Emily
MikeIn an effort to improve Islam’s image in Great Britain, an Islamic organization began placing ads in the London Underground and on taxicabs. Remona Aly, the campaign director of the Exploring Islam Foundation (the group responsible for the ads) says that she hopes the campaign will help counteract “the often inaccurate and negative stereotypes of the faith on our screens and in our newspapers.”
One ad was of a social worker with a sign saying: “I believe in social justice. So did Muhammad.” On the face of it, the statement may have at least some legitimacy. Another was a sign saying “I believe in protecting the environment. So did Muhammad.” The woman with the sign is Kristiane Backer, a former MTV Europe host and convert to Islam who is identified as an “eco-Muslim.” I have less reason to believe in that sign, but still might see some legitimacy.
But another ad says: “I Believe in Women’s Rights. So Did Muhammad.” That seems almost impossible to believe. I saw an article on a web site called “Family Security Matters,: which has a tagline of “Engaging American Families in Our Nation’s Security.” With a name and tagline like that–and knowing that most organizations using “Families” in the name are right wing–I have difficulty believing that the site is anything other than right wing. (Its articles on the Mojave Desert War Memorial kind of seal it for me.) Nevertheless, the article’s focus that “the idea that Muhammad ‘believed in women’s rights’ in the sense in which we in the 21st Century understand that concept is utterly absurd, as anyone who has taken an honest look at the Qur’an should be aware” seems to me to be pretty much correct.
If the statements the article quotes from the Qur’an are correct, then either Muhammad truly was anti-woman, or the Qur’an does not match the beliefs of Muhammad. In any event, I find it almost impossible to believe the ads’ statement that Muhammad believed in women’s rights.
Does anyone think that Muhammad believed in women’s rights? I’d be happy to learn that he did. And if there is no legitimacy to the ad campaign, doesn’t it make the image worse? Any comments?
Filed under: International, Race/Ethnicity, Religion Tagged: | Islam, Muhammad, women's rights
First of all, I am not a scholar of any kind and I’m not going to pretend to be, it hasn’t been long since I’ve started practising and I still have a lot to learn. Therefore, if you genuinely want to debate and for me to answer your questions regarding Islam’s view on divorce, inheritance etc. then you will please have to bear with me and I will research and try and find answers, God willing.
Ok, regarding telling mullahs and clerics etc to ‘do the same’, I found the previous comment I was replying to just blatant ignorance, I don’t know if you checked out the links the person gave but they were just offensive. And you can’t say every Muslim just agrees with all mullahs, cleric, scholars etc. because that’s not true. There are things I strongly disagree with which other Muslims might defend. Such as the significantly small minority who preach hatred and terrorism, and use verses from the qu’ran and hadith to justify their beliefs, which I and most Muslims believe are wrong and against Islam.
Also, I wasn’t trying to say women are less equal than men, or that men are worth more than women. Being different doesn’t make one better than the other. And God clearly says that in the Qu’ran.
“ …Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another…” (Chapter 3: Verse 195).
“Verily for all men and women who have surrendered themselves unto God, and all believing men and believing women, and all truly devout men and truly devout women, and all men and women who are true to their word, and all men and women who are patient in adversity, and all men and women who humble themselves before God, and all men and women who give in charity, and all self-denying men and self-denying women, and all men and women who are mindful of their chastity, and all men and women who remember God unceasingly: for all of them has God readied forgiveness of sins and a mighty reward.” (Chapter 33: Verse 35)
So no I don’t believe that men are better than women. And I think you have seriously misunderstood me there, maybe I should have been clearer on that.
Islam in certain areas does have in certain areas different rulings for men and women. But overall, women, like men, can vote, work, own property, have their say in public affairs and so on, these rights which were given in the west much later. It’s true that sadly there are Muslims which do not put these into practise and treat women as if they should be seen and not heard which is wrong and an issue the Muslim community needs to tackle. That’s easier said than done, but I have come across organisations run by Muslims to provide support to women. Some of my friends are part of an Islamic organisation which aims to help victims of domestic violence .
