Women in ISLAM - According to Islam/Quran/Muslims

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

Courtesy of Islamic.Org

In a truely Islamic society women have the following rights in Islam:

  1. The right and duty to obtain education.

  2. The right to have their own independent property.

  3. The right to work to earn money if they need it or want it.

  4. Equality of reward for equal deeds.

  5. The right to express their opinion and be heard.

  6. The right to provisions from the husband for all her needs and more.

  7. The right to negotiate marriage terms of her choice.

  8. The right to obtain divorce from her husband, even on the grounds that she simply can’t stand him. (pls note that God deeply frowns upon divorce as a solution unless there is hardly any other alternative but it does not mean that men have more right to divorce their wives than women do.)

  9. The right to keep all her own money (she is not responsible to maintain any relations).

  10. The right to get sexual satisfaction from her husband.

  11. custody of their children after divorce.

  12. to refuse any marriage that does not please them

and more…

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Make sure you can read and have the will to gain knowledge about Islam and what it is about. More to come, Inshallah.

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Take it easy sir.

V~V~VHe came, He saw, He conqueredV~V~V**

2

can she like, play basketball or tennis?

3

Dear Queer,

Yes she can, but in proper dress and covering.

What do women and Islam have in common? Besides the stereotyped images that each suffers from individually, the status of women in Islam is one of the most extremely misunderstood and incorrectly portrayed things in western society. We can investigate why this is so later. First, a brief introduction to the actual status of women in Islam is in order.
Before discussing issues pertinent to the social status of women, consider the original creation of the woman as portrayed by the Quoran (the Islamic holy book) which does not subscribe to the view that Eve was created from the crooked rib of Adam and thus is of inferior status: "O humankind, be conscious of your Sustainer who has created you out of one living entity, and out of it created its mate, and out of the two spread abroad a multitude of men and women." Instead, the verse of the Quoran shows that there is no superiority for one sex over the other. This sets the tone for the status of women in Islam.

The concept of gender equality in Islam is stressed by the non-superiority of either sex over the other. It came at a time when it was necessary to elevate the demeaned status of women and grant them rights equal to those of men. The equality of women in Islam is evident by the unprecedented legal rights given to them under a monotheistic religion as defined in the Quoran. As one of many examples, consider the rights of women in marriage and divorce. Both men and women have equal rights to contract a marriage as well as to dissolve it. The precondition of marriage is merely the mutual agreement by both parties. And unlike Christianity, a woman in Islam can divorce her husband at any time if she feels that she has been dealt with unjustly or even if she is just unhappy with her spouse since marriage is based upon mutual responsibilities toward each other. Islam has also ensured the woman's right to remarry pending a three month refrainment period.

As for social rights, Islam has always recognized the prominent role that women play in society. They are given the freedom to pursue any profession including political positions. Both in the past and present day, women in Islamic societies have reached political heights unparalleled in the most "advanced" western nations. Even in the earliest day of Islam, Aysha, the daughter of the prophet, lead an army of 30,000 soldiers. Currently, women lead two Islamic countries: Benazir Bhutto has served as the prime minister of Pakistan since 1988 and has been a strong and remarkable leader. Turkey is also headed by a Muslim woman, Tansu Ciller, who was elected the prime minister in 1993. Here in the U.S., we still have never had a female president and the outlook doesn't look too good either.

Those are just a few of the facts. Why then is Islam portrayed as a religion that oppresses women and puts them in a position inferior to men? Part of that is certainly due to the stereotyped image of how Islamic women are portrayed in western media as an extension of Islam-bashing. A prominent example is the movie "Not Without My Daughter" in which scores of false and fictitious depictions were made of women in an Islamic country. It is also true, however, that in many so called "Islamic" countries, women are not treated according to their God-given rights. But this is not the fault of Islamic ideology but rather the misapplication or sometimes the outright denial of the ideology in these societies.

