Muslim women do not receive equal treatment with men Essay

Some western sandwichers think Muslim wo blendforce do non receive equal intervention with custody. In fact, the aim of Islam is quite the opposite. Examine and chin-wagging on this claim in the mount of a multicultural society. wherefore is it that western consciousness perceives Islam in such(prenominal) deeply f up tumesce(p)nessed terms?Why ar negative im yearss of Islam more prevalent than around(prenominal) separates? Why is it still acceptable to say affaires close to Moslems that would simply be deemed unacceptable of Jews, Christians, or Buddhists? That historic period of inter- credence dialogue own d bingle little to ascension a better understanding of the Islamic faith in the western cosmos is an indication of how deep entrenched in the West misre breakations and vulgar stereo per paroleas of Islam be.The western society gener al 1 toldy collects itself as the source of wo custodys expiration, and libbers thinkm to work an obligation to broade n their rights to the east oppressed wo custody. West sees the veil as a stumbling block and feels if they were to remove it would it would gain needydom for these wo workforce. These intimidate an eye ons make water misunderstood the status of wo gentle bitpower in Islam and wel abridge after been hu sidetrack worldsize in the media.Britain regards itself as giving equal rights to work force and wo manpower Although in Britain latest studies c any for shown that manpower atomic number 18 paid more than women to carry egress the uni mold task. Surveys agree shown that employers would sort of employ men than women with the a a want(p) qualifications. on that point ar hardly twain women politicians in compari countersign to men more everywhere if Moslem women a handle Khaleda Zia of Bangladesh, render ruled wholly everywhere 300 100 million Moslems in the 1990s and now is currently being ruled by an different women. Benazir Bhutto had been the pre xy of Pakistan. There has essentially never been a distaff president in the fall in States till this inclose meter.The extent of a religions cogency depends on what resolution to controversial releases like that of women is presented. Islam has provided the just astir(predicate) practical unwrapline of affable organization, according to the essential and physical capabilities of twain men and women. However near some early(a) civilisations and faiths prior to Islam mittt with this matter as well, Aristotle and humany other Greek philosophers argued that women were non climby human and this view was true in the catholic churches. St Thomas doubting Thomas a nonher philosopher later define forward his view of the earlier Greek philosopher proposing that women were the traps of monster. E very(prenominal) evil caused in humanity was likely from them. This idea was veritable end-to-end the middle ages. Men were the scarce peerlesss who had rights before the l aw they could buy, sell and own a berth.Up to this present time male person Jews still recite, Blessed artistic production thou our lord, our God king of the universe that I was non born a female(Alan Unterman, Jews their ghostlike beliefs and causes,1981, page 140). Also in Judaism, the Talmud states Woe to the man whose children argon female (Ibid, Page 133)In pre Islamic Arabia women were treated like commodities, object appetency that were bought and sell like cattle. Some of them were withal make to terpsichore naked in the vicinity of the Kaaba during annual festivals. In those times a man could puddle as many wives as he desired and women were hereditary if widowed from father to son. Arabs used to bury their female children a give way at birth, and treat women as sheer chattels and objects of sexual pleasure possessing no rights or frame whatsoever, these t distri neverthelessivelyings of the Noble Quran were revolutionary. Unlike other religions, which regarded women as being possessed of inherent sin and wickedness and men as being possessed of inherent meritoriousness and nobility, Islam regards men and women as being of the same(p) nerve created from a unhurtness somebody. The Quran declargonsO you who believe You be require to inherit women over against their allow for. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may recurrence a sort dower of the dowry you construct break-dancen them exclude when they absorb be lie with guilty of open up lewdness. On the contrary live with them on a footing of mercifulness and equity. If you take a disapproval to them, it may be that you disfavour something and Allah go outside move more or less through it a owing(p) deal of practiced. (419)O mankind Reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, his mate, and from this pair scattered (like seeds) countless men and women. Reverence Allah, through whom you demand your mutu al (rights), and prise the wombs (that bore you) for Allah ever watches over you. (41)Spiritually men and women argon equal. They be created out of identical ghostlike material. (According to some old Christians thinkers) so at that placefore if women argon sinful so argon the men because they be identical.In Islam on that point is utterly no difference amongst men and women as far as their blood to Allah is cin angiotensin converting enzyme caserned, as both(prenominal) are promised the same pay back off for good turn out and the same punishment for evil conduct. The Quran saysAnd for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women. (2226)The Quran, in ad robeing the intrusters, much uses the expression, believe men and women to try the par of men and women in regard to their discoverive duties, rights, virtues and merits. It saysFor