Asalaam Alikum

This is a very sensitive issue, which is raised in christian [western]media over and over. Recently in Canada where jews and christian are allowed to practise their family laws through arbitration, the muslims were not allowed to implement the sharia for the same purpose. The pretext was that in Islam women is not equal to man thus it will undermine their equality under human right charter of Canada.
I am not going to go into the inter religion side of the debate where in christianity women are considered to the property of the male, when not married, female is the property of father and after marriage she is the property of the husband, this very relligion also does not give right to the woman to own property or indulge in business.

My question is why is there this misunderstanding about the Rights of women in Islam, In Quran Allah gives so much right to woman that they have almost strangle hold on thier husbands after the marriage and even more if divorced. She is allowed to own property, do business and work according to her ability [with in the limit of hijaab].

Are we as muslim not treating our women, may she be our mother, sister, wife or daughter as she is supposed to be treated, under the rights given to her by Allah.
Have we as muslims taken away the right of women that were given to her by Allah?

I have raised this issue not indulge in interfaith debate but get input from the respected members on the issue.

By saying the following I mean no disrespect to anyone or Islam as I have a deep and abiding Love of Islam and Life and I want with all my heart to see all of us prosper in healthy and happy ways and manners and also encourage everyone to care for their Spiritual and Physcial environments. 

There are some laws in Traditional Islam that go against the human rights act and therefor could not accept the chance someone would be stoned, have their hands cut off or some of the other arcaic practices when true justice is education, counseling and consultation.

Every human being deserves to have opportunities for education, training and consultation to resolve their issues or learn new and better skills to deal with the challenges they are faced with.

All woman are Leaders in Islam and so are all men the challenge is for each of us to address our histories of neglect and abuse in our lives whether we were abused physically, sexually, emotionallly or neglected or self abusive with over eating, drugs and alchol and also accept responsibility for stopping our abusive behaviors towards ourselves, our families, our communities and get the assistance as I mentioned to learn new and better skills to deal with the challenges we are faced with.

This requires a sacride Hajj (Pilgrimage) to ourselves, our families, our communities and Nation seeing where we need assistance, education, training and guidance to to address the issues and challenges in our lives.

For this we reguire an Inter Faith Call to Jihad (Jihad means struggle and the first level is self) of Education, Counseling, Consultation with Prayer and Living Prayers as well as Hajj (Pilgrimage) to all levels of our lives.

There is hope and it begins with each of us seeking out in our communities the resource centers and people with the education, training and counseling and encouragement to learn new and better ways of coping and living.

We are worth the effort. 

Many Blessings will unfold as we take on this challenge in a personal way though there may be some rough spots.

Even if you feel like your the worst among us there is hope.

May Allah Speed your progress and may your spirit be renewed abundantly and your family revived and your community inspired by your efforts.

Anne Marie Elderkin Habibi

Alaikoam Salam

True some of us are however there are some living lives of abuse, neglect and ignorance and apathy and these woman, children and men need to understand clearly that there is help, hope and an opportunity for Jannah, Heaven in this life.

As I understand it Islam the word means to submit to the will of Allah and therefor it is a process we are all in and this makes each of Us Muslims with the freedom to choose our Spiritual Path from the many Allah has set before us. 

It is important that everyone have the freedom to seek education, counseling, consultation and guidance when facing issues of violence in the family, community or Nation as well as assistance to address issues of self abuse like eating disorders, anger management and guidance to stop abusing others, ourselves or our environment.

Though we wise it was true that there was no issues of abuse or violence within the Muslim community there is and it is time people accept that there is and stop looking the other way while some men beat their wives and children, sexually abuse woman and children, hold people hostage in poverty and other issues.

As I mentioned all Mankind is a Muslim Ummah and to address the issues of violence, abuse and neglect we have to make a Hajj (Pilgrimage) to all levels of ourselves, Families, Communities and Nations and encourage all those dwelling with these issues to seek positive education and training to renew the wonderful precious spirit and soulAllah gave us and create Peace within ourselves and all our lives as best we can with assistance of course.

Community has to step up to the plate and create support groups and education and training programs to assist people in meeting the challenges of Life and Islam they are faced with.

People need to realize there is hope and be inspired to Arise Responsibly and Spiritually and as I mentioned get the assistance they need to become healthier, happier and people who respect themselves others and the world.

Thank you to all those who have Arisen to address the issues of abuse in their lives in positive ways.

Let us replace the anger and frustration in the world with wonderful opportunities for Spiritual and Physical develope and improvement of us all.

Let the day arrive when not one soul is left wondering in dispair or giving up to apathy and let all Mankind be inspired to Arise and become a wonderful caring, vibrant Global and Local Individuals, Families and Communities they were meant to be.

Allah has breathed His Spirit into all of creation and our gift in return can be nothing less than an unpresidented effort to accomplish personal and Global Peace and thus create Heaven, Jannah in this life and all the lives of all the people nopt just some of us.

This has been a dream since the begining of time and we are presented with the education, technology, resources and now a chance to call all the people to bea motivated Team member and participate in groups related their particular issues and challenges and share in the benifits of working together in this Common Call to an Inter Faith Jihad of Education, Training, Counseling and Consultation.

Imagine a world, individuals, families, communities and Nations where violence or abuse is not even a consideration in thier approach to resolving the challenges we have.

Just imagine everyone around the world and in your family and neighbourhood a lot happier and healthier and active participants in family and community.

Resources and funds could be saved and redirected towards fun things for individuals, families and community.

Then instead of fighting battles of blood they could arrange more interesting and fun things to do like world cruises and every family could see the world and all the wonderful cultures there are and just plainly have a great life free of fear and encouraged and inspired to be their best.

There is no time to waste as lives are in the balance and they need to know there is help and hope.

Someone once said to take on healing oneself, ones family, ones community in the end heals the whole world.

As a child I had a dream of Heaven, a place where everyone had a place to go to resolve their delemas and now I find that though there is still work to to we have such a place.

So my Dawah and dream is to encourage and inspire everyone that there is hope and help and to sek education, guidance to meet the demands of all their challenges in a positive way accepting responsiblity for themselves and thier families learning new skills and behaviors when feeling frustrated, angry, neglected, unloved or respected and nurture respect by respecting themselves and others with improved coping skills.

The task may seem over whelming so you will need to find support and encouragement as you work on this Dawah, Hajj (pilgrimage) to self, family, community and Nation. 

Let no one be left in dispair or using violence or abusive behavior to solve their challenges.

We are the Hope and the Future, We are the Messiah and the Prophets, let our collective legacy and Message in the years to come be one of Peace, Hope and Prosperity for all Mankind and the World.

This may sound like a fantasy however we are in the time of the Day of Judgement and in each moment is a time to judge do we need assistance with some challenges we are faced with like physical, verbal abuse or violence, education or training and it is a time to seek out in the community the resource centers to address these and other issues.

The only day of distruction is a day of deconstruction as we learn new skills and methods of meeting our issues and delemas in a peaceful and caring way.

Anne Marie Elderkin Habibi

 amlhabibi2000=however there are some living lives of abuse

Please tell us where in christian world does the woman not live in abuse? Why is every personal action of a "Muslim" man or woman is labeled as Islam?

To answer your first post, I would like to explain why western women are taught that muslim women are oppressed.  Its pure misinformation and a little islamic extremism from groups that have been denounced by the larger muslim community.  Western rights groups take what was done to the faithful men and women in Afganistan and use that as a label for all the beliefs.  When you don't understand that most Islamic women CHOSE to where the Hijab or Niqaab, then you look at the Afgani Burka and the abuse of women there and think....That's the whole faith.  Wrongfully.  My perceptions of muslim women has changed dramatically since I started coming here.  My perceptions of Islam as a religion has changed equally so.  I recently read an article about a murder trial in Saudi Arabia.  The man was sentenced to be executed because he killed a man in a fight.  It was accidental, but the man was clearly at fault.  His head was on the chopping block and the murdered man's family stopped the execution.  They realized that killing this man was not going to bring there son back and they decided to show mercy in hopes the man would become a better person.  Now, this is not a sign of a barbaric society.  I find that act to be more humane than many of the cases here in the US where someones life is taken from them when there is doubt or they get 25 years for a bar room assault. 

The perception that muslim women are oppressed is wrong.  Now, there are women in Arab countries, Inda and Africa that suffer.  But, I believe this is more of a cultural issue than a muslim issue. 

Besides, it is not faith if you are forced into it.  A woman who choses her hijab is far more honored than a woman who only wears it to avoid a beating. 

There is only one other thing I'd like to ask?  Its often used to support the theory that muslimahs are oppressed.  Its a verse in the Koran....

[4.34] Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great.

Now, I've seen several people post that Christian women are property.  But, I've never seen a directive to beat your wife in the Bible?  I'm not attacking...I am truly curious about this verse.

What does it mean by "those on whose part you fear desertion"?

Alaikoam Salam

I will remind you that the word Islam means to submit ones will to Allah, God, the Creator and as such we are all in various degrees of this and therefor it is my belief we are all Muslims or ie people in the process of learning how to be better people.

I believe Islam incompasses all life and all Spiritual Paths, ie religions and even the choice of none is our right and freedom and no one can force us to believe in anything unless we choose to.

If we want the world and ourselves to become better, healthier, happier then we must pay close attention to the core foundations of Islam which as I mentioned includes all religious paths or none and these foundations are education, counseling, consultation, prayer with living prayer and making Hajj (pilgrimage) periodically to our lives, our families, our communities seeing where we need assistance or education and training to learn new and better coping skills.

These are the foundations and the time has come when all Mankind need to Arise Responsibly and Spiritually and learn good communication skills, good conflict resolution skills, parenting skills, sexual health education and how to nurture and build relationships that stand the tests of time.

Anything less is a waste of prescious lives and resources not to mention with this enjoining maybe we can solve the problems of poverty, violence and ignorance and restore true justice which is education, counseling and consultation.

Referring to us all as Muslims or that all is Islam is not disrespecting anyone if anything it is restoring our dignity as we are the Messiah, the Prophets, the Manifestations of God and People of Spirit a Living Messiah in the Multitudes not one of us but all of us.  We are all Messengers of Allah, God, The Creator and may the Message of Our lives be one of Dignity and Respect for Ourselves and others as well as create Heaven on Earth and within each of us.

As I mentioned before we can also inter change the word Life with Islam as it is the same thing.

Anne Marie Elderkin Habibi

Bismillah,

Unfortunately, many people with power will abuse that power.  Men have had and will continue to have power for a long time.  All men, Hindu, Christian, Muslim need to strive to control themselves because of this.  Now that is a great jihad to be involved with:  Kindness, patience, forbearance, mercy with self-control as the leader amongst these ideas.

Angela, Spare the rod, spoil the child is something I think of as a Christian ideaology.  That extended to discipline of the wife for many throughout Christian history.

Well, most people when explaining this verse tell the story of how the prophet Muhammad, PBUH, got angry with his servant and said that he would beat him with his miswak, small toothstick, if he weren't afraid of the punishment of Allah, SWT.

Another thing is that it is for stealing his property or having an affair.

Firewall, glad to meet a happy, unoppressed Muslim lady. Ma'ShahAllah.

Personally, I try to focus on all the people who are worse off than I am in order to be able to handle what I have to.  Praying for them soothes my soul, and is better than constantly worrying about myself.

Salam Alaikoam

There is something one can do to assist others send or give them information in community resources, support groups or counselors to learn new skills and accept responsibility for themselves and have a more positive attitude towards themselves and others towards positive change.

We cannot leave those being abused, self abusing or abusing others or the world alone to continue the behavior, we must guide them well.

I realize that stream lining education, counseling and consultation is a challenge however we have the education, training, people, resources and technology and now we can more fully address the issues that plague our lives and world.

If your suffering hold on and seek out those who can guide you to new ways of being and living your life.

To those who are abusing people there is hope and redemption for you too and you must accept responsibility for yourself and your actions and get the guidance and education you need to refresh and gladden your spirit in healthy and happier ways than being abusive.

We are all in this life together and it will take a Team approach to create Jannah, Heaven within us, within our families, communities and Nations.

Ten thousands years we have been at making the world and ourselves better and now we have everything we need to accomplish this, are you willing to participate?

May Allah Bless you on your journey.

Anne Marie Elderkin Habibi

"Spare the rod, Spoil the child"  has a different translation for Mormons.  We consider the scriptures to be the iron rod seen in the Prophet Lehi's vision of the path to heaven.  By gripping the rod and holding fast, we can make our way home to God.  So, if you spare the "rod" you aren't teaching your child properly. 

But, still, what is the fear of desertion in that surah?  I'm sure I'm not reading it right, but it almost sounds like, you can beat your wife if she's going to leave?    That doesn't sound right, so what does fear of desertion mean? 

As for past actions of Christians, its wrong to beat your wife no matter what faith she is......I just don't remember a scripture in my bible directing my husband to beat me.  I'm not trying to be a pain.  This surah is really bothering me.  Of all the surah's I've read so far, this is a giant stumbling block for me.

Angela: I'm sure I'm not reading it right, but it almost sounds like, you can beat your wife if she's going to leave?    That doesn't sound right, so what does fear of desertion mean? 

Very valid point has been raised by you, I must acknowledge that you are a first christian to have asked a question on this issue and not pointed a finger. Yes it does not sound right, then what does it sound like? I hope respected member of the board will be able to answer this question.

Bismillah,

Your question was:  Why is there misunderstanding about the rights of women in Islaam, and you said something about the women seeming to have a stranglehold over the husband?

Misunderstandings will always occur.  However, I believe that men are creatures who naturally seek power.  They are stronger than women and want to have their own way, no matter what Christianity, Hinduism or Islaam says.

Islaam came and gave many rights to women who had had none.  Men are trying very hard to justify taking them away.

No, Herjihad, my question is not about strangle hold of women over men....my question is, where Islam has given so many rights to women....  Why does it allow the husbands to beat their wives?  The surah I posted bothers me.  Its one of the very few things I've found that does.  The only thing I see there, is that there is a condition.  The fear of desertion.....and I was hoping someone could shed light on what that meant???

Bismillah,

I think FM posted that about the stranglehold.

So the hadith that describes Muhammad's, PBUH, fear of receiving punishment for beating his servant with a small stick the size of your finger is often used by sheikhs to explain that beatings are not encouraged, and if they do occur, it would certainly not inflict any type of physical harm. 

If the holy prophet was angry, he had a good reason.  Yet he restrained himself from doing anything because he was concerned about punishment for this action.  This clearly says that beating, even with a small stick, should not be done.

And the reason for the beating allowed in the Quraan is sexual misconduct or theft of his property.

The reason men beat women is because they need to learn self-control.  There is too much violence in most societies, and gentleness in men, unfortunately, is seen as a weakness.  I don't know of any teachings that allow or encourage men to beat their wives in Islaam.  I have attended many lectures on marital relations, and the speakers have always encouraged gentleness and patience between a husband and wife.  (Maybe I just wouldn't be the type to be invited to the "be harsh with your wife" lecture. )

Angela wrote: No, Herjihad, my question is not about strangle hold of women over men....my question is, where Islam has given so many rights to women....  Why does it allow the husbands to beat their wives?  The surah I posted bothers me.  Its one of the very few things I've found that does.  The only thing I see there, is that there is a condition.  The fear of desertion.....and I was hoping someone could shed light on what that meant???

Angela, your quoted translation of Verse 4:34 is not accurate. You probably got this translation from anti-islam people. Your translator seems deliberately used the word "desertion" instead of "illconduct" which is the true meaning. Here is the correct translation of the Verse in question. Moreover, I have appended the Tafsir (Ibn Kathir) of this Verse where you will learn detail meaning of this Verse. Insha Allah you will find it useful. 

4:34. Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because All�h has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to All�h and to their husbands), and guard in the husband's absence what All�h orders them to guard (e.g. their chastity, their husband's property, etc.). As to those women on whose part you see ill­conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly, if it is useful), but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance). Surely, All�h is Ever Most High, Most Great.

Allah said,

(Men are the protectors and maintainers of women,) meaning, the man is responsible for the woman, and he is her maintainer, caretaker and leader who disciplines her if she deviates.

(because Allah has made one of them to excel the other,) meaning, because men excel over women and are better than them for certain tasks. This is why prophethood was exclusive of men, as well as other important positions of leadership. The Prophet said,

(People who appoint a woman to be their leader, will never achieve success.) Al-Bukhari recorded this Hadith. Such is the case with appointing women as judges or on other positions of leadership.

(and because they spend from their means.) meaning the dowry, expenditures and various expenses that Allah ordained in His Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger for men to spend on women. For these reasons it is suitable that he is appointed her maintainer, just as Allah said,

(But men have a degree (of responsibility) over them).

Qualities of the Righteous Wife

Allah said,

(Therefore, the righteous) women,

(are Qanitat), obedient to their husbands, as Ibn `Abbas and others stated.

(and guard in the husband's absence) As-Suddi and others said that it means she protects her honor and her husband's property when he is absent, and Allah's statement,

(what Allah orders them to guard.) means, the protected [husband] is the one whom Allah protects. Ibn Jarir recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,  

(The best women is she who when you look at her, she pleases you, when you command her she obeys you, and when you are absent, she protects her honor and your property.) Then, the Messenger of Allah recited the Ayah,

(Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, ) until its end. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdur-Rahman bin 'Awf said that the Messenger of Allah said,

If the woman prayed her five daily prayers, fasted her month, protected her chastity and obeyed her husband, she will be told, 'Enter Paradise from any of its doors you wish.

