Are Woman In Islam Oppressed Or Liberated?
Thanks to the Media and Islamophobia that you are fed the same cherry Picked Old story of Subjugation and Oppression of Woman in Islam.The Media Portrays woman as helpless,Oppressed and exploited beings who are denied equal rights.And Who is to blame for that?Is It the Newspaper and Magazine which decorates the News with distorted Verses of Quran and Misinterpreted Islamic laws or We Muslim who do not make an attempt to Clear their Confusion with Our scriptures and with our deeds and actions.The real face of Woman in Islam is that they are the Most Liberated ,Most Protected and Most honoured woman than those of Other Culture.Read the Comaprison of Oppression of woman in Other Culture. and If it is Only the Piece of Cloth that they wear on their head is stopping you to believe it,Come On ! you need to stop being judgmental. Below are evidences from Quran that In Sha Allah will answer your Question on Oppression of Woman in Islam.
Check this: Why Muslim Woman wear Hijab?
Islam Was the First to give Human Rights to Women
- Muslim Woman have the Right to Inheritance since 1400 years
- Muslim Men are commanded to Protect their Wives,daughter and Sister.
- Before marriage, a woman has the right to choose her husband. Islamic law is very strict regarding the necessity of having the woman’s consent for marriage. The groom gives a marriage dowry to the bride for her own personal use. She keeps her own family name, rather than taking her husband’s. As a wife, a woman has the right to be supported by her husband even if she is already rich. She also has the right to seek divorce and custody of young children. She does not return the dowry, except in a few unusual situations.
- Muslim woman had the Right to education 1400 years back:”Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every believer.” [Ibn Majah]
- Ayshah(RA), the wife of Prophet was a Scholar and one of the greatest sources of Hadith literature. Many of the female Companions accomplished great deeds and achieved fame, and throughout Islamic history there have been famous and influential scholars and jurists.
- in Islam,Woman alone do not carry the burden of Sin :Muslims believe that Adam and Eve were created from the same soul. Both were equally guilty of their sin and fall from grace, and Allah forgave both.
Woman in Islam are a blessing
Allah has Created the first Woman from the rib of Man as a gift to him .They are held Precious and are a blessing to Men
“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)…” [Noble Quran 7:189]
Allah Says that Woman are a blessing and a Provision for Men:
“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…”. [Noble Quran 4:1]
“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?” [Noble Quran 16:72]
Allah Orders Men to be kind and loving towards their wives:
“The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manners and kindest to his wife.” [Abu Dawud]
Islam Considers Men and Woman as Equal:
Allah (SWT) also declared another major principle: that all men are created equal in terms of original creation. He stated in the Glorious Qur’an: O mankind! Be dutiful to Your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created many men and women; and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (i.e. kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you.[4:1] Based on the previous principles, all men and women are equal in terms of humanity and basic values, obligations and responsibilities. All men and women are created equal in the sight of Allah. Their differences in race, language, livelihood and geography etc have no relationship to increase or decrease this honor. True distinction among them is based on their Godconsciousness, commitment to Islam, the revealed religion of Allah, and their level of practice and application of its principles in their own daily lives. Allah (SWT) stated this in the Glorious Qur’an when He said: O Mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you in the Sight of Allah is the one who is most pious and righteous. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware. [49:13] Therefore true honor of any person in the Sight of Allah is not on the basis of color, social status, sex, race, strength, health, dignity or wealth. The only measure of distinction in the Sight of Allah is strictly on the basis of piety, faith and the performance of good deeds.
Islam Considers Black and White as Equal
Similarly, Allah’s Prophet (SWT) was also reported as saying: “O people, your Lord is one and your father is one. There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, or nonArab over an Arab, nor of a red person over a black, or a black person over a red, except by piety.” [Ahmad #23536 and verified] The teachings of Islam remove all artificial differences between men, and place them all on equal footing. One of the essential teachings of Islam, often misconstrued, abused or poorly explained, is that “a female is equal to a male in everything except where there is a distinct reality and exception.”
All Muslims are Supporters,friends and Protectors of one another
Allah (SWT) stated in the Glorious Qur’an: The believers, men and women, are helpers, supporters, friends and protectors of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do; and they forbid (people) from all forms of evil (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they offer their prayers perfectly, and give their charity and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will shower His Mercy upon them. Surely Allah is AllMighty, All-Wise. [9:71].