And there are many hadiths which speak up for women’s rights. One example I will use is the Prophet’s (pbuh) last sermon . ‘Treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers.’ Yes, there are some hadith which have been fabricated over time and we must do our research but I don’t think we should disregard them all. For example, Muslims learn how to pray and the rulings of fasting, both important pillars of Islam mentioned in the qu’ran, through the hadiths of the Prophet (pbuh).
The reason I gave links in one my earlier comments was because of lack of space in the comment box.
I think the problems Muslim women face are what women in general are facing, for example, the issue of domestic violence, problems in the workplace, less pay etc. are common to womankind everywhere and we need to address these issues. The point I was trying to make is that I don’t believe Islam is a sexist religion, I believe it is a fair and just religion which forbids oppression of any kind. If you really want me to look up what Islam says about divorce, inheritance, custody of children, Muslim women marrying Non-Muslim men etc. please let me know.
I am a fundamentalist Muslim who, by the grace of Allah, knows and strives to practise the fundamental of Islam. I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim because I know that the fundamentals of Islam are beneficial to Islam and the whole world. There is not a single fundamental of Islam that causes ham or is against the interests of the human race as a whole. Many people consider some teachings of Islam are unfair or improper. This is due to insufficient and incorrect knowledge of Islam.
Hi there and may peace always be upon those who follow true guidance!
I am a Muslim woman who converted into the religion during my teenage years. I believe that Muhammad pbuh did believe in women’s rights. Muslim have had rights for 1,400 that my English ancestors only received in the last century or so! Such as the right to own land and inheritance. I believe that men and women are not equal. If we say that they are equal then we are saying they are the same and this is incorrect. Islam is not a faith of equality it is one of justice. Islam is a complete way of life within which one’s duties and responsibilities are outlined. Women are honoured in my faith. Mothers for instance have the glad tiding of heaven under their feet….
Khadija, mohammad’s first wife, was not a muslim. She was a woman of the “jahiliyah”. Islam was created after her death. After her death when muhammad could use her earnings for his desert pirate ways. And she had a LOT more rights than the women after Islam.
no I think you are mistaken, how can Islam be created after her death when in fact she was the first person to become Muslim after Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) received his revelation.
She then lived the rest of her life as a Muslim and Muslims believe that she was promised paradise. There isn’t really any disagreement about this so I’m not sure where you could have got your information from.
And I’m not sure what you mean by desert pirate ways but you’ve probably been misinformed there too.
I recommend this website http://www.1001inventions.com/ which can give you an intro to Muslim Society and how women played a part in it.
Good info, r.b.
r.b. is correct. Wikipedia says about Khadija: “When her husband received his first revelation from the Archangel Gabriel, she was the first person (besides Muhammad) — among both male and females — to convert to Islam.”
Hi,
I am a young muslim woman and I think the view that Islam is against womens rights is very narrow.
For example, Islam was sent to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) at a time where parents were burying their new-born female children alive and women had no rights for themselves and were used for sexual exploitation. Islam condemned this and was sent to put a stop to this.
The first wife of the Prophet (pbuh) was a successful businesswoman in her own right (Khadija).
One last example I will use is that in Islam a working woman has complete control of how to spend her earnings.
I think each woman has their own idea about what it means to be truly equal with men and it could be that Islam’s idea of equality is simply different to some western perceptions of equality.
Does a woman have the same right to choose her husband as a man to choose his wife ? And to divorce ?
Does a woman have the same right to instigate or deny sex with her husband as her husband does ?
Does a woman have the same right to drive a car ? To dress how she likes ? To talk to whoever she likes ?
Does she have the same respect as a witness in a criminal case as a man ?
If “no” to any of these, then you might as well say that different societies have different ideas of what 2+2 equals.
Hi, sorry for late reply, i wasn’t aware that I had received a reply.
