السبت، 28 أبريل 2012
الثلاثاء، 24 أبريل 2012
السبت، 21 أبريل 2012
الخميس، 19 أبريل 2012
الأربعاء، 18 أبريل 2012
The truth of islam
The first thing that one should know and clearly understand about Islam is what the word "Islam" itself means. The religion of Islam is not named after a person as in the case of Christianity which was named after Jesus Christ, Buddhism after Gotama Buddha, Confucianism after Confucius, and Marxism after Karl Marx. Nor was it named after a tribe like Judaism after the tribe of Judah and Hinduism after the Hindus. Islam is the true religion of "Allah" and as such, its name represents the central principle of Allah's "God's" religion; the total submission to the will of Allah "God". The Arabic word "Islam" means the submission or surrender of one's will to the only true god worthy of worship "Allah" and anyone who does so is termed a "Muslim", The word also implies "peace" which is the natural consequence of total submission to the will of Allah. Hence, it was not a new religion brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) I in Arabia in the seventh century, but only the true religion of Allah re-expressed in its final form.
Islam is the religion which was given to Adam, the first man and the first prophet of Allah, and it was the religion of all the prophets sent by Allah to mankind. The name of God's religion lslam was not decided upon by later generations of man. It was chosen by Allah Himself and clearly mentioned in His final revelation to man. In the final book of divine revelation, the Qur'aan, Allah states the following:
"This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion". (Soorah Al-Maa'idah 5:3)
"If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah (God) never will It be accepted of Him" (Soorah Aal'imraan 3:85)
"Abraham was not a Jew nor Christian; but an upright Muslim." (Soorah Aal'imraan 3:67)
Nowhere in the Bible will you find Allah saying to Prophet Moses' people or their descendants that their religion is Judaism, nor to the followers of Christ that their religion is Christianity. In fact, Christ was not even his name, nor was it Jesus! The name "Christ" comes from the Greek word Christos which means the annointed. That is, Christ is a Greek translation of the Hebrew title "Messiah". The name "Jesus" on the other hand, is a latinized version of the Hebrew name Esau.
For simplicity's sake, I will however continue to refer to Prophet Esau (PBUH) as Jesus. As for his religion, it was what he called his followers to. Like the prophets before him, he called the people to surrender their will to the will of Allah; (which is Islam) and he warned them to stay away from the false gods of human imagination.
According to the New Testament, he taught his followers to pray as follows: "Yours will be done on earth as it is in Heaven"
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The truth of islam
The first thing that one should know and clearly understand about Islam is what the word "Islam" itself means. The religion of Islam is not named after a person as in the case of Christianity which was named after Jesus Christ, Buddhism after Gotama Buddha, Confucianism after Confucius, and Marxism after Karl Marx. Nor was it named after a tribe like Judaism after the tribe of Judah and Hinduism after the Hindus. Islam is the true religion of "Allah" and as such, its name represents the central principle of Allah's "God's" religion; the total submission to the will of Allah "God". The Arabic word "Islam" means the submission or surrender of one's will to the only true god worthy of worship "Allah" and anyone who does so is termed a "Muslim", The word also implies "peace" which is the natural consequence of total submission to the will of Allah. Hence, it was not a new religion brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) I in Arabia in the seventh century, but only the true religion of Allah re-expressed in its final form.
Islam is the religion which was given to Adam, the first man and the first prophet of Allah, and it was the religion of all the prophets sent by Allah to mankind. The name of God's religion lslam was not decided upon by later generations of man. It was chosen by Allah Himself and clearly mentioned in His final revelation to man. In the final book of divine revelation, the Qur'aan, Allah states the following:
"This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion". (Soorah Al-Maa'idah 5:3)
"If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah (God) never will It be accepted of Him" (Soorah Aal'imraan 3:85)
"Abraham was not a Jew nor Christian; but an upright Muslim." (Soorah Aal'imraan 3:67)
Nowhere in the Bible will you find Allah saying to Prophet Moses' people or their descendants that their religion is Judaism, nor to the followers of Christ that their religion is Christianity. In fact, Christ was not even his name, nor was it Jesus! The name "Christ" comes from the Greek word Christos which means the annointed. That is, Christ is a Greek translation of the Hebrew title "Messiah". The name "Jesus" on the other hand, is a latinized version of the Hebrew name Esau.
For simplicity's sake, I will however continue to refer to Prophet Esau (PBUH) as Jesus. As for his religion, it was what he called his followers to. Like the prophets before him, he called the people to surrender their will to the will of Allah; (which is Islam) and he warned them to stay away from the false gods of human imagination.
According to the New Testament, he taught his followers to pray as follows: "Yours will be done on earth as it is in Heaven"
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American man converted to Islam after 85 years old.
Masha ALLAH, what a lucky man he is, because when someone converts to Islam, God forgives all of his previous sins and evil deeds. A man called Amr came to the Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, and said, "Give me your right hand so that I may give you my pledge of loyalty." The Prophet stretched out his right hand. Amr withdrew his hand. The Prophet said: "What has happened to you, O Amr?" He replied, "I intend to lay down a condition." The Prophet asked: "What condition do you intend to put forward?" Amr said, "That God forgive my sins." The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said: "Didn't you know that converting to Islam erases all previous sins?"
After converting to Islam, the person will be rewarded for his or her good and bad deeds according to the following saying of the Prophet Muhammad: "Your Lord, Who is blessed and exalted, is most merciful. If someone intends to do a good deed but does not do it, a good deed will be recorded for him. And if he does do it, (a reward of) ten to seven hundred or many more times (the reward of the good deed), will be recorded for him. And if someone intends to do a bad deed but does not do it, a good deed will be recorded for him. And if he does do it, a bad deed will be recorded against him or God will wipe it out."
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الثلاثاء، 17 أبريل 2012
American activist during her arrest at the Ben Gurion Airport in Israel after she raised a sign saying "welcome to Palestine"
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Islam, A practical System
Islam (Deen) , along with these basic concepts, provides the practical system through which these theoretical values take the form of reality and then the man within their concrete results sees of his own, how gainful or harmful it is to act or not according to these values. Being affected by this, his emotions and feelings follow the proper channel for their own operation and since emotions are the impetus of actions his life synchronizes with these higher values. This is called the exaltation of character and neatness of conduct.
Bear it in mind that human activities pass through three phases:- namely a desire takes birth in your heart; this desire awakes in the heart involuntarily, you have no reason, rhyme or rationale for it; it relates purely to the emotions; then you present it to the intellect. If your emotions are intense, your intellect thinks or the means to accomplish it and provide justified reasons for it. But if your intellect overpowers your emotions, it then makes comparison between gain and loss, and if it sees that the gain to be accrued is greater it decides to accomplish the desire. Now your desire transforms into your wish; then your will power comes in to play, and takes practical steps to actualize your desire. In this phase, your WISH takes the form of your WILL. But the human intellect, even if not operating under the command of emotions can maximally decide the gain or loss of that person, it cannot decide whether the desire is fair or foul. In other words, the human intellect can only inform the person concerned as to which thing is profitable to him and whish one will bring him loss. It can make no distinction between good and evil. This distinction can only be possible in the presence of values. And as narrated earlier, it is the concept of life that determines the values.
