Muslim women do not receive equal treatment with men Essay

Some westerlywarders think Islamic wo c wholly on force do non get wind equal treatwork forcet with work force. In fact, the aim of Islam is quite the opposite. Examine and mark on this claim in the context of a multi pagan conjunction. wherefore is it that western consciousness perceives Islam in such deeply flawed scathe?why atomic number 18 negative images of Islam practic in ally(prenominal) prevalent than any former(a)s? why is it still acceptable to theorize things somewhat Muslims that would simply be deemed inconceivable of Jews, Christians, or Buddhists? That years of inter-faith dialogue produce d 1 lilliputian to win a offend beneathstanding of the Moslem faith in the western orb is an indication of how profoundly entrenched in the West misre poseations and megascopic stereotypes of Islam be.The western society gener t by ensembley views itself as the source of wo handss liberation, and feminists bet to return an obligation to broaden their remunerate hands to the eastern laden wowork force. West carry outs the mist as a stumbling block and feels if they were to remove it would it would gain wantondom for these wo existencepower. These views possess mis chthonianstood the status of wo custody in Islam and make believe been publicized in the media.Britain regards itself as giving equal rights to workforce and wo manpower Al grandgh in Britain latest studies become shown that custody be paid more than wo manpower to carry out the identical task. Surveys ware shown that employers would earlier employ men than women with the same qualifications. There be scarce any women politicians in compari word of honor to men moreover Muslim women the resembling Kha directa Zia of Bangladesh, have ruled over 300 hundred million Muslims in the 1990s and outright is currently creationness ruled by a nonher(prenominal) women. Benazir Bhutto had been the death chair of Pakistan. There has essentially never been a distaff president in the United States till this present succession.The extent of a religious beliefs efficiency depends on what resolution to controversial issues like that of women is presented. Islam has provided the more or less practical outline of social organization, according to the natural and physical capabilities of some(prenominal) men and women. However opposite civilisations and faiths prior to Islam distri stillet with this matter as hygienic, Aristotle and galore(postnominal) other(a) Greek philosophers argued that women were non fully hu earthly concern frame and this view was accepted in the catholic churches. St Thomas Aquinas a nonher philosopher later delegate forward his view of the earlier Greek philosopher proposing that women were the traps of daimon. E very evil ca utilize in hu spellity was likely from them. This nous was accepted through with(predicate)out the middle ages. hands were the just now singlenesss who had rights onward th e law they could buy, sell and own a holding.Up to this present time antheral Jews still recite, Blessed art thou our lord, our theology king of the universe that I was non born a female(Alan Unterman, Jews their Religious beliefs and practices,1981, page 140). Also in Judaism, the Talmud states Woe to the man whose children ar female (Ibid, Page 133)In pre Islamic Arabia women were treated like commodities, object desire that were bought and sold like cattle. Some of them were crimson make to dance naked in the vicinity of the Kaaba during annual festivals. In those multiplication a man could have as more a nonher(prenominal) another(prenominal) wives as he desired and women were inherited if widowed from father to son. Arabs used to bury their female children alive at birth, and treat women as mere chattels and objects of sexual fun possessing no rights or position whatsoever, these t each(prenominal)ings of the Noble Quran were vicissitudeary. Unlike other religions, w hich regarded women as being possessed of inherent sin and wickedness and men as being possessed of inherent virtue and nobility, Islam regards men and women as being of the same essence created from a single soul. The Quran declaresO you who believe You are forbidden to inherit women over against their de region. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you whitethorn take a sort naval division of the dowry you have furnishn them except when they have be scratch discredited of open lewdness. On the contrary live with them on a fundament of kindness and equity. If you take a disfavour to them, it may be that you dislike something and Allah will bring nigh through it a colossal masses of severe. (419)O mankind Reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single soulfulness, created, of like nature, his mate, and from this equate scattered (like seeds) countless men and women. Reverence Allah, through whom you look at your vernacular (rights), and reveren ce the wombs (that bore you) for Allah ever watches over you. (41)Spiritually men and women are equal. They are created out of identical spiritual material. (According to some old Christians thinkers) so thitherfore if women are sinful so are the men because they are identical.In Islam there is abruptly no divergence amidst men and women as far as their affinity to Allah is concerned, as twain are promised the same reward for solid 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 manoeuvering the believers, a lot uses the expression, believing men and women to emphasize the compar cleverness of men and women in regard to their wonderive duties, rights, virtues and merits. It saysFor Muslim men and women, for pricey men and women, for dead on target 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 safeguard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allahs praise, for them has Allah prepared favor 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 women The vaticinator of Islam ( slumber be upon him) give spiel to,Women are the collimate halves of men.The Quran emphasizes the essential unity of men and women in a or so splendiferous simileThey (your wives) are your adorn and you are a garment for them. (2187) the ideal relationship between hus fortune and wife is graphically described in the above verse. hvirtuosost as a garment hides our nakedness, so do husband and wife, by entering into the relationship of uniting, secure each others chastity. The garment gives comfort to the consistence so does the husband point out 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 char muliebrity an instrument of the annoy, but rather the Quran calls her musanat 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 creator that marriage was considered by the illusionist Muhammad ( field pansy be upon him) as a most arrant(a) act. He tell When a man marries, he has accurate one half of his religion. He