- Literary critic and socialist Sir George Bernard Shaw said about the Prophet Mohammed (saw): “I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it much-needed peace and happiness.”
- To solve the crisis of Masculinity, the example of Prophet Mohammed (saw) must be followed.
Over the past decade, Feminism has turbocharged its mainstream prominence, leading to the fracturing of masculinity in the West. This is reflected in the disparity of prevalence of suicidal occurrences among the male demographic in contrast to their female counterparts, Sociodemographic inequalities in suicides in England and Wales – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
Feminism’s hegemonic paradigm culminates in innocuous influences such as, Netflix’s “chick flicks,” and the cultural impact of a post-Homer Simpson generation. Its pervasive presence can be seen in literature and academia, and the acceptance of a ‘simping’ culture. However, contrary to the emerging prevailing notion, when a man has been subjected to such indoctrination, he is in need of ‘The Sealed Nectar’ (the biography of Prophet Mohammed saw) rather than Red Pill’s strategic “Dread Game.”
It’s crunch time. With online gender wars being rife, anthropological experiments being used to define the ‘innate disposition of a man’. And globally renowned sheikh’s ignoring the threat of the perilous movement that is Feminism; it’s time to re-introduce the world to the paragon of masculinity: Prophet Mohammed (saw).
Emulating the final Prophet of Islam (saw), is the only remedy needed to combat the cancer of Feminism. Resorting to the Red Pill movement on the other hand, will always fail to foster harmony between the sexes.
Allow me to preface this, when a woman encounters an emasculated man who lacks boundaries and has frequent paroxysms, her immediate thought is often, ‘If this man doesn’t respect himself, why an earth would I respect him?’. Conversely, when she encounters an individual of the opposite sex who displays tyrannical and oppressive behaviour masked as masculinity, she may start contemplating the potential traumas he might have endured. Both archetypes of a man share a common trait: a lack of comprehension regarding women and how to unlock their fullest potential.
Aspiring for Prophetic masculinity is therefore the only barometer for success, as Islam instructs men to be just, compassionate and assertive leaders. This is the antithesis of a selfish tyrant who lacks morality, and on the other hand, a weak male who lacks strength and strong leadership skills. Given the current climate, it is somewhat ironic that a woman’s attraction to dominant men can be evidenced: The impact of dominance on partner’s height preferences and height-related mate choices – ScienceDirect
Unlike the Red Pill movement, Islam caters towards a beautiful synergy between the sexes in the household, this is achieved through hierarchy, defined boundaries and specified roles and responsibilities for both genders. Moreover, Islam is the only way of life that enables a woman to feel safe and secure in all facets of her life.
“Men are the caretakers of women, as men have been provisioned by Allah over women and tasked with supporting them financially. And righteous women are devoutly obedient and, when alone, protective of what Allah has entrusted them with.” (Quran, 4:34)
“Your spouses are a garment for you as you are for them.” (Quran, 2:187)
Women however, also have their role to play in achieving this synergy. Aisha RA was asked, “which type of woman is best?”, she replied,
“She does not speak evil, is not tricked by the machinations of men, whose heart is free of all but pleasing her husband and taking care of her family.”
A woman who is loving and obedient and puts her family first will always contribute to harmony, respite in the home, and social cohesion.
The Red Pill ideology in its entirety is fundamentally incompatible with Islam
Hypergamy/”High value man”:
When Red Pillers such as the late Kevin Samuels spoke of a ‘high value man’, its connotations were associated with traits such as physical fitness, neo-capitalism, financial success, stoicism, power and status.
Some of these teachings coincide with Islam, such as when: Prophet Mohammed (saw) not only detached from his wives emotionally but also removed himself physically when he was angered by them. https://sunnah.com/bukhari:5191
In addition, regarding the physical fitness of a man, The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
‘The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, although both are good. Strive for that which will benefit you, seek the help of Allah, and do not feel helpless.’
Sunan Ibn Majah 79
However, Islam does not attribute value to men based on their financial merits. To caveat this, wealth is not disapproved of in the faith, nor does it discourage a Muslim man from pursuing ambitious goals to navigate his journey in this world. Additionally, it is imperative for a Muslim man to comprehend his obligation as a provider. However, Islam does not give precedence to vanity metrics and superficial indicators such as social status. The primary focus of Prophet Mohammed (saw) was not confined to the transient and materialistic aspects of this world. Islam places greater importance on intangible qualities such as character and righteousness.
Moreover, it is crucial to recognise that if a man’s worth is solely determined by his financial and social standing, it can be swiftly diminished by unforeseen factors such as illness. Consequently, it would be unjust to assert that a woman should cease respecting or loving her husband due to such circumstances. A poignant illustration of this is found in the story of Prophet Ayoub AS (Job), and his wife’s response to his protracted illness.
Prophet Ayoub, despite being a man of considerable wealth, endured a severe test from Allah, wherein he lost his wealth and children. As a consequence, his companions abandoned him, and visitors were repulsed by his appearance. In this time of immense trial, only his fiercely loyal wife remained by his side, dutifully cared for him, consistently recalling his earlier kindness towards her and his deep love for her.
This narrative exemplifies the unwavering commitment and devotion that can exist within a marital relationship, transcending the fluctuating circumstances of wealth and social status. It underscores the significance of loyalty, compassion, and the recognition of muwadah and rahma (profound love and mercy) in fostering a strong bond between spouses. Islam therefore inspires spouses to strive for a deeper level of connection and understanding.
