MISCONCEPTION ABOUT ISLAM Islam oppresses women ANS:-Numerous verses of the Qur’an make it clear that men and women are equal in the sight of Allah. According to the teachings of Islam, the only thing that distinguishes people in the sight of Allah is their level of righteousness. The Qur’an states “Verily the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is the most God conscious” Q49:13. This verse proves that honor and status is not attained because a person is rich or poor, black or white, male or female but attained through piety and devoutness. This position is also reiterated in the following verse: “Whoever works righteousness whether male or female, while he (or she) is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward (in the Hereafter) according to the best of what they used to do”. Q16:97. Not too many people know that Islamic Law guaranteed unprecedented rights to women over 1400 years ago! Islam jurisprudence clearly states that women have the right to vote; seek an education; own property; choose a spouse; keep their own surname when married; financial independence; inherit property; operate a business and receive equal pay for equal work; participate in all forms of worship that men participate in; right to have their marriage dissolved in the case of neglect or mistreatment, etc. Without doubt, there are Muslim women who are oppressed and not given their rights as espoused by Islam. This is mostly because in many places in the world, culture and traditions have come to overshadow the teachings of Islam, either through ignorance or harmful cultural practices. While Islam champions the rights of women, it also acknowledges the fact that men and women are not identical. Allah says: ‘…and the male is not like the female…’ (Q3:36). Islam has therefore ordained different roles for men and women to reflect this. Women have been granted the honor and tremendous responsibility of caring for the family and their households. Men on the other hand, have been given the responsibility of providing financial support, security and maintenance for the family. Thus, the noble position conferred on women in Islam can be summarized by the following saying of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): “The world and all things in the world are precious, but the most precious thing in the world is a virtuous woman”.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 02:08:23 +0000
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