What are the women rights like under Islam??

laila · #1 (**permalink**) 3rd February 2006, 02:56 PM

Salaam for all

What are the women rights like under Islam/ and how have they changed since Islams golden age (from mid 8th century until 12th century) if they have changed?.

Answer :

Praise be to Allaah.

Islam honours women greatly. It honours women as mothers who must be respected, obeyed and treated with kindness. Pleasing one's mother is regarded as part of pleasing Allaah. Islam tells us that Paradise lies at the mother’s feet, i.e. that the best way to reach Paradise is through one's mother. And Islam forbids disobeying one’s mother or making her angry, even by saying a mild word of disrespect. The mother’s rights are greater than those of the father, and the duty to take care of her grows greater as the mother grows older and weaker. All of that is mentioned in many texts of the Qur'aan and Sunnah.

For example, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his parents”
[al-Ahqaaf 46:15]

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.

24. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young’”

[al-Isra’ 17:23, 24]

Ibn Maajah (2781) narrated that Mu’aawiyah ibn Jaahimiah al-Sulami (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I came to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allaah, I want to go for jihad with you, seeking thereby the Face of Allaah and the Hereafter. He said, “Woe to you! Is your mother still alive?” I said, Yes. He said, “Go back and honour her.” Then I approached him from the other side and said: O Messenger of Allaah, I want to go for jihad with you, seeking thereby the Face of Allaah and the Hereafter. He said, “Woe to you! Is your mother still alive?” I said, Yes. He said, “Go back and honour her.” Then I approached him from in front and said, O Messenger of Allaah, I want to go for jihad with you, seeking thereby the Face of Allaah and the Hereafter. He said, “Woe to you! Is your mother still alive?” I said, Yes. He said, “Go back and honour her (lit. stay by her feet), for there is Paradise.”

Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan Ibn Maajah. It was also narrated by al-Nasaa’i with the words: “Stay with her for Paradise is beneath her feet.”

Al-Bukhaari (5971) and Muslim (2548) narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: A man came to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said: “O Messenger of Allaah, who is most deserving of my good company?” He said: “Your mother.” He said: “Then who?” He said: “Your mother.” He said: “Then who?” He said: “Your mother.” He said: “Then who?” He said: “Then your father.”

And there are other texts which we do not have room to mention here.

One of the rights which Islam gives to the mother is that her son should spend on her if she needs that support, so long as he is able and can afford it. Hence for many centuries it was unheard of among the people of Islam for a mother to be left in an old-people’s home or for a son to kick her out of the house, or for her sons to refuse to spend on her, or for her to need to work in order to eat and drink if her sons were present.

Islam also honours women as wives. Islam urges the husband to treat his wife in a good and kind manner, and says that the wife has rights over the husband like his rights over her, except that he has a degree over her, because of his responsibility of spending and taking care of the family’s affairs. Islam states that the best of the Muslim men is the one who treats his wife in the best manner, and the man is forbidden to take his wife’s money without her consent. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and live with them honourably”

[al-Nisa’ 4:19]

“And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect) to what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them. And Allaah is All-Mighty, All-Wise”

[al-Baqarah 2:228]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I urge you to treat women well.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 331; Muslim, 1468.

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best of you is the one who is best to his wife, and I am the best of you to my wives.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3895; Ibn Maajah, 1977; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

And Islam honours women as daughters, and encourages us to raise them well and educate them. Islam states that raising daughters will bring a great reward. For example, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever takes care of two girls until they reach adulthood, he and I will come like this on the Day of Resurrection,” and he held his fingers together. Narrated by Muslim, 2631.

Ibn Maajah (3669) narrated that ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Whoever has three daughters and is patient towards them, and feeds them, gives them to drink and clothes them from his riches, they will be a shield for him from the Fire on the Day of Resurrection.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.

Islam honours woman as sisters and as aunts. Islam enjoins upholding the ties of kinship and forbids severing those ties in many texts. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “O people! Spread (the greeting of) salaam, offer food (to the needy), uphold the ties of kinship, and pray at night when people are sleeping, and you will enter Paradise in peace.” Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 3251; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.

Al-Bukhaari (5988) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah, may He be exalted, said to the ties of kinship: ‘Whoever upholds you, I will support him, and whoever breaks you, I will cut him off.’”

All of these qualities may co-exist in a single woman: she may be a wife, a daughter, a mother, a sister, an aunt, so she may be honoured in all these ways.

To conclude: Islam raised the status of women, and made them equal with men in most rulings. So women, like men, are commanded to believe in Allaah and to worship Him. And women are made equal to men in terms of reward in the Hereafter. Women have the right to express themselves, to give sincere advice, to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil, and to call people to Allaah. Women have the right to own property, to buy and sell, to inherit, to give charity and to give gifts. It is not permissible for anyone to take a woman’s wealth without her consent. Women have the right to a decent life, without facing aggression or being wronged. Women have the right to be educated; in fact it is obligatory to teach them what they need to know about their religion.

