Men and women have different roles but are equal in Islam. Infact Islam UPLIFTS women. The article explains this in detail.
Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barkatahu (May Peace, Blessings & Mercy of Allah Be Upon You)
Article by Sister Noor-ul-Huda & Brother Asim ul Haq
The Article is in reply to series of allegations:
1) Refutation Series I: Muslim Women are Dirty Polluting Creatures
2) Refutation Series II:Women are inferior, slave to men
3) Refutation Series III: Muslim women are sex object for men enjoyment
4) Refutation Series IV: Muslim Men can Capture Infidel Women as Sex Slave
5) Refutation Series V: A Woman’s Testimony is Worth Only Half of a Man’s
6) Refutation Series VI: Brutal Punishment For Women
7)Refutation Series VII: Fewer seats for women in Allah’s Paradise
Allegation number 8: The Tyranny of Men over Women
Islamwatch quoted
The Tyranny of Men over Women
The Quran:
Sura (24:31) – “And say to the believing women that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts and do not display their ornaments except what appears thereof, and let them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms, and not display their ornaments except to their husbands or their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands, or their sons, or the sons of their husbands, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or those whom their right hands possess, or the male servants not having need (of women), or the children who have not attained knowledge of what is hidden of women; and let them not strike their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may be known.” The woman is not only supposed to cover herself, except with relatives, but to look down, so as to avoid making eye-contact with men.
Sura (33:59) – “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is most convenient that they should be known and not molested.”
Sura (24:60) “Such elderly women as are past the prospect of marriage,- there is no blame on them if they lay aside their (outer) garments, provided they make not a wanton display of their beauty: but it is best for them to be modest: and God is One Who sees and knows all things.”
Sura (33:32-33) “O Consorts of the Prophet! … stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance” (i.e., Muhammad’s wives should stay in their houses)
Response:
These ayahs are regarding Hijab. Both males and females (who are not husband and wife) should not look each other with lust, these are limits prescribed in Islamic law.
HIJAAB FOR WOMEN
The status of women in Islam is often the targeted in the secular media. The ‘hijaab’ or the Islamic dress is cited by many as an example of the ‘subjugation’ of women under Islamic law. Before we analyze the reasoning behind the religiously mandated ‘hijaab’, let us first study the status of women in societies before the advent of Islam
1. In the past women were degraded and used as objects of lust
The following examples from history amply illustrate the fact that the status of women in earlier civilizations was low to the extent that they were denied basic human dignity:
a. Babylonian Civilization: The women were degraded and were denied all rights under the Babylonian law. If a man murdered a woman, instead of him being punished, his wife was put to death.
b. Greek Civilization: Greek Civilization is considered the most glorious of all ancient civilizations. Under this very ‘glorious’ system, women were deprived of all rights and were looked down upon. In Greek mythology, an ‘imaginary woman’ called ‘Pandora’ is the root cause of misfortune of human beings. The Greeks considered women to be subhuman and inferior to men. Though chastity of women was precious, and women were held in high esteem, the Greeks were later overwhelmed by ego and sexual perversions. Prostitution became a regular practice amongst all classes of Greek society.
c Roman Civilization: When Roman Civilization was at the zenith of its ‘glory’, a man even had the right to take the life of his wife. Prostitution and nudity were common amongst the Romans.
d. Egyptian Civilization: The Egyptian considered women evil and as a sign of a devil.
e Pre-Islamic Arabia: Before Islam spread in Arabia, the Arabs looked down upon women and very often when a female child was born, she was buried alive.
2. Islam uplifted women and gave them equality and expects them to maintain their status.
Islam uplifted the status of women and granted them their just rights 1400 years ago. Islam expects women to maintain their status.
HIJAB FOR MEN
People usually only discuss ‘hijaab’ in the context of women. However, in the Glorious Qur’an, Allah (swt) mentions ‘hijaab’ for men before ‘hijaab’ for the women. The Qur’an mentions in Surah Noor:
“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.”[Al-Qur’an 24:30]
The moment a man looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his mind, he should lower his gaze.
