Islam and Women, Revised
Posted by Moiz Khan in ReligionMar 14th, 2009 | 12 responsesFor the majority of my life I was a Muslim, a child of Muslim parents, a nephew of Muslim aunts and uncles, and so on. Most of the people I spent my childhood were Muslims, and every single one of them repeated a phrase almost verbatim. “Islam is the only religion that gives respect and honor to women.” I personally never really gave the statement much thought, rather, I just accepted it on surface value. So whenever someone from the outside brought up the treatment of women in Islamic cultures, I repeated this mantra like a statement of unquestionable fact. It was not until I looked upon Islam from the outside that I truly grasped just how false that statement was. Islam does not give respect to women, it does the exact opposite. It suppresses and subjugates them. It keeps them down purposely, as Islam truly is a man-made religion. It deprives women of their beauty with veils, their minds with dogma, and their freedom with the law.
One of the most common replies to the oppressive treatment of women is, “it’s the culture, not religion.” The people who say this, either know nothing of the religion they are speaking of, or are purposely lying. It must be one or the other, there is no middle ground in this matter. The Qur’an clearly outlines what rights women have, and which rights they don’t. In fact, the 4th chapter of the Qur’an deals directly with women, as it is titled “Al-Nisa” which translates to “The Woman.” If there were ever a place to prove my point, it would be this chapter of the Qur’an. So, let us explore the claim of whether or not Islam gives respect to women by reading this chapter.
4:3 And if ye fear that ye will not deal fairly by the orphans, marry of the women, who seem good to you, two or three or four; and if ye fear that ye cannot do justice (to so many) then one (only) or (the captives) that your right hands possess. Thus it is more likely that ye will not do injustice.
This verse is often seen as part of the justification as to why men are given the right to marry multiple women. The first claim it makes is that, it is possible for a man to treat multiple women equally. All one needs to evaluate the validity of this claim is to ask any self-respecting woman if such is possible. The next interesting aspect is that, it allows men to marry multiple women, but not women to marry multiple men. Clearly, this verse implies that there is an inherent inequality, as it assumes that only men are in the position to provide for multiple women, but not the other way around.
4:11 Allah chargeth you concerning (the provision for) your children: to the male the equivalent of the portion of two females, and if there be women more than two, then theirs is two-thirds of the inheritance, and if there be one (only) then the half.
Unlike the previous verse that only implies an inherent inequality, this chapter essentially states this supposed inequality outright. Men are given double of what women are given. Again, the Qur’an is creates the justification for inequality and suppression.
4:34 Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great.
Here is a cluster of sexist nonsense. Now, it clearly says, “men are in charge of women.” Why is this so? Why can’t women be in charge of men? How has god made males better than females? According to any sensible knowledge of modern anatomy, there are negligible differences between the two, so how is a male “made to excel over the female” ? Why is a good woman obedient to god and men? Why can’t a woman be simply obedient to god? Why aren’t good males obedient to god and females? If you had any objection to the other verses, surely there cannot be any mistake here. This passage also states the proper punishment for the women who aren’t obedient. First a male can essentially yell at them, second, send them to another bed and then third you can beat them and not allow them outside the house. This single passage allows men to be in charge of women, forces women to be obedient or else face harsh consequences. It ends off with a praise of god, surely no person of reasonable, or even mediocre ethics could not praise any god which would give such filthy and disgusting passages to be the final revelation.
24:31 And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands or fathers or husbands’ fathers, or their sons or their husbands’ sons, or their brothers or their brothers’ sons or sisters’ sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male attendants who lack vigour, or children who know naught of women’s nakedness.
One of my main grievances with Islam and the Qur’an is that it states that modesty is a virtue for women in relation to god and men, but modesty is only a virtue for men in relation to god. This passage highlights this grievance of mine. I simply cannot understand the desire to force a woman to wear veils. I also do not see why a woman must lower her gaze, especially in direct submission to men. Surely this passage is convenient for males, as they can continue with their sick desire to subjugate women. However, as a male, I could not participate in any religion which states such blatant falsehoods and obvious sexist non-sense regardless of their convenience to me.
What I hope to have established is that, a person cannot consider themselves a feminist if they protect or even worse, follow Islam. The presupposition that men are inherently superior to women (which clearly exists within the passages of the Qur’an) is the antithesis to feminism. For those who are women and also follow the Islamic faith, my question is, why? Why follow a religion which so obviously against you. It is not the culture that allows for males to assume they can suppress you, but rather, it is the religion itself. For one to consider themselves a Muslim, they must follow every single aspect of the Qur’an, if even a single passage seems wrong, the entire faith falls down. One cannot submit to the word of god and at the same time challenge it. I stand baffled whenever a woman actually allows herself to be suppressed, and even more so, agrees with the logic behind it. For a woman following these filthy Abrahamic religions is similar to a freed slave staying with their owner. To put it as succinctly as possible, the notion of “Islamic Feminism” is essentially a contradiction in terms.
The Koran! well, come put me to the test–
Lovely old book in hideous error drest–
Believe me, I can quote the Koran too,
The unbeliever knows his Koran best.
- Omar Khayyám
(this is an updated, and revised version of my earlier “Islam and Woman essay. This one is specifically created for, and revised for publication in a feminist magazine at Stony Brook University)
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12 Responses to “Islam and Women, Revised”
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(4:3) You said its unfair that a man can marry multiple women but it can’t be the other way around. You have to think about the time that the Quran was revealed because after all it was revealed to guide people during in THAT time, in THAT situation. Men were the only ones allowed to have jobs and for the women it was out of the question to have a job outside the household. How can a woman take care of more than one family if she has no income? Because of the notion that women could not hold job, many women who were not married would be homeless/orphaned. If it were not for this revelation, there would have been many more homeless women than respected married women. Also think about what a family would really be like with multiple husbands. At a time with no contraception, could a women really childrear the children of more than one man? Would any sane woman take the responsibility of taking care of more than one household? Being a wife and mother is the hardest job in the world.
(4:11) Because women weren’t expected to have jobs, they would be married at a young age to share the wealth of their husband. A son would get more inheritance because he is expected to support a family. If the inheritance were split evenly, it wouldn’t really make sense would it?
(24:31) Men are subject to just as much modesty as women- to lower their gaze, dress appropriately. Oh and also, most men are pigs and women have to protect themselves. There is much more damage a man can cause to a woman than the other way around. There is no harm is modesty or a religion that promotes it.
As a muslim woman who has lived in a muslim household her whole life, I have never once felt inferior to or suppressed by my male peers. The Quran teaches us how to live a better life, and if you ask most muslim women, we are doing fantastic. But thanks for the concern anyway!
You said its unfair that a man can marry multiple women but it can’t be the other way around. You have to think about the time that the Quran was revealed because after all it was revealed to guide people during in THAT time, in THAT situation. Men were the only ones allowed to have jobs and for the women it was out of the question to have a job outside the household. How can a woman take care of more than one family if she has no income?
No. The Qur’an is the final revelation. It is for then and now. That is if, of course you believe a single word of it. This idea that it only applies to certain times is simply not grounded in any fact, rather only convenience for modern muslims. I fully understand that economic situations did not allow for the average woman to hold multiple husbands. However, what about wealthy widows (such as Muhammed’s first wife, another interesting convenience)? Certainly she could provide for multiple men monetarily.
Because of the notion that women could not hold job, many women who were not married would be homeless/orphaned. If it were not for this revelation, there would have been many more homeless women than respected married women.
I don’t see why marriage is required for monetary support. Certainly if a woman is struggling monetarily, a reasonable system of charity would be nice.
Also think about what a family would really be like with multiple husbands. At a time with no contraception, could a women really childrear the children of more than one man? Would any sane woman take the responsibility of taking care of more than one household? Being a wife and mother is the hardest job in the world.
