Are you talking sati? It is not a religious practices but a cultural one started by the rajputs after the mughal invasion. It is against the law, MANMADE law.
awaits for PT to post a link from www.dalit.com or something.*
"besides we all know how women are viewed in the west, merely as sex object which need to be exploited to satisfy men, no wonder 1 in 20 women get raped in uk!!! will i suppose thats the civilsed world 4 u. "
I hear this same bit of propaganda time and time again, and the very argument is ridiculous.
I'm not saying this to belittle anyone's religion, but the Islamic belief that women must completely cover their bodies to avoid tempting men into having sexual thoughts is far more exploitive of women than anything done in the western world. They are selfishly shamed into covering up because they are viewed ONLY as sex objects. And then to tell them that this gives them dignity and honor! Talk about patronization and manipulation.
And as far as the supposedly higher number of sexual crimes against women in western countries vs. muslim countries, I hardly believe that either. The likely truth is that the number is higher because women here feel empowered enough to go to the authorities whereas in muslim countries they fear they they will somehow be blamed. If you think otherwise your are even more naieve and ignorant than I thought.
Islam is at its essence a good religion and needs steps forward, not backward, as your Khalifah system proposes.
-Stu
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Chaltahai: *
Are you talking sati? It is not a religious practices but a cultural one started by the rajputs after the mughal invasion. It is against the law, MANMADE law.
awaits for PT to post a link from www.dalit.com or something.*
[/QUOTE]
but many consider it as a religious custom, same as worhsipping rats at some mandir, or castes, or people piercing themselves with knitting pins all over and going to some mountain cave. They were someone's view thats somehow became a part of culture and unless one is knowledgeable its hard to seperate the religion from the custom.
add to it if you have thekay-daars of religion who forcibly insist that their interpretation is the correct one and there is no room or possibility of revisiting that, you are in a tough spot..as is the case with us muslims.
The intent here is not to ridicule hinduism, but interpretation of a word, or inclusion of an act stem from the same type of source..people's own adding substracting, translating, interpreting the religion as they see fit
Stu,
I agree with you that the claim, as well as the proof given categorizing the whole west as a bunch of sex mongers is wrong. Though you do have to agree that women aren't given any more respect in east or west.
Also, the idea that women should cover themselves up because of temptation to men is interpretation of a male dominant society (which most eastern as well as western societies are). Quran ask them to cover themselves up for modesty, spirituality & to get themselves distinct from the non-believers as a sign that they are righteous women.
Dear Mr. Fraudia: Hindu practices that discriminate, promote sati, make people worship rats or whatever are not within the consitution of India. The constitution is a manmade document. Manmade laws supercede supposed divine laws and practices. Is it the same in a muslim country? It's a simple question.
Manmade laws supercede supposed divine laws and practices. Is it the same in a muslim country? It's a simple question.
Yes it's the same in most muslim countries, Iraq, Syria, Malaysia, to name a few.
the article contined......and Stu if u dont want to believe the facts about how women are treated in the Capitalist societies, then thats upto you.Oh yeah it called denial, a person cant deny something n hope its wont happen, thats what kids do. (deny things)
The Organisations that Bring the Dishonour of the Muslim Woman to the Muslim Lands
The infiltration of Western culture and the introduction of the capitalist laws within the Muslim lands are not chance events. Calculated moves are taken by the Western states to constantly redefine the Islamic social system and attack the identity of the Muslim woman. They stand guilty of having exported the degradation of the woman within their societies to the sisters of the Muslim countries. The styles used include the Western media, the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) functioning within Muslim lands and institutions such as the United Nations.
In June of last year, 188 nations from amongst Muslim and non-Muslim countries, and 1250 NGOs world-wide, gathered in New York for an International Women’s Conference entitled “Beijing + 5”. The objective was clear: to accelerate the standardisation of the relationship and roles of the men and women within society of all the nations of the world to be in line with the capitalist values. If we examine certain aims established through the discussions, this is openly apparent:
“Ensure that women of all ages can fully realize their sexuality, free of coercion, discrimination and violence, by developing legislation, disseminating information, and promoting accessible and affordable services.”
“Discourage, through media and other means, customary laws and practices, such as early marriage, polygamy ... ”
In Bangladesh, the NGOs aided the introduction of the legalisation of prostitution and continue to call for the freedom of the women within the society.
We should realise that the underhanded objectives behind such events is to drive the Muslim woman further away from her role and duties defined by Islam and to drive a wedge between her and the obedience to her Creator. Truly, we should understand the danger from taking our solutions from these institutions. It is a call for women to discard their honour and to lead them away from the beauties and rewards of Jannah. Allah (swt) warns us in the Qur’an:
“O ye who believe! Take not into your intimacy those outside your ranks: They will not fail to corrupt you...” [TMQ Ale-Imran: 118].
Allah (swt) also says:
“O you who believe! Follow not the footsteps of Shaytan. And whosoever follows the footsteps of Shaytan then verily he commands Al-Fahsha (indecency) and Al-Munkar (evil). And had it not been for the grace of Allah and His Mercy on you, not one of you would ever have been pure from sins” [TMQ An-Nur: 21].