Hijaab for women The next verse of Surah Noor, says:
“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons…”[Al-Qur’an 24:31]
3. Hijaab includes conduct and behaviour among other things
Complete ‘hijaab’, besides the six criteria of clothing, also includes the moral conduct, behaviour, attitude and intention of the individual. A person only fulfilling the criteria of ‘hijaab’ of the clothes is observing ‘hijaab’ in a limited sense. ‘Hijaab’ of the clothes should be accompanied by ‘hijaab’ of the eyes, ‘hijaab’ of the heart, ‘hijaab’ of thought and ‘hijaab’ of intention. It also includes the way a person walks, the way a person talks, the way he behaves, etc.
4. Hijaab prevents molestation
The reason why Hijaab is prescribed for women is mentioned in the Qur’an in the following verses of Surah Al-Ahzab:
“O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad); that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”[Al-Qur’an 33:59]
The Qur’an says that Hijaab has been prescribed for the women so that they are recognized as modest women and this will also prevent them from being molested.
5. Example of twin sisters
Suppose two sisters who are twins, and who are equally beautiful, walk down the street. One of them is attired in the Islamic hijaab i.e. the complete body is covered, except for the face and the hands up to the wrists. The other sister is wearing western clothes, a mini skirt or shorts. Just around the corner there is a hooligan or ruffian who is waiting for a catch, to tease a girl. Whom will he tease? The girl wearing the Islamic Hijaab or the girl wearing the skirt or the mini? Naturally he will tease the girl wearing the skirt or the mini. Such dresses are an indirect invitation to the opposite sex for teasing and molestation. The Qur’an rightly says that hijaab prevents women from being molested.
6. Capital punishment for the rapists
Under the Islamic shariah, a man convicted of having raped a woman, is given capital punishment. Many are astonished at this ‘harsh’ sentence. Some even say that Islam is a ruthless, barbaric religion! I have asked a simple question to hundreds of non-Muslim men. Suppose, God forbid, someone rapes your wife, your mother or your sister. You are made the judge and the rapist is brought in front of you. What punishment would you give him? All of them said they would put him to death. Some went to the extent of saying they would torture him to death. To them I ask, if someone rapes your wife or your mother you want to put him to death. But if the same crime is committed on somebody else’s wife or daughter you say capital punishment is barbaric. Why should there be double standards?
7. Western society falsely claims to have uplifted women
Western talk of women’s liberalization is nothing but a disguised form of exploitation of her body, degradation of her soul, and deprivation of her honor. Western society claims to have ‘uplifted’ women. On the contrary it has actually degraded them to the status of concubines, mistresses and society butterflies who are mere tools in the hands of pleasure seekers and sex marketers, hidden behind the colorful screen of ‘art’ and ‘culture’.
8. USA has one of the highest rates of rape
United States of America is supposed to be one of the most advanced countries of the world. It also has one of the highest rates of rape in any country in the world. According to a FBI report, in the year 1990, every day on an average 1756 cases of rape were committed in U.S.A alone. Later another report said that on an average everyday 1900 cases of rapes are committed in USA. The year was not mentioned. May be it was 1992 or 1993. May be the Americans got ‘bolder’ in the following years.
Consider a scenario where the Islamic hijaab is followed in America. Whenever a man looks at a woman and any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his mind, he lowers his gaze. Every woman wears the Islamic hijaab, that is the complete body is covered except the face and the hands upto the wrist. After this if any man commits rape he is given capital punishment. I ask you, in such a scenario, will the rate of rape in America increase, will it remain the same, or will it decrease?
9. Implementation of Islamic Shariah will reduce the rate of rapes
Naturally as soon as Islamic Shariah is implemented positive results will be inevitable. If Islamic Shariah is implemented in any part of the world, whether it is America or Europe, society will breathe easier. Hijaab does not degrade a woman but uplifts a woman and protects her modesty and chastity.
