From Tawḥīd to the Ego: The Hidden Shirk in Modern Feminism
In recent years, a particular idea of “independence” promoted by modern feminist movements has gained popularity- even among Muslims. On the surface, it sounds appealing: be independent, need no one, do it all yourself. But beneath this slogan lies a worldview that is deeply problematic from an Islamic perspective. It does not merely encourage confidence or self-reliance; it elevates the self to a central, unquestioned authority. In doing so, it quietly nurtures egoism, arrogance, and a form of self-worship that directly conflicts with tawḥīd.
One of the Names of Allah is As-Ṣamad, meaning The Absolutely Independent, The Self-Sufficient, the One upon whom all depend. This Name alone demolishes the modern obsession with “absolute independence.” In Islam, absolute independence belongs to Allah alone. Every created being- man or woman- is, by necessity, dependent: dependent on Allah for existence, sustenance, guidance, and even the ability to choose.
When a movement calls people to view themselves as self-sufficient, unaccountable, and in need of no one, it crosses from social theory into theology. This is where the danger lies. Such a narrative subtly invites shirk by assigning to the human ego an attribute that belongs only to Allah.
The feminist slogan that women can do it all sounds empowering, but in reality it is a narcissistic call. It embeds the idea that needing others is weakness and that reliance is humiliation. Islam never denies women strength, intelligence, or capability- but it never claims that humans were created to be self-sufficient.
We were created to need Allah and to live in mutual dependence with others. Marriage, family, and community are not signs of oppression; they are signs of divine wisdom. When independence is framed as liberation from dependence itself, it teaches people to worship autonomy rather than submit to Allah.
There is also a glaring contradiction that deserves honest attention. In cases of divorce, many who fiercely champion “independence” demand alimony- sometimes for months or even years. This exposes the ideological inconsistency of the narrative. If independence means not relying on anyone, where does that principle go when dependence becomes inconvenient? Islam, by contrast, is intellectually and morally consistent. It acknowledges human dependence openly and legislates rights and responsibilities without pretending that self-sufficiency is a virtue.
What is particularly telling is that this rhetoric is rarely directed at men. Men are not constantly told that needing a family, emotional support, or partnership makes them weak. Women, however, are urged to detach- from husbands, from family structures, and even from the idea of being cared for. The consequences are visible everywhere: broken families, delayed marriages, emotional burnout, loneliness, and social fragmentation. A society built on ego cannot sustain mercy.
This is a gentle but sincere reminder to my sisters: do not fall for the liberal feminist life mantra. It has not delivered peace. It has not delivered fulfillment. Even many once-ardent feminists now publicly regret what they once celebrated- regret over fractured families, lost years, and a persistent inner emptiness. A worldview rooted in self-worship cannot heal the soul.
Islam does not call women to be powerless, nor does it call men to dominance. It calls both to ‘ubūdiyyah- servitude to Allah- and to humility before Him. True strength is not found in radical independence, but in conscious reliance: on Allah first, and then through the relationships He has ordained. If we want peace- personal, familial, and societal- we must return to what Allah wants, not what feminist ideologies demand.
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