It is observed that stereotyped media images about Muslim and Arab women are
either misrepresentations of reality or result from some certain practices prevailing in
the Muslim world which are alien to the teaching of Islam. The image of the typical
Muslim woman wearing the veil and forced to stay home is all too common in most peoples
thoughts. Although some Muslim countries may have laws that oppress women, this
should not be seen as coming from Islam. Many of these countries do not rule by any kind
of Shari'ah (Islamic law) and introduce their own cultural standpoints on the issue of
gender equity.
Islam on the other hand gives men and women different roles
and equity between the two is laid down in the Quran and the example of the Prophet (peace
be upon him). Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an individual in her own
right, with the right to own and dispose of her property and earnings. A marriage
gift is given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and she keeps her own
family name rather than taking her husband's. Both men and women are expected to dress in
a way which is modest and dignified. The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said:
"The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manner and kindest
to his wife".
A female webmaster
wrote in the women section of her website: "Islam's attitude toward woman
is a dream come true for anyone who is interested in equal rights and
feminism - really interested, not just because of a "cool feminist" fad
..
Please do not confuse wrong behavior of men with the real teachings of Islam. That's like
blaming the car for the irresponsibility of a driver. Your personal
benefit from (this) .. will depend on whether you want to find the truth about
Islam or if you want to retain a "Don't bother me with facts; I'm
happy with my stereotypes." attitude.
It will also depend
on what your definition of women's right is because what one person
might conceive as a form of freedom, may not be freedom at all but
rather, subtle oppression".
Take an open-minded look at some of the articles on the women sections on the site (
1
, 2 ).
To summarize:
Violence of any kind towards women and forcing them against
their will for anything is not allowed. A Muslim marriage is a simple, legal agreement in
which either partner is free to include conditions.
Let us Look at the following Noble Verses:
"O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to
inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness,
that ye may take away part of the dower [money given by the husband to the wife for the
marriage contract] ye have given them, except where they have been guilty of open
lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity.
If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and God brings about
through it a great deal of good." (The Noble Quran 4:19)
"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)
"And the believers men and
women are friends one of the other, they enjoin what is right and forbid what is
wrong, and they establish worship and pay the poor due, and they obey God and his
messenger. As for these, God will have mercy on them..." (The Noble
Quran 9:71)
"Indeed, men who submit and women who
submit, believing men and believing women, and men who obey and women who obey, and
truthful men and truthful women, and men who persevere and women who persevere, and men
who are humble and women who are humble, and men who give alms and women who give alms,
and men who fast and women who fast, and men who guard their chastity and women who guard
their chastity, and men who remember God much and women who remember God much. God has
prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward." (The Noble Quran
33:35)
"And their Lord has heard them and
says: 'I don't let the work of any worker be lost be they male or female. You both proceed
one from the other.." (The Noble Quran 3:195)
About
the ‘Islamic dress code’ for women, the whole idea behind a dress code is to dress in a decent
manner, which does not project body features and attract unnecessary public attention.
That is to keep woman’s honor and dignity. So, Islam enjoins decency both in style
and in color.
Marriage customs vary widely from country to country.
Divorce is not common, although it is acceptable as a last resort. According to Islam, a
Muslim girl cannot be forced to marry against her will: her parents simply suggest young
men they think may be suitable. Arranged marriages, are a distortion of Islamic
precepts. Men and women are allowed to see each other before proposed marriages, in a
decent manner, to help them understand each other. But private meetings are not
permitted because it may lead to illicit relations. Such pleasures should be reserved
for married life. Islam gives a Muslim woman the same right as a man to divorce. She
can approach an Islamic Shariah court seeking divorce from her husband and the court will
sanction her request if it is genuine.
"And when you men have divorced women,
...then either retain them in kindness if you reconcile, or part with them in
kindness. Do not retain them to harm them so that you transgress limits. He who
does this has wronged himself." (The Noble Quran 2:231)
Muslim women are not prohibited from working
outside their homes provided they abide with the instructions of the Islamic law
(Shariah). In certain areas, like education and nursing, their services are extremely,
necessary.
During the Prophet’s
time, there was a woman named Khawla Bint Al Azwar, who (May God be pleased with her) was
an excellent horse rider, which is comparable to driving a Mercedes Benz in the modern
times. Neither the prophet
(PBUH) nor any of his companions prevented her from going out in public riding her
horse.
It has to be pointed out that women in the
Gulf countries, especially, in Qatar, are far ahead of men in educational
achievements. Around 80% of the Qatari girls are getting enrolled in the university
after their school studies, while the percentage of boys is only 50%.
Misunderstanding
of Some Islamic Teachings:
Your personal benefit from
the following will depend on whether you want to find the truth about Islam or if you want
to retain a "Don't bother me with facts; I'm happy with my stereotypes."
attitude.
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