Dealing with the Wife's Ill-Conduct

Allah said,

(As to those women on whose part you see ill conduct,) meaning, the woman from whom you see ill conduct with her husband, such as when she acts as if she is above her husband, disobeys him, ignores him, dislikes him, and so forth. When these signs appear in a woman, her husband should advise her and remind her of Allah's torment if she disobeys him. Indeed, Allah ordered the wife to obey her husband and prohibited her from disobeying him, because of the enormity of his rights and all that he does for her. The Messenger of Allah said,

(If I were to command anyone to prostrate before anyone, I would have commanded the wife to prostrate before her husband, because of the enormity of his right upon her.) Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,  

(If the man asks his wife to come to his bed and she declines, the angels will keep cursing her until the morning.) Muslim recorded it with the wording,

(If the wife goes to sleep while ignoring her husband's bed, the angels will keep cursing her until the morning.) This is why Allah said,

(As to those women on whose part you see ill conduct, admonish them (first)). Allah's statement,

(abandon them in their beds,) `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said "The abandonment refers to not having intercourse with her, to lie on her bed with his back to her.'' Several others said similarly. As-Suddi, Ad-Dahhak, `Ikrimah, and Ibn `Abbas, in another narration, added, "Not to speak with her or talk to her.'' The Sunan and Musnad compilers recorded that Mu`awiyah bin Haydah Al-Qushayri said, "O Allah's Messenger! What is the right that the wife of one of us has on him'' The Prophet said,  

(To feed her when you eat, cloth her when you buy clothes for yourself, refrain from striking her face or cursing her, and to not abandon her, except in the house.) Allah's statement,

(beat them) means, if advice and ignoring her in the bed do not produce the desired results, you are allowed to discipline the wife, without severe beating. Muslim recorded that Jabir said that during the Farewell Hajj, the Prophet said;

(Fear Allah regarding women, for they are your assistants. You have the right on them that they do not allow any person whom you dislike to step on your mat. However, if they do that, you are allowed to discipline them lightly. They have a right on you that you provide them with their provision and clothes, in a reasonable manner.) Ibn `Abbas and several others said that the Ayah refers to a beating that is not violent. Al-Hasan Al-Basri said that it means, a beating that is not severe.

When the Wife Obeys Her Husband, Means of Annoyance Against Her are Prohibited

Allah said,

(but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance),) meaning, when the wife obeys her husband in all that Allah has allowed, then no means of annoyance from the husband are allowed against his wife. Therefore, in this case, the husband does not have the right to beat her or shun her bed. Allah's statement,

(Surely, Allah is Ever Most High, Most Great.) reminds men that if they transgress against their wives without justification, then Allah, the Ever Most High, Most Great, is their Protector, and He will exert revenge on those who transgress against their wives and deal with them unjustly.

(4:35. If you fear a breach between the two, appoint (two) arbitrators, one from his family and the other from her's; if they both wish for peace, Allah will cause their reconciliation. Indeed Allah is Ever All-Knower, Well-Acquainted with all things.)

Appointing Two Arbitrators When the Possibility of Estrangement Between Husband and Wife Occurs

Allah first mentioned the case of rebellion on the part of the wife. He then mentioned the case of estrangement and alienation between the two spouses. Allah said,

(If you fear a breach between the two, appoint (two) arbitrators, one from his family). The Fuqaha' (scholars of Fiqh) say that when estrangement occurs between the husband and wife, the judge refers them to a trusted person who examines their case in order to stop any wrongs commited between them. If the matter continues or worsens, the judge sends a trustworthy person from the woman's family and a trustworthy person from the man's family to meet with them and examine their case to determine whether it is best for them to part or to remain together. Allah gives preference to staying together, and this is why Allah said,

(if they both wish for peace, Allah will cause their reconciliation.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "Allah commands that a righteous man from the husband's side of the family and the wife's side of the family are appointed, so that they find out who among the spouses is in the wrong. If the man is in the wrong, they prevent him from his wife, and he pays some restitution. If the wife is in the wrong, she remains with her husband, and he does not pay any restitution. If the arbitrators decide that the marriage should remain intact or be dissolved, then their decision is upheld. If they decide that the marriage remains intact, but one of the spouses disagrees while the other agrees, and one of them dies, then the one who agreed inherits from the other, while the spouse who did not agree does not inherit from the spouse who agreed.'' This was collected by Ibn Abi Hatim and Ibn Jarir. Shaykh Abu `Umar bin `Abdul-Barr said, "The scholars agree that when the two arbitrators disagree, then the opinion that dissolves the marriage will not be adopted. They also agree that the decision of the arbitrators is binding, even if the two spouses did not appoint them as agents. This is the case if it is decided that they should stay together, but they disagree whether it is binding or not when they decide for separation.'' Then he mentioned that the majority holds the view that the decision is still binding, even if they did not appoint them to make any decision.

Asalaam alikum

I will introduce a serises under the heading "Ask Quran"

Is Woman Equal to Man in Islam?
Comment: Before I quote the verse (s) from Qur�an, it is important to establish that there are always exceptions to rules, e.g. There might be a female wrestler who can beat me like a dummy, but then this would be an exception and not a rule. Allah created man different from woman, much proof lies in human anatomy.
For 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 (and deny themselves)
For men and women who
Guard their chastity, and
For men and women who
Engage much in God�s praise-
For them God prepared
Forgiveness and great reward. 33:35

Comment: Due to physical differences between man and woman, Allah has assigned different duties to them, but in faith both are equal.

Inshallah I will take this oppertunity to answer some of the objection that missionaries raise when having interfaith debates.

Hoors/ Hurs in Paradise?
Comment: Where Allah has mentioned Hoors/ Hurs in Paradise for believing men, there are also numerous verses where the word �companion� or� Spouse� is used. Both of these words can be translated for both men and women.

�.. And they have there in
Companions pure (and holy)
And they abide there in (forever) 2:25

But those who believe
And do deeds of righteousness
We shall admit to Gardens,
With rivers slowing beneath,-
Their eternal home,
There in shall they have
Companions pure and holy:
We shall admit them
To shades, cool and ever deepening 04:57

Comment: In the above verses, Allah promises companions for everyone who will enter paradise.

In verse 33:35 is the discription of rightious people and it is rightious people who will enter the "gardens" 04:57. In Quran it is further confirmed as to who will enter "gardens"

Who will enter the Gardens with rivers flowing beneath?

If any do deeds
Of righteousness,-
Be they male or female-
And have faith
They will enter Heaven,
And not the least injustice
Will be done to them. 04:124

Here in this ayah Allah forbids annoying believing "men and women" not just "men" again equal status as believers and Allahs creation.

Whom should you not annoy?

And those who annoy
Believing men and women
Undeservedly, bear (on themselves)
A clumny and glaring sin. 33:58

Multiple Marriages or Monogamy?

If ye fear that ye shall not
Be able to deal justly
With orphans
Marry women of your choice
Two, or three, or four; 04:03

But if ye fear that ye shall not
Be able to deal justly
Then Only One, or (a captive)
That your right hand posses,
That will be more suitable,
To prevent you
From doing injustice. 04:03

Again in the same sura, Allah makes it clear. This time, it is more explicit language.


Ye are never able
To be fair and just
As between women,
Even if it is
Your ardent desire; 04:129

Comment: In the above verse the Creator, Who knows His creations, declares that man will never be able to deal justly between women. Hence one.

How should Women be treated?

Nor should ye treat them
With harshness, that ye may
Take away part of the dower
Ye have given them, 04:19

The Qur'an admonishes those men who oppress or ill-treat women:

O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dowry you have given them - except when they have become guilty of open lewdness. On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take a dislike to them, it may be that you dislike something and Allah will bring about through it a great deal of good. (Al-Qur'an 4:19)

But the Qur�an says to beat the women?

��As those women
On whose part ye fear
Disloyalty and ill conduct
Admonish them (first)
(Next) refuse to share their beds,
(And last) beat them (lightly)
But if they return to obedience,
Seek not against them
Means (of annoyance)
For God is Most High,
Great (above you all) 04:34


Comment: World over, Christian missionaries use this verse to give credence to their claim that women in Islam are treated as second rate people. No, but to the contrary, this verse instructs Muslim males not to be confrontational even with disloyal women [wife who lies, steal things, does not treat her husband with respect]. Yet rather to gradually, in steps, to deal with the situation in line with human nature.

Step 1. To verbally warn them and ask the woman to mend her ways

Step 2. This is a very important step, as of most women start feeling insecure if they don�t have physical contact with their husbands. In this situation she will mend her ways.

Step 3. The last resort, to implement this step one, first has to exhaust all other options. Then to beat a woman in such a way that there is not a single mark left on her skin. Think what kind of beating this is.

Important: If women is found commiting punishable act a husband can not take it upon himslef to punish the wife, he still has to follow the law of evidence which is four witness to the act being commited.

As soon as women return to obedience, the husband has been ordered not to nag or be sarcastic about the past. Now if the woman is annoyed, it is the husband who is now in sin. Forgiving and Merciful, Allah is.


We have now established the equality of women, their right to choose and preference for monogamy.

In christian world millions of women are abused everyday, by alcoholic husbands, boyfriends, incest is a common occurance. No one label it as "christian thing" in christian world women give birth to hundereds and thousands of bastards every day, why is it not labeled as "christian" act?

When a muslim man in his ignorance does an act which is against the law of Allah, it is immediately labeled as "Islam" why?

Sarkeranwar,

This is the site I got my surah from....

http://www.hti.umich.edu/k/koran/ - http://www.hti.umich.edu/k/koran/

I had hoped I hadn't hit an anti site.  I know its annoying when someone uses an anti site to misquote the Book of Mormon.  Your translation makes alot more sense as does Fatah's explaination.  Though I still don't approve of any form of spousal abuse, I see that its a last resort and I like the fact that as Fatah stated that the laws of proof still apply.  The surah makes more sense now.

Fatah,

To answer your last question...

When a muslim man in his ignorance does an act which is against the law of Allah, it is immediately labeled as "Islam" why?

I think this is the same reason that men like Brother123 see Hollywood movies and blame the disgraceful behavior of Rated-R movies on the Christian faith.  Its perception and presentation.  When we in the west see a story of a woman raped because her child brother supposedly flirted with a married man....and the sentence is carried out by a tribal council that claims to be inacting Islamic Law....then we label the act islamic.  And we do so wrongfully.  Education will be the only way to correct the images of Christianity in the East and Islam in the west. 

In christian world millions of women are abused everyday, by alcoholic husbands, boyfriends, incest is a common occurance. No one label it as "christian thing" in christian world women give birth to hundereds and thousands of bastards every day, why is it not labeled as "christian" act?

These are not christian acts, I guess they don't get labelled that here, because its common knowledge that these things are sins.  Unfortunately, that is not always so clear to someone who knows nothing about another religion or culture.  I could honestly not tell you what is forbidden in Buddhism, but I could tell you a little about Hinduism....but I'm rare here in the states.  I explored other faiths in my youth.  Islam is new to me....and strangely very close to the beliefs I follow closely in my own church.

Angela:These are not christian acts,

Why? People enacting this behavior are followers of christian faith, then why cant we label it as "christian act" when christian media label every act as "Islamic Act"

Angela:these things are sins.

These things are sins in every part of the world not just in christian world.

I apologize for my blunt language, inshallah I will continue with the series "Ask Quran" I have broken it in small posts as a membrs tend to lose interest in a long article, inshallah[Allah Willing] will try to bring forth the the rights of women as given to them by Allah, and taken away by ignorant muslim males.

Angela:When we in the west see a story of a woman raped because her child brother supposedly flirted with a married man....and the sentence is carried out by a tribal council that claims to be inacting Islamic Law....then we label the act islamic

It is a common knoweldge that punishment of adultry is death by stonning this is the same punishment as revealed to Jews and christians. Nowhere in any revealed religion punishment of rape is rape, this is christian media propogation. Why does media not propogate the rape of women in christian world, it happens every nite, now it is labeled as "date rape" we should call it "christian rape"

Fatah....note the sentence after that.  And we do so wrongfully. 

I agree that it is not what islam teaches, I'm just trying to shed some light for you why there is the misperception in the west.  The majority of Americans do not know what Islamic teaches are and therefore, when something like what happened to that poor Pakistani woman occurs, there is no education to back up the perception of what happened. 

What I'm trying to say, the reason these crimes are not labeled as such is there is no pretense that they are done in the name of religion.  Many times when we get reports of the abuses against women or acts of terrorism, there is a claim by the parties to be doing this in the name of Islam.  This is not the case, but when you read the newspaper and you see that the Taliban claims to be an Islamic state governed only by Islamic law, and then you see what was happening there.  Women forbidden from learning to read, killed for going out of their houses, etc.....what is an unknowning person to think?  If they do not know the truth, then all they have is the perception.  These things happen, and they hurt your people, not because they are acts of Islam, but because the perpetrators "claim" to be muslim. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1907-2005Mar25.html - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1907-2005Mar2 5.html

The only case I know of a rapist claiming innocence due to faith is the Elizabeth Smart case.  The man has been declared as insane and could not even stand trial he was so mentally ill.  In most cases here, the rapes are blamed on the victim by the rapist, there is never a claim that the woman was punished because she broke Christian law.  The difference is in the claim of the criminals.  When a man blows himself up on a London metro, he's doing it for what reason?  When one gang member in New York kills another, its a turf war, not religious....that's the difference in representation that leads to the wrongful belief that these are islamic acts.

I am NOT saying that the claim these things are islamic is true.  But, the perception they are in the west is such. 

Fatah-Momin wrote: Angela:These are not christian acts, Why? People enacting this behavior are followers of christian faith, then why cant we label it as "christian act" when christian media label every act as "Islamic Act" Angela:these things are sins. These things are sins in every part of the world not just in christian world. I apologize for my blunt language, inshallah I will continue with the series "Ask Quran" I have broken it in small posts as a membrs tend to lose interest in a long article, inshallah[Allah Willing] will try to bring forth the the rights of women as given to them by Allah, and taken away by ignorant muslim males.

Actually, one other statement on this issue.  We often don't know the religious affiliation of all our criminals.  America is a land of many religions and many denominations among the Christian faith.  A Catholic believes very differently from a Mormon.  We have Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Shintao, Native American religions, Pagans, and Satanists.  We are a society that does not focus on religion.  Its only a part of the identity.  Why do you think our political situation is so messed up?  You have conservatives and liberals, all with different views on what is and is not Christian.  But the very emphasis on religion is taboo....its the separation of Church and State.  The secularization of everything has also lead to things being labeled as "Christian" or "Jewish" is frowned on.  Unfortunately, the propaganda and mass media are quick to label Middle Eastern problems Islamic, because its almost certain what religion the people are.....that's wrong, but it happens. 

I am sorry, it happens this way.  I can say I know the frustration.  Whenever anyone talks of Utah polygamists, they point fingers at my church, even though those people have been excommunicated.  They also always blame our anti drinking and smoking laws on the Mormons, even though I've lived in places with stricter anti drinking laws outside of Utah.  People will label and blame who they will.  They are blind and prejudice.  And that is a sad, sad thing.

Angela: Actually, one other statement on this issue.  We often don't know the religious affiliation of all our criminals. 

In usa according to the census there is population 250 Million people, out of that one estimate is there are 6 million jew and almost same numbers of muslims, this also include Nation of Islam among muslims. Hindus and other religion are negligible in numbers. When one discuss an issue it usually based on general population and not specific segments.

You document sects of christian faith, giving preception as if these sect are not christians.

Taliban never kept women from education this agian is christian media bias, as TRaliban are followers of salafi school, the salaf allowed women to get education, the greatest source of islamic education for almost fifty years after the death of the prophet[saw] was his wives Hz. Ayesha[ra]. This show that women are not only allowed to teach but also get education.

The very first wives of the Prophet[saw] was a business women, who persused her carreer even after marriage.

Women used to look after the injured during the battles, this mean that muslim women can practise medicine, where interaction with male is a daily occurance.

There are many incidences when women fought battles during the life time of the prophet[saw] this further show that women can be employed as fighting force in any islamic country.

Allah willing I will continue the post here.

You document sects of christian faith, giving preception as if these sect are not christians.

Fatah, actually, you will get certain religious groups who claim one or many denominations of Christians as not being Christians.  There are many out there who openly declare my church to be non-Christian.  We are called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but my friend who owns a large chain of religious bookstores must wear a "non-christian" badge when he goes to the major christian booksellers convention every year.  Christians have no unifying doctrine, save the belief Christ is the son of God.  One church does not accept the baptisms and ordinances of another.  I cannot take communion in the Russian Orthodox Church, nor the Roman Catholic.  Though they are allowed to take communion in my church, they cannot bless it, nor can they enter our temples. 

Christians are not a group of people who agree on very much.  We argue on the nature of Jesus, Priesthood, ordinances, the nature of God and sin.....its little wonder the Muslims look at us with misunderstanding.  We don't even understand ourselves half the time.

Oh, of those 250 million....the 200 million Christians...only part of them actually practice their faith and a part of the 200 million are also Non religious

Let us continue with "Ask Quran"

Can Believing women ask for Divorce?

If wife fears
Cruelty or desertion
On her husband�s part,
There is no blame on them
If they arrange
An amicable settlement
Between themselves.
And such settlement is best;
Even though men�s souls
Are swayed by greed
But if ye do good
And practice self-restraint
God is well-acquainted
With all that ye do 04:128

If the divorce is not amicable what recompence does women have: EQUAL REPRESENTATION

What if the settlement is not amicable?
If ye fear breach
Between them to vain,
Appoint (two) arbitrators
One from his family
And other from hers,
If they wish peace
God will cause
Their reconciliation
or God hath full knowledge
And is acquainted
With all things 04:35

It took christian women 2000 yrs to get the rights that were given to muslim women by Allah, after divorce 1400 yrs ago.

So what happens after divorce?

Let women live
(In iddat) in the same
Style that ye live
According to your means
(man is responsible financially for wife during iddat period)
Annoy them no so as
To restrict them
(When woman is in iddat, husband is not supposed to nag or be sarcastic to the wife)



And if they carry (life
In their wombs), then
Spend (your substance) on them
Until they deliver
Their burden���.
(Husband is responsible financially during pregnancy for women substance, and all medical expenses)
����.and if
They suckle your (offspring)
Give them their recompense
(Often the child is born and the mother is feeding, then again the husband is financially responsible for all expenses)
And take mutual counsel
Together, according to
What is just and reasonable
(It is not just up to the man to estimate the living expenses, he has to consult the woman about her needs)
And if ye find yourselves
In difficulties, let another
Woman suckle (the child)
On the (father�s) behalf 65:06
(If for some reason the mother is not able to feed the child, it�s father�s responsibility to arrange for a woman or make some alternate arrangement for the child on his expense)

Christian women still thump their nose at muslim women and claim hey we got our ex by the throat, he still has to pay us after the divorce "alimony" is this a true statement, let us see what Allah has given to believing muslim women 1400yrs ago.

Does Muslim wife have the right to receive alimony?

For divorced women
Maintenance (should be provided)
On a reasonable (scale)
This is the duty
On the righteous 02:241

Maintenance=Alimony

Now if there is disagreement among the husband and wife about the amount of alimony, this too has been covered under.

If ye fear breach
Between them to vain,
Appoint (two) arbitrators
One from his family
And other from hers, 04:35

Actually, you need to clarify, western women not Christian women.  Most feminists view the Christian church with the same suspicion and distain.  They point to the New Testament and Paul's directive that women were not to talk in church.  They point to the fact that women cannot be priests in many of the Christian denominations.  You need to understand that western values are not necessarily Christian values.  The more I learn about Islam, the more my perceptions change.  But, I do not think that my values are represented by the media that you see.  My family prays, reads scripture, pays tithing (zakat to Muslims), we fast, and we serve our neighbors.  We dress modestly.  I do not find myself liberated by skimpy clothing, if nothing else, it makes women more objectified. 

Western feminists do not believe in traditional values of family and religion.  Please do not lump Christian women in with radical feminists.  In many ways a mother has a much, much easier time in Islam than she does in the west.  Here to say you are a stay at home mother, you get looked at like you are not contributing or there is something wrong with you. 

And as for child support?????  That's only if you can get the judge to award you enough to support your kids.  Wives here are expected to get out and get a job for their own money.....you need a prenuptial in order to get alimony anymore.

Bismillah,

Angela, there are books comparing Islaam and Mormonism.  Of course, since I was Mormon as a child, I noticed the similarities a long time before I heard of the books.  Anyway, have you read them?  A sister mentioned it to me years ago, and I read from hers a little, but I personally never read them.

Men rarely act the way they are supposed to.  That's why there are so many ifs.  If he can be fair, if he supports and protects her.  Lots of times they don't or can't do some or any of what they are supposed to do.  So sad.  We don't need to sit around waiting for big, strong men to protect us when it may or may not happen.  We need to learn to protect ourselves as a right and a duty.

Herjihad, I so totally agree.  My mother made sure my sister and I knew how to fix things around the house and she made my father show us how to change a tire and check all of our car fluids.  She said you should know how to do the things yourself because you can't always count on having a man around to do it for you.  Her grandmother was left a widow with 9 children, she knows how uncertain life is...and my father worked out of town when I was little.

Do you know the names of those books?  I'd love to read them.  The closest I've found was an Anti site that was showing that Joseph stole all his ideas from Mohammed, but it wasn't painting Islam in a good light either, so I'm not going to trust a site like that.

No offense to both to the Mormon faith and to no disrespect to you Angela but I have yet to find anything in Mormonism in comparison to Islam. Again Mormonism in respect to other Christian sects is not held as a legitimate sect (in fact its held as Heterodoxical Christianity) in Christianity and since its the youngest of the Christian sects its quite hard to see any comparison (I'm not making blind assertions as I studied basic philosophies regarding this faith). If you can Angela can you cite how Mormonism (not Christianity or Catholicism) is more similar to Islam or would you be willing to say that Christianity (not Mormonism) is similar to Islam?

Herjihad I agree and disagree with you.

First I agree that Men are not what they were in the past, but then again men are not like they are now because all men differ. If you are referring to a specific group but in general all men differ now, past, present and future that is how people are. As for in respect towards women I understand your point, but then again we must be aware of the society/culture that you are referring to. In the States there is a high rate of domestic violence and high divorce rate. There is a general philosophy among the younger/middle age groups that women are below men and there are portrayals of the exploitation of women, but the same can be said for men. Remeber Herjihad women are not saints either so the amount of changes certain men need to change the same can be said for women so we must create solutions for each other!

No offense to both to the Mormon faith and to no disrespect to you Angela but I have yet to find anything in Mormonism in comparison to Islam. Again Mormonism in respect to other Christian sects is not held as a legitimate sect (in fact its held as Heterodoxical Christianity) in Christianity and since its the youngest of the Christian sects its quite hard to see any comparison (I'm not making blind assertions as I studied basic philosophies regarding this faith).

Not True, our church was founded on April 6, 1830 in Palmyra, NY.  The Southern Baptist Church, which holds a larger following in many parts of the United States was founded by William Bullien Johnson in May of 1845.  We are not the youngest denomination.  As for being held as a legitimate sect.  We have 12 million members and there is no governing Chrisitan organization to say what is and is not Christian.  They accept an evangelical minister with no seminary training or education who's congregation is less than fifty, but they deny 12 million Christians the right to call themselves that.  I disagree with the statement that we are Heterodoxical.  That would imply that there is a true church that everyone agrees is the true church, such as was the case prior to 1054 when the church split between east and west and prior to Martin Luther.

As for the similarities.

Islam:

Believes in a Revealed Book

Had a Prophet

Forbids Alcohol and Drugs

Forbids premartial sex

Believes that all men are accountable for their own sins.

They Fast

Pay Zakat (obligatory charity)

Have obligations about clothing

Believe that God has sent us here to be tested

Believe there are prophets and peoples yet to be discovered

Believe that polygamy if practiced right is not sinful

Mormons:

Believes in a Revealed Book

Had a Prophet (granted we continue to have them)

Forbids Alcohol and Drugs

Forbids premartial sex

Believes that all men are accountable for their own sins.

They Fast

Pay Tithing (obligatory charity)

Have obligations about clothing

Believe that God has sent us here to be tested

Believe there are prophets and peoples yet to be discovered

Believe that polygamy if practiced right is not sinful

Now, I also understand there are glaring differnces too.  The Mormon church believes Heavenly Father to have a body.  We believe the souls of men and women to literally be the spirit children of him.  Jesus Christ is God's son and our eldest brother.  We believe in the ordinances of baptism, gift of the Holy Spirit and other endowments and sealings.  We believe families to be an eternal thing and the very center of life on this mortal earth.  We believe that God removed his church within 100 years of Christ's death (another obvious difference).  There are other differences.  I'm not saying the faiths are exactly alike.  I'm saying they share common practices, such as fasting, tithing and devotion.  I agree there are BIG, BIG differences, but I'm also seeing the commonalities of both religions.

BTW, Fatah, I really liked the last post....lots of food for thought.

Bismillah,

Angela, I don't know the names of the books.  It has been nearly 20 years since this happened.  Sorry.  Maybe we could write a new one. 

Fatah, not only did I like your recent post about women and men in Islaam, but I really appreciate it.  It has a point to me that you might not have seen.  Because of all of these false hadith and out-dated fatwas, I trust the basics of Islaam, the Quraan, but the Hadith that decimate women and men or take away rights or dignity clearly established in the Quraan, I do not believe.  Whatever their Isnaads may be, Allah's, SWT's, Mercy is Supreme for me and many others. 

I left Christianity for a reason:  It didn't make sense.  Thank Allah, SWT, that the basic tenets of Islaam makes sense and Allah, SWT, opened my heart to it, or I wouldn't have become a Muslimah.  People need to stop insulting sisters and be glad that we are Muslims and not Kaffir.  Al-Hamdulilah, I am very pleased that I am a Muslimah after all of these years.  But it is sad that most often it is fellow Muslims who hurt me with their vicious verbal attacks, rather than the Christians.  Especially the Christians like Angela, May Allah, SWT, bless her for her respect for Muslims.

Thank you Herjihad.  I sincerely hope God blesses your Ramadan. 

The only books I've found that compare our two religions are anti books.  One website was so full of venom and blatant lies about both faiths that it was pathetic. 

I also think that the west need to update their views on Islam.  To often we get stuck in the 1001 Arabian Nights mindset or we only look at the extremists.  The average muslim family is not all that different.  Husband, Wife, kids, inlaws, cousins and grandparents all trying to get through life and understand where they came from and where they are going. 

I'm pretty sure after my few months here that had I had a good muslim rolemodel as a young woman, I probably would be a Muslimah now.  But my life did not take me down that path.

Angela again you are comparing CHRISTIANITY and Islam not Mormonism and Islam granted that Mormonism is a sect of the Christian theological faith it does not specifically signify anything independent ( and worth noting outside the fold of Christianity) of Christian teaching. Most religions follow the following list you have noted with slight differences (give or take a few).

As for being the youngest denomination my apologies as I have miscalculated as the youngest instead of saying one of the youngest as your denomination is. Again this is not an attack on Mormonism but I'd like to clarify that Mormonism being a denominational sect of Christianity is not independent of most of the theological schools of thought under the Christian religion would you agree. As I have mentioned most of what you've posted is what Christians follow give and take a few dissimlarities.

Angela and perhaps you are unaware of the term "heterodox" contrary to what you say something that is heterodoxy (or heterodoxical in relation to heterodoxy) it is something that is not standard or unorthodox which a doctrine and/or its parts may run contrary to a standard set of beliefs. Granted that Mormonism is Christianity and granted it has its prophet after Jesus the fact remains is that the belief that there remains a prophet after Jesus alone is an unorthodox belief that many mainstream Christians do not believe in. Let alone many Christians in mainstream or other christian faiths hold Muhammad as a legitimate prophet who came after him over 530 something years. This is what I meant by heterodoxy I never claimed that there was one true church in regards to the Christian faith.

I would agree with you Angela that as a whole Christianity has much in common with Islam but not specifically Mormonism..... Again let not my words sound attacking to the Mormon faith as that is not my intention but as a friendly critique I have to note my beliefs on this matter however this is rather way off topic and perhaps should be in another forum.

Actually Israfil,

The things I posted as comparison are unique to the Mormons and not to mainstream Christians.  The prohibitions of alcohol, fasting, tithing, polygamy and revealed books, these are why we are different from other christian churches. 

I was raised Russian Orthodox and my father's family is Methodist.  I have lived in other churches longer than I have in the Mormon church.  I know there are HUGE differences.  But, you are right.  This is off the topic. 

If you wish to further discuss the similarities/differences in our faiths, I had started a thread under Interfaith Discussions called Mormonism per request from AhmadJoyia.  Answer me there and we can discuss things there.

Angela

herjihad wrote: Bismillah, Fatah, not only did I like your recent post about women and men in Islaam, but I really appreciate it.  It has a point to me that you might not have seen.  Because of all of these false hadith and out-dated fatwas, I trust the basics of Islaam, the Quraan, but the Hadith that decimate women and men or take away rights or dignity clearly established in the Quraan, I do not believe.  Whatever their Isnaads may be, Allah's, SWT's, Mercy is Supreme for me and many others.

I am very sorry to hear that you have come accross hadiths that belittle or disrespect women, I have yet to come accross even one. please post the hadith and refrences so I can investigate and answer your reservations. I am one of the most active person on the net propogating the rights of women in Islam. Yet I have not found even one hadith to the effect what you are claiming here.

I left Christianity for a reason:  It didn't make sense.  Thank Allah, SWT, that the basic tenets of Islaam makes sense and Allah, SWT, opened my heart to it, or I wouldn't have become a Muslimah.  People need to stop insulting sisters and be glad that we are Muslims and not Kaffir.  Al-Hamdulilah, I am very pleased that I am a Muslimah after all of these years.  But it is sad that most often it is fellow Muslims who hurt me with their vicious verbal attacks, rather than the Christians.  Especially the Christians like Angela, May Allah, SWT, bless her for her respect for Muslims.

May Allah bless you with His rehma and bounties and keep you stead fast on the right path. 

If Islam is not treating women equaly then why are independent women of christian world accepting Islam as their way of Islam.

According to "The Plain Truth", February 1984, in its 50 Year Anniversary Issue, quoting from the "World Almanac and Book of Facts 1935" and "Reader's Digest Almanac and Yearbook 1983", between 1934 and 1984.

100,000 people per year in America alone, are converting to Islam. For every 1 male convert to Islam, 4 females convert to Islam.

They're discovering the FACTS and not basing their decisions on biased media. They realise they deserve to know the complete unadulterated truth.
 

1. The Bible Convicts Women as the original Sinners (ie. Eve picking from the forbidden tree){Genesis 2:4-3:24}.

The Koran Clarifies it was Adam Not Eve {Koran 7:19-25}
 

2. The Bible says "The Birth of a Daughter is a loss" {Ecclesiasticus 22:3}.

The Koran says both are an Equal Blessing {Koran 42:49}
 

3. The Bible forbids women from speaking in church {I Corinthians 14:34-35}.

The Koran says women can argue with the Prophet {58:1}

4. In the Bible, divorced Women are Labeled as an Adulteress, not men {Matthew 5:31-32}

The Koran does Not have Biblical double standards{Koran 30:21}
 

5. In The Bible, widows and sisters do not inherit Any property or wealth, only men do {Numbers 27:1-11}

The Koran abolished this male greed {Koran 4:22} and God protects all.
 

6. The Bible Allows Multiple Wives {I Kings 11:3}

In The Koran, God limits the number to 4 only under certain situations (with the wife's permission)and prefers you marry only one wife {Koran 4:3} The Koran gives the woman the right to choose who to marry.
 

7. "If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay the girl's father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the girl, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives" {Deuteronomy 22:28-30}

One must ask a simple question here, who is really punished, the man who raped the woman or the woman who was raped? According to the Bible, you have to spend the rest of your life with the man who raped you.

The Prophet Muhammad Says {Volume 9, Book 86, Number 101} Narrated by Aisha:"It is essential to have the consent of a virgin (for the marriage)".

Would the Non-Muslim men reading this prefer the Women they know to be Christian or Muslim?
 

8. The Bible also asks women to wear veils as in Islam {I Corinthians 11:3-10}



9. Women were given rights to Vote less than a 100 years ago in the (US), while the Koran gave women voting rights almost 1,500 years ago.



Christian Scientists are declaring the Koran is from God. Click http://wings.buffalo.edu/sa/muslim/library/jesus-say/ch13.html" target=WINDOW-2>Here for stories of Christians and atheist scientists who convert to Islam and why. The Christian Bishops and Priests are admitting the http://wings.buffalo.edu/sa/muslim/library/jesus-say/ch2.1.html" target=WINDOW-2>Bible has tensions . Jesus is a Muslim? Click http://wings.buffalo.edu/sa/muslim/library/jesus-say/ch6.10.html" target=WINDOW-2>here . The list goes on and on, to hear from some of these converts, including Nuns, and many Famous people click http://www.themodernreligion.com/women/convert_websites.htm" target=WINDOW-2>Here . For a more Information and Statistics click http://www.jannah.org/sisters/" target=WINDOW-2>Here

Bismillah,

Fatah, that sounds like another, really long topic!

One thing is that men and the sheikhs who advise them need to think of the family as a whole and stop taking away rights and responsiblities that Allah, SWT, clearly gave us.

The sisters could make  a special class for brothers who are going to get married on how to be fair et cetera to your potential new wife, or new wife.  Start out right guys!

My son wants to talk to me, and I really can't concentrate on this right now. 

"And for those who launch a charge against their spouses, and have (in support) no evidence but their own, their solitary evidence can be received if they bear witness four times with an oath by Allah that they are solemnly telling the truth. And the fifth (oath) should be that they solemnly invoke the curse of Allah on themselves if they tell a lie. But it would avert the punishment from the wife if she bears witness four times with (an oath) by Allah that he (her husband) is telling a lie. And the fifth (oath) should be that she solemnly invokes the wrath of Allah on herself if (her accuser) is telling the truth. (24 : 6-9)

http://tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=24&tid=35538 - http://tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=24&tid=35538

SUNAN ABU DAOUD��..

