It is un-Islamic for a man to stop a woman's career: Javeria Saud

The TV actor highlighted the crucial importance of men in a woman’s success

Javeria Saud boasts an impressive list of TV accomplishments that any actor would be proud of. Gracing Pakistani screens since 1993 before embarking on a brief hiatus in 2001 and making a comeback in 2006, the mother of two has been a very busy woman. But without husband Saud Qasmi, Javeria said she would not be where she is today.

Appearing as a guest on Piyara Mehmaan, hosted by Farhan Ali Waris on his show, Javeria was adamant that in Pakistani society, the support of a man is crucial to a woman’s ability to pursue her goals and ambitions. “Women who succeed in our society are only able to do so with the support of their men,” said Javeria. “The first step to success in the ladder of a woman’s career is a man, be it a father, a brother, or a husband.”

Javeria lauded the men in her life, acknowledging that their backing and encouragement had led her to the path her career has taken today, where, after starting a career performing naats on television, she became an actor, a writer, a producer, and the host of a morning show, as well as having her own Ramazan transmission.

“If Saud hadn’t been in my life, maybe I would never have been anything more than an actor,” she remarked. “In our culture, if the husband doesn’t allow something, the woman women can’t do it. Without the support of your family, you just cannot succeed – particularly in this field.”

Recognising her own privilege in a patriarchal society, Javeria turned her attention to the women who are barred from working outside the home by the men in their lives. In a stark reminder of how difficult it can be for many women to explore a world outside their home, Javeria once again highlighted the importance of a family who can be a safe space for a woman.

“If a woman’s family isn’t happy with her, she can never be happy,” she stated. Touching upon how many women walk on eggshells to keep the peace in the home, Javeria discussed how, from a religious perspective, it was morally and ethically wrong for a man to stop a woman from working outside the home. Cloaking her scathing view of unsupportive men in her delicate, soft-spoken tone, Javeria invited everyone to consider how the Prophet (PBUH) treated his wives.

“To this day I know so many women whose families don’t let them work, and I want to ask those people how they can stop their woman from working outside the home when the Prophet’s (PBUH) wife Hazrat Khadijah (RA) was the top businesswoman of her day,” said Javeria. “If the most pious man who has ever lived wanted to stop his women from working, he would have, but he didn’t, so who are you to stop them?”

The actor, who went on Hajj two years ago and wishes she could return again and again, lamented how far from religion Pakistani society has strayed by mixing it up with cherry-picked culture.

“We all make grand plans during Ramazan involving worship, but these rarely come to fruition as much as we would like. We all have developed bad habits. We don’t even follow sunnah as much as we should.”

One thing is for sure. The soft-spoken actor, who strives for success in all aspects of her life, be it professional, personal, or spiritual, has landed the perfect combination of ambition and support in her life.

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