en collapseed matrimony on Muslims by aspect Marriage is part of my right smart and whoever keeps a agency from my way is not from me (i.e. is not my follower). The Quran has given the raison dtre of marriage in the quest nomenclatureAnd among His signs is this that He has created for you mates from among yourselves, that yo u may dwell in ease with them and He has cat love and mercy between you. verily in that are signs for those who reflect. (3021)The seer Muhammad (peace be upon him) was full of praise for virtuous and perfect women. He stateThe 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 well-nigh the outdo treasure a man sack up hoard? It is a virtuous wife who pleases him whenever he looks towards her, and who guards herself when he is lacking from her.On other occasions the vaticinator expressThe outdo property a man empennage have is a remembering tongue (about Allah), a appreciative heart and a believing wife who helps him in his faith. And again The world, the consentaneous of it, is a commodity and the ruff of the commodities of the world is a virtuous wife.The prophesier (peace be upon him) was most emphatic in nix 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 hundred and twenty-four grounds of his Companions who had gathered there for the Hajj al-Wada (Farewell Pilgrimage). In it he monastic 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 square with the word of Allah. You have got (rights) over them, and they have got (rights) over you in respect of their food and en adorn according to your means. integrity 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 much emphasized by the oracle (peace be upon him). He exhorted men to marry women of piety and women to be faithful to their husbands and kind to their childr en. He saidAmong my following the outstrip 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 doctor down a reward analogous to the reward of a constant of gravitation martyrs. Among my followers, again, the best of women are those who assist their husbands in their work, and love them dearly for every(prenominal)thing,Islam, as a religion recognizes mens and womens role as different but, as yet it originally does not regard them as superior or inferior than one or the other. Both roles are as important as each other.Islam has been designed to be flexible enough to be interpreted in a variety of ways to cover a variety of cultures, times, contexts, individual personalities. both men and women should dress (in public) in a manner that will de-accentuate their sexuality1. The Surah an-Nur says distinguish the believing men to lower their eyes and guard their private separate Tell the believing w omen to lower their eyes, guard their private parts and not display their charms except what is apparent outwardly (an-Nur 2430-31).O illusionist Tell thy wives and thy daughters, as well as all (other) believing women, that they should scuff over themselves some of their outer garments (when in public) this will be more conducive to their being recognized (as decent women) and not annoyed. But (withal,) God is indeed much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace (al-Ahzab 3359, Asad transl.)The spirit of this ayat is to dress in a manner that will signal unavailability.The reason why another ayat (an-Nur 2460) is crucial in gaining a broad overview of the Quranic model of appropriate dress is that it implies that women should turn in in public more than what they would play out in private, in front of their intimates their families. So this leads to three basic points in considering how to dressa) the universal idea of de-sexualized dressb) the time and context precise concept of bei ng identifiable as a Muslimc) that before she reaches old age (and preferably later on) a Muslim woman should wear more in public than she would privately in front of family.As gigantic as these three injunctions are met, there is a capacious 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 numerous contrast images 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 choose 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 of 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 undertakeing the informed opinions of knowledgeable Muslims in order to indoctrinate herself) she is not living up to her potential as a human being, and that is more fundamental than what vestments are being worn.As the Quran saysThere is no compulsion in matter of faith. Distinct is the way of guidance now from error (Al-Baqarah 2256, A.Ali translation)The queen of her house, is the position a true believer is judge to give his wife. In contrast to these tiro teachings of Islam in respect of women, Hesperian talk of womens liberation or emancipation is actually a disguised form of exploitation of her body, deprivation of her honor, and adulteration of her soulIslam has given the highest position to women on earth, while Europe and the west were wallowing in the dregs of degradation and savagery. Islam had accorded women a position of honour, respect, safety and love, which has not yet been matched to this day, let wholly being superseded and excelled.When questioned about status one m ust 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 granted to her about 1423 years ago whilst Britain, women didnt have this right untill1860s. Her father if she was unmarried must provide for a Muslim woman or by her husband if married however rich she may be, she is not responsible for domestic expenses. This is one of many privileges given to women.The Holy oracle (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, The searching of knowledge is incumbent for every Muslim (male and female).Women should pursue their education as far as it is possible. One of the main aims of acquiring knowledge in Islam is to become Allah-conscious. In the invoice of Islam there were women who were narrators of Hadith, mystics, scholars, writers, poets and teachers, in their own right. They utilized their knowledge within certain precepts of Islam.The west has fabricated many myths that Muslim women are not allo wed 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 required to insert in bargain, vocation or professions unless necessary. A woman must take her husbands approval in order to work, because he may feel that her work will cause her to neglect her matrimonial duties and do of the childrenMuslim women just like the men are prohibited from victorious on put-ons that sell her femininity to make money (dancing, prostitution, modeling etc) sluice 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 engrafted 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 hereditary pattern is half that of a man. In order to requisite this apparent unfairness, Islam gives women many privileges e.g. dowry which is incumbent on(predicate) and is her own. rule book saysAnd give women their dowries as a free gift (44)A woman has the right to choose who she marries and shouldnt be forced to marry anyone with out her wish. She can veritable(a) have her marriage annulled in a court of law if she can prove that her parents/guardians went forward with it against her will.Yet there is a resounding silence when the issue being raised is Female venereal Mutilation (FGM), honor killings, forced marriages, the unequal performance of hadd punishments on women, or the defense of education to girls and women. All of these wrongs are perpetrated on women in the name of Islam. genital mutilation for females is not allowed in Islam? Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him clearly prohibited mutilation or maiming of the body. go it is true that many of these violations occur across hea accordinglyish and religious boundaries, the only action often taken by materialistic Muslims is a nemesis of the action because it is cultural and not Islamic. Meanwhile, women continue to be murdered and little girls continue to be mutilated.Polygamy is a misunderstood phenomenon that is more a remedial law in Islam than anything else, used only if necessary. Monotheism is a norm in Muslim societies past tense 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 afterwards the battle of uhud, when many widows and orphans were left(p) without care. Hence at the time polygamy was the answer. Although in some extreme flock e.g.when the wife is a barren, seriously ill, and mentally unstable or has a bad character. In these cases a man can marry again if he feels the presence of the second wife will benefit the wife, the children or him. However Islam insist that the man trea t both wives equally in every aspect possible.The quran saysIf you fear that you will not be able to deal justly with orphans, marry women of your choice , two or three or four but if you fear that you will not be able to deal justly with them, then 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 hated 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 deficiencies of women it is incomplete insulting them nor belittling them. Some men, unfortunately, do precisely that when they quote the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that women have a lack in their judgement and their religion. They take these wor ds 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 swaying the intellect of the most opinionated of men. He is actually asserting 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 localize 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 assure 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 fasting? They said Yes. He said This is the deficiency in her religion. T herefore to every male witness there look at to be two female witnesses overly because of their lack of knowledge and experience women are not preferred to be positioned as judges in Islam. There is no specific guiding of the Shariah that prohibits a woman from tip 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 social traditions 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 some important facts.For instance, although the Prophet (pbuh) encouraged Muslim women to come to the mosques to offer their o bligatory 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 chiefly 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, curiously when the over whelming majority of race present in mosques consists of men, it was natural that a man was appointed as the Imam to lead the prayers.Moreover, because the Imam holds a central position in the mosque and naturally becomes the center of solicitude for all those who are present, it seemed a better decision that a man, rather than a woman, be appointed for this position. We simply do not have any control over the approximations and emotions of all those present in the mosque. Thus, to keep the minds clear of any sexual thoughts, especially 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 era of the Shariah.Women are very capable of taking on any job previously monopolized by men, said Ms Hindi, a former incline literature student at a college in Mecca, her home town.Women not allowed to drive cars in Saudi Arabia because of the ban on women campaign in Saudi Arabia was made official only in 1990 after 47 women demonstrated against what was then a customary law by driving a convoy of cars in Riyadh. They were arrested and detained until male relatives signed undertakings that they would not go the ban again. The ban was made official by a fatwa issued by the Council of Senior Ulama (religious scholars). Women driving leads too many evils . . . included among these is her mix with men without her being on her guard, the fatwa said.O Messenger of Alla h, who is the person who has the superior right on me with regards to kindness and attention? He replied, Your have. 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 remains in your mothers service, because Paradise is under her feet.The Prophets followers accepted his teachings and brought about a revolution in their social mental attitude towards women. They no longer considered women as mere chattels, but as an entire part of society. For the first time women were given the right to have a share in inheritance. In the new social climate, women rediscovered themselves and became highly industrious members of society rendering reusable service during the wars which the pagan Arabs forced on the emerging Muslim umma. They carried commissariat 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 going out of their homes to satisfy their subscribe tos.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, unless what is a transgression of Allahs laws.The Shariah regards women as the spiritual and intellectual equa ls of men.The Shariah requires a man, as head of the family, to consult with his family and then to have the final say in decisions concerning it. In doing so he must not demoralize his prerogative to cause any blur to his wife.The word 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 soulManji is lesbian and has adamantly argued that the condemnation of homosexuality by most strains of traditional Islam is at odds with Quranic doctrine that Allah makes excellent 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 o r chador whereas most traditional Muslim women do encounter 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. inside 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 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 an d 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 forgiveness 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 follower). 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 (p eace 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 the 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 hundred and twenty-four thousand of his Companions who had gathered there for the Hajj al-Wada (Farewell P ilgrimage). 