You think of gender roles (I don’t believe in such an idea) as static. Why must women be the ones raising children and taking care of the household? Is this inscribed in some sort of universal law that I am not aware of? Yes, I fully understand that a woman is the only one capable of actually give birth to children. However, in the case of multiple marriages, it was either in two cases. Widows who already had children and/or woman of different tribes in which Islam had not yet spread and devoured. Well, why couldn’t a woman marry a male to spread Islam amongst different tribes? It seems you personally have eternalized a non-existent gender role, and it is rather unfortunate.
Because women weren’t expected to have jobs, they would be married at a young age to share the wealth of their husband. A son would get more inheritance because he is expected to support a family. If the inheritance were split evenly, it wouldn’t really make sense would it?
Sure it would.
Men are subject to just as much modesty as women- to lower their gaze, dress appropriately. Oh and also, most men are pigs and women have to protect themselves. There is much more damage a man can cause to a woman than the other way around. There is no harm is modesty or a religion that promotes it.
Why must women dress with more restrictions then males? Most men may or may not be pigs, but that is besides the point. Wearing a veil doesn’t quite protect a woman at all, it’s not exactly a shield or anything. Why can a man do more harm to a woman than a woman do to a man? You make statements as if they are fact without any sort of substantiation. Where are these universal laws inscribed? Certainly there isn’t any harm in modesty, there is however harm in disproportionate modesty that is created specifically to subjugate half of the population.
At the center of most of your refutations to my analysis of the Qur’an is the notion that much of it is only applicable to ancient times. Well, if that is the case, then why even read the rest of it? Clearly you have defied the laws of Islam by rejecting portions of the Qur’an (this is the direct word of god supposedly) as merely ancient practices. You have essentially made my larger point for me, that Islam is a religion fit for the Stone Age. And there it should remain. It has no business in modernity ruining the lives of millions upon millions of human beings across the world. Depriving humans any notion of equality and harmony.
As a muslim woman who has lived in a muslim household her whole life, I have never once felt inferior to or suppressed by my male peers. The Quran teaches us how to live a better life, and if you ask most muslim women, we are doing fantastic. But thanks for the concern anyway!
When a female eternalizes her suppression, it is the deadliest of weapons. As it is a person sure of her ideals, meanwhile accepting notions of her inferiority to men without realizing the true nature of her beliefs. I am supposing you grew up in the US where most Muslim men are restricted by the laws of the land to live out their sick fantasies. However, ask the women of the Middle East, South Asia and Africa who have been subjected to genital mutilation, lashes for their immodesty. Or, perhaps you can stroll through unmarked cemeteries of women put to death for all sorts of ridiculous crimes.
4:34 “Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other”
“in charge”
I would say, It means men as protector and not controller. Because if u have read the quran completely, U would find that men are not allowed to stop women from praying god and doing everything that’s good. In fact Quran suggest to against men for doing good.
There are sometimes translation problem as is the case with “in charge”.
“one of them to excel the other”
U see, Quran states that one of them excel over other, It doesn’t say men will excel over women or other way. In fact it most likely mean that things will go both way depending on topic.
Last thing that i want to remind u is that men and women are indeed different. Men and women are physically different, Mentally different, Emotionally different…
Yet the modernist are unable to see the differences, why?
What I’m trying to say u is that men and women are different and so is their basic needs, No body has right to debar other from getting basic needs. BUT SINCE THEIR NEEDS R DIFFERENT THEY WILL GET DIFFERENT STATUS, WEALTH, etc etc
Mind u, i didn’t said who will get more or who will get less, depending upon matter one will get more and other will get less.
I would say, It means men as protector and not controller. Because if u have read the quran completely, U would find that men are not allowed to stop women from praying god and doing everything that’s good. In fact Quran suggest to against men for doing good.
There are sometimes translation problem as is the case with “in charge”.
You say men are to protect women, even if I believed that, which I don’t…it still does not remove the sexist nature of the concept. Why must men protect women? Is there some sort of inherent inequality that I have not been informed of? I’d certainly hope that men wouldn’t be given complete control over women, but any sort of control is too much for any reasonable modern person.
U see, Quran states that one of them excel over other, It doesn’t say men will excel over women or other way. In fact it most likely mean that things will go both way depending on topic.
Most certainly not. A lot of your statements seem to be pure conjecture. Not based in what is actually in the Qur’an but rather, what you want to be in the Qur’an. It is in specific reference to the idea that men are “created” to “excel” over women.
Last thing that i want to remind u is that men and women are indeed different. Men and women are physically different, Mentally different, Emotionally different…
Yet the modernist are unable to see the differences, why?
How are they different? You make general blanket statements without any sort of evidence to back your claim up. You say they are mentally different. Well, give me scientific evidence that would support your claims. The modernist realizes that, besides the obvious differences (sex organs) there isn’t anything else. Male and female are one of the same, and rather, the reason why much of these notions of “mental, emotional and physical” difference arise is largely from those who desire to make arbitrary differences.
In short, there are no differences between male and female that justify greater rights given to one but not to the other. And, you essentially make the argument that, their needs and rights are “separate but equal”…well, as the Supreme Court once said, separate is inherently unequal.
Bravo, Moiz! After having read you, this is what I’d been expecting for long. That’s the difference between the religious and the atheists/liberals – the latter are human enough.
I’m not aware of Islamic law (Sharia) and Quranic verses beyond what I’ve heard or the miniscule amount I’ve read. As I’m not one to believe in hearsay, I shall not comment on this post.
I have just one question for you – have you read Manusmriti? If not, do a Google search on it and read the text. It must be the best proof for your points.
Its no wonder they say all religions are equal. Sure they are – they all violate human rights and make a non-thinking and blind-believing zombie out of an individual.
Surbhi,
Most religious people (just like most atheists) are decent human beings. Most people who consider themselves Muslims would probably think any 40+ year old man who raped a 9 year old girl is a disgusting excuse for a human being. However, simply due to the fact that they are constantly hammered with the notion that Muhammed is the greatest person ever born they get desensitized the fact that he raped a 9 y/o girl.
One of my goals is to expose to religious people this glaring contradiction between their humanity and the special exceptions they make for their religious idols. Normally they would never condone such actions, so, I want them to keep it consistent.
I have heard of the Manusmriti, but never read it or even skimmed it yet. But, considering I am taking a class on British India, perhaps I should.
Religions are equal due to a few things. Firstly, the abrahamic religions are all plagiarisms. christianity basically is fulfilling the prophecies of judaism, and islam is just a plagiarism of christianity and judaism ( as well as other local middle eastern religions). And, they also share striking similarities because they all come as a result of fear.
Okay, dawg let me enlighten you on a few concepts. First of all it’s a really stupid idea to buy into the feminist hype, because that’s all it is — hype. Human beings have an evolutionary history which is similar to any other primates and as such sexual selection and behavior in human beings follows similar rules. Anthropologists have shown this to some extent and adaptive psychology is also a testament to this in humans. If you don’t indoctrinate women, and let them run free, you get all sorts of problems and you will soon come to realize what I mean by this if you start dating your average American women. I could elaborate, and send me an e-mail if you want me to…
There is no equality between the sexes and different mating strategies for males and females. There is and always will be an inherent inequality. The idea that they should be equal is an idiotic idea because they are not biologically equal and two are very differently set up.
Men can sleep with multiple women and father multiple children, as happens commonly in US and Canada. Women can sleep with multiple men and father multiple children, as happens commonly in US and Canada… There are many examples of the former, and very, very few examples of the latter especially on a societal scale. It seems to me that women don’t particular have a problem sharing their man with multiple partners, while men do, and I know from my experience of both cultures… That in itself is enough to justify the so-called inequality… Gorillas do it, and human beings seem to be as territorial as Gorillas, hence the term chattel. Religions that support such behavior discourage the behavior from occurring.