Bear it in mind that human activities pass through three phases:- namely a desire takes birth in your heart; this desire awakes in the heart involuntarily, you have no reason, rhyme or rationale for it; it relates purely to the emotions; then you present it to the intellect. If your emotions are intense, your intellect thinks or the means to accomplish it and provide justified reasons for it. But if your intellect overpowers your emotions, it then makes comparison between gain and loss, and if it sees that the gain to be accrued is greater it decides to accomplish the desire. Now your desire transforms into your wish; then your will power comes in to play, and takes practical steps to actualize your desire. In this phase, your WISH takes the form of your WILL. But the human intellect, even if not operating under the command of emotions can maximally decide the gain or loss of that person, it cannot decide whether the desire is fair or foul. In other words, the human intellect can only inform the person concerned as to which thing is profitable to him and whish one will bring him loss. It can make no distinction between good and evil. This distinction can only be possible in the presence of values. And as narrated earlier, it is the concept of life that determines the values.
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Faith By Islam
The root of the word Iman in arabic is a-m-n which means: to be calm and quiet in one's heart; to be protected from fear; trustworthiness and truthfulness (Taj al-Urus).Iman means to accept truthfully to be convinced to verify something to rely upon or have confidence in something.Iman is usually translated in English as faith or belief,and faith in turn signifies acceptance without proof or argument, without reference to reason or thought, knowledge or insight. According to the Quran, Iman is conviction which is based upon reason and knowledge; a conviction that results from full mental acceptance and intellectual satisfaction; the kind of conviction that gives one a feeling of inner contentment and peace. And a Mumin is one who accepts truth in such a way that it ensures his own peace and helps him to safeguard the peace and security of the rest of mankind. In fact, Al-Mumin is one of the attributes of God Himself Quran chapter 59 verse 23.
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الاثنين، 16 أبريل 2012
The Position of Women in Islam
The role of women in the world over has been dramatically changing in the past century in ways that have left some women wondering what their place really is. In the West women often work, have families and juggle numerous other activities in their efforts to feel like they have an identity of their own and can be good mothers. Then there are those who do not work outside the home, and can be sometimes insecure in their position or sometimes condescending towards those who do work. This entanglement of where we as women belong and find our identities is brought about by the rapid change of our place in society, our opportunities for education, and the huge cultural shift that began with the woman’s right to vote and then slammed into place with the raising of the generation of the “baby boomers” whose mothers had to work during the World Wars. Now we in the West see ourselves as established in having a good position with rights and opportunities on all sides. We can choose what we want, to be full time mothers, or CEO’s of major companies, and we look out into the world and see that not all of the world has changed with us and we worry that we have left some of our ‘sisters’ behind in the dark ages. But have we left them behind or are they content with their dynamic as our grandmothers were before the World Wars?
This question is only exacerbated by the vision of seeing the women of Islam covered from head to toe often in dark colored robes. This seems to our Western eyes as some kind of imprisonment, a symbol of oppression and darkness. France, whose government is struggling to know how to deal with the largest Muslim population in Europe, has called for bans of these head coverings, citing both the symbolism of oppression and national security. Many countries in Europe have begun to raise similar issues. In the States, we look at them and think that in a generation or two these things will fade, knowing how all of our families lost so much of their “Old World” practices as we melted into the Melting Pot of America. But then we look at communities like Dearborn, MI, 1) and we begin to doubt that ideal. Having walked the streets there myself, I can see why. We have the idea that we know that our ways are wonderful, and of course they will just love them. We forget how much culture and time honored traditions stand in the way. And is it really as wonderful as we make it out to be? Many Muslim women look at the Western woman and shake their heads. They see our struggle to do everything that men traditionally do, as well as what women traditionally do and watch out juggling acts with dismay. It is because of this that I think that we as Christians especially need to re-focus our attention to what it is that really matters. The veil or the dress code, or ‘the woman in the workplace’ is not what is vital. What is vital is that every woman be able to come before God and know that He loves them. We don’t have to compel our cultural ideas onto the Eastern world, in fact maybe we can and should learn something from them. Don’t get me wrong, I think that we should stand against the practices that are simply barbaric in nature, such as the circumcision of young girls, honor killings and the like. We do need to seek that every woman knows the Lord as a loving Father and has a safe living environment.
Women in Islam grow with the knowledge that they have a heavy burden of the family honor upon them. They also know that they are expected to fail in the eyes of Allah. The Hadith (traditional sayings in Islam) says that most of the hell-dwellers are women. They are spoken of as being full of seduction and a way to be a distraction to man’s service to Allah. There are many descriptions of what the after life will be like for the believing Muslim man in the Quran and other teachings, but what is said for the place of the believing woman is only that of a life of subjugation to her husband’s sexual pleasure. The Quran states, “Ask the unbelievers if it is true that Allah has daughters, while they themselves choose sons ... Would He choose daughters instead of sons?” While he is speaking of the culture that indeed did hope for sons to inherit, and on occasion were known to bury their girl babies alive, it still reflects at attitude that pervades in Islam to this day. Allah has little interest in women and prefers men. Within the Muslim world a woman is not expected to come to daily prayer worship, but expected to pray at home. Her relationship with Allah is not really a strong issue within her community, only that she is being the example of a “good wife”. Her morality and reputation is how well she and her family will be treated. If her reputation as a moral woman is cast into doubt so too is her husband’s ability as a man. This is also true for the daughters of the home reflecting on their father.
Muhammad’s wives were known for their bickering and jealousies. Only his first wife and daughter are really held in a high esteem in the religious sense. Khadija, his first wife is held in esteem because she believed in her husband, lifted him up in the community socially and is considered one of the first of the believers. She died before he began to take multiple wives, reflecting how important she was to him as well. While Aisha, his well known youngest wife, 2) became a prominent figure after his death, even riding into the wars that followed his death with a sword, was not known to be particularly religious. Fatima, his daughter, holds a special place for many Muslim women but her real impact on the history of Islam came after her father’s death. She was the only one of Muhammad’s children to bear children, and was the daughter of the beloved Khadija. Shi’a scholars say she is his only daughter 3), but Sunni believe her to be the fourth after Zaynab, Ruqayya and Umm Kulthum. She is revered by all Muslims to some extent for her support of her father and held as an example.