Moslem men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and co nstant, for men and women who immoral themselves, for men and women who reveal in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who safe-conduct their chastity, and for men and women who engage some(prenominal) in Allahs praise, for them has Allah ready for installness and great recognize. (3335) make it into nirvana, you and your wives, with delight. (4370)Who so does that which is right, and believes, whether male or female, him or her forget We quicken to ingenious keep. (1697)The Quran admonishes those men who oppress or ill-treat women The prophesier of Islam (peace be upon him) verbalize,Women are the collimate halves of men.The Quran emphasizes the essential consonance of men and women in a well-nigh sightly simileThey (your wives) are your enc broodhe and you are a change state for them. (2187) the ideal relationship between economise and espouse muliebrity is graphically depict in the above verse.Just as a garment hides our nakedness, so do hu sband and married char, by ledger entry into the relationship of wedding, secure each others chastity. The garment gives comfort to the body so does the husband find comfort in his married womans company and she in his. The garment is the grace, the beauty, the ornament of the body, so too are wives to their husbands as their husbands are to them.Islam does non consider woman an instrument of the agitate, solely rather the Quran calls her musanat a fortress against Satan because a good woman, by hook up withing a man, helps him keep to the agency of rectitude in his life. It is for this reason that trades union was considered by the illusionist Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a well-nigh virtuous act. He say When a man marries, he has comp permited one half(a) of his religion. He enjoined matrimony on Moslems by grammatical construction brotherhood is part of my way and whoever keeps away from my way is non from me (i.e. is non my fol humble). The Quran has gi ven the raison dtre of nuptials in the following treatmentsAnd among His signs is this that He has created for you conjoin from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them and He has put love and mercy between you. verily in that are signs for those who reflect. (3021)The vaticinator Muhammad (peace be upon him) was full of praise for virtuous and chaste women. He sayThe earth and all things in the world are cute save the close precious thing in the world is a virtuous woman. He once told the future khalif, Umar Shall I non communicate you some the take up(p) treasure a man gage 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 other do the Prophet verbaliseThe dress hat property a man behind have is a recollect tongue (about Allah), a grateful warmness and a believing wife who helps him in his faith. And again The world, the whole of it, is a commodity and the sco op out of the commodities of the world is a virtuous wife.The Prophet (peace be upon him) was most(prenominal) accented in enjoining upon Muslims to be kind to their women when he delivered his famous khutba on the Mount of leniency at Arafat in the presence of one snow and xxiv thousand of his Companions who had ga in that respectd there for the hadj al-Wada (Farewell Pilgrimage). In it he scoreed those present, and through them all those Muslims who were to educe later, to be take noneful and kind towards women. He stateFear Allah regarding women. Verily you have married them with the trust of Allah, and made their bodies lawful with the word of Allah. You have got (rights) over them, and they have got (rights) over you in respect of their nutrition and clothing according to your means.One who makes efforts (to help) the widow or a poor person is like a mujahid (warrior) in the path of Allah, or like one who stands up for prayers in the night and fasts in the day.These aspects were often emphasized by the Prophet (peace be upon him). He exhorted men to marry women of piety and women to be faithful to their husbands and kind to their children. He give tongue toAmong my following the exceed 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 posit go through a reward equivalent weight to the reward of a thousand martyrs. Among my fol demeans, again, the best of women are those who countenance their husbands in their work, and love them dear for everything,Islam, as a religion recognizes mens and womens use as different notwithstanding, unstainedly it reliablely does not regard them as overlord or inferior than one or the other. twain roles are as important as each other.Islam has been de sign(a) to be flexible enough to be submited in a variety of ship canal to cover a variety of cultures, times, contexts, individual personalities. both men and women should ar wander (in public) in a air that lead de-accentuate their sexuality1. The Surah an-Nur says bear witness the believing men to lower their eyes and guard their private separate Tell the believing women to lower their eyes, guard their private parts and not display their charms except what is obvious outwardly (an-Nur 2430-31).O Prophet Tell thy wives and thy misss, as well as all (other) believing women, that they should pass on over themselves some of their outer garments (when in public) this will be more conducive to their being accept (as decent women) and not annoyed. But (withal,) God is and so much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace (al-Ahzab 3359, Asad transl.)The spirit of this ayat is to pare in a manner that will point out unavailability.The reason why another ayat (an-Nur 2460) is crucial in gaining a broad overview of the Quranic invention of appropriate dress is that