Further, the child bride libel, such was a very common practice in Arabia at the time, so it’s not really that big of a deal as people attempt to make it… Not saying he was a Prophet, but that it was not a big deal in Arabia and many other cultures at the time. It’s just propaganda.
Religions are reflections of ourselves — all religions are reflections of ourselves and how we are willing to justify whatever we choose to do on this planet, usually seize more power, consolidate it, setup civilizations, etc. The American brand of “freedom” combined with Christianity is as deadly a religions as any that have preceded it.
See: http://www.stateofnature.org/crypto-schmit.html
As you said above, most human beings are decent people enslaved by “moral” ideals trying to live “good” lives. In the end we all die, so all that really matters is how we live in the now. Religion is simply a tool, we have to learn how to wield it properly… Not banish it.
First of all it’s a really stupid idea to buy into the feminist hype, because that’s all it is — hype. Human beings have an evolutionary history which is similar to any other primates and as such sexual selection and behavior in human beings follows similar rules. Anthropologists have shown this to some extent and adaptive psychology is also a testament to this in humans. If you don’t indoctrinate women, and let them run free, you get all sorts of problems and you will soon come to realize what I mean by this if you start dating your average American women.
There is no equality between the sexes and different mating strategies for males and females. There is and always will be an inherent inequality. The idea that they should be equal is an idiotic idea because they are not biologically equal and two are very differently set up.
Men can sleep with multiple women and father multiple children, as happens commonly in US and Canada. Women can sleep with multiple men and father multiple children, as happens commonly in US and Canada… There are many examples of the former, and very, very few examples of the latter especially on a societal scale. It seems to me that women don’t particular have a problem sharing their man with multiple partners, while men do, and I know from my experience of both cultures… That in itself is enough to justify the so-called inequality… Gorillas do it, and human beings seem to be as territorial as Gorillas, hence the term chattel. Religions that support such behavior discourage the behavior from occurring.
I don’t quite understand the desire to live by the laws of natural selection and simple biology. I find Darwinism to be a good explanation for the diversity of life on earth, but I find it a terrible concept for human civilization. In fact, if humans can create and maintain a civilization that is directly opposite to the principles of natural selection it would probably be the best civilization. I do not deny the idea that it would be useful for a man to indoctrinate women, much like it would be useful for humans to enslave other humans, it doesn’t however mean it is the right thing to do. I feel that the entire point of creating civilization is to get away from nature. While nature is interesting, it would suck if we lived by it. For, why engage in philosophy, art and things of the like? This sort of mindset extends into a sort of ‘utilitarian” kind of mindset it seems.
Further, the child bride libel, such was a very common practice in Arabia at the time, so it’s not really that big of a deal as people attempt to make it… Not saying he was a Prophet, but that it was not a big deal in Arabia and many other cultures at the time. It’s just propaganda.
The reason why it is disgusting as well as important to us now is, Muhammed is regarded in all Muslim societies as the perfect man. He is considered to be the example, (why beards are so prominent in the Middle East) that all humans should follow. And so in modern times, men use the precedent that Muhammed set to marry young girls. To condemn men marrying young girls, is to essentially condemn Islam and Muhammed, (not exactly an easy thing to do for people living in the Middle East).
Religions are reflections of ourselves — all religions are reflections of ourselves and how we are willing to justify whatever we choose to do on this planet, usually seize more power, consolidate it, setup civilizations, etc.
If most people would agree to that, we would live in a much better world. Religions such as Islam, Christianity and Judaism are a reflection of ignorant people living in the Middle East 1500 to 2000+ years ago.
As you said above, most human beings are decent people enslaved by “moral” ideals trying to live “good” lives. In the end we all die, so all that really matters is how we live in the now. Religion is simply a tool, we have to learn how to wield it properly… Not banish it.
Well, I don’t think humans will ever get rid of the belief in god(s) and religion, I just figure, if we can reform it to the point where it doesn’t really effect politics and society as much as it does today.
Hi Moiz,
I found your blog via Surbhi’s blog. Your blog is excellent. I am also a non-theist like you. A few months ago I wrote a post rebutting Zakir naik’s essay on polygamy and polygyny in Islam where I gave similar arguments. Anyway, I am sure there’s nothing new for me to add here about islam and women. You have articulated them quite well here.
Hope to be a more regular visitor to your blog.
Why is a man, allowed to have more than one wife in Islam?
1. Definition of Polygamy
Polygamy means a system of marriage whereby one person has more than one spouse. Polygamy can be of two types. One is Polygamy where a man marries more than one woman, and the other is polyandry, where a woman marries more than one man. In Islam, limited Polygamy is permitted; whereas polyandry is completely prohibited.
Now coming to the original question, why is a man, allowed to have more than one wife?
2. The Qur’an is the only religious scripture in the world that says, “Marry only one”.
The Qur’an is the only religious book, on the face of this earth, that contains the phrase ‘marry only one’. There is no other religious book that instructs men to have only one wife. In none of the other religious scriptures, whether it be the Vedas, the Ramayan, the Mahabharat, the Geeta, the Talmud or the Bible does one find a restriction on the number of wives. According to these scriptures, one can marry as many as one wish. It was only later, that the Hindu priests and the Christian Church restricted the number of wives to one.
Many Hindu religious personalities, according to their scriptures, had multiple wives. King Dashrat, the father of Rama, had more than one wife. Krishna had several wives.
In earlier times, Christian men were permitted as many wives as they wished, since the Bible puts no restriction on the number of wives. It was only a few centuries ago that the Church restricted the number of wives to one.
Polygamy is permitted in Judaism. According to Talmudic law, Abraham had three wives, and Solomon had hundreds of wives. The practice of Polygamy continued till Rabbi Gershom ben Yehudah (960 C.E to 1030 C.E) issued an edict against it. The Jewish Sephardic communities living in Muslim countries continued the practice till as late as 1950, until an Act of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel extended the ban on marrying more than one wife.
3. Hindus are more polygamous than Muslims. The report of the ‘Committee of The Status of Woman in Islam’, published in 1975 mentions on page numbers 66 and 67 that the percentage of polygamous marriages between the years 1951 and 1961 was 5.06% among the Hindus and only 4.31% among the Muslims. According to Indian law only Muslim men are permitted to have more than one wife. It is illegal for any non-Muslim in India to have more than one wife. Despite it being illegal, Hindus have more multiple wives as compared to Muslims. Earlier, there was no restriction even on Hindu men with respect to the number of wives allowed. It was only in 1954, when the Hindu Marriage Act was passed that it became illegal for a Hindu to have more than one wife. At present it is the Indian Law that restricts a Hindu man from having more than one wife and not the Hindu scriptures.
Let us now analyze why Islam allows a man to have more than one wife.
4. Qur’an permits limited Polygamy
As I mentioned earlier, Qur’an is the only religious book on the face of the earth that says ‘marry only one’. The context of this phrase is the following verse from Surah Nisa of the Glorious Qur’an:
“Marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one.” [Al-Qur'an 4:3]
Before the Qur’an was revealed, there was no upper limit for Polygamy and many men had scores of wives, some even hundreds. Islam put an upper limit of four wives. Islam gives a man permission to marry two, three or four women, only on the condition that he deals justly with them.
In the same chapter i.e. Surah Nisa verse 129 says:
“Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women….” [Al-Qur'an 4:129]
Therefore Polygamy is not a rule but an exception. Many people are under the misconception that it is compulsory for a Muslim man to have more than one wife.