Reply taken from: http://ilovezakirnaik.com/misconceptions/a03.htm
Islamwatch quoted:
Sura (33:30) “O Consorts of the Prophet! If…any of you are devout, obedient, and submissive in the service to Allah and His Messenger, and does good, to her shall We grant her reward twice. We have prepared for her a generously rich provision.”
Sura (33:53) “And when ye ask (his ladies) for anything ye want, ask them from before a screen: that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs. Nor is it right for you that ye should… marry his [Muhammad’s] widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is in God’s sight an enormity.” (i.e., Nobody can marry Muhammad’s widows after he is dead.)
Response
No one can marry the Prophet (pbuh)’s wives because they are the Mothers of the believers, is there any problem? When the author couldn’t find any other allegation to put forth, he is trying to be an advocate of the MOTHER OF THE BELIEVERS. When those pious ladies had no objection and they led their lives according to the will of ALLAH and the way they were commanded, and they lived happily, the author again has a problem. The rules regarding the Mother of the believers were sometimes different than the other women.
I am unable to find any INJUSTICE from the verses quoted by the author , because the first verse talks about REWARD (twice) for the believing women and the second verse talks about maintaining the purity and piousness and respecting the umm-ul-mo’mineen (mothers of believers).
Islamwatch quoted
Sura(33:54) “You must not speak ill of God’s apostle, nor shall you ever wed his wives after him; this would be a grave offense in the sight of Allah.” The great adulator/fornicator condemned his wives to a life of loneliness.
Response
The Author has misquoted a verse. 33:54 is not what he mentioned. The actual verse is given below:
[033:054] Whether you reveal anything or conceal it, verily, Allah is Ever AllKnower of everything.
Islamwatch quoted
From the Hadith:
Bukhari (6:321) – Muhammad is asked whether it is right for a young woman to leave her house without a veil. He replies, “She should cover herself with the veil of her companion.”
Bukhari (60:282) – After Muhammad issued the command (Sura 24:31) for women to cover themselves, the women responded by tearing up sheets to cover their faces.
Narrated Safiya bint Shaiba:’Aisha used to say: “When (the Verse): “They should draw their veils over their necks and bosoms,” was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets at the edges and covered their faces with the cut pieces.”
Abu Dawud (2:641) – The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: Allah does not accept the prayer of a woman who has reached puberty unless she wears a veil.
Response:
These ahadeeth are Regarding Hijab. Please read what has been mentioned above for the reply on Hijab. The face veil is not obligatory according to some scholars while it is according to some others.
Imam Ibne Katheer said;
Ibne Abbas RadhiAllahanho said “She(woman) should bring the jilbaab close to her face without covering it. Narrated by Imam Shaf`aee with Good Chain there is No Harm in it. (Irshad al faqeeh 1/324)
For more details, check the following link:
Face Veil Obligatory or Mustahab?
http://systemoflife.com/articles/general/196-obligation-of-face-veil
It is not permissible for a woman to cover her face and hands during salaah.
One point that must be kept in mind is that Islam considers women as precious. That is the reason she is directed to cover herself properly so that she can avoid the gaze of men and so that no one passed remarks on her figure or body parts. Why would an honourable lady invite unnecessary comments on herself? Every respectable lady would like to be respected which she will get on presenting herself in a respectable manner!
Islamwatch quoted
Bukhari (52:250) – [The Prophet said] “It is not permissible for a man to be alone with a woman, and no lady should travel except with a Muhram (i.e. her husband or a person whom she cannot marry in any case for ever; e.g. her father, brother, etc.).”
Narrated Ibn Abbas: That he heard the Prophet saying, “It is not permissible for a man to be alone with a woman, and no lady should travel except with a Muhram (i.e. her husband or a person whom she cannot marry in any case for ever; e.g. her father, brother, etc.).” Then a man got up and said, “O Allah’s Apostle! I have enlisted in the army for such-and-such Ghazwa and my wife is proceeding for Hajj.” Allah’s Apostle said, “Go, and perform the Hajj with your wife.”
