and women can pursue this path of acquiring knowledge more and stronger, and we take pride in the existence of women who, while maintaining Islamic standards, have reached the highest peaks of human potential—both scientifically and morally, politically, and socially.

Once again, I thank the ladies and hope that, God willing, God will include you in His successes.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings