01-11-2005, 10:39 PM
Bismillah
Assalamu alaikum and hello to our non-muslim guests
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A lot of times when women's rights in Islam are mentioned, non muslims laugh. Some say there's no such thing as women's rights in Islam. This seems to be a difficult concept for many to grasp, so I thought I would post a simple, straight forward list of the rights women enjoy in Islam. These rights may not always be implemented in every culture, but that is a cultural issue.
Many people may think women in Islam are oppressed and seen as second class citizens. On the other hand, women in the west have worked hard to earn many rights that they enjoy today, by attaining an "equal" status to men. These rights are revolutionary, but you may be surprised to find that these rights were given by Islam... so they were not revolutionary in the west, they were actually revolutionary with the advent of Islam.
Further, in Islam men and women <b>are</b> considered equal. But unlike in the west, in Islam equality does not mean sameness. Women and men are considered equal in worth, and their societal responsibilities are equally important. But their roles are definitely not the same. Islam recognizes the differences between men and women, their needs and their capabilities.
So here is a short list of rights women enjoy in Islam, and have enjoyed since the time of prophet Mohammed saws. I'm sure it is not complete, so if anyone here has any to add, your contribution is welcome
Some of the items in this list refer to verses of the Qur'an or Bible. I have given the text of each reference at the end of the list.
Women's Rights in Islam
1. Men and women are equal in the sight of Allah. The Qur'an says men and women are made from the same soul, therefore, men cannot be superior to women. (Qur'an 4:1)
2. Women are free to choose their own religion, as are all people regardless of age, race or gender. The Qur'an states, <i>"let there be no compulsion in religion."</i> (2:256)
3. Women are encouraged to contribute their opinions and ideas, which are equally as valid as men's.
4. A woman's testimony is valid in legal debates, and can even be conclusive in matters with which women are more familiar.
5. Women are encouraged to be educated, and are recognized to have the same capacity for learning and understanding as men. In fact, an uneducated woman is not as desirable for marriage as an educated one, since it is the mother's responsibility to raise and teach her children. The Prophet Mohammed saws said, <b>"If you educate a man, you educate an individual. If you educate a woman, you educate a nation."</b>
The Prophet Mohammed saws also said, <b>"Heaven is at the feet of mothers."</b> This shows the tremendous amount of respect held for women. This statement can be interpreted to mean that the success of a society can be traced to the mothers that raised its citizens. Additionally, Abu Hurairah reported that a person came to the Prophet Mohammed (saw) and asked, <b>"Who among people is most deserving of my fine treatment?" He said, "Your mother." He again asked, "Who next?" "Your mother." "Who next?" "Your mother." "Who next?" "Then your father."</b> Clearly, the mother is three times as important as the father.
6. Women have the right to vote, to select a leader, and to hold government positions.
7. A woman has the right to earn money, own property, enter into contracts, and run her own business - all in her own name. Additionally, she manages her assets by herself, and no one has a claim to any of her earnings or property, not even her husband.
8. A woman has the right to a portion of the inheritance from her relatives. It is a smaller portion than a man's (she receives half the amount of her male counterpart), but as you will see below, the entire financial burden is on the man to support his family -- her portion of the inheritance is hers to keep.
9. In the Bible, Eve is blamed for the original sin (Genesis 3:8-17). The Qur'an clarifies both Adam and Eve are equally responsible. (7:19-25)
10. The Qu'ran prohibits female infanticide (16:58-59), and holds daughters equal as sons (42:49). Further, the Prophet Mohammed saws stated, <b>"He who is involved in bringing up daughters, and accords benevolent treatment towards them, they will be protection for him against Hell-Fire"</b> (Bukhari and Muslim); <b>"Whoever maintains two girls till they attain maturity, he and I will come on the Resurrection Day like this; and he joined his fingers"</b> (Muslim)
11. The Bible says divorced women commit adultery, but not divorced men (Matt 5:31-32). The Qur'an allows divorce and does not penalize women nor men (Qur'an 65:1-2)
12. A woman has the right to choose her own husband, and no one can marry her without her consent.
13. A woman has the right to a divorce if she has a valid reason. Additionally, a man must have a valid reason to divorce his wife.
14. A woman keeps her father's name after marriage. Her identity stays the same, and she does not become the property of her husband.
15. A woman has the right to a dowry (mahr) at marriage. The man must give the woman the amount she requests as a free gift. If they are later divorced, she keeps the dowry. This provides financial security for her.