Marriage customs vary a great deal throughout the Muslim world, some are traditions held onto from time forgotten, and others are more modern in their make. Most include what we might call a dowry. This dowry is often in the form of jewelry that will be bestowed on the bride at engagement or in wedding itself. This dowry remains the woman’s possession through out her marriage, and even in times of extreme poverty the husband will have no ability to ask for this dowry wealth. Women may, on occasion, volunteer this wealth in order to help the family, but it is her right to keep it under any circumstance. Women often also come with their own inheritance from their families when they join in marriage or after the death of a parent. This inheritance also stays in her possession, and allows her to wield a certain amount of power within her new family. Marriages rarely take place out of class systems. A woman who marries down will always face a certain amount of disgrace within the community, thus her family will do their best to find a mate who is on the same class level or higher than theirs so as to protect her from dishonor. While many Muslim countries have women in high positions within the society, all Muslim countries are convinced that the woman’s real realm is that of the home. Her abilities to raise an honorable family, keep an image of status within the community, her outward respect for her husband, these are the critical foundations of what a woman is in the Eastern community. How those are defined differs from region to region, but the standard remains the same. A young lady who is not taught the basics of housekeeping is not looked upon with high regard. Within a strict Muslim home a man is given permission (not required) to marry up to four wives, with the provision that he provide equally for them. This law puts women in the position of competition with one another on a whole new level. The woman who is the first wife has the place of honor, however, she also faces the shame of having a husband who continued to look for new wives, hinting that she wasn’t sufficient. In communities where this practice is common place the women take this relationship as a fact of life, but none look upon it with eagerness and deep down reject it. 4) There is also Quranic law that permits a husband to beat his wife. (Many translations try to re-word this text, but the tradition of the story 5) that begat the text and the Arabic word used are not to be misunderstood.) A woman, according to the Quran is to be obedient to her husband in all things, as men are superior to women. While this may or may not be practiced throughout the Muslim world, it is the granting of permission that is at issue. That Allah would allow, nay encourage, the humiliation and beating of the wife is simply inexcusable.
While many of us Western women could stand to take a lesson from our Eastern neighbors in taking real delight in the privilege of running a home, finding our joy in lifting up our husbands, and knowing that our identity as a mother is badge of honor enough, the fact remains that Christian women have the knowledge that God is really eager to lift us up as His beloved daughters. That we have a personal relationship with our Lord and knowledge that in Christ He showed us His warm regard. Our place of honor in Him is not based on our ability to build up an image of righteousness, but resting in Him. We are regarded as daughters of the Most High and when we cry, laugh, sing, or sigh we have His ear. Our status is not born of what class we were born into, how many children we are able to bear, or even how well we obey our husbands, but born in His love. Our place in eternity is on equal ground, in Christ there is no male or female.
Many of the ancient cultures practiced certain laws of cleanliness in order to prevent contagion and promote hygiene in their groups. These laws were put up in order to protect the populace from illnesses, but were often brought into practice by religious command of God or gods depending on the group. Muhammad saw these laws as excellent and brought many of the ancient practices of cleansing oneself before prayer times, after intercourse, and around the meals into the traditions of Islam. The concept of what is haram (forbidden حرام) or halal (lawful حلال ) is integrated into the Muslim society. (Of note: a woman’s area in the home is referred to as the haramlek الحرملك, and women as a group are called the harem حريم .) These rules govern a great deal in the Muslim society, from eating and drinking, to sexual relations and many other aspects of their lives. Muhammad also brought the ancient idea that a woman was unclean before Allah while she was experiencing her menstruation. He states in the Quran, “They ask you about menstruation: say, "It is harmful; you shall avoid sexual intercourse with the women during menstruation; do not approach them until they are rid of it. Once they are rid of it, you may have intercourse with them in the manner designed by Allah. Allah loves the repenters, and He loves those who are clean." Traditionally, the Muslim woman is not to come to prayers or touch the Quran (the holy text of Islam) because of this verse. In the initial portion one sees instruction for a man to avoid his wife sexually during the time of menstruation, but then finishes with a reference to how Allah loves those who are clean, thus the Muslim woman has been seen as unclean during her time of menstruation. Her own bodily functions have brought her to a place where she is dirty before her Allah. A Muslim woman is not to touch her husband after he has done his cleansing rituals for prayer, while he is to greet and shake hands with the men.
Within the Eastern culture, aside from Islam there are standards that hold a tighter grip on the people than that of the law, and those standards are those of honor and shame. This concept cannot be stressed enough to the Western world, where people have very different ideas about shame and honor. This has been in practice for centuries and is very common within tribal societies as a way of dealing with societal problems. Even the Old Testament reflects these ideas; shame is a common theme in the texts. 6) A child in this society isn’t so much taught “right and wrong” as what is shameful and what isn’t. These emotions are what motivates everyone in the Eastern culture to behave within what the society norms are, but they really set a very strict standard for the woman within.
Then Islam arises in the sixth century and Muhammad sets new standards of shame on women. Asbagh bin Nubatah quotes Imam 'Ali as follows: "Almighty God has created the sexual desire in ten parts; then He gave nine parts to women and one to men. And if the Almighty God had not given the women equal parts of shyness ..." (Wasa'il, vol. 14, p. 40) This translation to English makes the Arabic word (`awrâ عورة) into the English word of shyness, but the real root and core meaning of this Arabic word is of shame. (The term`awrâ has several connotations within Arabic, the root of the word is awr عور and means defectiveness, blemish or weakness, but is used to also describe nakedness or shame. Awrat عورات is used to say woman or femininity.) That Allah has provided nine parts of sexual desire to women, and only one to men, but somehow balanced this sexual desire overload by putting nine parts of shame on them reflects how women were seen by the prophet of Islam, and reveals how women must see themselves as full of shame. Her shame was created by Allah, and must be hidden from the eyes of the world, whereas in Christianity we see that only mankind’s sins brought shame onto the human forms that God created. 7) This strange concept is a difficult one to understand, since Muslim men are often excused their sexual lusts and behaviors while the women of Islam are to be held as examples of modesty and propriety. Allah apparently created a confusion here, by giving women an extra nine doses of sexuality, but then puts her in shame of it. Her sexuality is something for her to be ashamed of at all times, and to be hidden. The veil of the Muslim woman is one of covering the creation that Allah gave her that is not only filled with sexual desires but also with shame. Everything in their lives is monitored for shameful behavior, from their dress to their voice tones. 8) Gestures that a girl might see on TV or in school that she imitates might be the very things that bring shame on her, and therefore harsh rebuke, e.g. winking, provocative walk, etc. Everything that she does is weighed with the scale of shame. This shame inundates her life, and comes with a feeling of guilt. This constant burden of shame weighs a Muslim woman’s every action. One Hadith states “All of a woman is Awrah. When she leaves her home, Satan looks at her.” 9) The knowledge that Satan looks at her while out of her home leaves her feeling exposed and sullied. A Muslim woman cannot come to Allah to pray without being fully covered, hiding her shame-nakedness.
While the Eastern-Islamic societies lean heavily on shame as a motivator for behavior we are taught in Christ that we have nothing to be ashamed of before Him. Hebrews 12:1-3 says it beautifully, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Jesus bore our shame on the cross, bared both physically 10) and spiritually, so that we might lay aside all encumbrances of shame and sin and live our lives with our eyes on Him full of joy. We know that we can come to the Lord in all times. He is our Daddy (Abbaآبا ), who wants to hear from us and longs for relationship with us. What innocent little girl climbs into her father’s lap and worries about if she is indecent? She knows he has held her in infancy and kissed her dirty cheeks, so also do we as God’s little girls have no concerns for our appearances knowing He has loved us through all our mistakes and messes. 11) Our ability to come to Him with a child’s heart, ask His forgiveness for our sins, and then sit with Him in the comfort of a Daddy’s arms is incredibly precious. Thus as Christians we should seek to snatch women from the bonds of Islam that burden her with shame, a sense of not belonging and show her our Daddy so that she too can come to Him and be comforted as a daughter of the King!
