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M A J I D

M A J I D

Saudi Arabia

October 26, 2007

Islam gave women rights and privileges at a time when only barbaric manners and values dominated.
Yet, some people argue th
at Islam has alienated women in some domains. In fact, this belief is a misconception. People who say so, may have read about it in a magazine or seen it on TV. A quick examination of the issues judged as unjust to women will certainly correct the misunderstanding.

Man as the head of the household:

Some people believe that a woman in Islam is regarded as inferior to man since the Quran says (what means):"Men have one degree above women." [Quran 2: 228]

 

In the Quran it also says (what means): "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allaah has given the one more than the other and because men support them from their means." [Quran 4:34]

This verse implies that it is a man's duty to support his wife, and not the reverse, but this, in no way, makes him superior to her.

In fact, the rights and responsibilities of a woman are equal to those of a man but they are not necessarily identical. Since men and women are not created identical, they have different physical and emotional qualities, jobs and privileges. This does not mean that women are inferior.

On the contrary, women are considered crucial members of society in Islam since they are assigned the job of bringing up future generations. People today tend to look down at housewives but, in fact, raising children is one of the most important and difficult tasks. The way a mother brings up her child determines the way he will behave in the future. This duty, which requires patience, love, understanding and wisdom was significantly assigned to women in Islam because her nature suits this job.

Allaah The Exalted, in His Wisdom, has assigned a role for each member of the family so that there would be no arguments concerning who should do what. If a sailboat has two leaders, each will want to follow a path, leading ultimately to chaos and even a crash. In the same manner, how many times have your parents fought over some decision because each had their own point of view and wanted to apply it? This is precisely why it is preferable to have one leader for each household. However, this does not give the leader the right to be a dictator, or to neglect the role of his companion. This does not make him superior to other members of his family. It just gives him a larger duty.

Inheritance:

Some people claim that Islam is unjust towards women because it entitles them to inherit half of what men get. In fact, those people only know one side of the truth.

First, the principle of women inheriting half the money is only applicable in 45 percent of the cases. In the other 55 percent, women inherit the same amount or sometimes even more. For example, a mother and a father each inherit the sixth of their son's property when they are not the only inheritors.

In addition, the laws of inheritance in Islam are proportional to the duties of spending. Indeed, a man in Islam has the responsibility of supporting his family, his brother's children (when his brother dies), his parents (when they retire and do not have an income), his children from his previous marriage (if he has them) and his household, including his wife and children. A woman, on the other hand, does not bear this responsibility. She has the freedom to use the money she collects from her dowry or work as she pleases.

You might object here, saying that women today are working and helping their husbands pay the expenses, which entitles them to share equality with men. In fact, you should know that women's economic assistance to their husbands, which has become the norm today, is only an answer to the females’ wishes. Islam does not oblige women to spend on their households. It is a free choice many women have themselves taken today to feel more liberated, so it does not entitle them to a bigger portion of the inheritance.

Polygyny:

Polygyny is one of the most questioned principles that Islam grants men and women. Indeed, many people wrongfully accuse Islam of injustice because it allows a man to have up to four wives. Nevertheless, like every instruction in the Quran, polygyny has a reason. You see, Islam is a practical religion that acknowledges the needs and temptations of human beings and provides laws that deal with them, thus preserving harmony and morality.

- Polygyny might be the solution for a couple if the wife is barren, the husband wants children of his own and the option of separation does not appeal to both parties.

- If a woman is chronically ill and is unable to perform her marital duties. Polygyny may also be the solution when the couple does not want divorce.

- Polygyny is the religion's answer to cases where some men have excessive sexual needs that cannot be fulfilled by one wife. This in no way means that men should abuse this right and use it whenever they fancy a woman. It is rather a chance Islam has provided to prevent men from committing adultery. Many people who condemn polygyny cheat on their wives, calling this phenomenon a 'swift affair.' Islam, at least, has offered the second woman the option of being called 'a wife' rather than 'a mistress', especially in some countries where women remarkably outnumber men.

- Polygyny may settle the problem of an increased number of unmarried women, especially during wars.

However, polygyny has some limits and conditions to be met. Indeed, the Quran instructs the man to be fair with his wives on all levels, including treatment, money, house, etc. The only level where the man may have an uneven stance is the level of the feelings that he cannot control:

The Quran says (what means): "You will never be able to do perfect justice between wives even if it is your ardent desire, so do not incline too much to one of them [by giving her more of your time and provision] so as to leave the other hanging [i.e. neither divorced nor married]. And if you do justice, and do all that is right and fear Allaah by keeping away from all that is wrong, then Allaah is Ever-Forgiving and All-Merciful." [Quran 4:129]

Finally, it is worth knowing that Islam gives a woman the right to refuse polygyny for her husband by setting it as a condition during the marriage procedures. If this condition is set, then the woman is granted divorce if her husband marries another while he is still married to her.

You might ask, why could not there be polyandry (a woman having more than one husband)? The answer is simple. Islam did not allow it because Allaah is All-Aware that it will create a problem of kinship. This means that the child may not know who is actually his father (it could be anyone of the four husbands). In addition to the psychological damage it may cause, this problem also complicates the issue of inheritance. Even birds and animals do not allow polyandry.

