Does Islam degrade women?

Even though many aspects of Islam are misunderstood by non-Muslims, the ignorance, misinformation and incorrect assumptions that are made in regards to Islam's treatment of women are probably the most severe. Numerous verses of the Qur'an make it clear that men and women are equal in the site of God. According to the teachings of Islam, the only thing that distinguishes people in the site of God is their level of God-consciousness. Due to this, many people are surprised to find out that Islamic Law guaranteed rights to women over 1400 years ago that women in the Europe and America only obtained recently. For example, Islam clearly teaches that a woman is a full-person under the law, and is the spiritual equal of a male. Also, according to Islamic Law, women have the right to own property, operate a business and receive equal pay for equal work. Women are allowed total control of their wealth, they cannot be married against their will and they are allowed to keep their own name when married.

Additionally, they have the right to inherit property and to have their marriage dissolved in the case of neglect or mistreatment. Also, Islam does not consider woman an "evil temptress", and thus does not blame woman for the "original sin". Women in Islam participate in all forms of worship that men participate in. Actually, the rights that Islam gave to women over 1400 years ago were almost unheard of in the West until the 1900s.

Less than fifty years ago in England and America, a woman could not buy a house or car without the co-signature of her father or husband! Additionally, Islam gives great respect to women and their role in society --- it gives them the right to own property, marry who they want and many other rights. Also, it should be mentioned that the Prophet Muhammad's mission stopped many of the horrible practices in regards to women that were present in the society of his time. For example, the Qur'an put an end to the pagan Arab practice of killing their baby daughters when they were born.

Additionally, Islam put restrictions on the unrestricted polygamy of the Arabs of the time, and put many laws in place to protect the well-being of women. Today, most of the so-called reforms in the status of women came about after the West abandoned religion for secularism. Even those in the West who claim to follow the so-called "Judaeo-Christian tradition" really follow the values of Western liberalism --- but just to a lesser degree than their more liberal countrymen. The Myth and The Reality. If women in the Muslim World today don't have their rights, it is not because Islam did not give them to them. The problem is that in many places alien traditions have come to overshadow the teachings of Islam, either through ignorance or the impact of Colonization.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ali Afifi on May 14, 2009 at 6:53pm

Permalink Reply by Danielle Paonessa on May 15, 2009 at 4:03am

Thank you. I think that there are great misconceptions on both side of Islam and Christianity and the Middle East and Westerners as we say. I do not believe these perceptions are intentional, but merely a product of the media and what society tells us. Which is why I believe that it is our duty, a human right, to connect and communicate with each other the truth of both cultures and religion and to gain enough trust in which to ask the questions we are afraid to ask each other. Thank you again for clarification. I pray for peace for you and all people, regardless of culture and religion, and that one day we may come to accept and allow each other to exist in our own true nature.

Permalink Reply by Ali Afifi on May 15, 2009 at 2:28pm

Welcome dear friend,
Please feel free to ask what u want about Islam and Quran and u can join my site for questions about Islam and Quran if u like.
http://afifichestclinic.ning.com/

Permalink Reply by Mark on May 17, 2009 at 6:53pm

It is reassuring to hear you say these things, but who is going to explain this to those Muslims who carry out these bad practices? Surely it is they who need to receive this information, rather than us. If these things did not happen then 'the West' would not have such a problem with the Muslim people and all would accept that Islam is a caring and loving religion.

It seems to me that this is a consequence of religious leaders also being responsible for making their country's laws, such as how women should dress etc. and imposing terrible punishments such as execution, beating, amputation and the like, for breaking their, not the Qur'an's, laws.

It was this situation of religious law makers being in political control that got your prophet Jesus into trouble, - see the Christian New Testament - Mark 2:23-28, when He said "The Sabbath was made for the sake of man and not man for the sake of the Sabbath."

Permalink Reply by Ali Afifi on May 17, 2009 at 7:16pm

The stoning of women in Iran, the rape of women in Sudan, the cloistering of them in Afghanistan, genital mutilation in some countries (female circumcision), failure of "Islamic" courts to order divorced fathers to pay support for children remaining with the ex-wife in Pakistan, prohibition of women from being licenced drivers in Saudi Arabia, all are examples of states claiming to be "Islamic" failing to honor women as the Quran seems to instruct. These practices are a reflection of culture and politics and not of Islam, but nonetheless they are done in Allah's name. Christians have done many of the same things at different times in the name of Christ with no more validity. Education is obligatory to teach the people their real religion and how to deal with your wife, other religious people, friends, neighbors etc.

God said in Quran
"And among God's signs is this: He created for you mates from amongst yourselves (males as mates for females and vice versa) that you might find tranquillity and peace in them. And he has put love and kindness among you. Herein surely are signs for those who reflect. (The Noble Quran 30:21)"

Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri: "I went to the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) and asked him: What do you say (command) about our wives? He replied: Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them. (Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 11, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Number 2139)"

Permalink Reply by Mark on May 18, 2009 at 10:43am

I see that we are in complete agreement on this subject, but my point is:
As you say, education is obligatory, but who is going to do this education and put a stop to the bad practices?
Any ideas anyone?

Permalink Reply by Ali Afifi on May 19, 2009 at 11:33am

It is the same difference between Christians and Christianity. Do u blame the religion for the bad actions of his followers which has no any bases in the religion itself.