My friend, please feel free to write me.
Notes
1) In the 2000 census, Arab American comprised 30% of Dearborn's population; many have been in the city for generations. More Iraqi’s have been arriving as refugees from the continued war in their country since 2003. The majority of recent Arab immigrants are Muslim. There are sections of the community in which all the billboards are in Arabic, and a high percentage of the women are covered with the traditional Hijab.
2) It is argued that Aisha may have been as old as nine when Muhammad took her as his wife, but texts also suggest that she may have been as young as six. It is clear that she was the youngest of his many wives, and arguably a pre-pubescent one at that.
3) “The Prophet of Islam had only one daughter named Fatima. Her mother Khadija had two other daughters from her two earlier marriages.” as quoted from The Story of Hazrat Fatima(SA), daughter of the Holy Prophet.
4) Curiously, even Muhammad had issues with this custom when it came to his own daughter. Fatima’s husband Ali wanted to marry a second and had to come to Muhammad with the question, and was told “Fatima is a part of me and whoever offends her offends me”. The Encyclopaedia of Islam, Vol 2. C-G, Fatima, p. 843
5) The traditional story that brought about the text of the beating of the wife, goes something like this: A woman comes to Muhammad bruised and bleeding, pleading for him to have mercy on her from her husband’s beatings. Initially, he responds with mercy, but then is given the revelation that indeed a beating for punishment is required after other methods of punishment have been used. The progression of the punishment is evident, as he instructs them to first rebuke, then if the disobedience continues, to remove them from the privilege of the marriage bed, if the disobedience continue still, then to beat them. Some English versions bring up “lightly” or “with a feather” but this does not reflect the actual Arabic text.
6) “A righteous man hates falsehood, but a wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully.” Proverbs 13:5 and “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.” Proverbs 12:4 are excellent examples of how shame regulated the early Jewish people as well.
7) “And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.” Genesis 2:24 And later in 3:11 we see God’s response to their sudden shame, “And He said, "Who told you that you were naked?"”
8) “O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allah), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner” Al-Ahzaab 33:32. While this instruction was given to the wives of Muhammad, these examples are held to be the highest standards for women. There are differences of opinion as to whether or not a woman should even be allowed to quote the Quran in a mixed sex setting.
9) This Hadith is reported by Imām At-Tirmidhi in his Sunan. Another version is available at Narrated by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih, #5599
10) “Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece.” John 19: 23 The tunic was the undergarment worn, and when they took that Christ was naked upon the cross.
11) And He said to them, "Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?" (Thus He declared all foods clean.) And He was saying, "That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness." Mark 7:18-22
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الأحد، 15 أبريل 2012
Women In Islam: Beyond the Stereotypes
What comes to your mind when you think of a Muslim woman? A mysterious, veiled victim of male oppression, awaiting Western liberation? A slogan-shouting terrorist? An uneducated foreigner with whom you have little or nothing in common? Unless your social circle includes Muslim friends and acquaintances, the chances are that your impressions of Muslim women have largely been formed by negative media stereotypes - images that usually have little to do with real life, and may have been designed to attract more viewers, sell more products, or gain support for someone's political agenda. | |||
| How much do you really know about Muslim women's lives or views, and why does it matter? Well, for one thing, Muslims account for 20-25% of the people on this planet, and Islam has become the second main religion in Europe. But did you know that the majority of European and American converts to Islam are women - not men? Would it surprise you to learn that many women in the Muslim world feel sorry for Western women and view them as being victimized? Have you ever stopped to consider why Muslim women who immigrate to the West usually maintain their identity and strive to pass it on to their children? A thinking person may well ask, if Islam is as oppressive to women as some journalists would have us believe, why aren't Muslim women running away in droves? What it is about Islam that attracts any followers outside its heartlands? In this brochure we aim to look beyond sensationalistic or alarmist stories to take a glimpse at what Islam has to offer educated women in today's world, and understand why so many (men and) women of every race, colour, and social class have made Islam their choice. The truth, like real life, is beyond propaganda and stereotypes. The Islamic view of women First of all, women are portrayed positively in the Qur'an and the Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad). The Qur'an is the only book of world Scripture in which women are frequently referred to alongside men, and both are described as being friends and partners in faith. The following verses are just a few notable examples: The believers, men and women, are protecting friends one of another; they promote the right and forbid the wrong, establish prayer, pay the poor-due, and they obey God and His messenger. As for these, God will have mercy on them. Surely God is Mighty, Wise. God has promised to believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the good pleasure of God: that is the supreme felicity. (Qur'an 9:71-72) Surely for men who surrender to God, and women who surrender and men who believe and women who believe; and men who obey and women who obey; and men who speak the truth and women who speak the truth; and men who persevere (in righteousness) 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 modesty and women who guard (their modesty);and men who remember Allah much and women who remember - Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a vast reward. (Qur'an 33:35) There is no question in Islam of men and women being at odds with one another, engaged in some kind of historical struggle for power. Rather, the roles of both are complementary and essential. The Qur'an states: O mankind! Be mindful of your duty to your Lord, Who created you from a single being, and from it created its mate, and from the two of them has scattered countless men and women (throughout the earth). Fear God, in Whose (Name) you demand your rights of one another, and (be mindful of your duty) towards the wombs that bore you. God is ever Watching over you. (Qur'an 4:1) Do not long for the favours by which God has made some of you excel others. Men shall have a share of what they have earned, and women shall have a share of what they have earned. (Do not envy each other) but ask God to give you of His bounty. God has knowledge of all things. (Qur'an 4:31-32) The Prophet Muhammad augmented the revelations he received with further teachings and his wonderful personal example, which made him beloved by family and followers alike. He forbade violence against women, and preached against all forms of abuse of power. He warned that both men and women would be held accountable by God for those in their care or under their authority, and said: Let no Muslim man entertain any bad feeling against a Muslim woman. If he should dislike one quality in her, he will find another that is pleasing. The best of believers are those who are best to their wives and families. The position of women in other religions While these teachings may not seem very remarkable today, they were revolutionary at the time they were revealed, for Arabs and non-Arabs alike. While Muslim sons were being taught that Paradise lay at their mothers' feet, women in Confucian China were told to obey their fathers, then their husbands, and finally their sons after their husbands' death. Hindu women were declared to be unfit for independence, inherently weak, easily misled, sinful and unintelligent. In Buddhism, women were said to be the personification of evil. At the time, Jews and Christians believed women to be responsible for the downfall of the human race, and considered menstruation and childbirth to be the consequences of a Divine curse. One thousand years after Muhammad, in 1586, French Catholics were still debating whether or not women possessed souls! English Christians burned millions of women alive on the mere suspicion that they were witches. Married women in Europe did not gain the right to own property, obtain a divorce or enter into their own contracts until the 19th century. Not surprisingly, women who found such teachings unreasonable rebelled