Hence, it is imperative to understand that the Islamic paradigm teaches us how souls align (not solely through romantic relationships). The Islamic concept of loving someone for the sake of Allah, showcases that a person wants what is best for them- not just in this life but the next. Therefore, when prophetic masculinity and Islamic leadership is displayed, a righteous woman will understand that the rijaal (man) in her household is fulfilling his Islamic duty by cherishing a woman with discipline and boundaries, all with deep love. This embodies something that the Red Pill movement is unable to match.
“Women are hypergamous by nature”
Copious studies assert and many modern-day duat claim. However, hypergamy does not determine a successful marriage.
This can be seen in the example of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Tom Cruise, an established Hollywood actor with immense fame and wealth entered a relationship with Holmes, a significantly less successful actress. Their marriage ended in a highly publicised divorce. We see similar events unfold in the more recent case of Jhonny Depp and Amber Heard.
The Dread Game
The Red Pill ideology proposes the strategic “Dread game” for men. This necessitates the deliberate employment of mind games and psychological manipulation towards women. Under the misguided notion that such actions instil excitement and will enable a man to possess greater authority. In doing so, individuals erroneously conflate incidental aspects with fundamental ones. However, embracing such a strategy merely serves to transform men into unstable and erratic people, while women, in contrast, gravitate towards stability and yearn for a sense of security. This viewpoint stands in stark contrast to the principles of tarbiyah, which advocate following a well-defined framework. It is crucial to note that this does not imply that a Muslim man should embody dullness, predictability, or the absence of excitement. However, succumbing to manipulative game-playing dynamics, espoused by the “Red Pill” ideology, as suggested, would only lead to inauthenticity.
“Marriage and children are not the goal”
Red Pill adherents actively dissuade men from engaging in marriage and embracing fatherhood. They encourage promiscuity for men. This presents a significant conundrum, as these tenants directly contradict the corpus of teachings in Islam. Promiscuity evidently leads to the degeneracy of society. Those Muslims who advocate for selectively adopting the favorable and discarding the unfavorable, under the premise of “taking what is good and leaving what is bad” from this ideology, make an eccentric assertion. This seems somewhat strange and unnecessary when we possess an immaculate guide given to us by the Divine, Allah, Prophet Mohammed (saw) and the Qur’an.
Feminism and Red Pill’s Impact on Dawah and Muslim Speakers
Islam is not in need of any isms and skisms and supporting ideologies such as Feminism or Red Pill.
We have recently however, witnessed prominent Muslims speakers in the USA make statements such as ‘A woman can abort a baby when and however she likes!”. We have also heard the likes of Muslim Feminists speak falsehood about our beloved Prophet Mohammed (saw), making statements such as “Khadijah RA was Prophet Mohammed (saw’s) boss.” Prophet Mohammed (saw) lead Khadijah RA. Moreover, he (saw) is a leader of the entire ummah who was sent down for the whole of mankind.
Other so called learned Muslim feminists advocate for women to prioritise their own needs above all else and even suggest terminating their marriages during challenging times.
On the other end of the spectrum, statements from the Red Pill ideology are now being used by duat such as, “A woman has no value after 30”. This is a highly problematic statement which is at loggerheads with Islam. Prophet Mohammed (saw) demonstrated a profound reverence for our mother, Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her), an esteemed woman who, despite being widowed and divorced, entered into a marriage with Prophet Mohammed (saw) at the age of 40 (according to most accounts).
Islam strongly encourages people to marry young in order to prevent corruption in the land. However, it is certainly not an ageist religion which excludes and shuns a wide demographic of society. Moreover, it acknowledges that the ummah is not one monolith and those within it have differing circumstances, as we see in the hadith below.
Narrated Jabir:
My father died and left behind seven or nine daughters, and I married a woman. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Did you get married, O Jabir?” I replied, “Yes.” He asked, “Is she a virgin or a matron?” I replied, “She is a matron.” He said, “Why didn’t you marry a virgin girl so that you might play with her and she with you (or, you might make her laugh and she make you laugh)?” I said, “My father died, leaving seven or nine girls (orphans) and I did not like to bring a young girl like them, so I married a woman who can look after them.” He said, “May Allah bestow His Blessing on you.”
Bukhari
the epitome of manhood and the best of mankind:
For those of you reading this who are not fully aware of who Prophet Mohammed (saw) was. I urge you to study his life. If you want to know what manliness is and what it means to be a Rijaal, study the life of the greatest human being who walked this earth. You will then understand why billions of Muslims love him more than our own mothers. He was the most fearless combatant with the softest of hearts. An orphan who was brought up in a harsh desert in Arabia who transformed a backward society into a great civilization. He was a just conqueror, a loving father and husband, and the most visionary of mankind. He, (saw), came with one message: to call humanity to the worship of the One creator.
American astrophysicist, author, historian, and researcher Michael Hart listed Prophet Mohammed (saw) as the most influential person in the world. He said he was “supremely successful in religious and secular relationships.”
Literary critic and socialist Sir George Bernard Shaw said about the Prophet Mohammed (saw): “I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it much-needed peace and happiness.”
Cassels Weekley said, “In a little more than a year, he was actually the spiritual, nominal, and temporal ruler of Medina, with his hands on the lever that was to shake the world.”
More recently, in 2022, Patheon, ranked the most noble Prophet (saw) as the most memorable person Ranking of memorable people | Pantheon