I think i have to keep this brief.
Here is a good link regarding women’s rights :
http://www.themodernreligion.com/women/w_rights_summary.htm
Islam spread peacefully across the world where men AND women accepted it of their own free will.
There is so many different interpretations these days in Islam, so it is always important to go back to the core message, that there is only one God and Muhammad (pbuh) was his messenger, and the Qu’ran has undeniably sent by God.
Hope that helps.
r.b,
I think it’s telling that such a page doesn’t just say “women have the same rights as men”. They’ve actually written down where it sounds good, and I’m sure that different sects of islam disagree about them.
I could write a very large list of ways that monkeys and humans have the same biology. Doesn’t mean that the monkeys can solve differential equations.
I think it’s strange that you say that Islam spread peacefully across the world. It has done sometimes, but if you read your Qu’ran you’ll see that’s not a rule.
If you say the core message is there’s only one god, and muhammad was his messenger, and the Qu’ran was sent by god, then why are there so many interpretations ? I do a bit of technical writing myself, and I get my point across without misinterpretation most of the time. I’m surprised god and his messenger did such a poor job.
Yes men and women do in some cases have different rights in Islam, because men and women are different,so their rights are catered to fit them.
The teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was to never force religion onpeople. The Qu’ran says that his jobwas only to convey the message, that’s it. His uncle who he was very close to was not a muslim.
Different sects may believe different things, but Islam is one religion and the qu’ran does not tell muslims to force Islam on others, everyone has a choice what to believe, and if you look at it logically, you can force someone to say something, but you can’t force them to believe something.
Funny,
I heard the Qu’ran details how Muhammad waged war on other tribes to spread Islam, and forced those who didn’t convert (and weren’t killed) to pay extra taxes.
And you say everyone has a choice what to believe. What’s the penalty for apostasy again ? Oh, that’s right. Death. Do you honestly think that counts as a choice ?
That you think it’s reasonable that men and women have different rights demonstrates a major problem with Islam and religions in general. People will rationalise away all sorts of terrible things because they think their god told them it’s OK.
Gib:
Again I have to be breif due to lack of space,so I will just provides links to more detailed answers.
I suggest you look at the life of the Prophet (pbuh) and what he really did,he NEVER waged war on a tribe just because they weren’t Muslim.More info > 1) http://prophetofislam.com/ 2) http://www.islamtomorrow.com/kill.asp
As for the tax…in an islamic state non muslims are required to pay a tax called the Jizya…but Muslims are required to pay a tax too! it’s just like how we pay tax now.
http://wisdomtoislam.com/myths-on-islam/does-jizya-verse-929-of-quran-invite-muslims-to-violence-commentary-on-islamic-jizya-state-tax#more-676
http://www.aboutjihad.com/terrorism/quran_misquote_part_3.php
As for the death punishment for apostasy,while I can’t deny some muslims do believe that this is correct,many would argue otherwise and have sound proof that this is NOT how Islam treats those who change their religion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_oKXh2oy8E apostasy
http://www.islamnewsroom.com/answers-to-questions-mainmenu-26/92-apostasy.html
I never once said men are better than women or the other way round,both, I believe, are created as equals in the sight of God and will be judged according to his/her deeds,some Muslims are out there who oppress women openly,and some who preach and practice violence,but that is not what their religion teaches at all.
“…women had no rights for themselves and were used for sexual exploitation. Islam condemned this and was sent to put a stop to this.”
RE
This doesn’t appear to be true for slave women. Quran 4:24 says they can be used for sex by their owner, even if they’re already married to someone else.
You have misunderstood the verse. This is the verse:
‘And all married women (are forbidden to you) except those (captives) whom your right hands possess. It is a decree of Allah for you. Lawful to you are all beyond those mentioned, so that you seek them with your wealth in honest wedlock, not debauchery. And those of whom you seek content (by marrying them), give to them their portions as a duty. And there is no sin for you in what you do by mutual agreement after the duty (has been done). Allah is ever Knower, Wise.’