Islam: Securing the Honour of the Woman
Having established that the call for the adoption of the Western woman’s dress, lifestyle, goals and systems will bring nothing but humiliation to the Muslim woman and her society, it is crucial that we understand that Islam is the only way of life, and that the Khilafah is the only ruling system that brings the woman honour, protection and elevation in society. We can observe how Islam brings the honour, dignity and tranquillity to the woman in three ways: having a correct aim in life, honouring the Muslim woman in society and securing her honour under the Khilafah.
- Having the Correct Aim in Life
There is no doubt that the greatest honour in life is to be a Muslim. The greatest honour that can be bestowed upon the human being is to be a servant of Allah (swt) and to gain the pleasure and blessings of the Creator with every action performed in accordance with His command. Allah (swt) says:
“But honour belongs to Allah and His Apostle, and to the believers but the hypocrites know not” [TMQ Al-Munafiqun: 8].
Success is ensuring that not one minute passes without securing the rewards of the Hereafter by the pursuance of the fulfilment of the obligations to Allah (swt) in every area of life. Whether in ibadat, as a wife, a mother, daughter, fulfilling the contract of a job, covering her awrah with the khimar and jilbab in the public arena, segregating from the men or carrying the da’wa to make Allah’s (swt) word the highest by the work for the re-establishment of the Khilafah. Allah (swt) says:
“For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for truthful men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in God’s praise, for them has God prepared forgiveness and a great reward” [TMQ Al-Ahzab: 35].
The greatest tranquillity is in the knowledge of the promise of Allah (swt) of the rewards of Jannah (paradise) for those men and women who restrict themselves to His limits and fulfil all of His obligations in life without discrimination. Truly, this is the greatest honour and success of all, to be in the company of the Prophets, the pure companions, and Insha’Allah to spend eternity in nearness to Allah (swt). Allah (swt) promises:
“The righteous (will be) amid gardens and fountains (of clear-flowing water). (Their greeting will be): ‘Enter ye here in peace and security.’ And We shall remove from their hearts any lurking sense of injury: (They will be) brothers (joyfully) facing each other on thrones (of dignity). There no sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave” [TMQ Al-Hijr: 45-48].
We see then, for a Muslim woman, to fulfil the duties of wife and mother in Islam is a great honour. For her to obey her husband, or to serve him meals, or bring comfort to his life is not oppressive but an honour; for, she receives the pleasure and rewards of her Creator. The same can be said for the man fulfilling his role as a husband of providing for the family, consulting with the wife over affairs and being constantly observant over her physical and emotional welfare. The Prophet (saw) said, “Among my followers the best of men are those who are best to their wives and the best of women are those who are best to their husbands. To each of such women is set down a reward equivalent to the reward of a 1000 martyrs...”
For the mother to nurture her children physically, emotionally and with the Islamic culture, by feeding them, bathing them, playing with them and smiling at them, is a great honour. The Prophet (saw) has said, “When a woman breast feeds, for every gulp of milk she will receive a reward as if she had granted life to a being, and when she weans her child, the angels pat her on the back saying, ‘Congratulations! All your past sins have been forgiven, now start all over again’” [Riyadh al Salihin]. He (saw) also said, “During pregnancy until the time of childbirth, and until the end of the suckling period, a woman earns reward similar to that of the person who is guarding the borders of Islam” [Al-Tabarani].
- The Honour of the Muslim Woman in Society
Allah (swt) has commanded the man to view the woman as an honour to be protected at all times, whether it is his mother, wife, daughter or any woman within society. The Prophet (saw) once told Umar bin Al-Khattab (ra), “Shall I not inform you about the best treasure a man can hoard? It is a virtuous wife who pleases him whenever he looks towards her, and who guards herself when he is absent from her.” On another occasion, he (saw) said, “The world and all things in the world are precious but the most precious thing in the world is a virtuous woman.” In his last sermon to the Muslims, he reminded them, “O People, it is true that you have certain rights, with regards to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers.”
He (saw) has also said, “Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favour his son over her, God will enter him into paradise.”
A man at the time of the Prophet (saw) came to him and asked, “I have carried my mother single handed around the Ka’ba seven times, does this repay the kindness she showed me as a child?” The Prophet replied, “It does not even repay one contraction of the womb.”
This is the way that Allah (swt) has described the honour of the woman. Within an Islamic society, such an understanding will affect the men within the society at large, who will view the woman as an honour, regardless of whether she has a career or not. They will not belittle the position of the wife and mother but regard it with the highest of esteem.
This can be illustrated by an example at the time of the Khilafah of Umar bin Al-Khattab (ra) when a Jew was found killed. Umar asked the people if they knew about the matter, whereupon a Muslim called Bak’r in Shad’dakh appeared before him and said, “I have killed him.” Umar (ra) was astonished and asked him for the reason. The man explained that a Muslim brother had gone on Jihad and consigned his family members to him to look over in his absence. When he arrived at the house of the brother, he had found the Jew inside reciting poetry slandering the reputation of the brother’s wife by implying that he had spent the night with her in his absence. As a result, he killed him to protect the honour of the woman who had been placed under his protection. On hearing all the details, Umar (ra) exempted him from paying any ransom.