MISCONCEPTION ABOUT ISLAM #1.Islam oppresses women The image of the typical Muslim woman wearing the veil and forced to stay home and forbidden to drive is all too common in most peoples thoughts. Although some Muslim countries may have laws that oppress women, this should not be seen as coming from Islam. Many of these countries do not rule by any kind of Shariah (Islamic law) and introduce their own cultural standpoints on the issue of gender equity Islam on the other hand gives men and women different roles and equity between the two is laid down in the Qur’an and the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and dispose of her property and earnings. A marriage gift is given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and she keeps her own family name rather than taking her husbands. Both men and women are expected to dress in a way that is modest and dignified. The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said: The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manner and kindest to his wife. Violence of any kind towards women and forcing them against their will for anything is not allowed. A Muslim marriage is a simple, legal agreement in which either partner is free to include conditions. Marriage customs thus vary widely from country to country. Divorce is not common, although it is acceptable as a last resort. According to Islam, a Muslim girl cannot be forced to marry against her will: her parents simply suggest young men they think may be suitable. Response: Let’s start with the recent news. There were also photos of the event in which the men and girls were celebrating their wedding. Of course, the standard reply is that Mohammed did this so it is proper today. Ask any medical doctor and he will tell you that kids are not physically, emotional, and mentally matured for marriage. Mohammed at least let Aisha bring her dolls when he married her. Here is a news item from: Monday, August 10, 2009 A gala event has occurred in Gaza. Hamas sponsored a mass wedding for four hundred and fifty couples. Most of the grooms were in their mid to late twenties; most of brides were under ten. Muslim dignitaries including Mahmud Zahar, a leader of Hamas, were on hand to congratulate the couples who took part in the carefully staged celebration. (See here.) On driving, well the most staunch Muslim country, Saudi Arabia, does not allow women to drive a car. Saudi Arabia is considered the fountainhead of Islam. What is wrong with a woman driving a car? It is not mentioned in the Qur’an or the Sunna, nor the Hadiths. Cars were not invented until modern times. There are Muslims who claim that all kinds of modern ideas and discoveries were referenced in the Qur’an, maybe a closer look would uncover the car and who should drive it. The problem with women driving a car is that it gives them freedom which they have never had. Analyze the following statement by the author: “Although some Muslim countries may have laws that oppress women, this should not be seen as coming from Islam.” Why not? What motivation is there for oppressing women if it were not for Islam. If Islam is the dominant religion of the Muslim countries why is there not a movement by the leading Muslim scholars in those countries to upgrade the position of women? Maybe the reason is that the Qur’an forbids it. Did not Mohammed declare that women are only half as intelligent as men? Did not Mohammed require that women only receive half the inheritance that men receive? Did not Mohammed teach that women’s testimony is only half that of men? Is there a Muslim country that does not have Sharia that is not trying to impose it on the country? Muslims in England are trying to impose Sharia law on their own communities there. The author says, “Many of these countries do not rule by any kind of Shariah (Islamic law) and introduce their own cultural standpoints on the issue of gender equity.” This sentence seems to imply that Sharia would liberate women from oppressive measures in countries without Sharia. Sharia is the problem. In the countries seeking to impose sharia it has been detrimental to women’s rights and freedom. One of the first oppressive measures is to require women to “cover up.” One might raise the question also about honor killings of women, single and married. In what culture do these killings occur? The killers are usually Muslim. Just today I read of a “Muslim man sentenced to life in jail after killing his German-born wife because she was too independent.” (See here.) The news sources seem regularly to chronicle honor killings in England, USA, France, Pakistan, wherever there are lots of Muslims. Does this not sound like an awful oppression. Rarely does one hear of honor killings of Muslim men. Surely the author is hiding the real story about women in Islam
Posted on: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 05:07:44 +0000
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