At the time, the tradition was that women who were captives of war who left behind their husbands in the domain of war and entered the domain of Islam, their marriages were nullified. But since slavery is abolished now worldwide, none of this would apply.
When Islam first came, slavery wasn’t abolished completely because it was so integrated into society it would have destablised the whole society financially, and structurally, it just wasn’t compatible. However Islam set in place a system that would slowly but surely eradicate slavery altogether with the spread of Islam, hence there is believed to be a high reward for freeing a slave, also it was only allowed under a fully operating khilafa, so it could be regulated and not abused. Islam gave slaves rights, so its not how we usually think of slaves. They’re basically same as anyone else, they’re like maids/servants rather than ‘slaves’. So you have to treat them well, and feed and clothe them with the same standard you yourself wear and what you give to your own family.
So regarding marriage, the actual contract makes official the passing of guardianship from the father of the girl to the husband. That’s what it is essentially, however for a slave girl, her guardian is already the ‘master’ so the actual marriage is not needed, but she practically has the same rights as a wife. So if the owner and slavewoman want to have a relationship they can without the marriage contract. However the quran says that you’re not allowed to force them against their will, and its only if they agree to it. Any children born would still have the same rights as any children born under a marriage contract.
I’m using the words ‘master’ and ‘slave’ for want of better words to be honest, I don’t really like what they imply but just using them for explanation purposes. No human has the right to ‘own’ another human being, so the words servant or maids are much better choices, I just used ‘slave’ because you did.
I am an American Muslim convert and a feminist. I won’t deny that there are Islamic practices that restrict the lives of Muslim women, but these are mostly cultural and/or the result of fundamentalism. Most religions are male-oriented and could use a bit of feminist overhauling themselves. Trying to keep women in their place is not restricted to Islam.
This post and the comments reflect an ignorance about Islam. It takes more than a cursory understanding of Islam and of Mohammad’s teachings to grasp just how positive Islam is about women.
I completely agree that most religions are male oriented and “try[] to keep women in their place.”. In fact, I would say that most religions discriminate against women–and that includes Islam. If you have any information about “how positive Islam is about women,” I would be happy to see it.
There are plenty of places which detail how Islam is positive about women, including the Qur’an. Men and women have the same stature in Islam. Unlike Christianity, Eve is not blamed for bringing sin into the world nor are women condemned to suffer in childbirth because of it. Female infanticide was widely practiced in pre-Islamic society and was forbidden by the Qur’an and Mohammad. Women are the recipients of the dowry (not their families or fathers) and are allowed to keep any money they make or inherit during their marriages. Muslim women went to war and contributed to the Sunnah (traditions and sayings of Mohammad). A woman can have it written into her marriage contract that she can divorce her husband for a variety of reasons, including the taking of a second wife. Women are not helpless pawns nor are they second-class citizens. Just because some Muslims stick to out-dated traditions or engage in power struggles between the sexes does not mean that this is what Allah or Mohammad intended.
The only way to avoid any elements of misogyny in religion is to have no religion. That might be what you prefer. But for myself I want the encouragement, the fellowship, the direction and the rituals associated with belonging to a faith community. I’m a big girl; I can reason out what is true to my faith and what isn’t. I am not a slave to any man, to a hadith or to an isolated verse in the Qur’an.
There is only one who deserves my submission and that is God. Period.
Ellen,
Simple question. Which in your opinion is more positive about women:
1. Islam
or
2. Secular societies
If it’s 1, then please explain why. If it’s 2, then why follow Islam ?
And if you’re blaming “fundamentalism” for the restrictions, please explain why you disagree with the fundamentalists, when you are both presumably following the same book.
Christian fundamentalists follow the same book as progressive or liberal Christians. Are you including asking this question about them as well?
If you are anti-religion, then we’re not going to find consensus about religions anyway.
And what do you mean by “secular” societies? Humanist? Anti-religious? Or anything but Islamic?