A woman said: Apostle of Allah, my womb is a vessel to this son of mine, my breasts, a water-skin for him, and my lap a guard for him, yet his father has divorced me, and wants to take him away from me. The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) said: You have more right to him as long as you do not marry.

Subject: WOMEN IN SHARI'AH (ISLAMIC LAW)

WOMEN IN SHARI'AH (ISLAMIC LAW) by Abdur Rahman I. Doi (1992)

*Presently a Professor at the International Islamic University, Malaysia.

Maulana Abul A'La Maududi has made a fine psychological distinction, however, between women looking at men and men looking at women. The man, he says, "...is by nature aggressive. If a thing appeals to him, he is urged from within to acquire it. On the other hand, the woman's nature is one of inhibition and escape. Unless her nature is totally corrupted, she can never become so aggressive, bold and fearless, as to make the first advances towards the male who has attracted her. In view of this distinction, the Legislator (the Prophet) does not regard a woman's looking at other men to be as harmful as a man's looking at other women. In several traditions it has been reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) let Aisha see a performance given by negroes on the occassion of the 'Id. This shows that there is no absolute prohibition on women looking at other men. What is prohibited is for women to sit in the same gathering together with men and stare at them, or look at them in the same manner which may lead to evil results.

The Shariah has placed restrictions on men meeting strange women privately. Similarly no other man other than her husband is allowed to touch any part of a woman's body. The following traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) are worth noting in this connection :

"Beware that you do not call on women who are alone," said the Messenger of Allah. One
of the Companions asked, "O Messenger of Allah, what about the younger or elder brother of the husband?" The Prophet replied, "He is death".

(Tirmidhi, Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet said, "The one who touches the hand of a woman without having a lawful relationship with her, will have an ember placed on his palm on the Day of Judgement."

(Takmalah, Fath al-Qadir)

Aishah says that the Prophet accepted the oath of allegiance from women only verbally, without taking their hands into his own hand. He never touched the hand of a woman who was not married to him.

(Bukhari)

Umaimah, daughter of Ruqaiqah, said that she went to the Prophet in the company of some other women to take oath of allegiance. He made them promise that they would abstain from idolatry, stealing, adultery, slander, and disobedience to the Prophet. When they had taken the oath, they requested that he take their hands as a mark of allegiance.

The Prophet said, "I do not take the hands of women. Verbal affirmation is enough."

(Nasai and Ibn Majah)

It is most unfortunate, however, that in spite of this guidance from the Prophet (peace be upon him) many Muslims have adopted the Western system of shaking hands with women, using these traditions in respect of old women as justification. This is clearly an unreasonable extension of the permission. It is therefore, submitted that the Muslims the world over, and ulama in particular, must pause to reflect and stop this Un-Islamic practice which has crept into our society. There cannot be a better form of greeting than uttering ASsalamualaikum (peace be upon you) and greeting back with Waalaikumsalam
(peace be upon you too).

There is a clear tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraging women to offer their prayers inside their houses : "The best mosques for women are the inner parts of their houses"

Since the Prophet had not forbidden women to attend the mosques, they continued to come to the mosques. But after his death it became increasingly clear that it was not keeping with the dignity and honour of Muslim women to come to the mosques for prayers, especially at night, because men, being what they were, would tease them. Therefore, the Khalif Umar told women not to come to the mosques, but to offer their prayers inside their own houses. The women of Madina resented this prohibition and complained to Aisha. But they received a fitting reply from her : "If the Prophet knew what Umar knows, he would not have granted you permission to go out (to the mosque)".

It is reported by Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The best row for men is the first, and the worst for them is the last. The best row for women is the last, and the worst is the first."

(Muslim)

Talaq is a right available mainly to the husband, but not to the wife. even though Islam allows divorce, the Prophet (peace be upon him) says :

"Of all things that Islam has permitted, divorce is the most hated by Allah. " (Abu Dawud)

This shows that the right is to be exercised only when there are sufficiently compelling reasons to do so. Hasty and wanton use of the right of divorce is regarded as most condemnable in Islam. The Prophet said, "Marry and do not divorce, undoubtedly the Throne of the Beneficient Lord shakes due to divorce".

Thus Islam encourages reconciliation between spouses rather than severance of their relations.

If a husband puts forward an accusation against his wife or a wife against her husband, the Holy Quran lays down the following procedure :

"And for those who launch a charge against their spouses, and have (in support) no evidence but their own, their solitary evidence can be received if they bear witness four times with an oath by Allah that they are solemnly telling the truth. And the fifth (oath) should be that they solemnly invoke the curse of Allah on themselves if they tell a lie. But it would avert the punishment from the wife if she bears witness four times with (an oath) by Allah that he (her husband) is telling a lie. And the fifth (oath) should be that she solemnly invokes the wrath of Allah on herself if (her accuser) is telling the truth. (24 : 6-9)

The Holy Prophet made women integral to his plan for Muslim education and learning when he declared :

"An acquisition of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim, male and female"

The Holy Prophet made it a point of duty for every father and mother to make sure that their daughters (and sons) did not remain ignorant of the teachings of Islam because they would, after the marriage, have to play important roles as housewives and as mothers of children. In case the parents had failed to impart such knowledge to their daughters, it was made incumbent upon husbands to teach their wives the basic principles so that they would lead their lives according to the teachings of Islam.

It is reported that Malik Ibn Huwayrith and a group of young men had come to live near the Prophet and acquire knowledge from him.

When they decided to return to their respective homes, the Prophet told them,

"Return home to your wives and children and stay with them. Teach them (what you have learnt) and ask them to act upon it." (Al -Bukhari)

"Ignorant and illiterate mothers cannot possibly rear their children and raise them to be good, effective, capable and intelligent Muslims, in the world today" (Maryam Jameelah Answers Questions, The Criterion, p.46)

To conclude, the seven brilliant jewels of a mu'mins faith (iman) as mentioned in these verses are :

"Waqul Rabbi Zidni Ilma"

ps : May we benefit something from this.. INshaallah.. n makes us *think* ..

Bismillah,

I disagree completely of your description of western women and their lifestyles.  I saw women all over the world, especially in Jordan and Kuwait, with very low values.  I also observed women in America and Jordan with excellent morals and values.

Yes, I take personal offense at this.  I have female family members who are Christian who have and will spend their lives caring for their children and husbands above all else, who are shy and pious as well.

I also saw Iraqi women in Jordan and others there, prostituting themselves because they had immigrated and had no other way to support themselves.  I also personally saw unabashed sleazy behavior in the men and women there.

There is evil all over the world.  We need to fight against it together being good, stalwart believers.

I personally know of one man in Jordan who deserted his family and left them to be supported by the charity of others.  Of course, I know similar stories here by American, Arab, Spanish et cetera men.  The double standard between men and women seems healthy all over the world.

We need to stress the values that vitalize our Islaam and our humanity, not bash each other.  Look for the good in American values and emphasize those things.

Rights of the Wife Over the Husband

Dowry (Mahr)

This right of the wife has been discussed in some detail.  Allah said in the Qur'an:

{Wa aatoo an-nisaa'a saduqaatihinna nihlatan.  Fa in tibna lakum 'an shai'in minhu nafsan fa kuloohu hanee'an maree'an.}
{And give women their dowries as a gift.  Then, if they are pleased to give some of it to you, consume it with good health and enjoyment.}  An-Nisaa:4

The payment of the dowry to the wife is an obligation and a debt upon the husband until he pays it and there is no escaping it unless the wife freely and willingly gives up her right to it.  In the past, and in many cases today, the father tries to take the mahr away from his daughter.  In the jahiliya, this was justified by saying that the father was merely recouping all the expenses he put forth for his daughter who is now a member of another family and benefits them.

Nowadays, it occurs often in this country that the husband tries to take back the dowry (if it is even paid in the first place) or make use of it in forms of spending which were obligatory upon HIM in the first place.  This is a lowly practice and is completely forbidden unless she explicitly allows it without any coercion or pressure.  Otherwise, it is HER property and she may dispose of it (or not) as she alone sees fit.

Support (Nafaqah)

Allah says:

{...Wa 'alaa al-mauloodi lahu rizquhunna wa kiswatuhunna bi al-ma'roofi laa tukallafu nafsun illa wus'ahaa...}
{...And upon the father is the mother's sustenance and her clothing according to what is reasonable.  No person shall have a burden on him greater than he can bear...}  Al-Baqara:233

Her support is one of the most important rights of the wife over her husband.  Ibn Katheer commented that the above verse implies that he must provide for her without extravagance nor the opposite, according to his ability and the standards set by his society at his time.  When the Prophet (sas) was asked by a man, "What is the right of our wives upon us?", he (sas) answered:

"An yut'imahaa idha ta'ima wa an yaksoohaa idhaa iktasaa wa laa yadhribi al-wajhi wa laa yuqabbih wa laa yahjur illa fiy al-baiti."
"That he should feed her whenever he eats and cloth her whenever he clothes himself, that he not hit her face, that he not call her ugly and that he not boycott her except within the house."  Ibn Majah

A woman is even allowed to take from her husband's property without his knowledge if he falls below this basic level of supporting her.  In a hadith recorded in Muslim and Bukhari, the Prophet (sas) told Hind bint Utbah, after she complained that her husband, Abu Sufyan, was stingy and was not maintaining her and she asked if she could take from his property without his knowledge:

"Khudhiy maa yakfeeka wa waladaki bi al-ma'roofi"
"Take was is sufficient for you and your child according to what is customary."  Muslim & Bukhari

Support of one's wife is one of the most important obligations of the husband.  It is one of the distinguishing aspects of "husbandhood".  Allah said in the Qur'an:

{Ar-rijaalu qawwaamoona 'alaa an-nisaa'i bimaa fadh-dhala Allahu ba'dhahum 'alaa ba'dhin wa bimaa anfaqoo min amwaalihim...}
{Men are in charge of women because of what Allah has given to some more than others and because they support them from their property.}  An-Nisaa:34

If a husband does not support his wife, she has no obligation to fulfill her obligations to him.  If a woman goes to a judge and shows that her husband will not support her, the judge may immediately separate them according to numerous scholars. 

The verse makes clear that the man being "in charge" goes back to the two causes mentioned.  This means two things: 

1) both men and women need to be aware of this right and this obligation and that the woman is under no obligation to stay in the marriage if she is not supported - regardless of his wealth and hers and

2) Muslim society must be organized in such a way that Muslim men are able to get the means to support a wife. 

This second point is critical.  If society reaches a state where women are more able to earn a living than men, this will undermine the "in charge" status of many men in their households.  It wil in fact undermine the Islamic household altogether.  This is what is happening in virtually every Muslim land today with U.N. and other organizations giving primary attention to helping women to be economically viable and independent even when a large percentage of the men still cannot find the means to support a family.  (It is the same destruction they inflicted on families in the U.S. in the 50's 60's with the welfare system.)  The corrupting influence this will have on society as a whole cannot even begin to be described. 

Women are absolutely ALLOWED in Islam to pursue business ventures (the Prophet's first wife Khadija was a major business woman in Makka), employment and other means of earning money.  They are, in fact, needed in various sectors such as women doctors and women teachers.  However, facilitating the ability of men to earn a living and support a family is the FIRST priority in an Islamic society.  All economic planning and social/economic programs must be in line with this principal.

Kind and Proper Treatment

Allah says:

{...Wa 'aashiroohunna bi al-ma'roofi fa in karihtumoohunna ta 'asaa an takrahoo shai'an wa yaj'ala Allahu feehi khairan katheeran.}
{...And consort with your wives in a goodly manner for, if you dislike them, it may well be that you dislike something  which Allah makes a source of abundant good.} An-Nisaa:19

Commenting on this verse, Ibn Katheer wrote:

"That is, have kind speech for them, deal with them with kind deeds and in a beautiful manner to the best of your ability.  In the way that you love that from them, behave in that way towards them.  As Allah has said, "They have rights similar to those upon them according to what is right" (Al-Baqarah:228).  The Messenger of Allah (sas) said: "The best of you is the best of you to his wives and I am the best of you to my wife."  It was from his behavior that he would treat them in a beautiful fashion, with a smiling face.  He would sport with his wives, be gentle with them and spend generously upon them.  He would laugh with his wives and he even raced Aisha... Every night, he would gather his wives together in the house of the one with whom he (sas) was going to spend the night and eat dinner with them on occasion... After he prayed the night prayer, he would enter his house and talk to his wife a little bit before sleeping, making them comforted thereby.  And Allah has said: {You have in the Messenger of Allah the best example.}"

Part of the problem is Muslims buying into the fantasy world being propagated in television, movies and other media.  The hadith about the rib makes it clear that it is rare to find a "perfect wife" and in the same manner, no woman should expect to find the "perfect husband".  If one is living in some fantasy world, they are apt to be greatly disappointed with real life.

Physical Relations

In Sahih Ibn Hibban, the following was narrated:

"The wife of 'Uthman ibn Madh'oon complained to the Messenger of Allah (sas) that her husband had no need for women.  During the days he would fast and at night he would pray.  The Prophet (sas) asked him: "Am I not the best example for you to follow?"  He answered: "Certainly, may my father and mother be sacrificed for you."  The Prophet (sas) then told him:  "As for you, you pray during the night and you fast during the day.  Certainly, your wife has a right upon you and your body has a right upon you so pray and sleep and fast and break your fast."

There are several similar incidents narrated where Companions of the Prophet (sas) gave similar decisions in similar situations.  In one story which took place in the presence of Umar, the Companion who was judging told the husband that since Allah had given him the right to four wives and he had only one that he could practice his praying and fasting three out of four nights, but that at least one in four had to be reserved for his wife.

Not to be Beaten

It is the right of the Muslim wife that she is not to be struck except in the case of nushooz (rebellion against the husband's authority).  Even in that case, the husband is only allowed to "strike" her, but in a way which does no harm, similar to the proper disciplining of a child.  It is never lawful for him to strike her face or cause her any bruise or injury.  Allah says in the Qur'an:

{...Wa allaatiy takhaafoona nushoozahunna fa'idhoohunna wahjuroohunna fiy al-madhaaji'i wadhriboohunna fa in ata'nakum falaa tabghoo 'alaihinna sabeelan inna Allaha kaana 'aliyyan kabeeran.}
{...And (as for) those (women) from whom you anticipate rebellion, admonish them, avoid them in the sleeping place and hit them.  If they obey you, do not desire and further way to (harm) them.  Surely, Allah is Knowing, Great.}  An-Nisaa:34

 It is incomprehensible how so many translators have translated the word "wadhriboohunna" in the above verse as "beat them" or, even more laughable:  "beat them [lightly]".  This is wrong, wrong, wrong.  It is an abomination which has caused much misunderstanding and opened the door to the enemies of Islam.  The word in Arabic means to "strike" or "hit".  It inludes everything from a tap with a tooth-stick to what in English we call beating.  If it is stated that so-and-so "hit" so-and-so without further description, it would be assumed to be a single blow and it could be of any magnitude. 

When the Prophet (sas) took a tiny stick and tapped one of the Muslims on the stomach to straighten the ranks in preparation for war, he "hit" him with this meaning.  Contrast this to the English phrase:  "beat them".  The meaning is totally different.  If you took a shoe lace and hit someone on the hand with it, you could properly say dharabtahu in Arabic but in English you could never say that you had "beaten" that person.  Please get this straight and correct anyone you hear distorting the meaning of this verse in this way.

The verse mentions admonition, boycotting and hitting in the case of nushooz.  This refers to a rebellion against the husband's authority within the marriage which amounts to a breach of the marriage contract on her part.  Ibn Taimia said about this:

"Nushooz in the verse: {...And (as for) those (women) from whom you anticipate rebellion (nushooz)...} means that she is recalcritrant to her husband and she is estranged to him inasmuch as she does not obey him when he calls her to bed, or she leaves the house without his permission and other similar things in which she is required to obey him."

Many scholars have stated that the three steps must be taken sequentially, i.e, admonition then separation in sleeping and finally hitting, making hitting a last resort only in extreme situations.  Thus the vast majority of whan men do to their wives in spontaneous fits of rage often over trivial issues is absolutely haraam and not sanctioned by Islam in any way.  An-Nawawi said about his:

"At the first indication of disobedience to marital authority, a wife should be exhorted by her husband without his immediately breaking off relations with her.  When she manifests her disobedience by an act which, although isolated, leaves no doubt to her intentions, he should repeat his exhortations and confine her to the house but without striking her... Only when there are repeated acts of disobedience may a husband strike his wife."