against them and fought for better treatment. Whereas other women have often had to pit themselves against the authority of a male priesthood, in Islam the dynamics of social change have been quite different. Muhammad was greatly concerned with women's rights The Prophet Muhammad was an extremely successful social reformer as well as spiritual and political leader, who championed the rights of the weak and oppressed. The Qur'anic verses referring to women had the effect of vastly improving the status and rights of women at the time they were revealed. Muslim women were granted the right to own, inherit and dispose of their own property as they saw fit; reject forced marriages; keep their own names and identities after marriage; initiate divorce; and obtain an education - back in the 7th century. In contrast to the dismal situation affecting many women in developing countries today, early Muslim women were noted for their learning and accomplishments. The Prophet declared, 'To seek knowledge is an obligation on every Muslim, male and female,' and his own wife Aisha was responsible for transmitting thousands of his sayings to later generations. Aisha was also renowned for her knowledge of poetry, medicine, and Islamic law, as well as her personal qualities of character and intelligence. When she led a battle after the Prophet's death, no one objected on the grounds that she was a woman. Many Muslim women in the medieval period enjoyed positions of respect as scholars and religious authorities. Therefore, Muslims seeking to improve the position of women in society have usually focused their efforts on getting men (and women) to practice Islam, rather than trying to 'reform' it, as happened with other religions. The main obstacles to Muslim women achieving the rights guaranteed to them, then and now, have been persistent un-Islamic cultural traditions (usually dating to the period before people accepted Islam in a given locality), inadequate religious education, and the bad side of human nature. Women's roles, rights and obligations Spiritual status As shown in the Qur'anic verses above, women are considered to be the spiritual equals of men, and they have the same religious duties. This is all the more important when we consider that the main goal of a Muslim is to serve God, and that this world is regarded as no more than a testing-grounds to prepare oneself for eternal life after death. Therefore, worldly accomplishments, fame, wealth and power simply do not have the same attraction for a Muslim, whose main focus is on the Next World. The Qur'an repeatedly draws our attention to the fact that the time we spend in this world is short and unpredictable, and what really counts is our character, how we treat others, and what we do with the blessings God has given us. In this context, home and family are of paramount importance, since stable families are essential to the rearing of well-adjusted children who will transmit their faith and values to the next generation. According to a well-known Arab proverb, 'The mother is a school.' Social roles Islam supports the traditional division of labour whereby women assume the main responsibility for home while men are responsible for their financial support, but with an important difference: motherhood and homemaking, like a Muslim's inner life, are not considered to be less important or rewarding than a professional career. Indeed, motherhood is one of the most important professions, and competent mothers who can successfully run a warm and welcoming home, and raise a family of happy, confident and well-disciplined children are becoming increasingly harder to find. Muslim wives and mothers are granted the respect due to all women for the struggles and sacrifices they make for the sake of their families. Furthermore, Muslims consider it unfair to burden women with both the physical and emotional demands of motherhood and the professional demands of the workplace, which end up exhausting so many women and destroying family life for the sake of economic gain. Muslims often express sympathy for women in the West, who often suffer from sexual exploitation and abuse at home and in the workplace, while being unappreciated in their traditional roles. Western women who seek to be respected must often dress and behave like men, and are expected in practise to neglect their children's needs for the sake of their careers. In Islam, femininity is appreciated, and Muslim women may seek a higher education, work outside the home or volunteer their services to benefit the community as long as their primary responsibilities are taken care of. Any money that a Muslim woman earns is her own, to spend as she likes; men remain solely responsible for maintaining the family. Islamic marriage Although Muslim parents traditionally play an important role in arranging introductions and helping to choose marriage partners for their children, both husband and wife must freely agree to the marriage. The Prophet granted girls who had been forced into marriages against their will the right to have their marriages annulled. The relationship between husband and wife in Islam is an interdependent one, based on love and tranquillity. The Qur'an says, And of His signs is this: He created spouses for you from among yourselves that you might find comfort in them, and He put between you love and mercy. Surely there are signs in that for people who reflect. (Qur'an 30:21) Both parents should strive to establish a stable, loving home and partnership. Major family decision-making should be through consultation and discussion. As the provider, the husband is expected to take the lead, as he is accountable to God for his care of the family. If no agreement can be reached, the wife should be supportive as long as her husband does not ask her to do anything that contravenes religious law. This works well as long as each spouse behaves maturely and treats the other with respect, kindness and consideration. Codes of behaviour for women and men In order to safeguard the moral integrity of family and society, Muslim men and women are expected to observe certain guidelines of behaviour that Westerners may find restrictive. Both sexes are expected to dress modestly in loose, non-transparent clothing and avoid situations that would put them alone with members of the opposite sex, or lead to temptation or misunderstandings. Muslim women additionally cover their hair, since women are ordinarily considered to be the more attractive of the sexes. These restrictions are not observed at home among close family members, but serve to protect women's honour in public and draw attention to their personal qualities rather than their looks. In Islam, the sexual urge is considered to be natural and desirable as long as it is confined to expression within marriage. However, Muslims are saddened by the rise in the vulgar exploitation of women and the human body for marketing purposes and pornography, which inevitably result in a cheapening of sexuality and the undermining of family and spiritual life. Islam's appeal to today's woman For women who enjoy being women and appreciate the differences (as well as the common ground) between the sexes, who would prefer to be respected for their intelligence and character rather than being chased after for their looks, and who would like to pursue personal and spiritual fulfilment at a human pace without having to neglect their families, Islam is a very appealing alternative. A few words about polygamy… Many people are aware that Muslim men are permitted to marry more than one wife. What is not generally known is that strict conditions of equal treatment in terms of time and money are imposed on men who do, or that women may stipulate in their marriage contracts that they have the right to divorce if their husbands take another wife. In reality, monogamy is the norm and polygamy the exception; it has never been common among Muslims except in areas where it was already practised, and it is seldom successful unless the first wife agrees. Islam did not introduce polygamy; in reality, some form of polygamy - whether with legal marriages, mistresses, prostitution or extra-marital affairs - occurs in every society. Rather, it allowed and regulated it in order to protect the women and children who might otherwise be taken advantage of. In certain cases, such as when the first wife is chronically (or mentally) ill or unable to bear children; when there are many widows and orphans due to war; or when a marriage has effectively broken down but the wife would prefer to remain married; open and legalised polygamy can be a workable second-best solution. The Prophet Muhammad was married to his first wife, Khadijah, for 25 years, and he did not take other wives until after her death. His marriages to several widows and divorcees in later years were primarily contracted for political and humanitarian reasons, as was expected of a man in his position. His home life was characterised by love, consideration, kindness and respect. | |||
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What does Islam say about terrorism?