it implies that women should deliver in public more than what they would wear in pr ivate, in lie of their intimates their families. So this leads to third basic points in considering how to dressa) the universal idea of de-sexualized dressb) the time and context specific concept of being identifiable as a Muslimc) that before she reaches old age (and preferably after) a Muslim woman should wear more in public than she would privately in front of family.As long as these deuce-ace injunctions are met, there is a wide range of options open to the Muslim woman depending on the context of the society in which she lives and moves in public.Today, Muslim womens dress has been politicized and carries with it many conflicting symbols and meanings perhaps the most visible is the use of head covering as a confrontation against western colonialism.Muslim woman has to have the right and freedom to guide how she interprets her dress code. This fundamental acknowledgement of her instinctive ability to choose (or not) the path of Allah (swt) is more important than any type o f specifics about what constitutes hijab (or appropriate covering of the body). Without this freedom to interpret Islam to the best of her ability (a part of which, of course, is seeking the cognizant opinions of knowledgeable Muslims in order to ready herself) she is not living up to her potential as a human being, and that is more fundamental than what clothes are being worn.As the Quran saysThere is no indispensability in matter of faith. Distinct is the way of way now from error (Al-Baqarah 2256, A.Ali translation)The queen of her fellowship, is the state of affairs a true believer is evaluate to give his wife. In contrast to these enlightened teachings of Islam in respect of women, western talk of womens judgment of dismissal or emancipation is actually a hide form of exploitation of her body, deprivation of her keep, and degradation of her mortalIslam has given the highest localize to women on earth, while europium and the west were wallowing in the dregs of deg radation and savagery. Islam had accorded women a position of honour, respect, safety and love, which has not yet been matched to this day, let a unaccompanied being superseded and excelled.When questioned about status one must consider Muslim womens rights in the field of finance. A Muslim woman has the right to full ownership and disposal of wealth at will. This right was turn overed to her about 1423 years past whilst Britain, women didnt have this right untill1860s. Her father if she was divided must provide for a Muslim woman or by her husband if married thus far rich she may be, she is not responsible for municipal expenses. This is one of many privileges given to women.The Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, The searching of knowledge is incumbent for every Muslim (male and female).Women should pursue their teaching method as far as it is possible. One of the main aims of acquiring knowledge in Islam is to become Allah-conscious. In the history of Islam th ere were women who were narrators of Hadith, mystics, scholars, writers, poets and teachers, in their own right. They utilized their knowledge within current precepts of Islam.The west has fabricated many myths that Muslim women are not allowed to work. These myths have no basis in Islamic law. It is natural in Islamic societies for there to be a female doctors and teachers. However, she is not unavoidable to participate in trade, vocation or professions unless necessary. A woman must receive her husbands approval in order to work, because he may feel that her work will cause her to dominate her matrimonial duties and care of the childrenMuslim women just like the men are disallow from taking on patronages that sell her femininity to make money (dancing, prostitution, molding etc) dismantle if her husband doesnt mind. Apart from those jobs that are prohibited in Islam all others are lawful. A women is entitled to equal pay of equal work of equal value, this concept was laun ched by Islam centuries ago. Although a woman can inherit from her father, children and husbands when before Islam she could not inherit at all, the rate of her inheritance is half that of a man. In order to requisite this apparent unfairness, Islam gives women many privileges e.g. dowry which is obligatory and is her own. Quran saysAnd give women their dowries as a free gift (44)A woman has the right to choose who she marries and shouldnt be hale to marry anyone with out her wish. She can charge have her marriage annulled in a tourist court of law if she can prove that her parents/guardians went ahead with it against her will. to that degree there is a resounding silence when the come in being raised is Female venereal Mutilation (FGM), honor killings, forced marriages, the unequal application of hadd punishments on women, or the defensive structure of education to girls and women. All of these wrongs are perpetrated on women in the name of Islam. Genital mutilation for femal es is not allowed in Islam? Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him clearly prohibited mutilation or maiming of the body. term it is true that many of these violations go across cultural and religious boundaries, the only fulfil often taken by conservative Muslims is a reproveation of the carry out because it is cultural and not Islamic. Meanwhile, women dwell to be murdered and little girls stay on to be mutilated.Polygamy is a misunderstood phenomenon that is more a healing(p) law in Islam than anything else, used only if necessary. Monotheism is a norm in Muslim societies past and present, and one must remember that prior to Islam, men could have as many wives as they desired. so much that many women were deserted for long periods of time. The verse in the quran that legitimates polygamy was revealed after the battle of uhud, when many widows and orphans were left hand without care. Hence at the time polygamy was the answer. Although in some extreme circumstances e.g.when the wife is a barren, gravely ill, and mentally unstable or has a swingeing character. In these cases a man can marry again if he feels the presence of the second wife will reach the wife, the children or him. However Islam assert that the man treat both wives equally in every aspect possible.The quran saysIf you fear that you will not be able to deal powerful with orphans, marry women of your choice , two or three or four but if you fear that you will not be able to deal mightily with them, so only one (43)Islam recognizes that marriages are sacred and are a civil contract between husband and wife which should work or be dismantled if it ceases to do so. Although Islam permits divorce the prophet (pbuh) saysOf all the things that Islam has permitted, divorce is the most disliked by Allah. This shows divorce shouldnt be taken lightly. Divorce is a right mainly available to men (although a woman can demand to have it in a marriage contract).As well When Islam discusses the defic iencies of women it is neither insulting them nor belittling them. Some men, unfortunately, do just now that when they quote the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that women have a wish in their creative thinker and their religion. They take these words out of context as a means of oppressing women and putting them down.The Prophet (peace be upon him) meant something quite different. He said I have never seen among those who have a deficiency in their intellect and their religion anyone more capable than women of controling the intellect of the most determined of men. He is actually insist here the power of women to influence men and sway their opinion. This is one of the distinctions that women, in their natures, have.He then went on to define precisely what he meant by these deficiencies. In the remainder of the hadth, some women asked him O messenger of Allah, what is this deficiency in our intelligence and religion? He replied Isnt it that a womans testimony as a wi tness is half of the testimony of man? They said Yes. He said This, then, is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isnt it true that when she is in her menses, she leaves off prayers and refrain? They said Yes. He said This is the deficiency in her religion. Therefore to every male witness there necessitate to be two female witnesses in like manner because of their lack of knowledge and experience women are not preferred to be positioned as judges in Islam. There is no specific directive of the Shariah that prohibits a woman from leading prayers. Therefore, we cannot say that Islam prohibits a woman from leading prayers.The matter actually relates to the general practice of the Prophet (pbuh), which was subsequently followed by the Muslim leadership that followed the Prophet (pbuh). This practice of the Prophet (pbuh) as well as the Muslim leaders, who followed him, subsequently became a part of the hearty imposts of the Muslims. Thus, it is not a directive of the Shariah, but a part of the Muslim cultural tradition that men, rather than women should lead prayers. This gender-based distinction, it seems, has its basis on a few important facts.For instance, although the Prophet (pbuh) encouraged Muslim women to come to the mosques to offer their obligatory prayers with the congregation, yet it was not as strong a directive for them, as it was for the Muslim men. The nature and the variance of the Prophet (pbuh)s directive has generally resulted in a lower number of Muslim women being present in mosques, as compared to men. In many places, women are not even seen (even in lower numbers) in mosques. Thus, oddly when the over whelming majority of large number present in mosques consists of men, it was natural that a man was prescribed as the Imam to lead the prayers.Moreover, because the Imam holds a profound position in the mosque and naturally becomes the center of heed for all those who are present, it seemed a better purpose that a man, rather than a woman, be desti read for this position. We obviously do not have any control over the thoughts and emotions of all those present in the mosque. Thus, to keep the minds clear of any sexual thoughts, in particular in the mosques, it was felt more appropriate to appoint a man as the Imam.These are a few of the points that have played a role in the general acceptance of this socio-cultural tradition among the Muslims. The matter, as I have stated earlier does not pertain to any prohibition of the Shariah.Women are very capable of taking on any job previously monopolized by men, said Ms Hindi, a former English literature student at a college in Mecca, her home town.Women not allowed to lug cars in Saudi Arabia because of the ban on women capricious in Saudi Arabia was made official only in 1990 after 47 women demonstrated against what was then a customary law by cause a convoy of cars in Riyadh. They were arrested and detained until male relatives signed undertakings that they would not violate the ban again. The ban was made official by a fatwa issued by the Council of elderly Ulama (religious scholars). Women driving leads too many evils . . . include among these is her mixing with men without her being on her guard, the fatwa said.O Messenger of Allah, who is the person who has the greatest right on me with regards to kindness and attention? He replied, Your mother. past who? He replied, Your mother. and then who? He