Broadly, Islam has five categories of Do’s and Don’ts:
‘Fard’ i.e. compulsory or obligatory
‘Mustahab’ i.e. recommended or encouraged
‘Mubah’ i.e. permissible or allowed
‘Makruh’ i.e. not recommended or discouraged
‘Haraam’ i.e. prohibited or forbidden
Polygamy falls in the middle category of things that are permissible. It cannot be said that a Muslim who has two, three or four wives is a better Muslim as compared to a Muslim who has only one wife.
5. Average life span of females is more than that of males
By nature males and females are born in approximately the same ratio. A female child has more immunity than a male child. A female child can fight the germs and diseases better than the male child. For this reason, during the pediatric age itself there are more deaths among males as compared to the females.
During wars, there are more men killed as compared to women. More men die due to accidents and diseases than women. The average life span of females is more than that of males, and at any given time one finds more widows in the world than widowers.
6. India has more male population than female due to female foeticide and infanticide. India is one of the few countries, along with the other neighboring countries, in which the female population is less than the male population. The reason lies in the high rate of female infanticide in India, and the fact that more than one million female foetuses are aborted every year in this country, after they are identified as females. If this evil practice is stopped, then India too will have more females as compared to males.
7. World female population is more than male population
In the USA, women outnumber men by 7.8 million. New York alone has one million more females as compared to the number of males, and of the male population of New York one-third are gay’s i.e. sodomites. The USA as a whole has more than twenty-five million gays. This means that these people do not wish to marry women. Great Britain has four million more females as compared to males. Germany has five million more females as compared to males. Russia has nine million more females than males. God alone knows how many million more females there are in the whole world as compared to males.
8. Restricting each and every man to have only one wife is not practical. Even if every man got married to one woman, there would still be more than thirty million females in USA who would not be able to get husbands (considering that America has twenty five million gays).
There would be more than four million females in Great Britain, 5 million females in Germany and nine million females in Russia alone who would not be able to find a husband.
Suppose my sister happens to be one of the unmarried women living in USA, or suppose your sister happens to be one of the unmarried women in USA. The only two options remaining for her are that she either marries a man who already has a wife or becomes public property. There is no other option. All those who are modest will opt for the first.
In Western society, it is common for a man to have mistresses and/or multiple extra-marital affairs, in which case, the woman leads a disgraceful, unprotected life. The same society, however, cannot accept a man having more than one wife, in which women retain their honorable, dignified position in society and lead a protected life.
Thus the only two options before a woman who cannot find a husband is to marry a married man or to become public property. Islam prefers giving women the honorable position by permitting the first option and disallowing the second.
There are several other reasons, why Islam has permitted limited Polygamy, but it is mainly to protect the modesty of women.
Q: If a man is allowed to have more than one wife, then why does Islam prohibit a woman from having more than one husband?
A: A lot of people, including some Muslims, question the logic of allowing Muslim men to have more than one spouse while denying the same ‘right’ to women.
Let me first state emphatically, that the foundation of an Islamic society is justice and equity. Allah has created men and women as equal, but with different capabilities and different responsibilities. Men and women are different, physiologically and psychologically. Their roles and responsibilities are different. Men and women are equal in Islam, but not identical. Surah Nisa Chapter 4 verses 22 to 24 gives the list of women with who you cannot marry and it is further mentions in Surah Nisa Chapter 4 verse 24 “Also (prohibited are) women already married”.
The following points enumerate the reasons why polyandry is prohibited in Islam:
1. If a man has more than one wife, the parents of the children born of such marriages can easily be identified. The father as well as the mother can easily be identified. In case of a woman marrying more than one husband, only the mother of the children born of such marriages will be identified and not the father. Islam gives tremendous importance to the identification of both parents, mother and father.
Psychologists tell us those children who do not know their parents, especially their father undergo severe mental trauma and disturbances. Often they have an unhappy childhood. It is for this reason that the children of prostitutes do not have a healthy childhood. If a child born of such wedlock is admitted in school, and when the mother is asked the name of the father, she would have to give two or more names!
I am aware that recent advances in science have made it possible for both the mother and father to be identified with the help of genetic testing. Thus this point, which was applicable for the past, may not be applicable for the present.
2. Man is more polygamous by nature as compared to a woman
3. Biologically, it is easier for a man to perform his duties as a husband despite having several wives. A woman, in a similar position, having several husbands, will not find it possible to perform her duties as a wife. A woman undergoes several psychological and behavioral changes due to different phases of the menstrual cycle.
4. A woman who has more than one husband will have several sexual partners at the same time and has a high chance of acquiring venereal or sexually transmitted diseases, which can also be transmitted back to her husband even if all of them have no extra-marital sex. This is not the case in a man having more than one wife, and none of them having extra-marital sex.
The above reasons are those that one can easily identify. There are probably many more reasons why Allah, in His Infinite Wisdom, has prohibited polyandry.
Source: http://www.ilovezakirnaik.com
Answers of your ISLAM & FEMINISM
Table of Contents
Definition
Women Rights in the West
Women Rights in Islam
Six Categories of Women Rights in Islam
Spiritual rights
Does Pregnancy Uplift the Women or Degrade?
Criteria in the Sight of God to Judge Male and Female
Equal Moral Duties for Men and Women
Economical rights
Women on Job
Financial Security for Women
Compulsory Marital Gift for a Woman
No Financial Liabilities
Right to Inherit
Social rights
Social Rights to a Daughter
Social Rights to Wife
Social Rights to a Mother
Social Rights to a Sister
Educational rights
Legal rights
Political rights
Women in the Battle Field
Women in USA are not safe
USA has one of the highest rates of rape
Islamic Law Let’s Women Breathe Easily
Conclusion
Definition
According to the Oxford dictionary, ‘Women’s Rights are the rights, that promote a position of social and legal equality, of women to menE
According to the Oxford dictionary, ‘they are the rights, claimed for the women, equal to those of men, as regards to suffrage that right to vote, as regards to property, etcE
‘ModernisingE according to the Oxford dictionary means, ‘to make modern, to adapt to modern needs or habitsE
And according to the Webster’s dictionary it meansE‘To make modern, or to give a new character or appearance – e.g., to modernise ones ideasE
In short, modernising is a process of updating or opting for the betterment of the present status itself – It is not the present modern status itself.
Can we modernise ourselves, to master our problems, and to realize a new way of life, for the whole human race?
I am not concerned about the modern ideas, the conclusions and the categorical statements made by scientists and inexperienced armchair experts, as how a life should be lived by a woman.
I am going to base my conclusions and considerations on truth, which can be proved by experience.
Experience and unbiased factual holistic analysis, are the sure test, between the gold of truth, and the glitter of theory.
We have to check our thinking against reality, otherwise many a times, our mental process will go astray – Indeed the great brains of one time, believed that the world was flat.
Women Rights in the West
If we agree with the ‘Women’s rights in IslamE as portrayed by the Western media, you have no option, but to agree that the ‘Women’s rights in IslamEare outdated.
The Western talk of women’s liberation, is actually a disguised form of exploitation of her body, deprivation of her honour and degradation of her soul.
The Western society which speaks of upgrading the status of women in Islam, have actually reduced her status to concubines, to mistresses, to society butterflies, which are mere tools in the hands of sex marketers and pleasure seekers, which are disguised behind the colorful screen of art and culture.
Women Rights in Islam
Islam’s radical revolutionary support, gave women their due right and status in the days of ignoranceE1,400 years ago.
Islam’s objective was and continues to be, to modernise our thinking, our living, our seeing, our hearing, our feeling and striving for the women’s upliftment and emancipation in the society.
Before I dwell further with the topic, I would like you to make note of a few points.
Approximately one fifth of the world’s population, consists of Muslims. There are different Muslim societies – Some may be close to Islam, some may be far away from Islam.
The ‘Women’s rights in IslamE should judged according to the authentic sources, and not what individual Muslims do, or what the Muslim society does.