Unfortunately more and more often, Islam has been associated with terrorism and violence due to the actions of a few extreme individuals who’ve taken it upon themselves to do the most heinous crimes in the name of Islam. | ||
| Tragic events such as the attack on the twin towers in New York, the bombings of Bali, Madrid and London are assumed to be justified by Islam in the minds of some people. This idea has been fueled further by many media channels which defame Islam by portraying these bombers as ‘Islamists’ or ‘Jihadists’, as though they were sanctioned by Islam, or had any legitimate spokemenship on behalf of Muslims. The actions of a few fanatical individuals who happen to have Muslim names or ascribe themselves to the Muslim faith should not be a yardstick by which Islam is judged. For the same reason, that one would not do justice to Christianity if it where perceived as sanctioning the genocide of the Native Americans, the atrocities of world war II or the bombings of the IRA. To understand Islam’s stance on terrorism, one must refer to its original sources, the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him,which are explicit in their prohibition of any form of injustice including that of wanton violence which seeks to instill fear, injury or death to civilians. The Quran turns our attention to the high value of human life, whether it is Muslim or Non-Muslim and makes it absolutely forbidden to take an innocent life unjustly. The gravity of such a crime is equated, in the Quran, with the killing of all humanity. “On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our apostles with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land.” ( 5:32 ) Not only is human life sacred in Islam but the property, wealth, family and dignity of all individuals in society are to be respected and protected. Those who transgress these rights and sow fasad (corruption) as the Quran describes it, incur the wrath of Allah. "…and seek not corruption in the earth; lo! Allah loveth not corrupters " (28:77) Likewise in another verse “The blame is only against those who oppress men and wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a penalty grievous” (42:42) Islam goes further than just prohibiting oppression and safeguarding rights, it commands its faithful to deal kindly and compassionately to all those who seek to live in peace and harmony "Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for your faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: For Allah loves those who are just" (60:8) In times of war and conflict, where enmity can obstruct an individual’s judgement to act morally, Islam commands that justice be upheld even towards one’s enemies. "O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do" (5:8) Centuries before the Geneva Convention was drawn up, Muslims were bound by a code of conduct which the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, set. He forbade the killing of women, children and elderly in war. In an authentic narration the Prophet (pbuh) warned that he who kills anyone who has a covenant of peace with the Muslims will not smell the scent of Paradise. In fact, he taught that justice is not only to humans but must be shown to animals and all living things. In a narration the Prophet (pbuh) informed us about how a lady was sent to hell because of a cat she had locked up until it starved and died. If such is the sanctity which Islam places on the soul of an animal, how much more grave is the killing of hundreds of innocent humans?! Abu Bakr the first Calipha of the Muslims reflected these prophetic teachings when he advised his general Yazid, who was confronting Roman armies, "I advise you ten things, Do not kill women or children or an aged, infirm person. Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees. Do not destroy an inhabited place. Do not slaughter sheep or camels except for food. Do not burn bees and do not scatter them. Do not steal from the booty, and do not be cowardly."The message of the Quran is clear as we have seen, that the sanctity of any human life is to be respected and any violation in that regard is paramount to the worst crime. Mercy is at the heart of the Islamic call, “We sent thee (O Muhammad) not save as a mercy for the peoples” (21:107); a totally different message to what the terrorists are sadly imparting to humanity. | ||
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السبت، 14 أبريل 2012
The Message of all the Prophets
Allah mentioned in His final revelation, the Qur'an: Say (O Muslims), "We believe in Allâh and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrâhim (Abraham), Ismâ'il (Ishmael), Ishâque (Isaac), Ya'qûb (Jacob), and to Al-Asbât [the twelve sons of Ya'qûb (Jacob)], and that which has been given to Mûsa (Moses) and 'Iesa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islâm)." [Qur'an, 2:136]
And, "He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islam) which He ordained for Nûh (Noah), and that which We have inspired in you (O Muhammad), and that which We ordained for Ibrahîm (Abraham), Mûsa (Moses) and 'Iesa (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically), and make no divisions in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion). Intolerable for the Mushrikûn (polytheists) , is that to which you (O Muhammad) call them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills, and guides unto Himself who turns to Him in repentance and in obedience. [Qur'an, 42:13]
Why Allah sent Prophets and Messengers
Allah sent Prophets and Messengers to every generation to guide mannkind astraight, away from polytheistic and pagan disbelief, returning back to the straight path, that of worshipping God alone and establishing the laws of the Creator and his Prophets and Messengers, in order to bring about an upright and moral society 'divinely guided' by the Perfect One.
Source: Taken from 'Interpretations and Meanings of the Noble Qu'ran' [islaam.ca] Published: Pre 2000
Ever since people innovated the dogma of joining others in worship along with Allah, Allah had been sending Prophets and Messengers to His devotees in order to invite them to the worship of Allah and Allah Alone, to order them not to ascribe partners unto Him and bring them out of the darkness of polytheism and into the light of Monotheism. All the Prophets preached the belief in the Oneness of Allah. The following verses from the Noble Qur'an illustrate this fact:And to worship Allah means to obey Him and to do all that He has ordained, - and to fear Him by abstaining from all that He has forbidden.
"Indeed, We sent Nooh (Noah) to his people and he said: 'O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilaah (God) but him. (Laa ilaaha ill Allaah, none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Certainly, I fear for you the torment of a great Day!'" (Al-A'araaf, The Heights 7:59)
"And to 'Aad (people, We sent) their brother Hood. He said: 'O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilaah (God) but Him. (Laa ilaaha ill Allaah, none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Will you not fear (Allah)?'" (Al-A'araaf, The Heights 7:65)
"And to (the people of) Madyaan (Midian), (We sent) their brother Shu'ayb. He said: 'O my People! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilaah (God) but Him. (Laa ilaaha ill Allaah, none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Verily, a clear proof (sign) from your Lord has come unto you, so give full measure and full weight and wrong not men in their things, and do not make mischief on the earth after it has been set in order, that will be better for you, if you are believers.'" (Al-A'araaf, The Heights 7:85)
"And to Thamood (people, We sent) their brother Saalih. He said: 'O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilaah (God) but Him. (Laa ilaaha ill Allaah, none has the right to be worshipped but Allah).'" (Al-A'araaf, The Heights 7:73)
"And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): Worship Allah (Alone) and avoid (or keep away from) Taaghoot (all false deities etc. do not worship Taaghoots besides Allah)." (An-Nahl, The Bee 16:36)
Every Prophet was sent unto his own nation for their guidance, but the Message of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam - peace be upon him) was general for all mankind and jinn (a being created from smokeless flames).
"Say [O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)]: 'O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah.'" (Al-A'araaf, The Heights 7:158)
So the aim of sending these Prophets and Messengers to mankind and jinn was only that they should worship Allah Alone, as Allah said:
"And I (Allah) created not the jinn and men except they should worship Me (Alone)" (Adh-Dhaariyaat, The Winds that Scatter 51:56)
And to worship Allah means to obey Him and to do all that He has ordained, - and to fear Him by abstaining from all that He has forbidden. Then those who will obey Allaah will be rewarded in Paradise, and those who will disobey Him will be punished in the Hell-fire.