16. A woman has the right to financial support and maintenance from her husband (food, clothing, shelter, etc) despite her wealth. As wealthy as she may be, her husband is required to provide for her from his own means, and may not ask for any of his wife's wealth. If she does not have a husband, this responsibility is her father's. If her father is incapable, the responsibility is her brother's. If she does not have a capable brother, then her father's brothers are responsible, and any other male relatives. If she has no capable male relatives, then the responsibility is for the men of the community.
17. A woman has the right to physical protection and kind, respectful treatment from her husband and all men in the community.
18. A woman has the right to companionship and sexual satisfaction from her husband. Her husband may not be away from her for more than 3 months without her permission.
19. A lack of any of the above is a valid reason for a woman to divorce her husband. Additionally, a man has similar rights in a marriage. In exchange for financial support and physical protection, he can expect his wife to keep the home clean and pleasant, prepare meals for him, and raise their children. The scope of responsibilities between a husband and wife is more detailed, and if either the husband or wife does not fulfill his or her responsibilities, the other has a valid reason to divorce. On the other hand, if they both do fulfill their responsibilities, they will receive equal reward in heaven.
20. Now the most controversial one, the provision for multiple wives. First it must be noted that this provision is limited to only 4, and it comes with strict circumstances that must be fulfilled. Some of these are:
--The man must treat each wife exactly the same, with the same amount of love and attention.
--He must treat them both fairly and keep each one satisfied emotionally, physically, sexually and financially.
--He must provide separate houses for each, of equal value.
--He must divide his time equally between them.
So far, that seems hard to do. But the truth is, the provision for multiple wives is actually a right given to <b>women</b> as well as men. All of the rights listed above that a woman has over her husband are valid rights, guaranteed to her by Allah. How can she take advantage of these if she does not have a husband? In times such as war when there is a shortage of men, Allah has given a way for everyone to receive their full rights.
There may also be a reason for a man to take more than one wife that has nothing to do with a shortage of men. Suppose a man marries a woman who turns out she cannot have children? He is entitled to have his children, so does he divorce his wife and leave her with no one wanting to marry her? No, she may remain his wife with her full rights protected, while he takes another wife who can bear children, and in this situation the rights of both wives are further protected by the conditions listed above.
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(This text is taken from Yusuf Ali's translation of the Qur'an, and the New English Translation Bible)
1. Qur'an, 4:1 "O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women."
9. Genesis 3:11-17
11 And the Lord God said, "Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"
12 The man said, "The woman whom you gave me, she gave me some fruit from the tree and I ate it."
13 So the Lord God said to the woman, <b>"What is this you have done?"</b> And the woman replied, "The serpent tricked me, and I ate."
...
16 To the woman he said,"I will greatly increase your labor pains; with pain you will give birth to children. You will want to control your husband, but he will dominate you."
17 But to Adam he said, "Because you <b>obeyed your wife</b> and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat from it,' cursed is the ground thanks to you; in painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.
Qur'an 7:19-24
19 "O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden, and enjoy (its good things) as ye wish: but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression."
20 Then began Satan to whisper suggestions to them, bringing openly before their minds all their shame that was hidden from them (before): he said: "Your Lord only forbade you this tree, lest ye should become angels or such beings as live for ever."
21 And he swore to them both, that he was their sincere adviser.
22 So by deceit he brought about their fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them: "Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an avowed enemy unto you?"
23 They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If thou forgive us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost."
24 (Allah) said: "Get ye down. With enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood,- for a time."
10. Qur'an 16:58-59
58 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!
59 With shame does he hide himself from his people, because of the bad news he has had! Shall he retain it on (sufferance and) contempt, or bury it in the dust? Ah! what an evil (choice) they decide on?
Qur'an 42:49
To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills (and plans). He bestows (children) male or female according to His Will (and Plan)
11. Matt 5:31-32
31 It was said, 'Whoever divorces his wife must give her a legal document.'
32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Qur'an 65:1-2
1 O Prophet! When ye do divorce women, divorce them at their prescribed periods, and count (accurately), their prescribed periods: And fear Allah your Lord: and turn them not out of their houses, nor shall they (themselves) leave, except in case they are guilty of some open lewdness, those are limits set by Allah: and any who transgresses the limits of Allah, does verily wrong his (own) soul: thou knowest not if perchance Allah will bring about thereafter some new situation.
2 Thus when they fulfil their term appointed, either take them back on equitable terms or part with them on equitable terms; and take for witness two persons from among you, endued with justice, and establish the evidence (as) before Allah. Such is the admonition given to him who believes in Allah and the Last Day. And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out