The authentic sources of Islam, are the Qur’an, which is the word of God, and the authentic Sunnah, and the traditions of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him).
Qur’an will never contradict itself, nor will the authentic Hadith contradict itselfE neither will these two authentic sources, contradict each other.
Sometimes the scholars differ, and many a times, these differences can be removed by analyzing the Qur’an as a whole, and not just by quoting one particular Verse. Because if one particular verse of the Qur’an is ambiguous many a times the answer is given somewhere else in the Qur’an – Some people quote one source and neglect all the other sources.
It is the duty of every Muslim, male or female, to seek the pleasure of God, and to act as His trustee on this world, and not to try and gain fame or satisfy one’s own ego.
Islam believes in equality of men and women E‘EqualityEdoes not mean ‘identicalityE
In Islam, the role of a man and woman is complimentary, it is not conflicting. It is that of a partnership, it is not contradictory, so as to strive for supremacy.
Where ‘Women’s rights in IslamE is concerned, I have divided it into 6 broad categories.
Six Categories of Women Rights in Islam
The first are ‘the Spiritual rightsE second are ‘the Economical rightsE third are ‘the Social rightsE fourth are ‘the Educational rightsE fifth are ‘the Legal rightsE and last are ‘the Political rightsE
Sex is Not the Criteria to Enter Paradise:
The greatest misconception that the West has about Islam, is that they thinkE‘Paradise in Islam, is only meant for the male – it is not meant for the femaleE
This misconception can be removed by quoting from Surah Nisa, Ch. No. 4, Verse No 124, which says, ‘If any of you do deeds of righteousness, whether it be male or a female and has faith, they shall surely enter Paradise and not the least injustice shall be done to themEnbsp;
A similar thing is repeated in Surah Nahl, Ch.16, Verse No.97 which saysE‘If any of you perform good deeds, be it a man or a woman and is a believer, We shall give you good life and We should reward you for all your good worksE
Just because in Islam, sex is not the criteria to enter Paradise, will you call such rights in Islam as modernising or outdated?
A. Spiritual Rights of Women in Islam
Another misconception is that, which the Western media has, that, ‘The woman has no soulE
In fact, it was in the seventeenth century, when the Council of wise men, when they gathered at Rome, and they unanimously agreed that the woman had no soul.
In Islam, man and woman have the same spiritual nature. It is mentioned in Quran, Ch.4, Verse No.1, which says that, ‘O humankind reverence your Guardian Lord, who has created you from a single person and created like nature his mateE
A similar thing is mentioned in Surah Nahl, Ch.16, Verse No.72, which says that, ‘We have made for you companions and mates of your own natureE
In Surah Al-Shura, Ch.42, Verse No.11, it says, ‘He is the one who has created the heavens and the earth and has made for you pairs from among yourselvesE
Just because the spiritual nature of a man and woman is the same in Islam, will you call such rights in Islam, as modernizing or outdated?
The Qur’an clearly mentions that, ‘God has breathed somewhat of His spirit into the human beingsE
If you read Surah Hijr, Ch.15, Verse No.29, it says, ‘When I have fashioned you in due proportion and have breathed into you something of my spirit, fall you down in obeisanceE
A similar thing is repeated in the Qur’an, in Surah Sajdah, Ch. 32, Verse No.9, which says, ‘Then He fashioned him and breathed into him of His Spirit…E
Here, when God refers to as ‘Something of My Spirit, is breathed into the human beingsE- it does not mean, a sort of incarnation or a pantheistic form.
It means that Allah has given to every human being something of His spiritual Nature, and the Knowledge of God Almighty, and coming closer towards Him.
Here it refers to both Adam and Eve (may peace be upon them) – Both were breathed something of God’s Spirit.
Again we read in the Qur’an, that Allah has appointed the human being as His vicegerent, as His trustee, as is mentioned in Surah Isra, Ch.17, Verse No.70, which says, ‘We have honoured the children of Adam and bestowed on them special favoursE
Note, here all the children of Adam have been honoured, male as well as female.
There are some Religious scriptures, for example the Bible, which puts the blame on Eve for the downfall of humanity.
In fact if you read the Qur’an in Surah Araf, Ch.7, Verse No.19 to 27, Adam and Eve (may peace be upon them both) are addressed, more than a dozen of times.
Both disobeyed God, both asked for forgiveness, both repented, and both were forgiven.
In the Bible, if you read Genesis, Ch. 3, only Eve is held responsible (May peace be upon her) for the downfall of humanity.
And according to the doctrine of ‘Original SinE because of Eve (may peace be upon her) the whole of humanity is born in sin.
Does Pregnancy Uplift the Women or Degrade?
If you read the Bible in Genesis, Ch. 3, Verse No.16, it says that, ‘To the woman He (God) said, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”‘
That means, pregnancy and child birth has been said in the Bible to degrade the women and the labour pain is a sort of punishment.
In fact if you read the Qur’an, pregnancy and child birth have uplifted the women.
If you read Surah Nisa, Ch.4, Verse No.1, it says, ‘Respect the womb that bore youE
Its mentioned in Surah Luqman, Ch.31, Verse No.14, it says, ‘We have enjoined on the human being to be kind to the parents, in travail upon travail did their mother bore them and in years twain was their weaningE
A similar thing is mentioned in Surah Ahqaf, Ch.46, Verse No.15, it again repeats, which says, ‘We have enjoined on the human beings to be kind to his parentsE
To be kind to the parents – in pain did their mother bore them, and in pain did she give them birth – Pregnancy in the Qur’an has uplifted the women not degraded her.
Just because pregnancy has uplifted the women in Islam will you call such rights in Islam as modernizing or outdated?
Criteria in the Sight of God to Judge Male and Female:
The only criteria for judgment in the sight of Allah is ‘TaqwaE ‘God consciousnessEor ‘righteousnessE
It is mentioned in Surah Hujurat, Ch.49, Verse No.13 ‘O humankind, We have created you from a single pair of male and female and have divided you into nations and tribes, so that you shall recognize each other not that you despise each other and the most honored in the sight of God, is the one who is the most righteousE
Sex, colour, caste, wealth has got no criteria in Islam – The only criteria in the sight of God is ‘righteousnessE neither is sex the criteria for God to reward or to punish a person.
If you read Surah Imran Ch.3 Verse No.195 it says ‘I will never suffer the loss of any of you, be it male or female, you are companions unto each otherE
Equal Moral Duties for Men and Women:
I had started my talk by quoting a verse from the Qur’an from Surah Al Ahzab, Ch.33, Verse No.35, which says,
‘For Muslim men and Muslim women,
for believing men and women,
for devout men and women,
for true men and women,
for men and women who are patient and constant,
for men and women who give in charity,
for men and women who fast and deny themselves,
for men and women who guard their chastity,
for men and women who engage much in God’s praise,
God has prepared for them forgiveness and a vast reward.Enbsp;
This verse indicates that the spiritual duties, the moral duties, for the men and women in Islam are the same – Both have to believe, both have to pray, both have to fast, both have to give in charity, etc, etc.
But the women has been given certain concession in Islam.
If she is undergoing her menstrual period or pregnancy, she does not have to fast – She can keep those fasts later on, when she is more healthy.
During the menstrual period and during the postnatal period, she needs not pray also – she has been given the concession, and neither does she have to compensate it later on.
Just because the moral duties of the men and women are equal in Islam will you call such rights in Islam as modernizing or outdated?
B. Economical Rights to the Women
Islam gave economical rights to the women 1,300 years before the West.
An adult Muslim woman can own, she can dispose or disown any of her property without consulting any one, irrespective whether she is married or she is single.
In 1870, it was the first time in England, that the West recognized the rights of the married woman, where she was allowed to own or dispose any of her property without consultation.