In reply to Ellen (there doesn’t seem to be a button for a direct reply).
Yes, the different christians are just as guilty of disagreement as different muslims are. And you’re right, I’m anti-religion. Actually anti-dogma, of which religion is a subset.
Good question about “secular”. You can follow Islam in a secular country. I suppose I mean to say the different between the rules in a theocratic muslim state versus the laws in countries where religion doesn’t hold much sway, and where laws are enacted based on reason and compassion, such as the mostly non-religions countries like Sweden etc.
You’re right, I’m probably putting this in the wrong place because I don’t know if I’m directly replying to your last comment or not!
I have always been fascinated by countries like Sweden, and even Germany, where they emphasize things like workers’ rights and more support for the family, but where religion has become much less important than it was in the past. I think it is partly the result of past history and the influence of religion in earlier eras. That is to say, I think that every country or culture has a sort of collective mind-set and approach to life that is the result of what has happened to it in the past, which includes, of course, its religious history. I don’t think these countries or cultures are superior BECAUSE they are secular, which is what you seem to be saying.
Let me say that I’m completely in agreement with you about the negative effects of religion, but I think you are choosing to be blind about the positive effects. I don’t think that all people need religion, but I don’t think they are better people just because they’ve rejected it. There are plenty of examples of lives that have been changed for the better because the persons have embraced some kind of religion.
I think we all have some kind of religious beliefs if you define them as asking and trying to find the answers for the questions about what the meaning of life is, and why are we here. I understand that you are not happy with dogma, and I would agree with you there, too. As a Muslim, one of the things I’m working through is how I live out my faith without resorting to knee-jerk reactions to dogma.
No religion is perfect (nor is “no-religion”). I just think that some people feel the need to belong to a community of like-minded individuals, and that goes for atheists as well. I just happen to have found a lot of correlation between my personal beliefs and Islam. That isn’t to say that I’m not critical of some of its elements, but I was also critical of Christianity when I was a Christian.
I don’t think the answer is to have no religion unless that’s the way you’re disposed to begin with. But for those of us who choose some kind of religious tradition, I think it’s absolutely necessary to use our critical thinking in regards to it. Blind obedience is not the answer.
Sorry for the long answer. If I rambled, I’ll blame it on the early hour. I look forward to revisiting this topic with you, if you’re so inclined.
Jesusandmo.net pokes fun at these ads. Gib (above) has the right of it; women may have had rights, but they weren’t EQUAL rights.
http://www.jesusandmo.net/2010/06/18/right/
http://www.jesusandmo.net/2010/06/22/ripe/
this strip on Jesus and mo is pretty on spot
http://www.jesusandmo.net/2010/06/18/right/
Some information in response to the ads here
http://www.wikiislam.com/wiki/Inspired_by_Muhammad#.22I_believe_in_women.27s_rights._So_did_Muhammad.22
and this cnn video shows women’s rights in afghanistan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsOuPy8KvTU&feature
Hey, I believe in the rights of pets. The right to be fed, and given shelter.
But I will hit the dog if it does something wrong. I will keep more than one dog as a pet if I want, and I will lock it in the house or backyard and not let it out by itself. I also won’t let it drive a car or be too friendly with the neighbour’s dog.
Believing in the rights of pets does not mean believing they have the same rights as humans.
If the advertisement said “I believe women have the same rights as men. So did Muhammed”, then I’d say they’re lying. As it is, they’re just being very misleading.
Hi,
Found your blog while tag surfing.
The Qur’an quotes are true, and Islam is not so much against women rights as it is for the sexual exploitation of women with impunity
I duscuss this aspect here:
http://th3cow.wordpress.com
http://th3cow.wordpress.com/chaps/chapter-27-marriage-and-divorce-and-other-matters/
I can’t believe you can be so disrespectful about another religion.
If Islam is such a ‘stain in the fabric of Humanity’, then why are there around 1.5 billion Muslims in the world?