As we said, this can NEVER be a "beating".  A husband is never allowed to strike his wife in any way which causes injury or leaves any kind of mark.  The Prophet (sas) said:

"Fattaqoo Allaha fiy an-nisaa'i fa innakum akhadhtumoohunna bi amaani Allahi wa istahlaltum furoojahunna bi kalimati Allahi wa lakum 'alaihinna an laa yooti'na furushakum ahadan takrahoonahu fa in fa'alna dhaalika fadhriboohunna dharban ghaira mubarrihin wa lahunna 'alaikum rizquhunna wa kiswatuhunna bi al-ma'roofi."
"So beware of Allah regarding women for you have taken them as a trust from Allah and you have made their bodies lawful with the word of Allah.  You have the right over them that they should not allow anyone on your furnishings who you dislike.  If they do that, hit them in a way which causes no injury.  And, they have the right over you to provision and clothing according to custom." Bukhari & Muslim

Privacy

It is actually the right of both spouses that the other not discuss their private moments with anyone else.  Note the following sahih hadith:

"Is there any man among you who goes to his wife, closes the door behind them, covers themselves and conceal themselves by Allah's concealing?"  They said: "Yes."  He then said: "Then he sits after that [with others] and says, 'I did this and that.'"  They were silent.  He then turned to the women and said: "Do any of you talk about such things?"  They, too, were silent.  Then a young girl stood up on her toes so the Prophet (sas) could see her and hear her and she said: "O Messenger of Allah they [the men] certainly talk about that and they [the women] also talk about it."  He (sas) said:  "Do you know what they are like?  They are like a female devil who met a male devil in the street and they satisfied their desires with the people looking on."  Abu Daud (sahih)

Justice

If a man has more than one wife, he is required to do justice between them in terms of physical things (housing, clothing, food, etc.) and nights spent with each.  Allah said:

{Wa lan tastatee'oo an ta'diloo baina an-nisaa'i wa lau harastum.  Fa laa tameeloo kulla al-maili fa tadhharuhaa ka al-mu'allaqati.  Wa in tuslihoo wa tattaqoo ta inna Allaha kaana ghafooran raheeman.}
{And you will not be able to effect justice between the women no matter how hard you try.  So do not incline [toward some] completely such that you leave [another] as if suspended.  And if you reform and fear Allah, surely Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.}  An-Nisaa:129

The Prophet (sas) indicated that there are forms of justice which are required just as there are forms of justice which are beyond human ability.  Those which are required are money, housing, cloting and the like as well as nights spent with her.  Those beyond human ability are feelings of the heart and things like that.  He  (sas) said:

"Allahumma hadhaa qismiy feemaa amliku falaa talumniy feemaa tamliku wa laa amliku."
"O Allah, this is my division in what I control, so do not blame me regarding that which You control and I do not."  Abu Daud (some graded it weak, others graded it hassan).

Also, the Prophet (sas) warned of the dangers of not fulfilling justice where it is required between wives, saying:

"Man kana lahu imra'taan fa maala ilaa ihdaahumaa jaa'a yauma al-qiyamati wa shiqquhu maa'ilun."
"Whoever has two wives and favors one of them will be resurrected on Qiyama with one of his sides hanging down."  Abu Daud (sahih)

To Be Taught Her Religion

The Prophet (sas):

"Kullukum raa'in wa kullukum mas'oolun 'an ra'iyyatihi.  Al-imaamu raa'in wa mas'oolun 'an ra'iyyatihi wa ar-rajulu raa'in tiy ahlihi wa huwa mas'oolun 'an ra'iyyatihi."
"All of you are shepherds and all of you will be asked about your wards.  The ruler is a shepherd and shall be asked about his wards.  The man is a shepherd of his family and will be asked about his ward."  Bukhari

Knowledge in Islam is of two types:  1) that which is obligatory upon each and every Muslim and 2) that which must be learned by some among the Ummah.  Of the first type, it is obligatory for every Muslim woman to know her beliefs, how to pray, how to fast, as well as issues particular to woman such as how to purify herself from her monthly course, etc.  She must also know her obligations toward parents, her husband (and his obligations toward him), her children, her neighbors, etc. as well as her rights over each of those.

It is the obligation of the husband to make sure that she acquires all the knowledge which it is obligatory for her to acquire.  If this means that he has to spend money on books or tapes, then he must do so.  The scholars have emphasized the importance of this right of women to the extent that many of them have given her permission to leave the house to attend a lecture at the masjid even without her husband's permission.

It is well-known that the Prophet (sas) said that seeking knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim mail and female.  Allah said in the Qur'an:

{Yaa ayyuhaa alladhina aamanoo qoo anfusakum wa ahleekum naaran waqooduhaa an-naasu wa al-hijaaratu 'alaihaa malaa'ikatun ghilaadhun shidaadun la ya'soona Allaha maa amarahum wa yaf'aloona ma yu'maroona.}
{O you who believe guard yourselves and your family members from a fire whose fuel is people and stones.  Over it are tough and fearsome angels.  They do not disobey Allah in any order they carry out that which they are ordered to do.}  At-Tahreem:6

Part of the meaning of this verse is that the husband/father (the "shepherd" of the household) must take all necessary means to ensure that all those under his guardianship (wives and children) have the opportunity and the means to acquire all the knowledge they need to worship Allah and live their lives as Allah has prescribed that we live our lives.  If he has fulfilled that, then he has fulfilled his obligation and will not be asked about the sins of his wife and children.  If he fails to fulfill this, then he himself will be asked about their sins and their going astray based on HIS shortcomings in not fulfilling his obligations in this regard.

In another version of the hadith about the "shepherds", the Prophet (sas) continues:

"...hattaa yus'ala ar-rajulu 'an ahli baitihi:  a aqaama feehim shar'a Allahi am adhaa'a?"
"...until the man will be asked about the people in his household:  did he establish among them the law of Allah or did he allow it to become lost?"

To Defend Her Honor

A man should be "jealous" with regard to his wife's honor and standing.  He should defend her whenever she is slandered or spoken ill of behind her back.  Actually, this is a right of every Muslim in general but a right of the spouse specifically.  He should also be jealous in now allowing other men to look at his wife or speak with her in a manner which is not appropriate.  The Prophet (sas) mentioned in a sahih hadith that "Three will never enter paradise... ad-dayyooth."  Ad-dayyooth (sometimes translated "henpecked") is the weak husband who has no jealousy toward his wife and other men.

"Jealousy" in this sense means fervor for the boundaries of Allah and anger when they are transgressed.  The Prophet (sas) said:

"Inna Allaha yughaaru wa inna al-mu'mina yughaaru wa ghairatu Allahi an ya'tiya al-mu'minu maa harrama 'alaihi."
"Verily, Allah has jealousy and the believer has jealousy.  Allah's jealousy is due to a believer committing that which He has forbidden him."  Muslim

This does not mean, however, that a Muslim should go overboard on this point suspecting his wife at every turn and trying to spy on her.  This becomes Adh-dhann (suspicion) which the Prophet (sas) warned us about in the following hadith in Bukhari and Muslim:

"Iyyaakum wa adh-dhanna fa inna adh-dhanna akdhabu al-hadith."
"Stay away from suspicion for suspicion is the most lying of speech."

Fatah Momin,

I would like to say something.  I appreciate your fight to show the rights of women in Islam.  It is true that in pure Islam a woman has many rights and protections given to her by Allah.  These should be undeniable and every woman should be so lucky to have a loving, generous, fair and kind husband who honors his religious duty and his familial duty.  Sadly, there is an ugly truth.  Men by nature must control and must subjegate.  There are abusive husbands in all religions and all areas of the world. 

The tradegy of the myth of Islam and the oppression of women is that you have Men who would use faith as an excuse to abuse the women.  There is a word for these men, Hypocrite and they will suffer horribly for the crimes of beating their wives and daughters.  Perhaps if the muslim world would rise up against these men who pervert such a beautiful faith and protect the believing women who are suffering from the abuse, then the western world would see that it is not Islam, but these men who are mistreating their women.  Too often, a blind eye is turned and no one says anything. 

Would the prophet have approved of the actions of those men in Saudi who cause the deaths of those young girls when their school burnt?  I think a good and pious man like Muhammed would have been outraged and made sure the men were publically and justly punished.  Same with those men who raped Muktar Mai in Pakistan.  Muslims should be crying for justice for this woman.  Instead of the secular government it should be the holy men leading the charge against these rapists. 

It is time that Islam is taken back from those who corrupt it with their extremism and perversion.  I think if this happened, many more Westerners would embrace Islam and many more families would be safe and happy.

Having a man as the head of the household is natural, but the woman is the bearer of all that is good in a home.  The givers of life and love should not be locked up, forbidden to read or work or travel.  My mother read to me from classic novels as a child.  Hence, by 4th grade I was reading things my classmates could not read until they were seniors.  She would not have been able to do this if she had been raised under the rule of someone like the Taliban.

Bismillah,

Fatah, You haven't been hanging out in the right places in these 17 years then.  The noisiest group is the partying group.  The quiet, pious people are at church, home, school, or doing charity work most of the time.

Thanks for setting out these guidelines of how Muslims should act.  Why doesn't the mosque or the sheikh do something about it when these ideals aren't met?  I know sisters right now who have dead beat Muslim husbands who won't support them, beat their kids, and constantly disrespect their wives (and thus themselves.)

All of this information is important for people to know.  But it is much more important for them to act by such ideals.  You say that men should be in control for the system to work.  Work for women is the only way I see to get protected and honored.  It sure would be nice if the men did their part instead of making excuses.  And these excuses become lies when the wife gets other Muslims involved trying to help her family.

Like:  yes, we have food, (no matter how little it is, or despite the fact it is something the wife or kids are allergic to); Yes, they are fine; despite the fact that her glasses are broken and the prescription is outdated and she gets headaches; despite the fact that he throws his little kid down against the floor and whips them with his belt in anger.  Appearances are everything for these guys.  What is the reality?  Check into your Muslim sisters' welfare for Allah, SWT, to bless you!

I'm just saying to the brothers:  Do something.  Stop reciting the same stuff over and over again when most Muslim men I know don't adhere to it.  Make them adhere to it!  Protect you Muslim sisters' honor and health and religion!

What are you going to do about it?

Respected sister,

This is the delima that we muslims are facing, due to lack of knowledge of the Muslim masses and vested interest of the so called present day scholars. We Muslim men have taken away the right of Muslim women which are were given to them by Allah the Rehman and Raheem. What we are facing today is mostly due to this, had we let our women have what was given to them they would have raised our generations, the way it should have been raised, the believing and parctising muslims.

May Allah guide all Muslim men to what He has taught and revealed in Quran and through Sunnah of the Nabi Allah [saw] 

Fatah, You haven't been hanging out in the right places in these 17 years then.  The noisiest group is the partying group.  The quiet, pious people are at church, home, school, or doing charity work most of the time.

Sister I have travelled from east to west, from cities in north west like New York through the bible belt in south and through to west, believe me when I say I have seen it all I have seen it all. I have seen the life in Trailer parks, to Subarban sprawls of North America.

Bismillah,

Yes, but were you at church when you saw it?  The streets have lots of stuff going on.  The quiet pious people aren't running around for you to see them nearly as much as the noisy party people.

Rspected sister,

As this is a emotional topic for you I will withdraw from commenting further on it, as I do not like to hurt you with my words any further, I appologize if I have.  May Allah guide all the humanity to true path.

Angela wrote: Fatah, we respect your desire to see women in better situations.  I don't think Herjihad is saying that what you see is false, just its not always the case.  You need to live in my area for a couple of months.  You will see more people who believe as you do.  The focus is on modesty, chasity and faith here.  West doesn't = sin.

Alaikoam Salam

For there to be more Chastity, Modesty, Faith there needs to be a Complete and Comprhensive address of the issues in our personal lives, our history of being abused, disrespected and our attitude towards sexual health issues and relationships as well as information dealing with the impacts of total abtance from sex, relationships and the anti social impacts of ignorance, apathy and violence in our lives and how we cope with life in general.

If some people would stop praying on the Lives and frailties of others and address thier own issues then there would be more progress instead of blaming them.

The situation for women will improve when Men respect themselves more and respect (Women) their equals more.

004.001
YUSUFALI: O mankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, His mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;- reverence Allah, through whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (That bore you): for Allah ever watches over you.

Anne Marie,

I mean no disrespect.  But, you have a sociologist's mindset on how to solve the worlds problems.  But unfortunately, I have found that most sociologists and those who try to fight things into those models are often inexperienced with reality.  I worked with abused women and children.  I taught coping skills and helped heal the victims.  It is a far more complex task and often includes teams of individuals to effectively help one person.  However, this thread is about Women's roles in Islam.  Both spiritually and physicall, and including both intended place and actually place.  I don't really see where you're post has much to do with that. 

Are you taking some class?  Because if you aren't studying psychology or sociology, then you should take a class or two.  You're theories are thin with no substance.  I applaud the effort, but the things you are talking about are a great deal more complicated than you seem to understand.  I'm sorry if that stings, but I've worked in the field too long.  I've seen workers without degrees who naturally have the healing touch and know how to make a "positive" change as you call it.  I have also seen academics who wouldn't know where to begin if there was a giant arrow painted on the floor.  Please.  If you are going to post in discussions, make more substantial arguments and more effective language.

Alaikoam Salam

I speak as I do from first hand experiences and understand full well it takes team effort to resolve personal crisises, community etc and this team must have eduication, training , counseling etc to be effective.

There is hope and this hope is with all Women, Men, children from all walks of life and We are all Muslims or in english people in the process of learning to be good people and lawabiding.

See my thread Hope in Life and Islam...

Salam

Anne Marie Elderkin Habibi

My life has been a lesson in sociology and psychology. 

 LOL :( + :) =

I. INTRODUCTION

The status of women in society is neither a new issue nor is it a fully settled one.

The position of Islam on this issue has been among the subjects presented to the Western reader with the least objectivity.

This paper is intended to provide a brief and authentic exposition of what Islam stands for in this regard. The teachings of Islam are based essentially on the Qur'an (God's revelation) and Hadeeth (elaboration by Prophet Muhammad).

The Qur'an and the Hadeeth, properly and unbiasedly understood, provide the basic source of authentication for any position or view which is attributed to Islam.

The paper starts with a brief survey of the status of women in the pre-Islamic era. It then focuses on these major questions: What is the position of Islam regarding the status of woman in society? How similar or different is that position from "the spirit of the time," which was dominant when Islam was revealed? How would this compare with the "rights" which were finally gained by woman in recent decades?

II. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES

One major objective of this paper is to provide a fair evaluation of what Islam contributed (or failed to contribute) toward the restoration of woman's dignity and rights. In order to achieve this objective, it may be useful to review briefly how women were treated in general in previous civilizations and religions, especially those which preceded Islam (Pre-610 C.E.). Part of the information provided here, however, describes the status of woman as late as the nineteenth century, more than twelve centuries after Islam.

Women in Ancient Civilization

Describing the status of the Indian woman, Encyclopedia Britannica states:

In India, subjection was a cardinal principle. Day and night must women be held by their protectors in a state of dependence says Manu. The rule of inheritance was agnatic, that is descent traced through males to the exclusion of females.

In Hindu scriptures, the description of a good wife is as follows: "a woman whose mind, speech and body are kept in subjection, acquires high renown in this world, and, in the next, the same abode with her husband."

In Athens, women were not better off than either the Indian or the Roman women.

"Athenian women were always minors, subject to some male - to their father, to their brother, or to some of their male kin.

Her consent in marriage was not generally thought to be necessary and "she was obliged to submit to the wishes of her parents, and receive from them her husband and her lord, even though he were stranger to her."

A Roman wife was described by an historian as: "a babe, a minor, a ward, a person incapable of doing or acting anything according to her own individual taste, a person continually under the tutelage and guardianship of her husband."

In the Encyclopedia Britannica, we find a summary of the legal status of women in the Roman civilization:

In Roman Law a woman was even in historic times completely dependent. If married she and her property passed into the power of her husband . . . the wife was the purchased property of her husband, and like a slave acquired only for his benefit. A woman could not exercise any civil or public office . could not be a witness, surety, tutor, or curator; she could not adopt or be adopted, or make will or contract. Among the Scandinavian races women were:

under perpetual tutelage, whether married or unmarried. As late as the Code of Christian V, at the end of the 17th Century, it was enacted that if a woman married without the consent of her tutor he might have, if he wished, administration and usufruct of her goods during her life.

According to the English Common Law:

...all real property which a wife held at the time of a marriage became a possession of her husband. He was entitled to the rent from the land and to any profit which might be made from operating the estate during the joint life of the spouses. As time passed, the English courts devised means to forbid a husband's transferring real property without the consent of his wife, but he still retained the right to manage it and to receive the money which it produced. As to a wife's personal property, the husband's power was complete. He had the right to spend it as he saw fit.

Only by the late nineteenth Century did the situation start to improve. "By a series of acts starting with the Married women's Property Act in 1870, amended in 1882 and 1887, married women achieved the right to own property and to enter contracts on a par with spinsters, widows, and divorcees." As late as the Nineteenth Century an authority in ancient law, Sir Henry Maine, wrote: "No society which preserves any tincture of Christian institutions is likely to restore to married women the personal liberty conferred on them by the Middle Roman Law."

In his essay The Subjection of Women, John Stuart Mill wrote:

We are continually told that civilization and Christianity have restored to the woman her just rights. Meanwhile the wife is the actual bondservant of her husband; no less so, as far as the legal obligation goes, than slaves commonly so called.

Before moving on to the Qur'anic decrees concerning the status of woman, a few Biblical decrees may shed more light on the subject, thus providing a better basis for an impartial evaluation. In the Mosaic Law, the wife was betrothed. Explaining this concept, the Encyclopedia Biblica states: "To betroth a wife to oneself meant simply to acquire possession of her by payment of the purchase money; the betrothed is a girl for whom the purchase money has been paid." From the legal point of view, the consent of the girl was not necessary for the validation of her marriage. "The girl's consent is unnecessary and the need for it is nowhere suggested in the Law."