Much of the practices and laws in "Islamic" countries have deviated from or are totally unrelated to the origins of Islam. Instead many of these practices are based on cultural or traditional customs which have been injected into these societies. For example, in Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to drive by law. This rule, in a country which is supposed to derive its law from Islamic legislation, is completely an invention of the Saudi monarchy. This horrific rule as well as a host of others are residues of old pre-Islamic tribal traditions where women were not entitled to the same rights as men. As another example, in some "Islamic" countries, many civil laws remain those that were imposed upon them during European colonization. Much of the civil law that legislates personal and family matters in Egypt, for example, is directly based on old French law. As a result, an Egyptian man can divorce his wife much more easily than the reverse. Consequently, women often have to suffer long and expensive court procedures and have to prove that they were mistreated by their husbands before being granted a divorce. Often times, laws in Middle Eastern countries, which are legislated and enforced by men, only take bits and pieces of Islamic law and combine them with concocted rules based upon some cultural or foreign practices.

The status of women in Islam is one of equality and honor. Unfortunately, in the current day and age, though there are many societies in which the majority of citizens are Muslim, there are no Islamic nations.

*V~V~V*He came, He saw, He conquered*V~V~V*

4

Yes she can, but in proper dress and covering. <

wutz "proper"? can you play those games in "proper" attire without falling down and breaking your neck? how about swimming or scuba diving?

i understand that islam prescribes dress-code for men too, but i'vent seen anyone adhering to that when it comes to games. so why women?

5

Queer,

What happens to you when you see naked or half-naked women? You get aroused, I hope so!

“Proper” meaning her body must be covered i.e bosoms, legs, etc.
What is proper to you? A women dressed in bikini?

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/wink.gif

Why is basketball, scuba diving etc. so important anyway? There are tons of other activities that are much appropriate for women. Don’t make basketball an excuse to crumble the rights of women.

V~V~VHe came, He saw, He conqueredV~V~V**

[This message has been edited by The Watcher (edited October 19, 2000).]

6

depends a lot on the woman, and what she wants.

whats bad about a bikini?

well, the point i’m trying to make is, the emphasis seems to be on covering up women, so that men arent tempted. why not just insist that men be taught to be more controlled? saves a lot of trouble.

7

can they rule a country . can they beat up men ?

8

Queer,

Men in Islam are taught to lower their gaze when they see a women. Women at the same time are taught to do the same. Point that Islam makes is to have peacful society where no one has problem with no one. Everyone lives without any hate and dislike towards the other. It creats the perfect environment to coexist and live the life of hormony than any other religion in the world does.

If you rely on biased jews media to give you the facts than you really are in darkness. If you come out and study islam like it is in Quran and the real teachings of Islam than you come to learn that it is the way of complete peaceful life.
Many scholars who have studied Islam really praised it. They went out and researched on it and were not misinformed by the “telling-truth-upside” down media.

Ravitz, they can be a leader of anything but a country.

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif

V~V~VHe came, He saw, He conqueredV~V~V**

[This message has been edited by The Watcher (edited October 19, 2000).]

9

whoa

what jewish media? i thought we were talking bikinis.

newayz, good to see that you dun like ppl misrepresenting islam. so stop doing the same with hinduism. fair's fair. judging from your threads, you are worse than the jewish media.

10

Men in Islam are taught to lower their gaze when they see a women. Women at the same time are taught to do the same.<<

Com'on. Someone has to look to avoid bumping into each other.

11

i understand that islam prescribes dress-code for men too, but i’vent seen anyone adhering to that when it comes to games. so why women?
Double standards maybe? Its true u guyz, no matter how much u may argue against it or try to ignore it they do exist and its not right in Islam…its not right at all. But the thing is queer its not because of islam but inspite of it.

Com’on. Someone has to look to avoid bumping into each other.
smiles Chanmahi c’mon no one said they have to close their eyes or put blinders on, just to lower their gaze

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12

But the thing is queer its not because of islam but inspite of it.<

i dont doubt it.

the irritating part is, watcher thinks it is ok to pass of anything bad related to india/hindu society as hinduism, while when it comes to islam, it is only the ideal stuff, not what muslims in real life do. (er.. in case you dont understand what i'm speaking of, look at the sister thread, "women in hinduism".)