I do agree that the women were given their economical rights 1300 years ago – these are ancient rights – but the question is E‘are they modernizing or outdated?Enbsp;
Women on Job:
A women in Islam, if she wishes to work she can work – There is no text in the Qur’an or the authentic Hadith which prevents or makes it prohibited for a woman to do any work, as long as it is not unlawful, as long as it is within the preview of the Islamic Shariah, as long as she maintains her Islamic dress code.
But natural, she cannot take up jobs, which exhibit her beauty and body – Like for example, modeling and film acting, and such kind of jobs.
Many of the professions and jobs which are prohibited for the woman are also prohibited for the man, for example serving alcohol, working in gambling dens, doing any unethical or dishonest business. All these jobs are prohibited for both men and women.
A true Islamic society requires women to take up profession such as doctors.
We do require female Gynecologists, we do require female nurses, we do require female teachers.
But, a woman in Islam has got no financial obligations – The financial obligation is laid on the shoulders of the man in the family – Therefore she need not work for her livelihood.
But in genuine cases, where there are financial crisis in which both the ends do not meet, she has the option of working.
Here too, no one can force her to work – She works out of her own, absolute free will.
Financial Security for Women:
A woman in Islam has been given more financial security, as compared to the man.
As I told you earlier, the financial obligation is not put on her shoulder – It is put on the shoulder of the man in the family. It is the duty of the father or the brother, before she is married and the duty of the husband or the son, after she is married to look after her lodging, boarding, clothing and financial aspects of her.
Compulsory Marital Gift for a Woman:
When she gets married, she is on the receiving end.
She receives a gift – she receives a dower or a marital gift, which is called as ‘MeherE
And it is mentioned in the Qur’an in Surah Nisa, Ch.4 Verse No.4 which says, ‘Give to the woman in dower, a marital giftE
For a marriage to solemnize in Islam, ‘MeherEis compulsory.
But unfortunately in our Muslim society here, we just keep a nominal ‘MeherEto satisfy the Qur’an, say 151 Rupees, or some people give 786 Rupees and they spend lakhs and lakhs of Rupees on the reception, on the decoration, on the flowers, on the lunch parties, on the dinner parties.
In Islam, there is no lower-limit, nor is there an upper limit for ‘MeherE- But when a person can spend lakhs of Rupees on the reception, surely the ‘Meher Eshould be much more.
There are various cultures which have crept into the Muslim societies, specially in the Indo-Pak area.
They give a small amount of ‘MeherEand they expect the wife to give a fridge, to give a T.V set, they expect the wife to give an apartment, to give a car, etc., and a large sum of dowry, depending upon the status of the husband.
If he is a graduate, they may expect 1 lakh – If he is an engineer they may expect 3 lakhs – If he is a doctor they may expect 5 lakhs.
Demanding dowry from the wife, directly or indirectly is prohibited in Islam.
If the parents of the girl give the girl something out of their own free will, it is accepted – But demanding or forcing directly or indirectly, it is prohibited in Islam.
No Financial Liabilities:
If a Woman works, which she does not have to – whatever earning she gets, it is absolutely her property.
She need not spend on the household – if she wants to spend it is her free will.
Irrespective how rich the wife is, it is the duty of the husband to give lodging, boarding, clothing and look after the financial aspects of the wife.
In case of divorce or if a wife gets widowed, she is given financial support for the period of ‘IddahE- and if she has children, she is also given child support.
Right to Inherit:
Islam gave the right to the women to inherit, centuries ago.
If you read the Qur’an – in several verses, in Surah Nisa, in Surah Baqarah and in Surah Maidah, it is mentioned that a woman, irrespective she is a wife or she is a mother, or a sister, or a daughter, she has a right to inherit. And it has been fixed by God Almighty in the Qur’an.
C. Social Rights of Women in Islam
Broadly it can be categorized into four sub-headings. Social rights given to a daughter, to a wife, to a mother and to a sister.
Social Rights to a Daughter:
Islam prohibits, female infanticide. The killing of female children is forbidden in Islam.
It is mentioned in Surah Taqveem, Ch. 81, Verse No. 8 and 9, ‘when the female child is buried alive and when she questions you, for what crime was she killedE
Not only female infanticide has been prohibited, all sorts of infanticides has been prohibited in Islam, whether it be a male child or a female child.
It is mention in the Qur’an in Surah A’nam Ch.6, Verse No.151 that, ‘Kill not your children for want of sustenance for it is God that will provide sustenance for you and for childrenE
A similar thing is mentioned in Surah Isra, Ch.17 Verse No.31 which saysE‘Kill not your children for want of sustenance, for it is God that will provide sustenance to you and your children, for killing of children is a major sinE
In the pre-Islamic Arabia, whenever a female child was born mostly she was buried alive.
Alhamdullillah, after the spread of Islam this evil practice has been discontinued.
But unfortunately it still continues in India – According to a BBC report, in the programe assignment the title of which was ‘Let Her DieE there was a British reporter by the name of Emily Beckenen, who came all the way from Britain to India to give us the statistics of the female infanticide.
In that programe, it gives the statistics, that every day more than 3,000 fetuses are being aborted on being identified that they are females.
If you multiply this figure by the number of days, that is multiplied by 365, you get a figure of more than one million female fetuses are being aborted every year in our country.
And there are big hoarding and posters in states like Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, which says spend 500 Rupees and save 5 lakh Rupees.
What does it mean? – That spend Rupees 500 on medical examination like Aminocententus or Ultra Sonography, and identify the gender of child.
If it is a female you can abort it and you’ll save 5 lakh Rupees – How?
The couple of lakhs you spend on upbringing her and the remaining lakhs of Rupees you spend on giving dowry to the man who will marry her (a custom in India).
According to the report of the Government Hospital of Tamil Nadu E‘out of every 10 female children that are born, four are put to deathE- No wonder the female population in India is less than the male population.
Female infanticide was continuing in India since centuries – If you analyze the statistics of the 1901 census, for every 1000 males there were 972 females.
According to the 1981 statistics and census, it tells you for every 1000 males you have 934 females.
And the latest statistics of 1991 tells you that for every 1000 males you have 927 females.
You can analyze that the female ratio is dropping every year – And since science and medicine has advanced, it has helped in this evil practice.
Just because Islam tells you that you should not kill any children whether it be male or female will you call these rights in Islam as modernizing or outdated?
Qur’an not only prohibits female infanticide, it rebukes at the thought of you rejoicing at the birth of a male child and getting saddened at the birth of a female child.
In Islam, a daughter should be brought up correctly.
In Islam, there should be no partiality in upbringing of the daughter or the son.
According to a Hadith, ‘In the presence of the Prophet Muhammad, once a man kissed his son and placed him on his lap but did not do the same to his daughter.
The Prophet immediately objected and said that you are unjust – You should have even kissed your daughter and placed her on the other lapE
Social Rights to Wife:
All the previous civilizations, they have considered the women to be an ‘instrument of the devilE
The Qur’an refers to the women as ‘MohsanaE that is a ‘fortress against the devilE
And if a woman, who’s good, marries a man, she prevents him from going on the wrong path.
There’s a Hadith in which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) he said that, ‘there is no monasticism in IslamE.
And again according to Sahih Bukhari, Volume No. 7, Ch. No. 3 Hadith No 4 it says that ‘the Prophet Muhammad ordained the young men, all those who have the means to marry, they should marry – For it will help them to guard their gaze and guard their modesty.
The Qur’an say’s that, ‘We have put love into the hearts of the husband and wifeE
If you read Surah Rum, Ch. 30, Verse No. 21 it says that, ‘And amongst our signs We have created for you mates or companions, so that you may dwell in them in tranquillity and we have put love and mercy between your heartsE
According to Surah Nisa, Ch.4, Verse No.21, marriage is considered as a strong agreement, a strong contract.