Moses, Jesus & Muhammad - Three Men, One Message
Islam accepts, appreciates and reveres all three of these noble Prophets and Messengers, accepts all of the revealed scripture (in its original form) and Muslims make no distinction between them. There message was the same, their religion, one religion, that of Islam - the submission to Allah (the One true God) alone.
Speaker: Abdul-Kareem Mc Dowell (Reverted Trinidadian Muslim) Source: Salafi Publications [islaam.ca] Given: Pre 2000
Modern-day Jews reject Jesus (as a Prophet and Messenger), modern-day Christians accept Moses as a Prophet and Messenger, elevate Jesus beyond his noble status (taking him as a deity) and reject Muhammad. Islam accepts, appreciates and reveres all three of these noble Prophets and Messengers, accepts all of the revealed scripture (in its original form) and Muslims make no distinction between them. There message was the same, their religion, one religion, that of Islam - the submission to Allah (the One true God) alone.
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الجمعة، 13 أبريل 2012
The True Status of Women in Islam
The Veil Unveiled
The Islamic veil or hijab refers to the loose-fitting, plain and opaque outer garments which cover a Muslim woman’s body. While basically identical to the clothing depicted in traditional Christian representations of Mary (may God praise her and her son), and every nun who has sought to emulate her since, the hijab is readily singled out as sign of extremism, the supposedly inferior status of Muslim women, Those who see Muslim women as little more than sex objects are dismayed at the phenomena of educated, professional or, in any case, ‘free’ Western women turning to Islam. The claim that female converts are either brainwashed fanatics blinded by their veils or suppressed victims frantic to be liberated is no longer accepted. Although, sensationalist and often politically-motivated reports of oppressed Muslim women in some contemporary backward societies still enforce the negative stereotype. What follows is a brief look at the status of women in Islam though comparing the role of the veil in both Islam and Christianity.
“Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily , to them We will give a new life, good and pure. And We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.” (Quran 16:97)
In what would form part of a ‘New Testament’, St. Paul obligated the then common practice of the veil for all women:
‘And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head - it is just as though her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or shaved off, she should cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.[1] For this reason, and because of the angels, woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.’ (I Corinthians 11:4-10)
St. Tertullian (the first man to formulate the Trinity), in his treatise, On the Veiling of Virgins, even obliged its use at home: ‘Young women, you wear your veils out on the streets, so you should wear them in the church; you wear them when you are among strangers, then wear them among your brothers.’
So Islam didn’t invent the veil, it merely endorsed it. However, while Paul presented the veil as a sign of man’s authority, Islam clarifies that it is simply a sign of faith, modesty and chastity which serves to protect the devout from molestation.
“O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their c1oaks over their bodies (when outdoors) so that they be recognized as such (decent, chaste believers) and not molested...” (Quran 33:59)
The 19th century Orientalist, Sir Richard Burton, observed how:
‘The women who delight in restrictions which tend to their honor, accepted it (the veil) willingly and still affect it, they do not desire a liberty or rather a license which they have learned to regard as inconsistent with their time-honored notions of feminine decorum and delicacy. They would think very meanly of a husband who permitted them to be exposed, like hetaerae, to the public gaze.’
In truth, the Muslim’s veil is but one facet of her noble status a status due in part to the tremendous responsibility that is placed upon her. Simply put, woman is the initial teacher in the building of a righteous society. This is why from the most important individual obligations upon a person is to show gratitude, kindness and good companionship to their mother. Once, the Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, was asked:
“O Messenger of God! Who from amongst mankind warrants the best companionship from me? ‘The Prophet replied: ‘Your mother.’ The man asked: ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: ‘Your mother.’ The man asked: ‘Then who?’ The Prophet repeated: ‘Your mother.’ Again, the man asked: ‘Then who?’ The Prophet finally said: ‘(Then) your father.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
While the mother is given precedence over and above the father in kindness and good treatment, Islam, like Christianity, teaches that God designated man to be the natural head of the household.
“…And they (women) have rights (over their husbands) similar (to the rights of their husbands) over them according to what is equitable. But men have a degree (of responsibility) over them…” (Quran 2:228)
In Islam, man’s authority is in proportion to his socio-economic responsibilities,[2] responsibilities which reflect the psychological and physiological differences with which God created the sexes.
“…And the male is not like the female...” (Quran 3:36)[3]
Marriage is the means by which both sexes can fulfill their different but complementary and mutually beneficial roles.
Footnotes:
[1] Islam teaches that God is not a man, but the Creator of man (and woman); and He created both sexes for one noble purpose: “I have not created jinn (spirits) and humans except that they may worship and serve Me (alone).” (Quran 51:56)
[2] Hence, the Muslim man is granted a greater share of inheritance than the woman. He is legally bound to provide for and maintain all the females of the household from his personal wealth while the woman’s wealth is hers alone to spend, invest or save as she pleases.
[3] Dr. Alexis Carrel, the French Noble Laureate, reinforces this point when he writes: ‘The difference existing between man and woman do not come from the particular form of the sexual organs, the presence of the uterus, from gestation or from the mode of education. They are of a more fundamental impregnation of the entire organism ... Ignorance of these fundamental facts has led promoters of feminism to believe that both sexes should have the same powers and the same responsibilities. In reality, woman differs profoundly from man. Every one of the cells of her body bears the mark of her sex. The same is true of her organs and, above all, of her nervous system. Physiological laws ... cannot be replaced by human wishes. We are obliged to accept them just as they are. Women should develop their aptitudes in accordance with their own nature, without trying to imitate males.’ (Carrel, Man and the Unknown, 1949:91)
“And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves; that you may dwell with them in serenity and tranquility. And He has put love and compassion between your hearts. Truly in that are signs for those who reflect.” (Quran 30:21)
‘Islam’s appeal, wherever it has triumphed, has been in its simplicity. It requires submission to some basic, straightforward rules which are easily kept, and in return it offers that most wonderful and rare commodity, peace of mind ... its discipline, safety and certainties have an appeal for girls lost in the churning seas of permissiveness, whose own families have been weakened by the crumbling of the two-parent family, the absence of fathers and the impermanence of husbands, if there are husbands in the first place rather than boyfriends and “baby-fathers”. And in most societies it is the women who sustain religions in the home and among children.’ (Peter Hitchens, Will Britain Convert to Islam? Mail on Sunday, 2/11/03)
“…They (your wives, O men) are a garment for you and you (men) are a garment for them…” (Quran 2:187)
Sex itself is not taboo in Islam. On the contrary, lawful sexual relations are regarded as deeds of charity! Renowned scholar and former nun, Karen Armstrong, writes:
‘Mohammed certainly did not think that women were sexually disgusting. When his wife had her period he used to make a point of reclining in her lap, of taking his prayer mat from her hand, saying for the benefit of his disciples, “Your menstruation is not in your hand.” He would drink from the same cup, saying, “Your menstruation is not on your lips” ... The harsh sexual punishments meted out to sexual offenders in some Islamic countries is because sexuality is valued and the ideal has been debased, not, as in the past in the West, because sexuality is abhorrent.’ (The Gospel According to Woman, 1986:2)
The Church’s traditional justification for man’s authority is one it inherited from Judaism: the inherent evil of woman! According to the bible, Satan seduced Eve to disobey God by eating from a forbidden tree and Eve, in turn, seduced Adam to eat with her. When God rebuked Adam for his disobedience, Adam blamed Eve, and so God condemned her:
“I (God) will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will bear children. Your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you.” (Genesis 3:16)
It was this image of Eve as a deceiving temptress that left a negative legacy for women throughout both Judaism and Christendom. Paul, himself a once vehemently anti-Christian Jew, wrote in the bible: ‘A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I don’t permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam wasn’t the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner, but women shall be saved through childbearing.’ (I Tim. 2:11-5)[1]
Again, the Islamic conception of woman is radically different. The Quran clarifies that Satan was the only deceiver in the story of the Garden, while Adam and Eve receive equal blame for their disobedience. There is not the slightest hint that Eve was the first to eat the forbidden fruit or that she tempted Adam to do so. Both Adam and Eve committed a sin, asked God for His Forgiveness, and He duly bestowed it:
“They said: ‘Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls and if You forgive us not and do not bestow upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be lost.” (Quran 7:22-23)
Linguistically, the Quranic terms for ‘womb’ and ‘mercy’ are synonymous. This is because, rather than God’s punishment, childbirth in Islam is seen as one of His countless blessings. Besides, the notion that God condemns the innocent is quite blasphemous! And, while Christianity holds every newborn baby to be a sinner - the fruits of its mother’s punishment, Islam teaches that all children are born innocent and sinless upon the fitra: a natural monotheistic and righteous disposition. Hence, one who embraces Islam is said to revert back to their natural religion. It is only the child’s immoral upbringing that converts it into a rebellious sinner.
