06-07-2008, 07:19 PM
Bismillah
Sorry Wael, didnt notice your invitation except now. I m not sure I have the answer for this though. I can search Wael or would you care to elighten me pls. I will appreciate it.
But as for John, well, if a country applying the Islamic Sharia, a ruler becomes responsible for the ruled public actions as much as he is held accountable before them. In other words, he has to observe Allah's limits before he asks them to do so. Because he is in charge, he is responsible, he has to ensure that public enforces Sharia. In every nation there are those who want to break the law on any level. For instance, the usa is applying an anti corruption act by which it even holds its citizens accountable even if they are outside the US. This law that must be enforced includes as well maintaining overall public security in all aspects. Women abiding by the Islamic dress code is part of this law, not all women want to abide by the law in a way or another. Such as for instance violating traffic law, public order, ..etc. In those cases law must be enforced in a way or another. Women dress code is one of those parts of the Sharia that touches other human beings rights which is the woman herself, her household, and the community at large. As for driving, many scholars in Saudi Arabia now talk about parts of those law being founded upon cultrual trends rather than Sharia. I m not a scholar, not even near one. But women driving I dont think is Haram. I remember reading sometime back someone in Saudi Arabis arguing, is it better to have the woman drive herself or hire a driver and ride alone with him??? Altough the latter option also has an explanation in Sharia. In Sharia, a Khelwa (a woman and man being alone in a place) is established when no one else is available, unlikely to be available, the place is secluded where the woman and man are all alone. This is what a khelwa is according to Shaira. According to this, a woman getting into her bosses office, even with the door closed is not a khelwa because at any time, someone might just open the door and come in. Being with a driver in car amidst traffic when everyone can see both people, does not count as Khelwa. Of course, taking this car to a secluded place will certainly be one.
Again, to just come to the point, some of those practices are culture based, others are Sharia. The Sharia ones have to be enforced whether or not we like it, this is law.