As to the right of divorce, we read in the Encyclopedia Biblica: "The woman being man's property, his right to divorce her follows as a matter of course." The right to divorce was held only by man. "In the Mosaic Law divorce was a privilege of the husband only .... "

The position of the Christian Church until recent centuries seems to have been influenced by both the Mosaic Law and by the streams of thought that were dominant in its contemporary cultures. In their book, Marriage East and West, David and Vera Mace wrote:

Let no one suppose, either, that our Christian heritage is free of such slighting judgments. It would be hard to find anywhere a collection of more degrading references to the female sex than the early Church Fathers provide. Lecky, the famous historian, speaks of (these fierce incentives which form so conspicuous and so grotesque a portion of the writing of the Fathers . . . woman was represented as the door of hell, as the mother of all human ills. She should be ashamed at the very thought that she is a woman. She should live in continual penance on account of the curses she has brought upon the world. She should be ashamed of her dress, for it is the memorial of her fall. She should be especially ashamed of her beauty, for it is the most potent instrument of the devil). One of the most scathing of these attacks on woman is that of Tertullian: Do you know that you are each an Eve? The sentence of God on this sex of yours lives in this age: the guilt must of necessity live too. You are the devil's gateway: you are the unsealer of that forbidden tree; you are the first deserters of the divine law; you are she who persuades him whom the devil was not valiant enough to attack. You destroyed so easily God's image, man. On account of your desert - that is death - even the Sop of God had to die). Not only did the church affirm the inferior status of woman, it deprived her of legal rights she had previously enjoyed.

In the midst of the darkness that engulfed the world, the divine revelation echoed in the wide desert of Arabia with a fresh, noble, and universal message to humanity: "O Mankind, keep your duty to your Lord who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate (of same kind) and from them twain has spread a multitude of men and women" (Qur'an 4: 1).

A scholar who pondered about this verse states: "It is believed that there is no text, old or new, that deals with the humanity of the woman from all aspects with such amazing brevity, eloquence, depth, and originality as this divine decree."

Stressing this noble and natural conception, them Qur'an states:

He (God) it is who did create you from a single soul and therefrom did create his mate, that he might dwell with her (in love)...(Qur'an 7:189)

The Creator of heavens and earth: He has made for you pairs from among yourselves ...Qur'an 42:1 1

And Allah has given you mates of your own nature, and has given you from your mates, children and grandchildren, and has made provision of good things for you. Is it then in vanity that they believe and in the grace of God that they disbelieve? Qur'an 16:72

The rest of this paper outlines the position of Islam regarding the status of woman in society from its various aspects - spiritually, socially, economically and politically.

1. The Spiritual Aspect

The Qur'an provides clear-cut evidence that woman iscompletely equated with man in the sight of God interms of her rights and responsibilities. The Qur'an states:

"Every soul will be (held) in pledge for its deeds" (Qur'an 74:38). It also states:

...So their Lord accepted their prayers, (saying): I will not suffer to be lost the work of any of you whether male or female. You proceed one from another ...(Qur'an 3: 195).

Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily to him will We give a new life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to the their actions. (Qur'an 16:97, see also 4:124).

Woman according to the Qur'an is not blamed for Adam's first mistake. Both were jointly wrong in their disobedience to God, both repented, and both were forgiven. (Qur'an 2:36, 7:20 - 24). In one verse in fact (20:121), Adam specifically, was blamed.

In terms of religious obligations, such as the Daily Prayers, Fasting, Poor-due, and Pilgrimage, woman is no different from man. In some cases indeed, woman has certain advantages over man. For example, the woman is exempted from the daily prayers and from fasting during her menstrual periods and forty days after childbirth. She is also exempted from fasting during her pregnancy and when she is nursing her baby if there is any threat to her health or her baby's. If the missed fasting is obligatory (during the month of Ramadan), she can make up for the missed days whenever she can. She does not have to make up for the prayers missed for any of the above reasons. Although women can and did go into the mosque during the days of the prophet and thereafter attendance et the Friday congregational prayers is optional for them while it is mandatory for men (on Friday).

This is clearly a tender touch of the Islamic teachings for they are considerate of the fact that a woman may be nursing her baby or caring for him, and thus may be unable to go out to the mosque at the time of the prayers. They also take into account the physiological and psychological changes associated with her natural female functions.

2. The Social Aspect

a) As a child and an adolescent

Despite the social acceptance of female infanticide among some Arabian tribes, the Qur'an forbade this custom, and considered it a crime like any other murder.

"And when the female (infant) buried alive - is questioned, for what crime she was killed." (Qur'an 81:8-9).

Criticizing the attitudes of such parents who reject their female children, the Qur'an states:

When news is brought to one of them, of (the Birth of) a female (child), his face darkens and he is filled with inward grief! With shame does he hide himself from his people because of the bad news he has had! Shall he retain her on (sufferance) and contempt, or bury her in the dust? Ah! What an evil (choice) they decide on? (Qur'an 16: 58-59).

Far from saving the girl's life so that she may later suffer injustice and inequality, Islam requires kind and just treatment for her. Among the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (P.) in this regard are the following:

Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favor his son over her, God will enter him into Paradise. (Ibn Hanbal, No. 1957).

Whosoever supports two daughters till they mature, he and I will come in the day of judgment as this (and he pointed with his two fingers held together).

A similar Hadeeth deals in like manner with one who supports two sisters. (Ibn-Hanbal, No. 2104).

The right of females to seek knowledge is not different from that of males. Prophet Muhammad (P.) said:

"Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim". (AlBayhaqi). Muslim as used here including both males and females.

b) As a wife:

The Qur'an clearly indicates that marriage is sharing between the two halves of the society, and that its objectives, beside perpetuating human life, are emotional well-being and spiritual harmony. Its bases are love and mercy.

Among the most impressive verses in the Qur'an about marriage is the following.

"And among His signs is this: That He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest, peace of mind in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Lo, herein indeed are signs for people who reflect." (Qur'an 30:2 1).

According to Islamic Law, women cannot be forced to marry anyone without their consent.

Ibn Abbas reported that a girl came to the Messenger of God, Muhammad (P.), and she reported that her father had forced her to marry without her consent. The Messenger of God gave her the choice . . . (between accepting the marriage or invalidating it). (Ibn Hanbal No. 2469). In another version, the girl said: "Actually I accept this marriage but I wanted to let women know that parents have no right (to force a husband on them)" (Ibn Maja, No. 1873).

Besides all other provisions for her protection at the time of marriage, it was specifically decreed that woman has the full right to her Mahr, a marriage gift, which is presented to her by her husband and is included in the nuptial contract, and that such ownership does not transfer to her father or husband. The concept of Mahr in Islam is neither an actual or symbolic price for the woman, as was the case in certain cultures, but rather it is a gift symbolizing love and affection.

The rules for married life in Islam are clear and in harmony with upright human nature. In consideration of the physiological and psychological make-up of man and woman, both have equal rights and claims on one another, except for one responsibility, that of leadership. This is a matter which is natural in any collective life and which is consistent with the nature of man.

The Qur'an thus states:

"And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them, and men are a degree above them." (Qur'an 2:228).

Such degree is Quiwama (maintenance and protection). This refers to that natural difference between the sexes which entitles the weaker sex to protection. It implies no superiority or advantage before the law. Yet, man's role of leadership in relation to his family does not mean the husband's dictatorship over his wife. Islam emphasizes the importance of taking counsel and mutual agreement in family decisions. The Qur'an gives us an example:

"...If they (husband wife) desire to wean the child by mutual consent and (after) consultation, there is no blame on them..." (Qur'an 2: 233).

Over and above her basic rights as a wife comes the right which is emphasized by the Qur'an and is strongly recommended by the Prophet (P); kind treatment and companionship.

The Qur'an states:

"...But consort with them in kindness, for if you hate them it may happen that you hate a thing wherein God has placed much good." (Qur'an 4: l9).

Prophet Muhammad. (P) said:

The best of you is the best to his family and I am the best among you to my family.

The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and best of you are those who are best to their wives. (Ibn-Hanbal, No. 7396)

Behold, many women came to Muhammad's wives complaining against their husbands (because they beat them) - - those (husbands) are not the best of you.

As the woman's right to decide about her marriage is recognized, so also her right to seek an end for an unsuccessful marriage is recognized. To provide for the stability of the family, however, and in order to protect it from hasty decisions under temporary emotional stress, certain steps and waiting periods should be observed by men and women seeking divorce. Considering the relatively more emotional nature of women, a good reason for asking for divorce should be brought before the judge. Like the man, however, the woman can divorce her husband with out resorting to the court, if the nuptial contract allows that.

More specifically, some aspects of Islamic Law concerning marriage and divorce are interesting and are worthy of separate treatment.

When the continuation of the marriage relationship is impossible for any reason, men are still taught to seek a gracious end for it.

The Qur'an states about such cases:

When you divorce women, and they reach their prescribed term, then retain them in kindness and retain them not for injury so that you transgress (the limits). (Qur'an 2:231). (See also Qur'an 2:229 and 33:49).

c) As a mother:

Islam considered kindness to parents next to the worship of God.

"And we have enjoined upon man (to be good) to his parents: His mother bears him in weakness upon weakness..." (Qur'an 31:14) (See also Qur'an 46:15, 29:8).

Moreover, the Qur'an has a special recommendation for the good treatment of mothers:

"Your Lord has decreed that you worship none save Him, and that you be kind to your parents. . ." (Qur'an 17:23).

A man came to Prophet Muhammad (P) asking:

O Messenger of God, who among the people is the most worthy of my good company? The Prophet (P) said, Your mother. The man said then who else: The Prophet (P) said, Your mother. The man asked, Then who else? Only then did the Prophet (P) say, Your father. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

A famous saying of The Prophet is "Paradise is at the feet of mothers." (In Al'Nisa'I, Ibn Majah, Ahmad).

"It is the generous (in character) who is good to women, and it is the wicked who insults them."

3. The Economic Aspect

Islam decreed a right of which woman was deprived both before Islam and after it (even as late as this century), the right of independent ownership. According to Islamic Law, woman's right to her money, real estate, or other properties is fully acknowledged. This right undergoes no change whether she is single or married. She retains her full rights to buy, sell, mortgage or lease any or all her properties. It is nowhere suggested in the Law that a woman is a minor simply because she is a female. It is also noteworthy that such right applies to her properties before marriage as well as to whatever she acquires thereafter.

With regard to the woman's right to seek employment it should be stated first that Islam regards her role in society as a mother and a wife as the most sacred and essential one. Neither maids nor baby-sitters can possibly take the mother's place as the educator of an upright, complex free, and carefully-reared children. Such a noble and vital role, which largely shapes the future of nations, cannot be regarded as "idleness".

However, there is no decree in Islam which forbids woman from seeking employment whenever there is a necessity for it, especially in positions which fit her nature and in which society needs her most. Examples of these professions are nursing, teaching (especially for children), and medicine. Moreover, there is no restriction on benefiting from woman's exceptional talent in any field. Even for the position of a judge, where there may be a tendency to doubt the woman's fitness for the post due to her more emotional nature, we find early Muslim scholars such as Abu-Hanifa and Al-Tabary holding there is nothing wrong with it. In addition, Islam restored to woman the right of inheritance, after she herself was an object of inheritance in some cultures. Her share is completely hers and no one can make any claim on it, including her father and her husband.

"Unto men (of the family) belongs a share of that which Parents and near kindred leave, and unto women a share of that which parents and near kindred leave, whether it be a little or much - a determinate share." ((Qur'an 4:7).

Her share in most cases is one-half the man's share, with no implication that she is worth half a man! It would seem grossly inconsistent after the overwhelming evidence of woman's equitable treatment in Islam, which was discussed in the preceding pages, to make such an inference. This variation in inheritance rights is only consistent with the variations in financial responsibilities of man and woman according to the Islamic Law. Man in Islam is fully responsible for the maintenance of his wife, his children, and in some cases of his needy relatives, especially the females. This responsibility is neither waived nor reduced because of his wife's wealth or because of her access to any personal income gained from work, rent, profit, or any other legal means.

Woman, on the other hand, is far more secure financially and is far less burdened with any claims on her possessions. Her possessions before marriage do not transfer to her husband and she even keeps her maiden name. She has no obligation to spend on her family out of such properties or out of her income after marriage. She is entitled to the "Mahr" which she takes from her husband at the time of marriage. If she is divorced, she may get an alimony from her ex-husband.

An examination of the inheritance law within the overall framework of the Islamic Law reveals not only justice but also an abundance of compassion for woman.

4. The Political Aspect

Any fair investigation of the teachings of Islam o~ into the history of the Islamic civilization will surely find a clear evidence of woman's equality with man in what we call today "political rights".

This includes the right of election as well as the nomination to political offices. It also includes woman's right to participate in public affairs. Both in the Qur'an and in Islamic history we find examples of women who participated in serious discussions and argued even with the Prophet (P) himself, (see Qur'an 58: 14 and 60: 10-12).

During the Caliphate of Omar Ibn al-Khattab, a woman argued with him in the mosque, proved her point, and caused him to declare in the presence of people: "A woman is right and Omar is wrong."

Although not mentioned in the Qur'an, one Hadeeth of the Prophet is interpreted to make woman ineligible for the position of head of state. The Hadeeth referred to is roughly translated: "A people will not prosper if they let a woman be their leader." This limitation, however, has nothing to do with the dignity of woman or with her rights. It is rather, related to the natural differences in the biological and psychological make-up of men and women.

According to Islam, the head of the state is no mere figurehead. He leads people in the prayers, especially on Fridays and festivities; he is continuously engaged in the process of decision-making pertaining to the security and well-being of his people. This demanding position, or any similar one, such as the Commander of the Army, is generally inconsistent with the physiological and psychological make-up of woman in general. It is a medical fact that during their monthly periods and during their pregnancies, women undergo various physiological and psychological changes. Such changes may occur during an emergency situation, thus affecting her decision, without considering the excessive strain which is produced. Moreover, some decisions require a maximum of rationality and a minimum of emotionality - a requirement which does not coincide with the instinctive nature of women.

Even in modern times, and in the most developed countries, it is rare to find a woman in the position of a head of state acting as more than a figurehead, a woman commander of the armed services, or even a proportionate number of women representatives in parliaments, or similar bodies. One can not possibly ascribe this to backwardness of various nations or to any constitutional limitation on woman's right to be in such a position as a head of state or as a member of the parliament. It is more logical to explain the present situation in terms of the natural and indisputable differences between man and woman, a difference which does not imply any "supremacy" of one over the other. The difference implies rather the "complementary" roles of both the sexes in life.

The first part of this paper deals briefly with the position of various religions and cultures on the issue under investigation. Part of this exposition extends to cover the general trend as late as the nineteenth century, nearly 1300 years after the Qur'an set forth the Islamic teachings.

In the second part of the paper, the status of women in Islam is briefly discussed. Emphasis in this part is placed on the original and authentic sources of Islam. This represents the standard according to which degree of adherence of Muslims can be judged. It is also a fact that during the downward cycle of Islamic Civilization, such teachings were not strictly adhered to by many people who profess to be Muslims.

Such deviations were unfairly exaggerated by some writers, and the worst of this, were superficially taken to represent the teachings of "Islam" to the Western reader without taking the trouble to make any original and unbiased study of the authentic sources of these teachings.

Even with such deviations three facts are worth mentioning:

1. The history of Muslims is rich with women of great achievements in all walks of life from as early as the seventh century (B.C.)

2. It is impossible for anyone to justify any mistreatment of woman by any decree of rule embodied in the Islamic Law, nor could anyone dare to cancel, reduce, or distort the clear-cut legal rights of women given in Islamic Law.

3. Throughout history, the reputation, chastity and maternal role of Muslim women were objects of admiration by impartial observers.

It is also worthwhile to state that the status which women reached during the present era was not achieved due to the kindness of men or due to natural progress. It was rather achieved through a long struggle and sacrifice on woman's part and only when society needed her contribution and work, more especial!; during the two world wars, and due to the escalation of technological change.

In the case of Islam such compassionate and dignified status was decreed, not because it reflects the environment of the seventh century, nor under the threat or pressure of women and their organizations, but rather because of its intrinsic truthfulness.

If this indicates anything, it would demonstrate the divine origin of the Qur'an and the truthfulness of the message of Islam, which, unlike human philosophies and ideologies, was far from proceeding from its human environment, a message which established such humane principles as neither grew obsolete during the course of time and after these many centuries, nor can become obsolete in the future. After all, this is the message of the All-Wise and all-knowing God whose wisdom and knowledge are far beyond the ultimate in human thought and progress.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The Holy, Qur'an: Translation of verses is heavily based on A. Yusuf Ali's translation, The Glorious Qur'an, text translation, and Commentary, The American Trust Publication, Plainfield, IN 46168, 1979.

Abd Al-Ati, Hammudah, Islam in Focus, The American Trust Publications, Plainfield, IN 46168, 1977.

Allen, E. A., History of Civilization, General Publishing House, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1889, Vol. 3.

Al Siba'i, Mustafa, Al-Alar'ah Baynal Fiqh Walqanoon (in Arabic), 2nd. ea., Al-Maktabah Al-Arabiah, Halab, Syria, 1966.

El-Khouli, Al-Bahiy, "Min Usus Kadiat Al-Mara'ah" (in Arabic), A 1- Waay A l-lslami, Ministry of Walcf, Kuwait, Vol.3 (No. 27), June 9, 1967, p.17.