“Whosoever works evil will not be requited except with its like; and whosoever works righteousness, whether male or female, and is a true Believer, such will enter Paradise, wherein they will have provision without limit.” (Quran 40:40)
Paul’s words, earlier, also show how Eve’s sin was used to justify limiting women’s educational aspirations. In Islam, however, women are equal to men in the pursuit of knowledge. The Prophet said:
“The seeking of knowledge is compulsory upon every (male or female) Muslim.” (Ibn Maja)
Furthermore, the most honored position one can reach in Muslim society is that of a scholar [Islam has no Priesthood]. The Prophet’s wife, Aa’isha, from whom leading Companions acquired knowledge, is but one example of learned women who continue to greatly influence Islamic society. As were several female teachers of the celebrated sage, warrior and master of the Islamic sciences, Ibn Taymiyya (d. 1328).
“…Are those who know equal to those who know not? It is only those with understanding who will remember.” (Quran 39:9)
Footnotes:
[1] The Church’s founding fathers, men who formulated Christian belief and canonized the Bible, supported this view: ‘Don’t you know that you are each an Eve?’ God’s sentence on this sex of yours lives in this age: the guilt must of necessity live too. You are the Devil’s gateway: you are the unsealer of the forbidden tree: you are the first deserter of the divine law: you are she who persuaded him whom the devil wasn’t valiant enough to attack. You destroyed so easily God’s image, man. (St. Tertullian)
“Woman is a daughter of falsehood, a sentinel of Hell, the enemy of peace; through her Adam lost paradise.” (St. John Damascene)
‘God created Adam Lord of all living creatures, but Eve spoiled it all. Women should remain at home, sit still, keep house and bear children. And if they (women) grow tired or, even, die (from giving birth), it does not matter. Let her die from in childbirth; that’s why they are there.’ (Martin Luther).
Many of the resurgent pre-Islamic cultural practices that have tragically come to be associated with Islam, such as forced marriages, female genital mutilation, bridal (as opposed to groom-paid) dowries, honor killings and the criminalization of rape victims, only resurfaced following the disruption caused by colonialism and the resulting disconnect between the common Muslims and their sources of knowledge. It is always the learned scholars of Islam, men and women, who are the first victims of any imperialist purge. Nevertheless, in light of the Quran and Sunnah, the veil of misinformation cloaking the true status of women in Islam is easily removed. Moreover, Islam continues to grow faster than any other way of life with women, accounting for some 75% of all European and American reverts - ironic, given the widespread Western prejudice that ‘Islam oppresses women!
‘Westerners despairing of their own society - rising in crime, family breakdown, drugs and alcoholism - have come to admire the discipline and security of Islam. Many converts are former Christians, disillusioned by the uncertainty of the church and unhappy with the concept of the Trinity and the deification of Jesus.’ (Lucy Berrington, “Why British women are turning to Islam”, Times, 9/11/93)
These women have acknowledged the same truth that led the Christian Negus of Abyssinia to embrace Islam following a speech in which the Companions informed him: ‘God’s Messenger forbade us to speak evil of women.’ (Ibn Hisham)
“Verily, those who slander chaste women; innocent unsuspecting believing women: they are cursed in this world and the next. And for them will be a great torment.” (Quran 24:23)
Today, many nuns and devout women of the Orthodox, Catholic, Near Eastern and African churches still wear the Christian veil. The Muslim woman too wears her hijab, declaring her faith in humility and servitude before God. Only those given divine sanction - her immediate family and other believing women - may view her bodily beauty. In effect, she is saying: ‘Judge me for my faith, not my body - I give you no other choice.’ When faithfully implemented, as it was by its earliest adherents, Islam offers women the freedom, dignity, justice and protection that have long remained out of their reach. Mankind inherited from the Prophet a great Islamic tradition when he said:
‘The best of you (men) are those who best treat their women.’
While Christian women inherited a tradition of misogyny from both Jewish rabbinism and Greek thought. It was Western woman’s reaction to this poor status afforded to her and to her ‘s exploitation’ that led to the rise of the feminist movement.
“The believing men and women are protectors of one another. They enjoin the good and forbid the evil; they establish prayer and give alms (to the needy); and they obey God and His Messenger. These, God will have mercy on them. Lo! God is Mighty, Wise.” (Quran 9:71)
Islam granted women contractual rights, conjugal rights, the right to inherit, to initiate divorce, to independently own and control wealth and property, to set up and run businesses, to earn and receive equal pay, to retain their maiden names, etc., over 1400 years ago while the democratic West granted similar rights only in the last 50 years of the 20th century! In fact, besides casual abortion, much of what feminists still fight for had already been sanctioned by Islam. Not to mention that Western-style emancipation – essentially women copying men – has not only imposed impossible demands on the weaker sex, but has also left womanhood without any intrinsic value. As for the veiled Muslim celebrating her womanhood, she is but a reflection of chastity, humility and dignity, a mirror of her devotion to and belief in God - factors which liberate, not subjugate - and for this she can expect a great reward.
“For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for truthful men and women, for patient men and women, for humble men and women, for charitable men and women, for fasting men and women, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in God’s praise: for them has God prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” (Quran 33:35)
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