According to Surah Nisa, Ch.4, Verse No.19, it says, ‘You are prohibited to inherit women against their willE- Means, to marry the permission of both the parties are required.
It is compulsory that the man and women both should agree to marry. No one – not even the father can force their daughter to marry against her wishes.
There’s a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 62, Number 69, which says ‘that a lady she was forced by her father to marry against her wishesE- And she went to the Prophet and the Prophet invalidated the marriageE
Another Hadith in Ibn-e-Humbal, Hadith No. 2469, it says ‘that a daughter was forced by her father to get married – And when the daughter approached the Prophet, the Prophet said you can either continue, or if you wish you can invalidate the marriage.
That means, the consent of both the male and the female is required.
In Islam, a women is considered as a homemaker – She is not considered as a housewife, because she is not married to the house.
Many people use terminology, without understanding what it means E‘HousewifeEmeans ‘you are the wife of the houseE
So I believe, from now onwards the sisters would prefer calling themselves ‘homemakersE than ‘house wivesE if they are occupied more in the home.
In Islam, a woman, she is not married to a master that she should be treated like a slave – She is married to it is equal.
And there is a Hadith which says in Ibn-Hambal – Hadith No 736, 7396. It says that, ‘the most perfect of the believers are those that are best in character and behavior, and those that are best to their family and their wivesE
Islam gives equal rights to the man and woman. Qur’an clearly mentions that men and women, husband and wife have equal rights in all aspects, except leadership in the family.
It is mentioned in the Qur’an in Surah Baqarah Ch.2, Verse No.228. It says that, E..the women have been given rights similar against them (men) on equitable terms but the men have a degree higher…E
Most of the Muslims have misunderstood this verse, when it says ‘a men have a degree higherE- As I said we should analyze the Qur’an as a whole. And its mentioned in Surah Nisa, Ch. 4, Verse No.34 which says, ‘The men are the protectors and maintainers of the women, for God has given one of them more strength than the other and they give them their meansE
People say the word ‘KawwamE means, ‘one degree higher in superiorityE- But actually the word ‘KawwamEcomes from the root word ‘IkamahE ‘IkamahEmeans for example ‘when you give the Ikamah before prayers – You stand upE
So ‘IkamahEmeans to standup – so the word ‘KawwamEmeans one degree higher in responsibility, not one degree higher in superiority.
Even if you read the commentary of ‘Ibne-KathirE- He says that the word ‘KawwamEmeans one degree higher in responsibility, not one degree higher in superiority.
And this responsibility, should be carried out by mutual consent of both husband and wife.
It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah, Ch.2, Verse No.187, which says, Which meansE‘Your wives are your garments, and you are their garmentsE
What’s the objective of garments – It is used to conceal and to beautify.
The husband and wife, should conceal each others faults, and they should beautify each other – Its a relationship of hands and gloves.
The Qur’an mentions that, ‘even if you do not like your wife, you should treat her kindlyE
It is mentioned in Surah Nisa, Ch.4, Verse No.19, that, E..consort with them (your wives) in kindness, for if you hate them it may happen that you hate a thing wherein God has placed much good.
Even if you dislike your wife you have to treat her kindly and with equity
Just because the rights of a wife are equal to those of the husband in Islam, will you call such rights in Islam as modernizing or outdated?
Social Rights to a Mother:
The only thing above respect to Mother, is the worship of God – It is mentioned in:
Ch.17, Verse No.28-29, It says thatE‘God has ordained for you, that you worship none but Him, and to be kind to your parents. And if any one or both of them reach old age do not say a word of contempt or repel them but address them with honour, and speak to them with kindness, and lower your wing of humility and pray to God – ‘My Lord! bless them as they have cherished me in childhoodE
Surah Nisa, Ch. No. 4, Verse No. 1 says, ‘Respect the womb that bore youE
Surah A’nam, Ch.6, Verse No.151, says that, ‘You have to be kind to your parentsE
Surah Luqman Ch.31, Verse No.14, says that, ‘We have enjoined on the human beings to be kind to his parents. In travail upon travail, did their mother bore them and in years twain was their weaningE
A similar thing is repeated again in Surah Ahqaf, Ch.46, Verse No.15, thatE‘We have enjoined on the human beings to be kind to his parents. In pain did their mother bore them and in pain did she give them birthE
Another Hadith related in Sahih Bukhari in Volume 8, Ch. No. 2 Hadith No. 2, as well as in Sahih-Muslim – It says that a man asked the Prophet MuhammadE‘Who requires the maximum love and respect and my companionship in this world?
The Prophet replied E‘your motherEbr> ‘Who is nextE E‘your motherEnbsp;
‘Who is next?EE‘your motherEnbsp;
The man asked for the fourth time, – ‘Who is nextEnbsp;
The Prophet replied ‘your fatherE
So 75% of the love and respect goes to the mother and 25% of the love and respect goes to the father.
Three fourth of the better part of the love and respect goes to the mother EOne fourth of the remaining part of the love and respect goes to the father.
Social Rights to a Sister:
According to Surah Tawbah, Ch. 9, Verse No.71, it says that, ‘The men and the women they are friends of each otherE
Prophet Muhammed (may peace be upon him) he said, ‘The women are the ‘ShakatE-‘ShakatEmeans sisterE
D. Educational Rights to a Woman
The first 5 verses which were revealed in the Qur’an were from Surah Alaq, or Surah Iqra, Verse No. 1 to 5 which says:
‘Read, recite or proclaim in the name of your Lord, Who has created the human beings from a congealed clot of blood (a leech like substance).
Read, your Lord is most bountiful.
Who has taught the use of the pen.
Who has taught the human beings that which he knew-notE
The first guidance given in the Qur’an to the humankind was not to pray, was not to fast, was not to give charity – It was read – Islam pays utmost importance to education.
Education is Compulsory in Islam:
According to Quran:
God will exalt those of you who believe and those who are given knowledge to high degrees. (58:11)
And say, O my Lord! increase me in knowledge. (20:114)
And whoever is is given knowledge is given indeed abundant wealth. (2:269)
According to a saying of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) “It is obligatory for every Muslim, male or female, to acquire knowledge (Al-Bayhaqi).
Imagine, 1400 years ago, when the women were ill treated and were only used as property, Islam asked the women to be educated.
Because Islam tells that every woman should be educated, – Will you call such women’s right’s in Islam as modernizing or outdated?
E. Legal Rights to a Woman
According to the Islamic law, men and women are equal – The Islamic Law protects the life and property of a man and woman both.
If a man murders a woman he too will receive the capital punishment of ‘KisaasE
According to the Islamic law of ‘KisaasE men and women – irrespective the injury be of the eye, of the nose, of the ear, of the body – both receive equal punishment.
And if the guardian of the murderer, even it be a woman – If she says, that forgive the murderer and she accepts ‘DiaE that is compensation – her opinion cannot be rejected – they have to accept it.
And if there’s difference of opinion between the relatives of the person whose murdered – And some say that the murderer should be killed and some say that he should be forgiven and ‘DiaEnbsp; should be accepted – people should prevent the relatives from killing that murderer.
And irrespective whether the witness or the opinion is given by a man or woman, it has same weight.
According to Surah Maida, Ch.5, Verse No.30 – It saysE‘As to the thief, whether he be man or a woman, cut off his or her hand as a punishment for his crime, an example from GodE
Means, if a person robs, irrespective whether he is a man or a woman his or her hands should be chopped – The punishment is the same.
According to Surah Nur, Ch.24, Verse No.2, it says ‘If any commits fornication, be it a man or a woman, flog them with 100 stripesE
The punishment for fornication in Islam irrespective whether it is a man or a woman, it is the same – Flogging with 100 stripes.