Encyclopedia Americana (International Edition), American Corp., N.Y., 1969, Vol.29.

Encyclopedia Biblica (Rev.T.K.Cheynene and J.S.Black, editors), The Macmillan Co., London, England, 1902, Vol.3.

The Encyclopedia Britannica, (11 th ed.), University Press Cambridge, England, 191 1, Vol.28.

Encyclopedia Britannica, The Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., Chicago, III., 1968, Vol.23.

Hadeeth. Most of the quoted Hadeeth were translated by the writer. They are quoted in various Arabic sources. Some of them, however, were translated directly from the original sources. Among the sources checked are Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal Dar AlMa'aref, Cairo, U.A.R., 1950, and 1955, Vol.4 and 3,SunanIbnMajah, Dar Ihya'a Al-Kutub al-Arabiah, Cairo, U.A.R., 1952, Vol.l, Sunan al-Tirimidhi, Vol.3.

Mace, David and Vera, Marriage: East and West, Dolphin Books, Doubleday and Co., Inc., N.Y., 1960.

Bismillah,

This lovely and important piece let's people who don't know the history find out how vital Islaam is to women and men having respect for each other.

Do a piece on the reality of this now.  How many Muslim fathers do not care what their girl wants in life, but knows she will marry whom he picks for her, spend her money as he and her future husband declare, study in school if they want her to, what they think she should.

How many scholars take away our rights by saying that women today are worse than they ever were and need more covering and supervision by their men?

Where are the leaders who believe what you have posted about women's right to be true?  Do they protect us or just give lectures on the subject from their comfortable seats? We have a lot to be proud of historically, that's true.  But the west has woken up and women do have rights, can own property, can get out of abusive relationships or at least try to if they aren't killed.

The authoritites in America aren't protecting women nearly enough from violent, possesive, aggressive men.  We are starved, beaten, underclothed, undereducated, dominated and stalked and killed.  America makes a big deal of how it treats women better than the Middle Eastern cultures, but it is not exactly true now either, is it?  But the Muslim culture in America isn't protecting us either.  Whose job is it?  Who is going to enforce these lofty ideals?

What choice do women have?  Go to the police and have him thrown out or put up with it?.  Have the sheikh mildly chastise him, but he has no real power in the community to take action against the man if he keeps beating, segregating, verbally attacking his wife and children.  What choice is that to not have any solution in which she can be a Muslim woman, get her husband counselled properly by the community, and stay in an Islaamic situation?  The only people to help her, the government, forces her to choose to kick him out and then have to support herself and the kids and have no dad for them.

Guys, DO SOMETHING.  Keep us aware of the historical comparisons because not everybody knows this.  But go from being academics praising the rights of women to MEN enforcing them in our communities.

Respected sister,

In one of my earlier post I had said the delima that Ummah is facing might very possibly be due to the reason that muslim men have taken away the rights of women as given to them by Allah [swt]. In islam woman is the cradel of future of Ummah and muslim men has defiled this cradel. Now we stand at the point in history where Islam is ball in the game of soccer. May Allah forgive our sins and save Ummah of his Nabi [saw]from further disgrace.

Protecting women's right is women's own job you should go to the Masjids and Islamic centre propogate the right that are given to you by Allah[saw] let men know  what your rights are speak boldy among men, do not forget it is sunnah of Ummal Momineen Hz. Ayesha siddika[ra] to teach and propogate teaching of Islam. It is you women who can create awareness among your husband, brothers, fathers and sons.

Bismillah,

No, I can't do that.  My husband would flip out. 

It is the society of Muslim men who must create respect and awareness for their Muslim sisters.  Many women try, and I have worked toward helping individual sisters.  Women are strong workers, and we will perservere.  Many of the women I've seen at the Mosque only do things after they say they will get their husband's permission.  That usually means that they are not going to do something.  But you guys are the Imams and make the rulings and are in charge of how you behave amongst each other.  

I'm just stunned by your response.  It is your responsibility.  If you didn't know that, now you do!  You personally must do something to make your local community care about the women and children that you are supposed to be protecting.

I see that I need to make some guidepost for you to follow.  You are sitting with a brother and you ask how his family is during Ramadan, let's say.  He says fine, Al-Hamudulilah.  Is that all you do?  No.  You say where are they?  He says at home.  You say have they eaten dinner?  Do they need anything?  He says no.

One brother I know leaves his family hungry with NO FOOD and breaks his fast at the mosque every night.  Now, I can drive there and take her food only so much because it is far and I am poor.  Who can I tell?  Who at the mosque is in charge of the Muslim welfare?  You are.  You need to make a very clear easy to access voicemail for the people in the community who are in need.  They leave their number.  Me and sisters like me can call and leave the information for you brothers to do something about.  So when the brother says that his family is fine, you say we are going to visit as a group to check on her because we heard that she has no food at night to break her fast. 

This particular sister, living in America, is starving.  Her kids are thin, and at school they have no money to eat and are not allowed to have food because their dad said it might have pork.  I know you can't believe this is true, but it is.  I took a pot of food to her, and she told me she ate it every day until it was gone. That pot would have lasted my family and me one day, maybe two.  She used it for five, and she has three more kids than me.

So you must check on your local sisters whatever their husbands say.  You must visit them frequently and make sure they are not beaten and have food.  It is your job!  You must take them to the store and buy them food.

If the husband is beating them, you must as a group counsel him to stop it.  You keep visiting him and talking to him and encouraging him.  But don't believe him that he has stopped beating them.  Keep checking physically.  Ask your wife or sister to look at the people to see if they have bruises.  You check and see if there are holes in the walls or if the furniture or anything is broken.  Tell the sister to call your group of brothers if he gets violent and you will come right away to counsel him and stop him.

All a Muslim woman can do is call the police and go on welfare or leave her kids and get a job at minimum wage.  Do you want that kind of life for your Muslim sisters?  Only the Kaffir willing to protect her?

Assalamu alaikum,

Sister herjihad, the points you are making are so very important.  It is very true that even here in the west, where everything is available, Muslim women are still left to the mercy of their husbands (or the kaffir government system).

Even in our little community, when we get together, all the men go in another room.  They wouldn't see bruises on a sister if her very face were black and blue!  They wouldn't notice someone is too thin.  I don't even know what these men look like, if I ran into one of them at a store, I wouldn't even know them!  And these are the brothers who are supposed to protect me?

This business of separation of the sexes is out of hand in some places.  In the time of the Prophet, men and women discussed community matters together, prayed together, fought battles together and helped one another.  How can we help or be helped when we don't even know one another?

Brother Fatah, the sister is so right - it is up to the men to take the lead in our communities and watch out for and help the sisters and children.  We women will do as much as we are able (without having our husband flip out - a sad, but true reality for many of us).

May Allah give the men strength and courage to do their job and may He give the women and children courage to ease the process along!

Peace, ummziba.

herjihad : It is your responsibility.

I am sorry if you misunderstood my response it is my responsibility and responsibility of every believing muslim male to follow the  word of Allah[swt], I do try in my humble way to propogate as much as I can.

This part of the teaching has been obscured by the dominance of male culture, women who are first school of a child can instill these teachings in their sons and daughters to start a snowball effect. This does not absolve the present Muslim male from his repsonsitbilities.

How we can go about doing it is a question for which I am still looking for an answer. As it is not easy for males to give up their dominance. Inshallah I will take advice of the the sister and try to do what ever I can as presently I am trying my best to open this up as much as possible so once the issue is under debate people do take note. I request you sisters to propogate this very issue on different forums that you visit.

Alaikoam Salam

Sisters We have to encourage everyone to accept we all have feelings, thoughts, passions and expect and encourage excellent conduct from everyone regardless of their state of dress, spiritual path and encourage everyone to learn how to respect themselves and others.

I find it ironic that many Muslims complain about western/european thinking and practices and yet some Muslims are doing just as bad if not worse in thier coduct.

But then I believe We are all Muslims, One People, One Spirit under the Ummah of Islam regardless of the spiritual path We choose for all religion/spiritual paths are expressions of the evolution of Islam.

Islam and Life are the same process and we are given the freedom to choose our path by Allah, however the first and highest path is to be a good, kindly and caring person.  The second is to obey the Human Rights Act in all you do.  The third is to strive to educate yourself, yourfamily and community members to be the best people you can be and do many Living Prayers which are like giving Zakat only on a daily basis.

Islam is far more than you may have once believed.

With the roots of Life and Islam we have the foundations from which to build a wonderful world, please remember all Religions are Muslim/Islamic as they are all expressions of the evolution of Life and Islam.  Each path offers hidden and open treasures from which to build a wonderful life.

However the foundations of life and Islam are as follows.....

As His Army Our Education is:

1. How to Establish and Maintain Healthy Boundaries

2. Good Communication Skills

3. Good Conflict Resolution Skills

4. Education in the Levels and Stages of Sexual and other Frustrations.  (So no child need fear abduction or molestation of any age)

5. Building Family and Community Spirit

6. Spiritual Guidance like how to pray

7. Doing Living Prayers like supporting someone who has a family while they take training or upgrading.

8. Hajj (Pilgrimage) to Self, Family, Friends, Community, Nation, World seeing what we need assistance with, who can help and who we can in turn help as every and all life is sacride and deserve such a respectful tribute when required.

9. Have open channels for consulting Government on Policies and Laws etc.

10. Abide by the human rights act.

11. Be environmentally friendly and promote environmental awareness.

12. Motivate people towards becoming educated, trained, counseled, consulted and guided towards being the best person you can be.

So if you are a person who has a history of being abused or abusive realize your Health and Well Being is of the utmost Importance in all realms of your Community, Family and World and you should not give in to dispair or give up on yourself there is hope.  Consult your teachers and Doctors for counselors or training programs that can assist you and realize you may have to take a retreat into a Center especially for dealing with your issues and this is not a Bad thing, it shows you care about yourself and your Family.

We are Amegadon - army gathering....

Just my humour.

Salam Alaikoam

Peace be with you

Anne Marie Elderkin-Habibi

Inshallah there will continue to be a great sorting out into groups as there has already, Surah 99, 1-8.

Anne Marie Elderkin Habibi

Bismillah,

Thank you, Brother Fatah for saying that.

Sister Anne, I can see some sense in the things you say, but since you say that you want to implement changes, why don't you propose less obtuse idealogies and introduce workable steps toward a solution of these women's issues?

It is everyone's responsibilty to educate themselves and to seek and help others. Violence is everyone's concern, whether it is committed upon women, men or children.

It seems to me, that isolation is not a good thing. In the west, people are often seperated from their families. There is not the collective effort to help family members. Many do not live with parents, brothers and sisters, cousins etc. How do you confront people if they are strangers? We need to know each other.

One thing is that many women do not go to the mosque. Some of it is business and some is that the mosque does not feel welcoming. Many mosques become battle grounds for different ideologies. Mosques need to have community centers with them as well. They need to be places for the Ummah to gather where all are welcome.  Many newer mosques are doing this when they design a facility. In order for the Moslem community to be strong and support each other, this is critical. We need ot know each other to be able to have this happen.

This is not easy as people have cultural comfort.. doing what feel comfortable for them, what is fun and social. Nothing we do will be perfect, but until we make an effort to reach out to each other we cannot help each other.

I am an organizer of people. And certain structures help processes to happen. I have visited a mosque a few times and could think of half a dozen ways to help build the community. Just simple small things. I know that the mosque can be intimidating if you do not know anyone there.

I do also think that there needs to a space for both genders to be educated about the issue of violence. Sometimes violence is in the home and sometimes outside the home. Education is important. If men are the 'protectors of women' they need to be willing to learn and make efforts in this regard.

Bismillah,

JazzakAllahKhayr, Hayfa.  Do you want to start a topic on your organizational ideas?

Women

According to Quran and Sunnah

The Value of Being Pious

Hadith - Muslim, #3465

'Abdullah b. 'Amr reported Allah's Messenger as saying:  The whole world is a provision, and the best object of benefit of the world is the pious woman.

When Permission is Needed

Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.123, Narrated Abu Huraira  

Allah's Apostle said, "It is not lawful for a lady to fast (Nawafil) without the permission of her husband when he is at home; and she should not allow anyone to enter his house except with his permission; and if she spends of his wealth (on charitable purposes) without being ordered by him, he will get half of the reward."

Protecting Muslims

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #3978, Narrated AbuHurayrah  

The Prophet said, "A woman acts for the people," i.e. she gives protection on behalf of the Muslims.

[Tirmidhi transmitted it].

Advice for Men

"They ask your legal instruction concerning women, say:  Allah instructs you about them..." [Qur'an 4:127]

The Prophet said:

"The best among you is the one who is the best towards his wife"

Hadith - Muslim, #3466

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger as saying: Woman is like a rib.  When you attempt to straighten it, you would break it.  And if you leave her alone you would benefit by her, and crookedness will remain in her.  A hadith like this is reported by another chain of narrators.

Hadith - Muslim, #3468

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Apostle as saying: He who believes in Allah and the Hereafter, if he witnesses any matter he should talk in good terms about it or keep quiet.  Act kindly towards woman, for woman is created from a rib, and the most crooked part of the rib is its top.  If you attempt to straighten it, you will break it, and if you leave it, its crookedness will remain there.  So act kindly towards women.

Hadith - Muslim, #3469

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger as saying: A believing man should not hate a believing woman; it he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another.

Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.117 Narrated 'Aisha, r.a.

The eleventh one said, "My husband is Abu Zar and what is Abu Zar (i.e., what should I say about him)? He has given me many ornaments and my ears are heavily loaded with them and my arms have become fat (i.e., I have become fat). And he has pleased me, and I have become so happy that I feel proud of myself. He found me with my family who were mere owners of sheep and living in poverty, and brought me to a respected family having horses and camels and threshing and purifying grain. Whatever I say, he does not rebuke or insult me. When I sleep, I sleep till late in the morning, and when I drink water (or milk), I drink my fill."

....'Aisha then said: Allah's Apostle SAAWS said to me, "I am to you as Abu Zar was to his wife Um Zar."

Accusations Against a Chaste Woman

The Noble Qur'an - An-Nur 24:23-24

Verily, those who accuse chaste women, who never even think of anything touching their chastity and are good believers, are cursed in this life and in the Hereafter, and for them will be a great torment, --

On the Day when their tongues, their hands, and their legs or feet will bear witness against them as to what they used to do.

Hadith - Bukhari 8:840, Narrated Abu Huraira  

The Prophet said: "Avoid the seven great destructive sins."  They (the people) asked, "O Allah's Messenger!  What are they?"  He said,

1. "To join partners in worship with Allah,
2. to practise sorcery;
3. to kill the life which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause (according to Islamic law);
4. to eat up Riba' (usury);
5. to eat up the property of an orphan;
6. to show one's back to the enemy and fleeing from the battle-field at the time of fighting and
7. to accuse chaste women who never even think of anything touching their chastity and are good believers."

Marriage

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #605, Narrated Ali ibn Abu Talib Transmitted by Tirmidhi.

Allah's Apostle said: Ali, there are three matters which should not be deferred: the Prayer when its time is due, the funeral as soon it is ready, and the case of a woman without a husband, when there is a suitable (spouse) for her in her class.

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #605, Narrated Aisha  

The Prophet said, "The marriage which produces most blessing is that which involves least burden."

Bayhaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-Iman.

Wives

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #3095, Narrated AbuUmamah , Transmitted by Ibn Majah

The Prophet used to say, "After fear of Allah a believer gains nothing better for himself than a good wife who obeys him if he gives her a command, pleases him if he looks at her, is true to him if he adjures her to do something, and is sincere towards him regarding her person and his property if he is absent."

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #3254, Narrated Anas ibn Malik  

Allah's Messenger said, "When a woman observes the five times of prayer, fasts during Ramadan, preserves her chastity and obeys her husband, she may enter by any of the gates of Paradise she wishes."

[AbuNu'aym transmitted it in al-Hilyah.]

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi 3257, narrated Talq ibn Ali  

Allah's Messenger said, "When a man calls his wife to satisfy his desire she must go to him even if she is occupied at the oven."

[Tirmidhi transmitted it.]

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi 3272, narrated Abu Hurayrah

When Allah's Messenger was asked which woman was best he replied, "The one who pleases (her husband) when he looks at her, obeys him when he gives a command, and does not go against his wishes regarding her person or property by doing anything of which he disapproves." [Nasa'i and Bayhaqi, in Shu'ab al-Iman transmitted it.]

Jamharah Khutah al-�Arab, 1/145

�Abd al-Malik (RA) said: �When �Awf ibn Muhallim al-Shaybani, one of the most highly respected leaders of the Arab nobility during the jahiliyyah, married his daughter Umm Iyas to al-Harith ibn �Amr al-Kindi, she was made ready to be taken to the groom, then her mother, Umamah came into her, to advise her and said:

�O my daughter, if it were deemed unnecessary to give you this advice because of good manners and noble descent, then it would have been unnecessary for you, because you posses these qualities, but it will serve as a reminder to those who are forgetful, and will help those who are wise.

�O my daughter, if a woman were able to do without a husband by virtue of her father�s wealth and her need for her father, then you of all people would be most able to do without a husband, but women were created for men just as men were created for them.