Response
Yes it is true that a woman should not be alone with a man who is not her Mahrum. For her protection there should be a mahrum with her
The Prophet peace be upon him once ordered a sahabi not to go to Jihad but to be with his wife and protect her from those who had bad intentions. Islam is the best system when it comes to protecting women, taking care of them, respecting and honoring them, and regarding them as precious jewels that must be guarded against evil.
In the second hadith quoted by the author we see that when it comes to protection of women even jihad was placed second. This makes it clear that women are treated respectably. The man mentioned in the hadith could have gone for jihad, but he was ordered to go for hajj with his wife. Why? It was because he was to TAKE CARE of his wife. His wife is his priority over other duties.
Shaafa’is and Maalikis, and some of the salaf, were of the view that it is permissible for a woman to travel for Hajj without a mahram, if she travels with a trustworthy group.
They quoted these evidences, that the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did Hajj without a mahram. That is mentioned in the report narrated by al-Bukhaari (1860), that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) gave permission to the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) during the last Hajj that he performed, and he sent ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan and ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf with them.
It was narrated that ‘Adiyy ibn Haatim (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: Whilst I was with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), a man came to him and complained of poverty. Then another came and complained about banditry. He said: “O ‘Adiyy have you seen al-al-Heerah?” I said: “I have not seen it, but I have been told about it.” He said: “If you live a long life, you will see a woman travelling from al-Heerah until she circumambulates the Ka’bah, fearing no one but Allaah.” … ‘Adiyy said: And I saw a woman travelling from al-Heerah until she circumambulated the Ka’bah, fearing no one but Allaah.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3400).
Lastly The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to Sauda when she went out and Umar bin al khattab ra said, “O Sauda! By Allah, you cannot hide yourself from us, so think of a way by which you should not be recognized on going out.”
Then Sauda ra said “O Allah’s Apostle! I went out to answer the call of nature and ‘Umar said to me so-and-so.” Then Allah inspired him (the Prophet) and when the state of inspiration was over and the bone was still in his hand as he had not put in down, he said (to Sauda), “You (women) have been allowed to go out for your needs.” (Bukhari Book #60, Hadith #318)
Ibn Hajar said in Fath al-Baari,
قال ابن بطَّال : ” فِقْهُ هذا الحديث : أنه يجوز للنساء التَّصَرُّفُ فيما لهن الحاجَةُ إليه من مَصَالِحِهِنَّ ”
Ibn Battaal said: The interpretation of this hadeeth is that it is permissible for women to engage in dealings according to their needs.
They quoted as evidence that which the questioner mentions, that the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did Hajj without a mahram. That is mentioned in the report narrated by al-Bukhaari (1860), that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) gave permission to the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) during the last Hajj that he performed, and he sent ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan and ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf with them.
Those who say that a mahram is not required quoted the following as evidence:
It was narrated that ‘Adiyy ibn Haatim (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: Whilst I was with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), a man came to him and complained of poverty. Then another came and complained about banditry. He said: “O ‘Adiyy have you seen al-al-Heerah?” I said: “I have not seen it, but I have been told about it.” He said: “If you live a long life, you will see a woman travelling from al-Heerah until she circumambulates the Ka’bah, fearing no one but Allaah.” … ‘Adiyy said: And I saw a woman travelling from al-Heerah until she circumambulated the Ka’bah, fearing no one but Allaah.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3400).
When ISLAM gives a wife this STATUS, the most prior of the duties, why will she not be proud to be a muslim?
Why won’t a muslim lady will feel secure and protected in a muslim family?
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) spoke beautiful word concerning kind treatment of one’s wife, stating that when the husband feeds his wife and puts a morsel of food in her mouth, he earns the reward of doing an act of charity. He said, “You never spend anything but you will be rewarded for it, even the morsel of food that you lift to your wife’s mouth.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6352; Muslim, 1628.
Author needs to find the answer of these questions!
Continue reading here: 9) Refutation Series IX: Polygamy