13

Let's just start here, shall we? To summarize: men are superior to their wives, and are allowed to rape their wives, in Islam. (Islam teaches me to punish the aggressor with a "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" philosophy)

MEN ARE SUPERIOR TO WOMEN:
"And it is for the women to act as they (the husbands) act by them, in all fairness; but the men are a step above them."16
"Men have authority over women because Allah has made the one superior to the other."(Q. 4:34).

The famous commentator Ibn Kathir commented on (Q. 4:34) saying: "Men are superior to women, and a man is better than a woman."[17] Commenting on the Qur'anic verse Q. 30:21 which states "And of His signs is that He created for you, of yourselves, spouses, that you may repose in them" Razi said:
"His saying 'created for you' is a proof that women were created like animals and plants and other useful things, just as the
Most High has said."

WOMEN'S TESTIMONY:
The testimony of the woman is not equal to that of the man. Her testimony is half the testimony of the man with regard to financial matters. The Qur'an states, "And call in to witness two witnesses, men; or if the two be not men, then one man and two women, such witness as you approve of, that if one woman errs the other will remind her."[18]

TREATMENT FOR WOMEN:
"The prophet of Allah said: When a man calls his wife to satisfy his desire, let her come to him though she is occupied at the
oven."[19]

"The messenger of Allah said: Whenever a man calls his wife to his bed and she refuses, and then he passes the night in an
angry mood, the angels curse her till she gets up at dawn."[20]
"Men perished, the day they obeyed the women."[21]

"As to those women on whose part you fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, (1) Admonish them, (2) refuse to share their beds,
(3) beat them; but if they return to obedience seek not against them means of annoyance: For Allah is Most High, Great. (4) If you fear a break between them, appoint two arbiters, one from
his family and the other from hers; If they wish for peace, Allah will cause their reconciliation" (4:34-35).

HUSBAND WIFE RELATIONSHIP:
Mohammad said: "Had I ordered anybody to prostrate before anyone, I would have ordered women to prostrate before their
husbands on account of men's rights over the women ordained by Allah."[22]

Commenting on the Qur'anic verse Q. 30:21 which states "And of His signs is that He created for you, of yourselves, spouses,
that you may repose in them" Razi said: "His saying 'created for you' is a proof that women were created like animals and plants
and other useful things, just as the Most High has said 'He created for you what is on earth' and that necessitates the woman not to be created for worship and carrying the Divine commands. We say creating the women is one of the graces bestowed upon us and charging them with Divine commands to
complete the graces bestowed upon us, not that they are charged as we men are charged. For women are not charged with many commands as we are charged, because the woman is weak, silly, in one sense she is like a child, and no commands are laid upon a
child, but for the grace of Allah upon us to be complete, women had to be charged so that they may fear the torment of punishment and so follow her husband, and keep away from what is forbidden, otherwise corruption would be rampant."[23]

"If a woman offered one of her breasts to be cooked and the other to be roasted, she still will fall short of fulfilling her
obligations to her husband. And besides that if she disobeys her husband even for a twinkling of an eye, she would be thrown in
the lowest part of Hell, except she repents and turns back."[24]

"The virtuous wife, if her husband bids her, she obeys him; if he looks at her, she pleases him; if he gives her an oath; she
fulfils it, and if he is absent from her, she guards herself and his property."25

BEATING OF WIFE:
The Qur'an states: "Righteous women are therefore obedient, ... And those you fear may be rebellious (nushuz) admonish; banish them to their couches, and beat them."[26]

The translator of Mishkat Al-Masabih wrote in a footnote of Fatwa by Qazi Khan that said beating the wife mildly is "allowed
in four cases (1) When she does not wear fineries though wanted by the husband, (2) When she is called for sexual intercourse
and she refuses without any lawful excuse, (3) When she is ordered to take a bath [to clean herself] from impurities for
prayer and she refuses and (4) When she goes abroad without permission of her husband."[27]