Anyone who compares the rights of women in Islam with their situation during the Jaahiliyyah or in other civilizations will understand that what we are saying is true. In fact we are certain that women are given the greatest honour in Islam.

There is no need for us to mention the situation of women in Greek, Persian or Jewish society, but even Christian societies had a bad attitude towards women. The theologians even gathered at the Council of Macon to discuss whether woman was merely a body or a body with a soul. They thought it most likely that women did not have a soul that could be saved, and they made an exception only in the case of Mary (Maryam – peace be upon her).

The French held a conference in 586 CE to discuss whether women had souls or not, and if they had souls, were these souls animal or human? In the end, they decided that they were human! But they were created to serve men only.

During the time of Henry VIII, the English Parliament issued a decree forbidding women to read the New Testament because they were regarded as impure.

Until 1805, English law allowed a man to sell his wife, and set a wife’s price at six pennies.

In the modern age, women were kicked out of the house at the age of eighteen so that they could start working to earn a bite to eat. If a woman wanted to stay in the house, she had to pay her parents rent for her room and pay for her food and laundry.

See ‘Awdat al-Hijaab, 2/47-56.

How can this compare to Islam which enjoins honouring and kind treatment of women, and spending on them?

Secondly:

With regard to the changes in these rights throughout the ages, the basic principles have not changed, but with regard to the application of these principles, there can be no doubt that during the golden age of Islam, the Muslims applied the sharee’ah of their Lord more, and the rulings of this sharee’ah include honouring one’s mother and treating one’s wife, daughter, sister and women in general in a kind manner. The weaker religious commitment grew, the more these rights were neglected, but until the Day of Resurrection there will continue to be a group who adheres to their religion and applies the sharee’ah of their Lord. These are the people who honour women the most and grant them their rights.

Despite the weakness of religious commitment among many Muslims nowadays, women still enjoy a high status, whether as daughters, wives or sisters, whilst we acknowledge that there are shortcomings, wrongdoing and neglect of women’s rights among some people, but each one will be answerable for himself.

thank you

peace

Lecter · #2 (**permalink**) 15th June 2006, 11:17 AM

That was a nice read. thank you laila!

Ceetee · #3 (**permalink**) 16th June 2006, 10:46 PM

oh? I wouldn't consider this to be very respectful...:

Koran.004

4.34: Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great.

Lecter · #4 (**permalink**) 16th June 2006, 11:17 PM

Remember this is a translation, the word in arabic is idribuhunna and to translate it as beat is too harsh in my opinion, especially in that context.

Like if you read just a few verses before that one you'll find this verse:

"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)"

By the way, this chapter of the Quran is called THE WOMEN, and it gave lots or rights to women that weren't there before. So in my opinion it doesn't make sense to tell muslims to be kind to women and give them their rights, and at the same time beat the hell out of them, don't you think?

Even if someone is still confused, you should know that domestic violence and beating the hell out of women or anything else that comes to your mind is forbidden in Islam.

Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri: "I went to the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) and asked him: What do you say (command) about our wives? He replied: Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them. (Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 11, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Number 2139)"

Narrated Mu'awiyah ibn Haydah: "I said: Apostle of Allah, how should we approach our wives and how should we leave them? He replied: Approach your tilth when or how you will, give her (your wife) food when you take food, clothe when you clothe yourself, do not revile her face, and do not beat her. (Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 11, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Number 2138)"

There ya go, Muhammad himself telling muslims not to beat women

Hope that was helpful

peace123 · #5 (**permalink**) 18th June 2006, 12:25 PM

source :http://www.crescentlife.com/thisthat...men_yuksel.htm

A Coherent Understanding

When we read 4:34 we should not understand "idribuhunne" as "beat those women". We must remember that this word has many meanings. God gives us three ways of dealing with extra-marital-affair. In the beginning stage of such misbehavior husband should start from giving advice. If it does not work and she goes further and commits a proven adultery, that time husband has the right to strike them out (4:34 & 65:1).

Let's present our suggestion for the translation of verse 4:34

"Men traditionally take care of women, since God has endowed each of them with certain qualities and men spend from their financial resources. The righteous women are obedient (to God) and during the absence (of their husband) they honor them according to God's commandment. As for those women whom you are experiencing a fear of disloyalty from, you shall first advice them, then (if they continue) you may desert them in bed, then you may strike them out. If they obey you then don't transgress against them. God is Most High, Supreme." (4:34).

Beating women who are cheating is not an ultimate solution; but "striking them out" from your house is the best solution. And it is fair too.

~~~~~

I have added 65:1 so you can see how well this new translation( strike them out) fits with the other referenced verse on divorce

[65:1] O you prophet, when you people divorce the women, you shall ensure that a divorce interim is fulfilled. You shall measure such an interim precisely.* You shall reverence GOD your Lord. Do not evict them from their homes, nor shall you make life miserable for them, to force them to leave on their own, unless they commit a proven adultery. These are GOD's laws. Anyone who transgresses GOD's laws commits an injustice against himself. You never know; maybe GOD wills something good to come out of this.

*65:1 The divorcee's interim, before becoming eligible for remarriage, is a waiting period of three menstruations. This ensures that the divorcee was not pregnant

revpo · #6 (**permalink**) 20th June 2006, 03:15 PM

Interesting if it is followed.
I presume woman wearing these head scarfs, covering their faces etc., is just for religion purposes and can take the coverings off if they please in public?

revpo

Gavriel · #7 (**permalink**) 16th March 2007, 12:46 AM

Greetings friends! I noticed that you speak much about women as mothers but you say nothing that would lead me to believe that they have any value as people unless they are procreating. In other words it seems from what has been written here that a woman's only purpose is to be a breeder. If this is not so, then why are many women married off when they are just children? Old enough to breed but not old enough to know who they are as people or to have developed any idea of what they might like to be or do with their lives. If there is anything in the holy writings on this subject, please post them, as i think this is a subject which has great personal interest to many people. Thank you!

SalahdinAlAmriki · #8 (**permalink**) 18th July 2007, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revpo

Interesting if it is followed.
I presume woman wearing these head scarfs, covering their faces etc., is just for religion purposes and can take the coverings off if they please in public?

revpo

Depending on the culture the woman lives in, she absolutely may take off her Hijab. Here in America, for instance, many muslim women go without their head-scarves, if they like. The religion is not to be blamed for the failures of mankind to adhere to it properly. Overbearing cultures cause most of the problems in any religion.

SalahdinAlAmriki · #9 (**permalink**) 18th July 2007, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gavriel

Greetings friends! I noticed that you speak much about women as mothers but you say nothing that would lead me to believe that they have any value as people unless they are procreating. In other words it seems from what has been written here that a woman's only purpose is to be a breeder. If this is not so, then why are many women married off when they are just children? Old enough to breed but not old enough to know who they are as people or to have developed any idea of what they might like to be or do with their lives. If there is anything in the holy writings on this subject, please post them, as i think this is a subject which has great personal interest to many people. Thank you!

This is a valid point you make and one that would concern me as well, if that is all I knew of the subject. Please forgive those of us who do not think of every question before it is asked, for our intention is not to mislead, but rather to learn and grow as we progress through this life. Therefore, please allow me to elaborate just a little more on the honoring of women subject at hand.

Women are definitely honored as mothers. I pray no one sees anything wrong with this; as without women, we would have no mothers.

Eve, our first mother is not blamed for the original sin, but rather both Adam and Eve must account for the sin they committed and they both had to suffer its consequences. Childbearing is considered an Honor in Islam, not a punishment.

There is a book in the Qur'an entitled "Mary" which is about the virtuousness of the Virgin Mary and how God provided for her from the time she was a small child.

A Muslim man must care for his unmarried sisters, by Sharia law. (this could in fact be a poor reason why they mistreat women in "muslim countries"; the men are frustrated with having this burden). Again, culture diminishes the truth of religion; but in a utopian islamic world, the sister would not have to do anything except have fun and wait for the angels to finish preparing her husband for her.

A woman (girl) is encouraged to become educated. Without women doctors, who would the man send his precious wife and daughters to? A male doctor? In addition... if a girl is suppose to be taught by a woman... a woman teacher would be needed. The first wife of the Prophet,pbuh, was a very successful business-owner. True islam teaches that women should take responsibility for the gifts Allah has bestowed upon them... humanity, freedom, intelligence, etc. The cultures that submit women to abominable conditions are not representative of Islam. The men and cultures who have been doing wrong all these years will have to answer before God for their wrongdoing. For, surely they have been the root of this gross misinterpretation and misunderstanding of the true role of women in Islam.

spiritual78 · #10 (**permalink**) 24th November 2007, 10:46 PM

quote
Originally Posted by revpo
Interesting if it is followed.
I presume woman wearing these head scarfs, covering their faces etc., is just for religion purposes and can take the coverings off if they please in public?

revpo

well women in all major religions are required to cover their head and lower their gazes , hinduism sikhism , christianity judaisim and islam you have to go through origional texts of these religions to believe it
in my humble opinion if they take it off in public , they are disobeying the will of God and that accounts to a sin

may peace be on all of you

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