Answer
Short Answer: Women and girls in Islam have every right to attain self-fulfillment as long as they are not spreading a message of corruption. She should act on stage as a person of character, a soul of content, and a brain of intellect. The only condition here would be that she keeps herself confined within the Islamic boundaries for a Muslim woman. Thus, she should never surrender to the modern tradition of treating women as sex objects.
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Salam (Peace) Becca,
Thank you for contacting About Islam with your question.
Muslim women, at all ages, have every right to participate and enjoy social and intellectual activities.
Not only that, they, just like Muslim men, are obliged to serve and be of use to their community, locally and internationally.
By being of use and serving here, I mean fulfilling their communities’ needs through whatever skills they master. Yet, of course this service can take different formats.
According to Islam, God created mankind (male and female) to serve and worship Him through leading a virtues and useful life.
The Quran explicitly says that this is the target of our creation:
{I have not created jinn and mankind except to worship Me.} (Adh-Dhariyat 51:56)
Worshiping God in Islam is mainly involved with reaching Him through the different paths and aspects of life, and getting to know Him by getting closer to Him.
Serving Him, the One and Only Creator, is never limited to spiritual communication, prayers, and other religious rituals.
Islamic worship is a way of life. A Muslim is a person who submits peacefully to his or her Creator, and serves Him through all means of life.
The Quran says:
{Say: “My prayers and sacrifice, my life and death, are all for God, Lord of all Worlds.”} (Al-An`am 6:162)
So, a Muslim worships through praying and fasting, being involved in the mosque, giving charity, being good to the poor, being a good student, being a fair manager, working honestly, and establishing useful projects that would benefit mankind.
Notice that the verse is speaking of devoting one’s “life” for God, not only one’s religious or spiritual rituals. By this, it is meant the choice of leading a virtuous useful life, which is beneficial to both the person and the society.
We all, as human beings, are always stuck in every moment of our lives between two choices. In any situation, we have to make the decision to choose between vice and virtue, to choose between good and bad.
Drama Classes
In the case you are discussing, a drama class monologue can be directed either way.
A young woman can choose between delivering a decent monologue that would be of use to herself and to her audience or a monologue that would spread lust and convey corruption.
On a personal basis, and I am not giving a scholarly opinion here, I am of the opinion that the young girl should go for it. But, what she would need to fix here is her intentions.
She would be of great benefit to herself and to her audience if she intends her act as a service of God. In this case, she does not necessarily need to preach or speak of religious matters.
Just have her deliver a positive message. She can dedicate her monologue to convey a social message, a moral message, a global message, and so on.
I would never advise this girl to back up from such a chance to help change the wheel of life for the better, simply because she is a female.
As mentioned above, women in Islam are anchors in their societies. They share rights and responsibilities.
The great female Companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) always acted responsibly towards both the Muslim community and all societies at their time.
The only condition here would be that she keeps herself confined within the Islamic boundaries for a Muslim woman. Thus, she should never surrender to the modern tradition of treating women as sex objects.
She should act on stage as a person of character, a soul of content, and a brain of intellect.
In this case her message will definitely be conveyed and she will be able to maintain her self-respect, as well as the respect of the audience.
Women and girls in Islam have every right to attain self-fulfillment as long as they are not spreading a message of corruption. This applies to men as well.
I hope this answers your question. Please keep in touch.
Salam.
(From Ask About Islam archives)
Please continue feeding your curiosity, and find more info in the following links:
1400 Years Ago, Islam Offered the Perfect Social System for Women
https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/in-focus/women-in-islam-special-folder/