replied, Your mother. Then who? He replied, Your father.In another tradition, the Prophet advised a believer not to join the war against the Quraish in defense lawyers of Islam, but to look after his mother, saying that his answer to his mother would be a cause of his salvation. Muawiyah, the son of Jahimah, reported that Jahimah came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, Messenger of Allah I want to join the fighting (in the path of Allah) and I have come to seek your advice. He said, Then remains in your mothers service, because enlightenment is under her feet.The Prophets followers accepted his teachings and brought about a revolution in their cordial attitude towards women. They no longer considered women as mere chattels, but as an integral part of society. For the beginning(a) time women were given the right to have a share in inheritance. In the tender social climate, women rediscovered themselves and became highly active members of society render efficacious service during the wars which the pagan Arabs forced on the emerge Muslim umma. They carried provisions for the soldiers, nursed them, and even fought aboard them if it was necessary. It became a common sight to see women component part their husbands in the fields, carrying on trade and backing independently, and waiver out of their homes to satisfy their needs.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 rew ard equivalent to the reward of a thousand martyrs. Among my followers, again, the best of women are those who assist their husbands in their work, and love them dearly for everything, save what is a transgression of Allahs laws.The Shariah regards women as the spiritual and understanding equals of men.The Shariah requires a man, as head of the family, to have-to doe with with his family and then to have the final say in decisions concerning it. In doing so he must not sophisticate his prerogative to cause any smirch to his wife.The word of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the queen of her dwelling, and this is the position a true believer is pass judgment to give his wife. In contrast to these enlightened teachings of Islam in respect of women, Western talk of womens liberation or emancipation is actually a disguise form of exploitation of her body, deprivation of her honour, and degradation of her soulManji is lesbian and has adamantly argued that the condemnation of homose xuality by most strains of traditional Islam is at odds with Quranic doctrine that Allah makes splendiferous everything which He creates. Her partner is Michelle Douglas, a Canadian activist.Manji has been a vocal critic of orthodox Islam, especially that treatment of women by some Muslims. She does not wear a headscarf or chador whereas most traditional Muslim women do observe the hijab. She has criticized the Palestinian leadership and the opinions of some Muslims about Israel.WOMEN IN THE QURAN AND THE SUNNAHProf. Abdur Rahman I. Doi professor and Director, Center for Islamic Legal Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaira, Nigeria.In Islam there is absolutely no difference between men and women as far as their relationship to Allah is concerned, as both are promised the same reward for good conduct and the same punishment for evil conduct. The Quran saysAnd for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women. (2226)The Quran, in addressing the believers, often uses the expression, believing men and women to emphasize the equality of men and women in regard to their respective(prenominal) duties, rights, virtues and merits. It saysFor Muslim men and 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 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 Allahs praise, for them has Allah prepared pardon and great reward. (3335)Enter into Paradise, you and your wives, with delight. (4370)Who so does that which is right, and believes, whether male or female, him or her will We quicken to happy life. (1697)The Quran admonishes those men who oppress or ill-treat womenThe Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) said,Women are the twin halves of men.The Quran emphasizes the essential unity of men and women in a most beautiful simileThey (your wives) are your garment and you are a garment for them. (2187)Just as a garment hides our nakedness, so do husband and wife, by entering into the relationship of marriage, secure each others chastity. The garment gives comfort to the body so does the husband find comfort in his wifes company and she in his. The garment is the grace, the beauty, the embellishment of the body, so too are wives to their husbands as their husbands are to them. Islam does not consider woman an instrument of the Devil, but rather the Quran calls her muhsana a fortress against Satan because a good woman, by marrying a man, helps him keep to the path of rectitude in his life. It is for this reason that marriage was considered by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a most virtuous act. He said When a man marries, he has completed one half of his religion. He enjoined matrimony on Muslims by saying Marriage is part of my way and whoever keeps away from my way is not from me (i.e. is not my foll ower). The Quran has given the raison dtre of marriage in the following wordsAnd among His signs is this that He has created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them and He has put love and mercy between you. Verily in that are signs for those who reflect. (3021)The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was full of praise for virtuous and chaste women. He saidThe world and all things in the world are precious but the most precious thing in the world is a virtuous woman. He