  1. The Qur'an, 2:228
  2. Ibn-Kathir, commenting on Q. 4:34.
  3. The Qur'an, 2: 282.
  4. Mishkat al-Masabih, English translation, Book I, Section 'Duties of husband and wife', Hadith No. 61.
  5. Ibid., Hadith No. 54 (agreed upon). See also Bukhari, Arabic-English translation, vol. VII, Hadith no. 121.
  6. Ibid., Hadith No. 831.
  7. Mishkat al-Masabih, English translation, Section 'Duties of husband and wife', Hadith No. 70. Reported by Abu Dawood, Ahmad, Tirmizi, Ibn Magah and Ibn Haban.
  8. At-Tafsir al-Kabir, Razi, commenting on Q. 30:21.
  9. Tuffaha, Ahmad Zaky, Al-Mar'ah wal- Islam, Dar al-Kitab al-Lubnani, Beirut, first edition, 1985, p. 176. It is also quoted in Al-Musanaf by Abu Bakr Ahmad Ibn 'Abd Allah Ibn Mousa Al-Kanadi who lived 557H., vol. 1 part 2, p. 255.
  10. Mishkat al-Masabih, Book 1, duty towards children Hadith No. 43.
  11. The Qur'an, 4:34. (Arberry's translation).
  12. Mishkat al-Masabih, English translation, Book 1, section 'duties of husband and wife', Hadith No.50. Footnote No 138
14

astrofan, when u quote from the quran, or use any hadiths, please take it in the whole context, don’t prune the verse to fit your so-called summaries.

Hmmm ‘eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth’..isn’t that from the bible?

Now the real verse:
And divorced women shall wait (as regards their marriage) for three menstrual periods, and it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allâh has created in their wombs, if they believe in Allâh and the Last Day. And their husbands have the better right to take them back in that period, if they wish for reconciliation. And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses, etc.) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect, etc.) to what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them. And Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
Do u guys see the difference?

Okay now the real verse:

  • Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allâh has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allâh and to their husbands), and guard in the husband’s absence what Allâh orders them to guard (e.g. their chastity, their husband’s property, etc.). As to those women on whose part you see ill­conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly, if it is useful), but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance). Surely, Allâh is Ever Most High, Most Great.*
    Guys..see again…

Here is the correct translation:
And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect.
La hawla wala quwata illah billahil aleeyul azeem, who is ‘razi’ if i may ask? astrofan if you need commentary try Yusuf Ali.

And yet again what a difference.

Alright here’s 4:34, even though i already have it above:
Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allâh has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allâh and to their husbands), and guard in the husband’s absence what Allâh orders them to guard (e.g. their chastity, their husband’s property, etc.). As to those women on whose part you see ill­conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly, if it is useful), but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance). Surely, Allâh is Ever Most High, Most Great.
And 4:35
If you fear a breach between them twain (the man and his wife), appoint (two) arbitrators, one from his family and the other from her’s; if they both wish for peace, Allâh will cause their reconciliation. Indeed Allâh is Ever All­Knower, Well­Acquainted with all things.

Yet again another distorted translation (if u can call it that

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/rolleyes.gif

) of 4:34, according to your footnote.

astrofan, I repeat, when u quote from the quran, or use any hadiths, please take it in the whole context, don’t prune the verse to fit your so-called summaries. Alright thats enuff, i’m out.

ps.Did u really think u’d get away with misquoting the Qu’ran?

[This message has been edited by Girl from Quraysh (edited October 20, 2000).]

15

GFQ, these are all corrupt people with corrup and illogical believes. I don’t think debating with them is worth it.

If they post something that is not part of Islam, Administration should ban them for a while as a lesson. They creat hadiths and verses from quran and think they can fool us like they have been fooled.
They confuse the teachings of Bible with the teachings of Quran. They are confused people with confuse believes.
I don’t think its worth it to shove some sense into these nonsenses. Good Luck.

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V~V~VHe came, He saw, He conqueredV~V~V**