Download Women In Islam - Elgin Academy

Caitlin Connor Matthew
 "O
prophet, tell your wives, your
daughters, and the wives of the believers
that they shall lengthen their garments.
Thus, they will be recognized (as righteous
women) and avoid being insulted. GOD is
Forgiver, Most Merciful." 33:59
 The
verse quoted is one of the only verses in
the Quran giving the dress code for women to lengthen their garments and to cover their
chest. Some Muslims of today have created
unreasonable dress code for women basing it
on tradition and customs claiming it to be in
the name of God. However, this is clearly not
what the Quran intended...it is just a male
interpretation.

God talks about the ‘Queen of Sheba’s’ history
in the Quran to make the point clear that
women ruling as leaders is not offensive as far
as God is concerned. She ran a democracy and
talked with her followers before making
important decisions. She was a strong leader,
making decisions for herself and her people in
front of any man. Muhammad is recorded in
saying people with a female ruler will never be
successful but God says, in the Quran that
Woman and Men are equal to God and have the
same status as each other. The prime ministers
of Pakistan and Turkey are Muslim women.

Muslim women rejecting the Quran can loose
all respect and be humiliated and put on the
same level as monkeys asses or dogs.

In the Easter Communist world a women’s
status would not be enviable. Her work would
be the same or very similar to a man’s work
but her wage would be half or very little. She
would have to work very hard to achieve close
to what a Muslim woman can.

Woman are recognised in Islam as a full and
equal partner to man. Both are essential for
life.

In knowledge and education she is equal to man
and has been said in the Quran as Muhammad
declared that women and men knew no more than
each other. The declaration was very clear and is
said by Muslims throughout history.

She is entitled to her own opinion and expressions
and all of which is taken into consideration and
cannot be disregarded just because she is part of
the female sex. It is reported in the Quran that not
only has woman freely expressed her opinion but
has taken part in important discussions and argued
with the Prophet himself as well as other Muslim
people of high importance (Quran, 58:1-4;60:1012).

Historic records show that Woman would stand
next to Muslim men in war, preparing supplies,
healing wounds and serving the soldiers etc.
They would not be shut out like a worthless
creatures.

Woman would posses and earn the same as a
man, if committed a crime her penalty would
be no less or more than a man’s and if she is
harmed, or wronged her compensation would
be equal to a man’s. She would inherit an
equal amount of a close friend or relative’s
belongings if deceased as a man would, no
more, no less.

Women in Islam are entitled privileges that a man
is deprived of. She is exempt from religious duties
such as fasting and praying at times of confinement
and in regular periods. This does not mean she is
inferior to man, this is obligatory to man although
she can attend but at separate times and in a
different line, of women. As praying alongside a
man, the possibility of bodies touching and the
woman exposing her body can happen. She is also
exempt from all financial liabilities. Once a mother
she is granted higher honour and more recognition
in the eyes of God. She is entitled to more love
from her son than a father and after marriage the
husband/father has no control over her belongings.
 It’s
now clear that a woman’s status
portrayed in the teaching’s of the Quran is
very high when compared to most other
religions or areas in the world. Her rights
and duties are equal to a man’s but not
exactly the same. However, this is only
what the Quran teaches and as we know
not how a lot of men have interpreted it.
 .Was
once the way of life until the Quran was
revealed 1400 years ago.
 .Quran put down first limitations against
polygamy.
 .Polygamy is permitted in the Quran but
under strictly observed circumstances.
 .It is permitted by God but we must look at
the circumstances of a polygamous
relationship before it is permitted.
 .An example is that of the prophet
Muhammad. (I shall read the story of the
prophet of a piece of paper)
.Quran emphasises the limitations of polygamy.
 "If you fear lest you may not be perfectly
equitable in treating more than one wife, then
you shall be content with one." (4:3)
 "You cannot be equitable in a polygamous
relationship, no matter how hard you try."
(4:129)
 .Therefore despite polygamy not being frowned
upon in Islam unless a person benefits then they
are not permitted to enter a polygamous
relationship, especially in a country where
monogamy is the way of life.

 .In
the Quran it is made very clear that
divorces are not encouraged in fact the
continuation of marriage is encouraged.
 . Divorce must be resorted to only in
exceptional circumstances.
 .In the Quran there are many laws relating to
divorce which have to be followed.
 .However it is not true that women in Islam
are not permitted to initiate a divorce.
Women have the right to divorce their
husbands as long as they abide to the laws
set in the Quran.
.A common misconception surrounding women in
Islam is that they are not allowed to work
outside their homes.
 . The social structure in the East where Islam is
most common encourages a women to make her
house her first priority but there is no
prohibition whatsoever on women having to work
and earn their living.
 . The Muslim woman has been given the privilege
to earn money, the right to own property, to
enter into legal contracts and to manage all of
her assets in any way she pleases.

She can hold a job or run her own business and
no one has any claim on her earnings including
her husband.
 .Historically, Muhammad's first wife was a
merchant who hired Muhammad to work for her.
 .Muslim women went along with their husbands,
fathers and brothers during battles to take care
of the wounded and help in the back lines of the
troops.
 .So in fact the idea that Muslim cannot work
outside their home is wrong and it is only certain
countries which encourage women to make their
home their priority.

 Today
many Muslim women are seeking the
life that the Quran talks about. They too
want to travel, gain a higher education and
live life alone without being ruled by any
man. These women are not going against
their religion when they are doing this. They
are merely standing up to man’s view of it
and telling him he’s wrong. They feel they
should have a say in how they interpret their
religion.