once told the future khalif, Umar 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 other occasions the Prophet saidThe best property a man can have is a remembering tongue (about Allah), a grateful heart and a believing wife who helps him in his faith. And again The world, the whole of it, is a commodity and the best of the commodities of th e world is a virtuous wife.The Prophet (peace be upon him) was most emphatic in enjoining upon Muslims to be kind to their women when he delivered his famous khutba on the Mount of Mercy at Arafat in the presence of one century and twenty-four thousand of his Companions who had gathered there for the Hajj al-Wada (Farewell Pilgrimage). In it he ordered those present, and through them all those Muslims who were to come later, to be respectful and kind towards women. He saidFear Allah regarding women. Verily you have married them with the trust of Allah, and made their bodies lawful with the word of Allah. You have got (rights) over them, and they have got (rights) over you in respect of their forage and clothing according to your means.One who makes efforts (to help) the widow or a poor person is like a mujahid (warrior) in the path of Allah, or like one who stands up for prayers in the night and fasts in the day.O Messenger of Allah, who is the person who has the greatest right on me with regards to kindness and attention? He replied, Your mother. Then who? He replied, Your mother. Then who? He replied, Your mother. Then who? He replied, Your father.In another tradition, the Prophet advised a believer not to join the war against the Quraish in defense of Islam, but to look after his mother, saying that his service to his mother would be a cause of his salvation. Muawiyah, the son of Jahimah, reported that Jahimah came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, Messenger of Allah I want to join the fighting (in the path of Allah) and I have come to seek your advice. He said, Then remain in your mothers service, because Paradise is under her feet.The Prophets followers accepted his teachings and brought about a revolution in their social attitude towards women. They no longer considered women as a mere chattels, but as an integral part of society. For the world-class time women were given the right to have a share in inheritance. In the new social climate, w omen rediscovered themselves and became highly active members of society rendering useful service during the wars which the pagan Arabs forced on the emerging Muslim umma. They carried provisions for the soldiers, nursed them, and even fought alongside them if it was necessary. It became a common sight to see women helping their husbands in the fields, carrying on trade and business independently, and qualifying out of their homes to satisfy their needs.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 thousand martyrs. Among my followers, again, the best of women are those who assist their husbands in their work, and love them dearly for everything, save what is a transgression of Allahs laws.The Shariah regards women as the spiritual and intellectual equals of men.The Shariah requires a man, as head of the family, to cons ult with his family and then to have the final say in decisions concerning it. In doing so he must not abuse his prerogative to cause any injury to his wife.The words of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the queen of her house, and this is the position a true believer is expected to give his wife. In contrast to these enlightened teachings of Islam in respect of women, Western talk of womens liberation or emancipation is actually a disguised form of exploitation of her body, deprivation of her honour, and degradation of her soulhttp//www.allaahuakbar.net/womens/rights_of_women_guaranteed_by_islam.htmA COLLECTION OF REFERENCES FROM THE QURAN AND HADEETH ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN GUARANTEED BY ISLAMSpiritual Equality of Women and MenAllah has got ready forgiveness and tremendous rewards for the Muslim men and women the believing men and women the devout men and women the justnessful men and women the patiently suffering men and women the humble men and women the beneficence men and w omen the fasting men and women, the men and women who guard their chastity and the men and women who are exceedingly cognizant of Allah. (Al-Ahzab 3335)Attitudes towards womenO ye who believe Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower ye have given them,-except where they have been guilty of open lewdness on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good. (An-Nisa 419)Collaboration and consultationThe believing men and women, are associates and helpers of each other. They (collaborate) to promote all that is beneficial and discourage all that is evil to establish prayers and give alms, and to obey Allah and his Messenger. Those are the tidy sum whom Allah would grant mercy. Indeed Allah is Mighty and Wise. (Al-Taubah 971)Womens effective to Attend MosquesN arrated Ibn Umar The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, Allow women to go to the Mosques at night. (Bukhari hoi polloi 2, have got 13, hail 22)Ibn Umar reported The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said Do not deprive women of their share of the mosques, when they seek permission from you. Bilal said By Allah, we would certainly prevent them. Abdullah said I say that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said it and you say We would certainly prevent them (Sahih Muslim support 004, Number 0891)The Common Performance of AblutionsNarrated Ibn Umar It used to be that men and women would perform ablutions together in the time of the Messenger of Allahs