In fact, to understand this Quranic verse, you should see another one, related to the issue in question. It reveals the wisdom behind this concept.

http://www.islamhouse.com/p/53056 

More entries: Some Misconceptions about Women in Islam (33), What if you Find a Watch in The Sand? (33), What if you Find a Watch in The Sand?, What the Bible Says About Muhammad (146)

View all entries from My Blog >

09:30 AM Dec 15 2007

soror
Algeria

congratulations Majid.You really knew how to elucidate the Islamic principles concerning women. May God bless you for that

12:04 AM Nov 11 2007

mtdz
Iran, Islamic Republic Of

this lesson is very complite for show real islam thanks

09:53 AM Nov 07 2007

princessaly
Cote D'Ivoire

well done.good job.as a woman and muslim. i a, happy to read such wonderful sentences about women.i agree with you and i think that all african men should read this because most of the, mistreat their wives and think she is inferior.

God bless you.    

05:31 AM Nov 07 2007

warna
Morocco

jazaka laho khayran brother Majid you have really again enlightened people. the subject you have rised was well presented and well done. if you have such subject would you please send them to me by mail.once again i thank you very much and may ALLAH the Almighty strenghten you

regards

05:18 AM Oct 30 2007

akbarali
India

Really it is a very good article .

This shows the respect which we give to women , and this will Create the awareness among the people , who will thing that in islam the women is treated as equl not inferior

08:28 AM Oct 29 2007

ambitious girl
Saudi Arabia

 nice topic  ..well done ...

Allah bless you.

08:02 AM Oct 29 2007

senoic

senoic
Bosnia and Herzegovina

DEAR MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS, IT'S TRUE THAT ONLY ISLAM CAN SAVE THE WORLD OF DESTROYED.

07:48 AM Oct 29 2007

naazia

naazia
Pakistan

excellent Majid.....welldone....

keep it up

07:32 AM Oct 29 2007

mora mayden
Egypt

majid this topic is really one of the best topics in this site that if it's not the best. I really want every one to know the truth about our lovely religion " ISLAM " it doesn't mean that we're forcing people to love it but also not hate it it's a religion after all & every one should respect what other people in this world belive in . & janae >> darling , ISLAM the great religion don't need you to love or hate the belivers of ISLAM & MUSLIMS , just respect it as we respect the other religions. one more thing the heardress is to protect the girls & women every where in any time & that's need another topic to know that is for our best not to hurt us . thanks again , man.

04:29 AM Oct 29 2007

janae
Hong Kong

but to be frank,,i dont like islamic people .,.. in a word ... there is no freedom for a female need to wear headress ....

04:29 AM Oct 29 2007

janae
Hong Kong

but to be frank,,i dont like islamic people .,.. in a word ... there is no freedom for a female need to wear headress ....

04:06 AM Oct 29 2007

heramanium

heramanium
Azerbaijan

that's it!!!!!!!!!!!...well-done bro...hold on that way...i am very proud that i'm MUSLIM..........

01:31 AM Oct 29 2007

babyfaceding
China

there are different religions and cultures in this world, we should try to understand this fact, or at least respect the others.

09:09 PM Oct 28 2007

fake-feelings
Pakistan

well done

very nice

i have no words to eprieat u.

06:57 PM Oct 28 2007

cecilia512

cecilia512
China

Yellmisconception? maybe!---it still in my mind deeply---thoght hv read ur article.Im in China,besides I hv sm middle east friends,u see there are lots of Islams in the north-west of China.of my knowledge the women exactly are inferor in many ways...yee,what u stated are true Im sure,but just allegedy!---from Quran!---what's the truth in practice way??

03:23 PM Oct 28 2007

albadia13

albadia13
United Arab Emirates

I like all your comments. You are a star in this life. I admire all people who are trying all their best to proctect Islam from its haters.

02:16 PM Oct 28 2007

crazysexycool
Turkey

well done brother ...ppl should know the correct information about islam and the women rights in islam.....congradulations..

12:27 PM Oct 28 2007

tourky

tourky
Egypt

thank you man ,for true.

12:25 PM Oct 28 2007

tourky

tourky
Egypt

fantastic pragraph ,let they understand what islam was,and dont say any thing with out deep search,not all thing in t.v belive it,thanks man.

12:20 PM Oct 28 2007

mhmmd
Jordan

thank you for this effort and i see this is a good manner to spread a good idea on islam 

 

07:16 AM Oct 28 2007

m3hm3t in dream
Turkey

thanks for this writing Majid.you did a good job!

03:03 AM Oct 28 2007

RIMY

RIMY
Algeria

Well done and well said ,majid

10:52 PM Oct 27 2007

snoopghost_1985
Algeria

way to go man......i really liked the topic....because some people have rush thoughts concerning the women in Islam.....thx again

barak allahe fika

12:47 PM Oct 27 2007

ashrafff

ashrafff
Ghana

  i'll say, well done brother,  i'm really moved with your subjuct. i believe many people  who think other wise about wiomen in islam,  will have a change of mind.keep it up brother.

11:03 AM Oct 27 2007

yasser_mso
Yemen

majed, thank you very much for your subject  ,really good job ,  i support you about this subject...............

ALLAH BLESS YOU

 B/R

 

 

 

08:40 AM Oct 27 2007

justine_romania
Romania

i must admit i had misconceptions about the islam world...maybe coz i live in europe..which is proud of its freedom...but this article really changed my opionion..so good job

05:17 AM Oct 27 2007

It s me_34
Saudi Arabia

Great, may God bless u bro

 

03:46 AM Oct 27 2007

jacky8237595
China

support this text.

03:32 AM Oct 27 2007

doxz

doxz
Indonesia

good job brother!let's show the truth of islam