Women are inferior to men in the Quran..is it true?

[RendezVous]

Introduction

 

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, nobody worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

The issue of women’s rights has been one the most discussed subject matters of our time. Whether in Islam or any other religion, attacks have been made to these rights, or have been simply misinterpreted. Since Islam (Submission) is the one true religion of God, any law whether it concerns women or any other subject matter cannot be under any circumstance, less than perfect. However, there are obviously going to be many misinterpretations or misunderstandings of such subject matters. These concerns could be raised up by people who sincerely want the truth and are seeking true guidance or by people who are completely convinced by what they believe in and reject any other belief even if it is convincing.

 

Critics have brought up points regarding women in Islam and by Allah’s will, we would be able to shed light into the subject at hand, and show the truth of the matter.

 

SOME WORRIES ON WOMEN IN ISLAM AND HOW THEY WERE ANSWERED BY ISLAM

 

 

1. Husbands are a degree above their wives in a legal context.

 

The Quran in Sura 2:228 says:

. . . Wives have the same rights as the husbands have on them in accordance with the generally known principles. Of course, men are a degree above them in status . . .

At first, this verse appears positive: "Wives have the same rights as the husbands." However, too often a verse has a sting in it, as verse 228 does: "men are a degree above them in status."

 

This principle of gender inequality reflects Arab culture of the seventh century. If Allah and Muhammad improved on this patriarchy, then they did not go far enough. This verse occurring in the revealed Quran is troubling for those of us on the outside of Islam. The verse indicates that the nature of womankind is being challenged in a way that transcends culture, as we shall see.

 

Therefore, traditional Muslims, especially legal scholars, are permitted to apply this verse to the world of today and outside of Arabia. These Muslims believe that the entire Quran reflects the values of Allah, the god of this world, so Sura 2:228 should be carried out everywhere—it is universal.

 

WE REPLIED TO THE WORRIES LIKE THIS

 

The Quran in Sura 2:228 says

 

Divorced women shall wait concerning themselves for three monthly periods nor is it lawful for them to hide what Allah hath created in their wombs if they have faith in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands have the better right to take them back in that period if they wish for reconciliation. And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them according to what is equitable; but men have a degree over them and Allah is Exalted in Power Wise.

Before I begin explaining this verse. I would like to know where CRITICS arrived with the conclusion that men are a degree over women in status. Reading the verse above, clearly the words status is not included and that, as mentioned above, a clear misinterpretation of the Quranic verses.If he meant by status as in authority then certainly he is correct.

 

Men have the responsibility of protecting, providing, supporting, and fulfilling the requirements and needs of women given to him by God. This certainly doesn’t mean that women can’t exercise this right given to men, however it would give her too much of a burden, simply because she has other responsibilities to do.

 

THE CHRISTIAN VIEW ON WOMEN

 

Because even the New Testament teaches that husbands have authority over their wives.

 

Colossians 3:18

 

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord".

1 Corinthians 11:3

Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. (This shows a hierarchy of authority, funny notice how Christ is under god. But more importantly notice how the woman is under the man)

So if critics want to use this criteria, then we would also have to use it against the Bible

 

and declare that the Bible teaches that women are inferior!

If he meant by status as in degrading women to men, or that women are less honorable than men then perhaps we can go back to the Quran and see what God has to say about the critics

 

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verse 35:

 

For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise; for them has Allah prepared Forgiveness and a Great Reward.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verse 72:

 

Allah hath 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 Allah: that is the supreme felicity.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale-Imraan verse 195:

 

.. And their Lord hath accepted of them and answered them: "Never will I suffer to be lost the work of any of you be he male or female: ye are members one of another; those who have left their homes or been driven out therefrom or suffered harm in My Cause or fought or been slain verily I will blot out from them their iniquities and admit them into Gardens with rivers flowing beneath; a reward from the presence of Allah and from His presence is the best of rewards."

...............................................................................................

 

2. Men are superior to women in a domestic context.

 

The Quran in Sura 4:34 says:

 

Men are managers of the affairs of women because Allah has made the one superior to the other. (Maududi, vol. 1, p. 329)

 

For the historical and literary topical contexts of Sura 4, click here. The verse goes on to permit husbands to hit their wives if the husbands merely fear highhandedness. Readers may view that article here. At the end, it has many links to modern interpretations of Sura 4:34 and to arguments for wife beating today.

 

The essential point to notice here is the Quran’s clear explanation of why men manage the affairs of women: because mankind is superior to womankind. The verse says that Allah made them this way. It strikes at the nature of womankind, beyond just women’s social roles in seventh-century Arabia.

 

ARE MEN SUPERIOR THAN WOMEN IN ISLAM?

 

Allah says in the Noble Quran

"Men are (meant to be righteous and kind) guardians of women because God has favored some more than others and because they (i.e. men) spend out of their wealth. (In their turn) righteous women are (meant to be) devoted and to guard what God has (willed to be) guarded even though out of sight (of the husband). As for those (women) on whose part you fear ill-will and nasty conduct, admonish them (first), (next) separate them in beds (and last) beat them (lightly). But if they obey you, then seek nothing against them. Behold, God is most high and great. (4:34)

“The first reason then why men are “qawwamun†over women is their physical ability to protect women. The second is that "they (i.e. men) spend out of their wealth." Although the Holy Qur'an permits women to earn and own wealth, it expects that men will generally be able to earn more than women because of the natural differences between them. This means that they will generally be responsible for the economic needs of women and this responsibility also makes them “qawwamunâ€.