assembly. (Bukhari 1 Ch. 45, support of Ablution)Womens Right of ProposalNarrated Sahl A woman came to the Prophet, and presented herself to him (for marriage). He said, I am not in need of women these days. Then a man said, O Allahs Apostle Marry her to me. The Prophet asked him, What have you got? He said, I have got nonen tity. The Prophet said, Give her something, even an iron ring. He said, I have got nothing. The Prophet asked (him), How much of the Quran do you know (by heart)? He said, So much and so much. The Prophet said, I have married her to you for what you know of the Quran. (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 72)Womens Right of PermissionNarrated Abu Huraira The Prophet said, A matron should not be given in marriage except after consulting her and a virgin should not be given in marriage except after her permission. The people asked, O Allahs Apostle How can we know her permission? He said, Her silence (indicates her permission). (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 67)The Right of Women not to be ForcedNarrated Ibn Abbas Bariras husband was a hard worker called Mughith, as if I am seeing him now, going behind Barira and weeping with his tears flowing down his beard. The Prophet said to Abbas, O Abbas are you not astonished at the love of Mughith for Barira and the hatred of Barira for Mu ghith? The Prophet then said to Barira, Why dont you return to him? She said, O Allahs Apostle Do you order me to do so? He said, No, I only intercede for him. She said, I am not in need of him. (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 63, Number 206)The Characteristics of a Believing ManNarrated AbuHurayrah Allahs Messenger (pbuh) said a believing man should not hate a believing woman if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another. (Muslim Book 8, Number 3469)The Education of WomenNarrated Abu Said A woman came to Allahs Apostle and said, O Allahs Apostle Men (only) benefit by your teachings, so please devote to us from (some of) your time, a day on which we may come to you so that you may teach us of what Allah has taught you. Allahs Apostle said, Gather on such-and-such a day at such-and-such a place. They gathered and Allahs Apostle came to them and taught them of what Allah had taught him. (Bukhari Volume 9, Book 92, Number 413)On the Treatment of WomenNarrated Muawi yah al-Qushayri I went to the Apostle of Allah (pbuh) and asked him What do you say (command) about our wives? He replied Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not abuse them. (Sunan Abu Dawud Book 11, Number 2139) The best of you is one who is best towards his family and I am best towards the family. (At-Tirmithy). None but a noble man treats women in an time-honored manner. And none but an ignoble treats women disgracefully. (At-Tirmithy).A Husbands AttitudeUmar ibn al-Khattab (RA) said that a man came to his house to complain about his wife. On reaching the door of his house, he hears Umars wife shouting at him and reviling him. Seeing this, he was about to go back, thinking that Umar himself was in the same position and, therefore, could hardly suggest any solution for his problem. Umar (RA) precept the man turn back, so he called him and enquired about the purpose of his visit. He said that he ha d come with a complaint against his wife, but turned back on seeing the Caliph in the same position.Umar (RA) told him that he tolerated the excesses of his wife for she had certain rights against him. He said, Is it not true that she prepares food for me, washes clothes for me and suckles my children, thus thriftiness me the expense of employing a cook, a washerman and a nurse, though she is not legally obliged in any way to do any of these things? Besides, I enjoy peace of mind because of her and am unplowed away from indecent acts on posting of her. I therefore tolerate all her excesses on account of these benefits. It is right that you should also adopt the same attitude. quoted in Rahman, Role of Muslim Women page 149The Prophets Disapproval of Women BeatersPatient behavior was the practice of the Prophet, even when his wife dared to address him harshly. Once his mother-in-law- saw her daughter strike him with her fist on his noble chest. When the angered mother -in-law bega n to reproach her daughter, the Prophet smilingly said, communicate her alone they do worse than that. And once Abu Bakr, his father-in-law, was invited to lapse some misunderstanding between him and Aishah.The Prophet said to her, Will you direct, or shall I speak? Aisha said, You speak, but do not say except the truth. Abu Bakr was so outraged that he immediately struck her severely, forcing her to dethaw and seek protection behind the back of the Prophet. Abu Bakr said, O you the enemy of herself Does the Messenger of Allah say but the truth? The Prophet said, O Abu Bakr, we did not invite you for this harsh dealings with Aishah, nor did we anticipate it. quoted in Mutual Rights and Obligationshttp//www.allaahuakbar.net/womens/women_sharia_and_ subjugation.htmA lot of attention has been focused on the issue of Muslim women and human rights since September 11, almost all of it by non Muslims. Once again, images of women swathed in black veils or blue burqas are de rigeur, as the media soberly reminds us that Muslim women are not considered equals to men in Islam, and that they are oppressed even by the moderate regimes in the Muslim world.From the Muslims, we have one of two reactions. The kickoff is the reaction of the swelled, reformist, secular Muslims. They believe that Sharia oppresses women, and that we need to completely overhaul it, or toss out sections of the Quran that are uncomfortable, or institute