�O my daughter, you are about to leave the home in which you grew up, where you first learned to walk, to go to a place you do not know, to a companion to whom you are unfamiliar. By marrying you, he has become a master over you, so be like a servant to him, and he will become like a servant to you.

�Take from me ten qualities, which will be a provision and a reminder for you.

�The first and second of them are: be content in his company, and listen to and obey him, for contentment brings peace of mind, and listening to and obeying one�s husband pleases Allah.

�The third and fourth of them are: make sure that you smell good and look good; he should not see anything ugly in you, and he should not smell anything but a pleasant smell from you. Kohl is the best kind of beautification to be found, and water is better than the rarest perfume.

�The fifth and sixth of them are: prepare his food on time, and keep quiet when he is asleep, for raging hunger is like a burning flame, and disturbing his sleep will make him angry.

�The seventh and eight of them are: take care of his servants (or employees) and children, and take care of his wealth, for taking care of his wealth shows that you appreciate him, and taking care of his children and servants shows good management.

�The ninth and tenth of them are: never disclose any of his secrets, and never disobey any of his orders, for if you disclose any of his secrets you will never feel safe from his possible betrayal, and if you disobey him, his heart will be filled with hatred towards you.

�Be careful, O my daughter, of showing joy in front of him when he is upset, and do not show sorrow in front of him when he is happy, because the former shows a lack of judgment whilst the latter will make him unhappy.

�Show him as much honour and respect as you can, and agree with him as much as you can, so that he will enjoy your companionship and conversation.

�Know, O my daughter, that you will not achieve what you would like to until you put his pleasure before your own, and his wishes before yours, in whatever you like and dislike. And may Allah choose what is best for you and protect you.�

Mothers

The Prophet said,
"Paradise lies at the feet of your mothers."

The hadith with this wording is da'if, but its meaning is contained in the hadith of Ibn Majah and al-Nasa'i that a man came to the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and said, "O Messenger of Allah! I intend to go on a (military) expedition, but I have come to ask your advice." He said, "Is your mother alive?" He said, "Yes." He said, "Then stay with her, for the Garden is under her feet." This latter hadith is declared to be sahih by al-Hakim, al-Dhahabi and al-Mundhiri.  --Kashf al-Khafa', no. 1078; Al-Da'ifah, no. 593.

Praying in the Masjid (Mosque)

Hadith - Bukhari 1:832, Narrated Salim bin 'Abdullah ,also in 7:165

My father said, "The Prophet said, 'If the wife of any one of you asks permission (to go to the mosque) do not forbid her."

         Note: Women are not required to attend the Masjid... in fact, it is an extra blessing to do Salat at home.  However, a woman should not be denied attending the Masjid upon asking for permission, even for the night prayers.  

Hadith - Muslim, Ahmad and Nisaa'ee, Narrated Zaynab Ath Thaqafiyyah

"If one of you attends Ishaa*, then do not touch perfume."

[Shaykh Al Albaanee makes the takhreej for it in Silsilah Al Ahaadeeth As Saheehah no. 1093.  He declares it authentic in Saheeh Al Jaami' Vol. 1 no. 634]

* The evening http://muttaqun.com/salahframes.html - salah (obligatory prayer)

Jihad

Hadith - Bukhari 2:595, Ibn 'Aisha

I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Shouldn't we participate in Holy battles and Jihad along with you?" He replied, "The best and the most superior Jihad (for women) is Hajj which is accepted by Allah." 'Aisha added: Ever since I heard that from Allah's Apostle I have determined not to miss Hajj.

Femininity

Hadith - Bukhari 7:773, Narrated Ibn 'Abbas

Allah's Apostle cursed those men who are in the similitude (assume the manners) of women and those women who are in the similitude (assume the manners) of men.

• Tattoos, plucking eyebrows, cosmetic surgery, etc.

The Muslim Woman: Her Status in Islam

by the noble Sheikh Abdul-Azeez bin Baaz (rahimahullah)

The status of the Muslim woman in Islam is very noble and lofty one, and her effect is very great in the life of every Muslim. Indeed, the Muslim woman is the initial teacher in the building of a righteous society, providing she follows the guidance from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet .

Since adherence to the Quran and the Sunnah distances every Muslim - male or female - from being misguided in any matter. The misguidance that the various nations suffer from, and their being deviant, does not come about except by being far away from the path of Allah - the Most High, the Most Perfect - and from what His Prophets and Messengers, may Allah's peace be upon them all, came with. The Prophet said: "I am leaving behind me two matters, you will not go astray as long as you cling to them both, the Book of Allah and my Sunnah." ^{http://muttaqun.com/WomenFrame3.html#bazfoot1 - [1]}

The great importance of Muslim woman's role - whether as wife, sister or daughter, and the rights that are due to her and the obligations due from her - have been explained in the purified Sunnah.

The secret of her importance lies in the tremendous burden and responsibility that is placed on her, and the difficulties that she has to shoulder - responsibilities and difficulties some, which not even a man bears. This is why from the most important obligation upon a person is to show gratitude to the mother, and kindness and good companionship with her. And in this matter, she is to be given precedence over and above the father. Allah - the most High - says:

"And We have enjoined upon man to be dutiful and good to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness upon weakness and hardship upon hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Show gratitude and thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination." [Soorah Luqmaan 31:14]

Allah - the Most High - said: "And We have enjoined upon man to be dutiful and kind to his parents. His mother bears him with hardship, and she brings him forth with hardship. And the bearing and the weaning of him is thirty months." [Soorah al-Ahqaaf 41:15]

A man came to Allah's Messenger and said: O Messenger of Allah! Who from amongst mankind warrants the best companionship from me? He replied: "Your mother." The man asked: Then who? So he replied: "Your mother". The man then asked: Then who? So the Prophet replied again: "Your mother." The man then asked: then who? So he replied: "Then your father." So this necessitates that the mother is given three times the likes of kindness and good treatment then the father. ^{http://muttaqun.com/WomenFrame3.html#bazfoot2 - [2]}

As regards to the wife, then her status and her effect in making the soul tranquil and serene, has been clearly shown in the noble ayah (verse), in His - the Most High's saying:

"And from amongst His Signs is this: That He created from you wives from amongst yourselves, so that you may find serenity and tranquility in them. And He has put between you love and compassion. Indeed, in this are signs for those who reflect." [Soorah Ar-Rum 30:21]

Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer (d.774H) - rahimahullaah - said, whilst explaining the term mawaddah means love and affection, and ar-rahmah means compassion and piety - "since a man takes the hand of a women either due to love for her, or because of compassion and piety for her, by giving to her a child from himself�" ^{http://muttaqun.com/WomenFrame3.html#bazfoot3 - [3]}

And the unique stance that the prophet 's wife Khadeejah took, had a huge effect in calming and reassuring Allah's Messenger , when the angel Jibreel - alayhis-salam - first came to him in the cave of Hiraa. So the Prophet returned to his wife Khadeejah with the first Revelation and with this his heart trembling and beating severely, and so he said to her: "Cover me! Cover me!" So they covered him until his fear was over, after which he told Khadeejah - everything that had happened, and said: 'I fear that something may happen to me." So she said to him: "Never! By Allah! Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good ties with relations, you help the poor and the destitute, you serve your guests generously and assist those who have been afflicted with calamities." ^{http://muttaqun.com/WomenFrame3.html#bazfoot4 - [4]}

And do not forget about Aaishah and her great effect. Since even the great Sahaabah (Companions) use to take knowledge of Hadiths from her, and many of the Sahaabiyaat (female companions) learn the various rulings pertaining to women's issues from her�

And I have no doubt that my mother - may Allah shower His mercy upon her - had a tremendous effect upon me, and has a great excellence over me, in encouraging me to study; and she assists me in it. May Allah greatly increase her reward and reward her with the best of rewards for what she did for me.

And there is no doubt also, the house in which there is kindness, gentleness, love and care, along with the correct Islamic tarbiyah (Education and cultivation) will greatly affect the man. So he will become - if Allah wills - successful in his affairs and in any matter - whether it be seeking knowledge, trading, earning a living, or other than this. So it is Allah Alone that I ask to grant success and to guide us all to that which he loves and is pleased with. And may the prayers of peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad , and upon his Family, his companions and his followers.

FOOTNOTES:

1. Hasan: Related by Maalik in al-Muwattaa (2/899) and al-Haakim (1/93), from Ibn 'Abbass radiaalahu'anhu. It was authenticated by al-Albaanee in as-Saheehah (no.1871).
2. Related by al-Bukhari (no.59710 and Muslim (7/2), from Abu Hurayrah radialliaahu'anhu
3. Tafseer Qur'aanul-Adheem (3/4439) of Ibn Katheer.
4. Related by al-Bukhari (1/22) and Muslim (1/139), from the lengthy narration of Aaishah radiallahu'anhaa

Right to be escorted by a Dhu-Mahram

Hadith - Bukhari 3:85, Ibn 'Abbas

The Prophet said, "A woman should not travel* except with a Dhu-Mahram (her husband or a man with whom that woman cannot marry at all according to the Islamic jurisprudence), and no man may visit her except in the presence of a Dhu-Mahram**." A man got up and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I intend to go to such and such an army and my wife wants to perform Hajj." The Prophet said (to him), "Go along with her (to Hajj)."

*this is referring to lengthy travel; for instance, a trip that exceeds two days time, etc.

** dhu-mahrahm: A male whom a woman can never marry because of close relationship (i.e. brother, father, uncle, etc.) or her own husband.

Hadith - Sahih Muslim, Narrated Abu Hurayrah, R.A.

"Do not permit your women to travel, except that she has with her a mahram(Dhu mahram)."

Shaykh Al Albaanee declares it authentic in Saheeh Al Jaami' vol. 2, no. 7646.

Hadith - Muwatta 20.263

Malik said, concerning a woman who had never been on hajj, "If she doesn't have a mahram, or if she has, but he cannot come with her, she does not abandon Allah's making of the hajj obligatory for her. Let her go in a group of women."

Salah

• Error by Imam

• Menstruation

Marital Relations

Hadith - Bukhari 4:460, narrated Abu Huraira

Allah's Apostle said, "If a husband calls his wife to his bed (i.e. to have sexual relation) and she refuses and causes him to sleep in anger, the angels will curse her till morning."

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi 3257, narrated Talq ibn Ali

Allah's Messenger said, "When a man calls his wife to satisfy his desire she must go to him even if she is occupied at the oven."

[Tirmidhi transmitted it.]

Being Grateful

Hadith - Bukhari 1:28, Narrated Ibn 'Abbas

The Prophet said: "I was shown the Hell-fire and that the majority of its dwellers were women who were ungrateful." It was asked, "Do they disbelieve in Allah?" (or are they ungrateful to Allah?) He replied, "They are ungrateful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors and the good (charitable deeds) done to them. If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them and then she sees something in you (not of her liking), she will say, 'I have never received any good from you."

Visitors

Hadith - Bukhari 7:123, Narrated AbuHuraira

"...she should not allow anyone to enter his house except with his permission..."

Wet Dreams

Hadith - Bukhari 1:280, Narrated Um-Salama (the mother of the believers)

Um Sulaim, the wife of Abu Talha, came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Verily Allah is not shy of (telling you) the truth. Is it necessary for a woman to take a bath after she has a wet dream (nocturnal sexual discharge)?" Allah's Apostle replied, "Yes, if she notices a discharge."

Salam Alaikoam

Truse justice is Education, counseling, consultation along with living prayers and prayer as well as a personal Hajj (Pilgrimage made to all levels of our lives seeing where we need guidance or assistance and where we may be of assistance anything less just purpetuates a cycle of violence, ignorance, apathy and agression.

Looking at the period of time these laws were written in and what Mohmmed had at his disposal for his protection and defence not to mention he could not write or read Arabic I believe that it is possible all the works of the Quran are not completely as Mohammed meant them to be.  Also I believe that he may have been swayed from his true intentions from fear of violence or intimatation from his peer group.

The reason I say this is because some of the laws or hadith seem not to really be kind and merciful like Allah and so it is a little surprising as we are suppose to emulate Allah in all we do are we not?

Just imagine those times what would you have said back then?

Though if this belief is not the case and these all are exactly as He PBUH intended them to be then it speaks of his levwel of education, and understanding of relationships and other processes.

One thing I will say He PBUH did His PBUH best and what more could anyone ask for.

May Allah Bless His soul and the soul of all before Him PBUH and all alive now and who will ever come in the future.

What will the Surah and Ayats of Our Life say to the world?

Mahssallah May it Say we did our best with what we were given, what we knew and what resources we could call on and we assisted others within our means.

Anne Marie Elderkin Habibi

Bismillah,

Fatah, thank you for your statements honoring all Muslims, especially Muslim women.

I believe that only Allah, SWT, knows what is in our hearts, and I therefore refuse to condemn anyone but the most heinous criminals.  Even then, it is obvious that Allah, SWT, knows and I do not.  That evil person is promised by Allah, SWT, acceptance of his repentence by Allah, The Forgiving, The Merciful, The Loving.

Are you actually saying, AnneMarie, that you believe the Quran has mistakes in it?

I want to discuss something with you all concerning the rights of women, for instance the right to inherrit according to Allah.

4:12 In what your wives leave, your share is a half, if they leave no child; but if they leave a child, ye get a fourth; after payment of legacies and debts. In what ye leave, their share is a fourth, if ye leave no child; but if ye leave a child, they get an eighth; after payment of legacies and debts. If the man or woman whose inheritance is in question, has left neither ascendants nor descendants, but has left a brother or a sister, each one of the two gets a sixth; but if more than two, they share in a third; after payment of legacies and debts; so that no loss is caused (to any one). a recomendation by Allah. and Allah is All-knowing, Most Forbearing.

So this about inherritance and how it should be devided is a recomendation from Allah but at then to avoid anything less then this recomendation He says:

"13: Those are the limits of Allah,those who obey Allah and His Messenger will be admitted to Gardens with rivers flowing beneath, to abide therein (for ever) and that will be the supreme achievement."

"14. But those who disobey Allah and His Messenger and transgress His limits will be admitted to a Fire, to abide therein: And they shall have a humiliating punishment. "

So transgressing His limits means that the women be treated less then by His set limits(so they should not get less then what His limits describe), but at the same time it is a recommendation to do it like the way it is described.

I am not sure about this this is why i wish to discuss it, because he also speaks about the men and their rights.

Bismillah,

Why don't you post your query under Tafsir of Quran?

Assalamu Alaikum

Sister Herjihad, although Brother Community didn't answer you, it is clear from his other posts that he doesn't believe in seeking "Tafsir of Qur'an" because he doesn't believe in turning to scholars in seeking knowledge of the Holy Qur'an.  He believes all one needs is the Holy Qur'an because Allah made all things clear to us through the  Holy Qur'an.

Brother Community, what English translation of the Holy Qur'an do you use?  I use Yusuf Ali's translation and it doesn't not say "a recommendation" as can be seen below.

"In what your wives leave your share is a half if they leave no child; but if they leave a child ye get a fourth; after payment of legacies and debts. In what ye leave their share is a fourth if ye leave no child; but if ye leave a child they get an eighth; after payment of legacies and debts. If the man or woman whose inheritance is in question has left neither ascendants nor descendants but has left a brother or a sister each one of the two gets a sixth; but if more than two they share in a third; after payment of legacies and debts; so that no loss is caused (to anyone). Thus is it ordained by Allah and Allah is All-Knowing Most Forbearing." (Sura 4, Ayat 12)

Daryabadi's translation say "an ordinance", Muhsin Khan's translation says "a Commandament" and Pickthall's translation says "A commandment".  So, it appears that it is  not a recommendation but rather a law that it be done so.  One should be very careful as to the English translation of the Holy Qur'an he/she uses.  Some are tainted.  That is why I had mine send to me from the Middle East intead of getting one here in the states.  At the very least, you should consider using an on-line sight where you can see what other English translations of the Holy Qur'an say.  I use the following link which has all four of the English translations I have mentioned here.  Maybe you will find it useful in answering some of your questions. 

http://www.parexcellence.co.za/islam/quraan.asp - http://www.parexcellence.co.za/islam/quraan.asp

Allah Hafiz

Sister Khadija

It is directly from arabic,

What Yusuf Ali and others did is in some cases mistranslate just to give right to the methodology and judgments of the scholaric esteblishment they are afiliated with. I believe this is wrong.

wasiyyatan mina Allahi waAllahu AAaleemun haleem.

a recommendation from Allaha, and Allah is a knowing, gentle/kind.

Those are the limits of Allah,those who obey Allah and His Messenger will be admitted to Gardens with rivers flowing beneath, to abide therein (for ever) and that will be the supreme achievement."

Hudoodu Allah, the limits of Allah.

Limits are set to make sure justice is done, it does not however mean that one can not increase in the matters of justice and good, rather it only means no one is allowed to practice anything under those limits because that would mean no other then injustice.

So basically speed on in the way of good and justice and make sure that no one transgresses the right of others by going under those limits. As for those who surpass the limits of Allah and do not go under it they are free from blame, it is rather those who go under it you should worry about. As for those who stick right at the limit and do not go over it or under it, these are free from blame also but i recommend them to better.

And not do We send the sent ones but as bringers of glad tidings (good news) and as warners: so whoever secures himself with faith and mends (their lives),- no fear is over them, nor do they(themselves) grief. [6:48]