Woman in Islam gets equal rewards as Men
Allah (SWT) stated in the Glorious Qur’an: So their Lord accepted (their supplications and answered them), Never will I allow to be lost the work of any one of you, be he male or female. You are (members) one of another… [3:195] Allah (SWT) stated in the Glorious Qur’an: There is a share for men and a share for women from what is left by parents and those closely related, whether the property be small or large, a legal share. [4:7]
And do not get Confused with this Verse“…And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them, and men are a degree above them.” [Noble Quran 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 Quran gives us an example:
Based upon what has been said , one can comfortably and confidently say that a woman will never enjoy her natural honor and full rights and freedoms except under the protection of the divine and just laws of Islam. Islam designates certain duties and obligations that necessarily go hand in hand with the rights. Islam is a divine religion revealed by the Beneficent and Omniscient, as opposed to man-made laws that dictate artificial boundaries, privileges, and monopolies. Islam is everlasting and universal, for the whole of mankind, male and female, rich and poor, the ruler and ruled, and strong and weak, whether white, black, red or yellow. They are all equal in the Sight of their Creator, Allah (SWT), who knows best what is of benefit in both this world and the hereafter.
Islamic Woman Right and Western Legislation of Woman’s Right
Mrs. Annie Besant compared Islamic Laws and Western legislation on women’s rights and said: “Islamic Laws are among the best laws known to the world, insofar as woman is concerned. It is the most fair and just legislation. It exceeds the Western legislation concerning real estate, inheritance and divorce laws. It acts as a guardian for women’s rights. Phrases such as “One Wife is Sufficient for a man”, and “Polygamy”, mystified people and turned them away from the real misery which Western women suffer from and live through. Many husbands left their wives after they got what they wanted from them. In fact such men show no care, concern or mercy for their wives.
Steps to Understanding Woman in Islam
Islam is not what arhasty judgment on Islam on the basis of what is observed in the behavior and attitude of some groups of Muslims who, unfortunately, use Islam to cover up their personal or party crimes. There are many individuals who are Muslims since they declare by their lips that “There is no god worthy of worship except Allah Alone, and Muhammad is the slave and Messenger of Allah” but, regretfully, do not perform their Islamic duties or demonstrate sincere commitment to Islam by good moral conduct. Islam is a complete, pure religion, simple to apply in all the various circumstances. Many Muslims strive throughout their lifetime to be good and upright, seeking the pleasure of Allah in all that they do or refrain from doing. On the other hand, there are individuals who deserve to be punished in this world and in the hereafter, for their crimes. These crimes may be so heinous that they are of the level of disbelief and apostasy from Islam, or they may be of a lesser level of disobedience and neglectfulness of the wise commands and beneficial teachings of Allah (SWT), and His Prophet (SAW). It is understood that if someone lacks something himself, whether it is wealth or morals, he will not enable someone else to have it. This principle applies to Islam as well. For those who are keen to learn more about Islam, our advice is that they seek knowledge from those who are well known for their knowledge, understanding and practice of Islam in their own lives, whereas “non-practicing” Muslims will definitely mislead them. Superficial knowledge of Islam is dangerous, harmful and detrimental since merely reading a few books about Islam, very possibly with unreliable sources, will not qualify a person to pass verdicts and disseminate sound knowledge about Islam. Following opinions blindly is also very dangerous and harmful. It is compulsory to seek sound knowledge about Islam, and not be tricked by those who spread false worship and practice. Allah stated in the Glorious Qur’an: There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in the ‘Taghoot’ (what is worshipped other than Allah and pleased with the false worship) and believes in Allah, has grasped the trustworthy handhold that will never break; Allah is the All-Hearer, All-Knower. [2:256]
والحمد الله رب العالمين
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Ref: The Excrept of the above articles has been taken from the Book:Women In Islam: The Common Misconceptions By: Dr. Abdul-Rahman Al-Sheha. Anyone trying to find Some answers on Status of Woman in Islam,I would recommend them to Read the Book:
Women In Islam: The Common Misconceptions By: Dr. Abdul-Rahman Al-Sheha. And the Content You are expected to find in this Book are:
NB:More Chapters have been added to this book. This is just a Rough list of Chapters you expect.
This Book is Avilable-Here