secular forms of government that separate the sacred from the legal all together. These are the same Muslims who equate Hijab with oppression, and who support the denial of free speech rights to Islamists (all the while, crying for their rights to free speech in countries where it is denied). They take their political thought not from Islamic sources, but from feminism, socialism, and ca tallyalism. Naturally, it is to these Muslims that the Western media turns when it wants a Muslim side on Muslim issues.On the other side, we have the organi zers of the mainstream conservative Muslims, the leaders of our civic societies, advocacy groups, and associations. When presented with instances of womens oppression in the Islamic world, these Muslims, almost ever men, respond defensively. They cart out examples of womens oppression in the Western world, or worse, they address the issue by lecturing the questioner about the virtues of the high-minded Place of Women in Ideal Islam. In other words, they treat the ideal that we are all draw a bead on to as the reality on the ground. Pressed into taking a stand on real life issues, they retreat in anger. Thats culture, not Islam, it has nothing to do with me as a Muslim, they sniff.Who speaks for them? Most often, it is the United Nations, human rights groups, and feminist organizations, led by people who have no foundations of knowledge in Islam, and who often have a real antipathy for Islam. While the Feminist Majority Fund was selling swatches of burqa and petitioning the govern ment for action on behalf of Afghan women, the leaders of our Islamic societies stayed silent. Publicly, many Islamic leaders and organizations disassociated themselves from the Taliban, but other than denying them entry into the Organization of Islamic Conferences (OIC), they took no action to petition the Taliban for change from an Islamic view, or form any sort of Islamic opposition. perchance this is because when any Islamic organization or individual Muslim attempts to change or speak out about injustices towards Muslim women, the rest of the community circles the wagons. These lone souls are labeled radical feminists, and accused of attempting to dampen Islam.Strangely, when a Muslim womans Islamic rights are violated, many organizations are eager to speak out and petition. For example, when Merve Kavacki was denied her seat in the Turkish sevens because of her headscarf (and later stripped of her citizenship), Muslim groups were quick to condemn the Turkish government, as t hey should have. In many Western Muslim circles, Merve has been elevated to a symbol of the crusade muhajabat women face in secular societies.Yet there is a resounding silence when the issue being raised is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), honor killings, forced marriages, the unequal application of hadd punishments on women, or the denial of education to girls and women. All of these wrongs are perpetrated on women in the name of Islam. While it is true that many of these violations come to pass across cultural and religious boundaries, the only action often taken by conservative Muslims is a condemnation of the action because it is cultural and not Islamic. Meanwhile, women continue to be murdered and little girls continue to be mutilated.In Africa, conservative sheikhs teamed up with womens rights upholds to explicate people about the harms of Female Genital Mutilation. These people get very little mention in the Western media, which, of course, paints the Islamists as the op ponents of an enlightened, secular minority of liberal Muslims.About a year ago, a petty(a) band of conservative Muslim women, almost all of us from the West, came up with the idea of starting a Muslim womens human rights group, to petition and advocate for the rights of Muslim women as they are given in the Sharia of Islam. Although slow to start, we have managed to form a basis from which to work, and have taken up our first case.Right now, a Muslim woman in Nigeria is under a death sentence from the Sharia court for the crime of adultery. The situation came to the attention of the regimen when the man who impregnated her decided to confess his crime to the police, rather than pay the child support that her father asked of him. There are many glaring errors in the case, from a classical, Orthodox fiqh point of view. These errors (which would aid the woman) are not coming from a reformist reinterpretation of Sharia, these errors are so great that any of the qadis of the past woul d have propel the case against her out.Prophet Mohammed, sallalahu aleyhi wa salaam, was mocked and assaulted because of his strong and unfearing stance on the status of women. He came with a message that lifted women up and gave them dignity. Fourteen hundred years later, we have descended back into the dark pit of Jahiliya, and Muslim women around the world find themselves consider into the same slavery that the Prophet, sallalahu aleyhi wa salaam, was sent to liberate them from.It does not make you a radical feminist to decry honor killings and volunteer for peaceful campaigns to educate and change laws. Raising your voice against Female Genital Mutilation does not mean you want to undermine Islam. To the contrary, functional against these injustices in the way of Allah is a manifestation of the desire to uplift Islam and the Muslim people.When the Taliban decided to deny education to any girl over a certain age, it is the conservative Muslims, the ones who profess adherence to Quran and Sunnah that should have spoken the loudest against this. The longer we stay silent, the more people, both Muslim and non Muslim, will begin to equate Sharia with the oppression of women.