The punishment for men and women, is the same in Islam.
In Islam a woman is allowed to give witness
Imagine, Islam gave right to a woman to be a witness, 14 centuries ago.
Even now in as late as 1980, the Jewish Rabai, they were considering that whether the women should be given a right to act as a witness or not – And Islam gave that right 1400 years ago.
According to Surah Nur, Ch.24, Verse No.4, it is said ‘If any of you put a charge against the chastity of a woman, produce 4 witnesses, and if they falter, flog them with 80 stripesE
In Islam for a small crime, you require 2 witness – for a big crime you require 4 witnesses.
Accusing a woman falsely is a big crime in Islam, therefore you require 4 witnesses.
Now a days you see in the modern society, you find men abusing women and calling them all sorts of name. They call them prostitutes etc, and nothing is done.
In an Islamic state, if a man calls her a ‘prostituteEin public or anywhere else, and if she takes that man to court – And if that man cannot produce 4 witnesses or even if he produces 4 witnesses and any one of them falter, all of them will receive 80 lashes each, and in future all their evidence will be rejected.
Islam gives utmost importance to the chastity of the woman.
When a lady marries, she normally adopts the name of her husband.
In Islam she has the option of either keeping her husband’s name, either adopting the name of the husband, or maintaining her maiden name.
And maintaining the maiden name is recommended in Islam – And we find in several Muslim societies that women, even after they get married they maintain their maiden name, because according to the Islamic law men and women are equal.
Will you call such rights in Islam modernizing or outdated?
F. Political Rights of a Woman
According to Surah Tawba, Ch.9, Verse No.71, ‘The men and the women they are friends (supporters) of each otherE
Supporters not only Socially – even Politically EPolitically, men and women should support each other.
Women can even take part in law making.
And according to the famous Hadith in which Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), he was discussing with the Sahabas, and considering putting an upper limit on the ‘Meher E since young men were discouraged from getting married – a lady from the back seat she objected and said When the Qur’an says in Surah Nisa Ch.4, Verse No.20 thatE ‘you can even give a heap of treasure, a heap of gold in ‘MeherE when Qur’an puts no limit on ‘MeherE who is Umar to put a limit (may Allah be pleased with him).
And immediately Hazrat Umar (peace be upon him) saidE‘Umar is wrong and the lady is rightE
Imagine, she was a common lady – If it would have been a famous lady, the name of the lady would be mentioned in the Hadith.
Since the Hadith does not mention the name of the lady, we can understand that the lady was a common lady.
Means, even a common lady can object to the ‘KhalifaE the head of the state.
And in technical terms it would be called that E‘she is objecting to the breach of the constitutionE- because Qur’an is the constitution of the Muslims – That means a woman can even take part in law making.
Women have even taken part in the battle fields
There is a full chapter in the Sahih Bukhari mentioning women in the battle field – Women gave water – they give first aid to the soldiers.
Because the Qur’an says ‘Man is the protector of the ‘WomanE
Under normal circumstances, the women should not go to the battle field. It is the duty of the man.
Only when required, under necessity are women allowed – and they should go to the battle field if they want.
Otherwise you’ll have the same position as you are having in the USA.
Women in USA are Not Safe
In USA women were allowed to join the battle since 1901 but they were not allowed to take active part – They only played the part of a nurse.
Later on after the ‘Feminist MovementEhad started in 1973, the ‘Feminist movementEdemanded E‘Why aren’t women allowed to take active part in the battle field?E/font>
So the American government allowed women to take active part in the battle field.
And according to a report of the Defense Department of America, which was released on the 23rd of April, 1993 it said that, E0 people were sexually assaulted in a convention, out of which 83 were women and 117 officers were charged with in disciplinary actionE Imagine in one convention only, 83 women sexually assaulted.
What was the crime of those 117 officers?
They made the women run and they snatched at their clothes. They made them parade absolutely nude without even covering the genital parts. They were made to have sex in public.
Is this what you call ‘Women’s rightsE
If you think that this is what is ‘Women’s rightE then you can keep your rights to yourselves. We do not want our sisters, our daughters our mothers to be sexually assaulted.
And there was a uproar in the parliament and the President, Bill Clinton – he himself had to apologize publicly and he said, ‘Necessary action will be takenE
And you know when politicians say ‘necessary action will be taken, what happens.
So Islam allows women to take part in the battle field only when required.
But there also they should maintain their Islamic dress and the Islamic ethics, and their modesty.
USA Has One of the Highest Rates of Rape
United States of America is supposed to be one of the most advanced countries of the world. It also has one of the highest rates of rape in any country in the world. According to a FBI report, in the year 1990, every day on an average 1756 cases of rape were committed in U.S.A alone. Later another report said that on an average everyday 1900 cases of rapes are committed in USA. The year was not mentioned. May be it was 1992 or 1993. May be the Americans got ‘bolderEin the following years.
Islamic Law Let’s Women Breathe Easily
Consider a scenario where the Islamic law is implemented in America. Whenever a man looks at a woman and any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his mind, he lowers his gaze. Every woman wears the Islamic dress as mentioned in Quran. After this if any man commits rape he is given capital punishment. I ask you, in such a scenario, will the rate of rape in America increase, will it remain the same, or will it decrease?
If Islamic law is implemented in any part of the world, women will breathe easier.
Conclusion
Before I conclude, I’d like to give an example.
As I said in the beginning of my talk, Islam believes in equality between men and women – Equality does not mean identicality.
Suppose in a classroom 2 students, student ‘AEand ‘BE during an examination both come out first – Both secure 80% marks – 80 out of 100.
When you analyze the question paper, the question paper has 10 different questions, each carrying 10 marks.
In question 1 student ‘AEgot 9 out of 10, and student ‘BEgot 7 out of 10 – So in question 1 student ‘AEwas higher than student ‘BE
In question 2, student ‘AEgot 7 out of 10 and student ‘BEgot 9 out of 10 – Student ‘BEwas higher than student ‘AEin question number 2.
In question 3 both of them got 8 out of 10, both were equal.
So when we add up the marks of all the ten questions, both student ‘AEand ‘BEgot 80 out of 100.
So in short, student ‘AEand student ‘BEare over all equal.
In some questions ‘AEis higher than ‘BE in some questions ‘BEis higher than ‘AE in others both are equal.
In the same fashion, taking the example that since God has given man more strength – Suppose a thief enters the house will you tell, ‘I believe in women’s rights – I believe in women’s rightsE – will you tell your mother, your sister and your daughter, to go and fight the thief?E
No, but natural you’ll fight him – If required they may interfere – Under normal circumstances since God has given you more physical strength, you have to go and tackle the thief.
So here, in physical strength, man is one degree higher than the woman
Let us take another example where it comes to respecting the parents – The children are supposed to respect the mother 3 times more than the father (as mentioned earlier).
Here the women have one degree higher than the men – Over all both equal
So Islam believes in equality, not identically – Men and women are over all equal in Islam.
This was in brief, the highlights, of ‘the Women’s Rights in IslamE
After this what the Muslim society did is different – Many of the Muslim societies did not give the women their rights and they deviated away from the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
The Western society is largely responsible for this – because of the Western societies, many Muslim societies have become over protective, over precautions and have gone to one extreme and deviated away from the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
On the other extreme, some of the Muslim societies turned to the Western culture, and followed their culture.
I want to tell the Western society that if you analyze the women’s rights in Islam according to the Qur’an and the Sunnah – you will realize it is modernizing and not outdated.
its not enough to read the QURAN, but to understand aswell with someones help who knows the proper religion with knowlege of other religions aswell.
Athiests are not immortal they also have to die some day and if you consider urself to be such a great intellect, then let people know how you’ll manage ur life after death .. bye.