Please, get your facts straight, don’t just pick and choose odd verses from the Qu’ran and take them out of context.
The word Islam comes from the arabic word Peace!
Can you make sure to also ask the mullahs and clerics and imams and scholars (event he most esteemed and respected ones) to do the same?
I have read several fatwas from well established fatwa and dawah networks where the scholars are educated and respected across the world but they too pick out of verses and hadith that suit their purpose. I have yet not seen a single muslim object to that practice but as soon as a critic or non-muslim does that, there is a lashback. Why the double standards?
Secondly I dont understand how you can claijm (above somewhere) that woman and men and different and therefore they have different rights.
Equal rights mean equal rights and overrides gender. Yes women and men are different but equal. They have full functioning brains and bodies.
What grounds are there for a woman not to have the same easy access to give and grant divorce as men?
Why does a woman still get less inheritance when there are social surveys and studies to prove that men in muslim countries do not always take care of their women and what about women are the providers when the husbands sit at home or just dont contribute like a man should?
Why should women not have the same right to marrying a christian or jew (ahle kitabi) as men? What makes men so more capable of handling an interfaith marriage? And dont give that nonsense about the kids being muslim only through their fathers. Thats bull. I know muslim women married to non muslim men and raising their kids as muslim with names, circumcision, diet restrictions and so on. So clearly a woman can do an interfaith marriage as successfully.
Why should a womans testimony be less stable or less credible just because she is a woman? Why does one male witness equate to 2 female witnesses? Tell me what in their biological composition makes them so less credible? Nothing. They come from Adams rib so by default if they are weak, so are men. This is like arguing that women seduce men but never the other way around. I fact that has been the silly argument put forward and now widely accepted to introduce the veil. Many females are very sexually driven and from a young age. They are fully conscious when they sit in front of a handsome man, be the local imam or any non-mahram. Their minds and hearts can be as easily swayed as mens. Lust or attraction is not one sided.
Why should a woman not have custody of her own children after divorce? Why are boys aged 7 given to their fathers and how many fathers do you know, who sit at home looking after their kids as a result of such custody awarded? NIL. They just hand the kid to the grandmother or sister and get on with it. So would it not be better to share custody and let the mother raise her child rather than grandmother?
The fact is you have no legitimate explanation as to why women should suffer in terms of right.
In non muslim societies women and men have same access to:
divorce
marriage
partners
custody of children
employment
progression
in courts as witnesses
Polygamy too. Why should women not have more than one man. The very same scenarios that men use to excuse/allow polygamy can be applied to a woman. A man can not give her kids then surely a second husband can.
Women are not viewed as intellectually weak, or 25% less valuable in worship or other matters of faith as in the famous sahih hadith where it is said that women because they menstruate and therefor miss 1/4 of their prayers and worship, and because they inherit less are inferior in intelligence and ability. So you are agreeing to this by not addressing the questions posed by the author above several times in many posts. You just link here and there without the ability to give an informed and independent answer. I find that strange.
I think you need to consider why the hadith and scholars are saying women are less valuable, less worth, inequal – when the Quran does not say so.
There are issues with Islam and its doctrines but mostly due to hadith and the interpretation that men have invented in order to sustain control. And this needs to be addressed instead of following these corrupted people blindly without using your common sense that Allah has awarded you. The Quran is part of the answer. But acceoting that interpretation must change with time to fit the circumstances and advancement without abandoning basic principles like fear of Allah, prayer, charity, etc.
If you disagree then perhaps you also think there should be slavery today and muslim males should be able to keep concubines for sex? Sex slavery was afterall widespread then. A woman in captivity can not say no. In modern day this will be called warcrimes. But sex with slaves is widely accepted.
I think you need to be critical and use some common sense instead of saying that men and women being different (biologically) thus they deserve different rights. If a country said well christianity is better than Islam, so muslims and christians are different and should have different rights, you will not hesitate to say discrimination. Well same applies to your “logic” on women and womens rights.