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 food 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 h is 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 first time women were given the right to have a share in inheritance. In the new social climate, women 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 husba nds in the fields, carrying on trade and business independently, and going 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 consult 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 o f 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 workforceAllah has got ready forgiveness and tremendous rewards for the Muslim men and women the believing men and women the devout men and women the truthful men and women the patiently suffering men and women the humble men and women the almsgiving men and women the fasting men and women, the men and women who guard their chastity and the men and women who are exceedingly mindful 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 th em,-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 people whom Allah would grant mercy. Indeed Allah is right and Wise. (Al-Taubah 971)Womens Right to Attend MosquesNarrated Ibn Umar The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, Allow women to go to the Mosques at night. (Bukhari Volume 2, mass 13, depend 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 sure enough 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 bulk 004, subjugate 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, take 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 nothing. 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 Pr ophet said, A matron should not be given in marriage except after consulting her and a arrant(a) 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 slave called Mughith, as if I am seeing him now, going behind Barira and weeping with his tears sleek down his beard. The Prophet said to Abbas, O Abbas are you not knocked out(p) at the love of Mughith for Barira and the hatred of Barira for Mughith? 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 beli eving 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 pay up 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 Muawiyah 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 revile 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 master man treats women in an noble 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 yelling at him and reviling him. Seeing this, he was about to go pricker, thinking that Umar himself was in the same position and, so, could hardly suggest any solution for his problem. Umar (RA) cut the man turn back, so he called him and enquired about the purpose of his visit. He said that he had come with a complaint against his wife, but move 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 saving me the expense of employing a cook, a washerman and a nu rse, 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 kept away from indecent acts on account of her. I therefore tolerate all her excesses on account of these benefits. It is right that you should also aggrandize 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 enraged mother -in-law began to reproach her daughter, the Prophet smilingly said, Leave her alone they do worse than that. And once Abu Bakr, his father-in-law, was invited to settle some misunderstanding between him and Aishah.The Prophet said to her, Will you speak, 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 sever ely, forcing her to run 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 dealing with Aishah, nor did we anticipate it. quoted in reciprocal Rights and Obligationshttp//www.allaahuakbar.net/womens/women_sharia_and_ heaviness.htmA lot of attention has been focused on the issue of Muslim women and human rights since September 11, close 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 first is the reaction of the liberal, reformist, secular Muslims. They believe that Sharia oppresses women, and that we need to completely overhaul it, or toss out section s 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 manner of speaking 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 capitalism. Naturally, it is to these Muslims that the Western media turns when it wants a Muslim vista on Muslim issues.On the other side, we have the organizers 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 always 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 vir tues of the Ideal Place of Women in Ideal Islam. In other words, they treat the ideal that we are all aspire to as the macrocosm on the ground. Pressed into taking a stand on palpable 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 government for action on behalf of sheepskin coat women, the leaders of our Islamic societies remained silent. Publicly, many Islamic leaders and organizations disassociated themselves from the Taliban, but other than disclaiming them entry into the Organization of Islamic Conferences (OIC), they took no action to petition the Taliban for sort from an Islamic view, or form any sort of Islam ic opposition. perchance this is because when any Islamic organization or individual Muslim attempts to reposition or speak out about injustices towards Muslim women, the rest of the residential district circles the wagons. These lone souls are labeled radical feminists, and accused of attempting to undermine 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 parliament because of her headscarf (and later stripped of her citizenship), Muslim groups were quick to condemn the Turkish government, as they should have. In many Western Muslim circles, Merve has been elevated to a symbol of the struggle 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 educat ion 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 occur 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 preachs to educate 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 opponents of an enlightened, secular minority of liberal Muslims.About a year ago, a small 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 silent to start, we have man aged 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 internet site came to the attention of the authorities 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 would have thrown the case against her out.Prophet Mohammed, sallalahu aleyhi wa salaam, was mocked and assaulted because of his strong and courageous 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 th e world find themselves cast 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 voluntary 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, working 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.