 

In thinking of men as “qawwamun†over women we should not limit their role to mere protectors and providers. Properly taking care of women requires more than ensuring their physical security and providing food and shelter. It also requires looking after their psychological and emotional needs which can be summed up in terms of the need for love (30:21). Thus man's role in the relationship between men and women (as husbands and wives) generally consists of three things: protecting the woman, looking after her economic needs and giving her love.â€

 

Before I give a reply to what CRITICS had said about the “beatingâ€, an important point should be mentioned that is crucial to Islamic understanding. Muslims receive information from two authenticated sources, which are the Noble Quran and the preserved authentic Sunnah (way of) the Messenger of God. I say this because as Muslims we believe that no people in this world worshiped Allah and understood His message more than His Messengers and Prophets. The point regarding the beating of women is yet another point that is clearly misunderstood and misinterpreted. Since the Quran clearly mentions the word beating, lets take a look at how the messenger of Allah(Peace be upon him) understood this verse and applied it in his day to day life, since he himself received the message first hand and Allah directed us to follow him and to look at him as a perfect example.

 

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘The most perfect Muslim in the matter of faith is one who has excellent behavior; and the best among you are those who behave best towards their wives.’

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "The best of you is he who is best to his family, and I am the best among you to my family."

Allah's Messenger (saws) said: ‘a believing man should not hate a believing woman (his wife); if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another.

The Prophet (saws) said, "One who treats badly those under his authority will not enter Paradise."

In the light of the above hadiths by the messenger of Allah, we clearly see that he was the most gentle kind hearted father, husband, brother, leader, to his women. Never did he beat any of his wives or relatives for that matter.. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explained what “beating should be†which is a light tap that leaves no mark. He further said that the face must be avoided. Some other scholars are of the view that it is no more than a light touch by siwak, or toothbrush. Similarly, the last hadith shows how severe the situation would be on the Day of Judgment if one treats badly whoever he has under his authority.

 

 

If one looks at the statistics of where a women gets beaten more often: whether in an Islamic society or by those who champion the cause of ‘women’s rights’, he will realize that the women is most abused, humiliated, assaulted, beaten, hurt, raped and killed in these very western, un-godly societies! May Allah protect our mothers and our daughters and our wives from this humiliation, and honor them to live under the Mercy and Grace of Allah in Islam.

 

WHO ARE THE ABUSERS

 

In 29% of all violence against women by a lone offender, the perpetrator was an intimate (husband,ex-husband, boyfriend or ex-boyfriend).

 

HONOR KILLINGS IN AMERICA?

 

Of the 5328 women murdered in 1990, FBI data indicate that about half or more of them by a husband or boyfriend.

A 1993 national poll found that 34% of adults in the United States report having witnessed a man beating his wife or girlfriend and that 14% of women report that a husband or boyfriend has been violent with them.

THE ECONOMIC FACTOR IN WOMEN'S ABUSE

 

*Women aged 19 to 29 and women in families with incomes below $10,000 were more likely than other women to be victims of violence by an intimate.

 

So the above statistics reflects how women are treated in a so called “Christian Countryâ€. Should we still blame Islam for that?

 

According to the Qur'an the relationship between the husband and wife should be based on mutual love and kindness.

 

Allah says: "And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect." (Ar-Rum: 21)

The Qur'an urges husbands to treat their wives with kindness. [in the event of a family dispute, the Qur'an exhorts the husband to treat his wife kindly and not to overlook her positive aspects].

 

Allah Almighty says: “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 Allah brings about through it a great deal of good.†(An-Nisa’: 19)

WHY WOMEN ARE THE MAJORITY IN THE HELL FIRE(ISLAM)

 

The Prophet said, "I looked at Paradise and found poor people forming the majority of its inhabitants; and I looked at Hell and saw that the majority of its inhabitants were women."

.

 

 

DO U THINK WOMEN ARE THE MAJORITY IN THE HELL?

 

If the ratio of women to men here on planet earth is larger, then it is only logical that the ratio of women to men in hell would also be larger.

 

UK MEN AND WOMEN

 

WORLD POPULATION..

 

Go to this site and check out the ratio of women to men in every country. You will see that most of them are larger.

 

CIA

 

This hadith shows that there are more women in Paradise

 

Chapter : The first group that would be admitted to Paradise would be like the face of the full moon and the description of their qualities and their spouses.

 

Muhammad reported that some (persons) stated with a sense of pride and some discussed whether there would be more men in Paradise or more women. It was upon this that Abu Huraira reported that Abu'l Qasim (the Holy Prophet) (may peace be upon him) said: The (members) of the first group to get into Paradise would have their faces as bright as full moon during the night, and the next to this group would have their faces as bright as the shining stars in the sky, and every person would have two wives and the marrow of their shanks would glimmer beneath the flesh and there would be none without a wife in Paradise.

 

If the ratio of women to men here on planet earth is larger, then it is only logical that the ratio of women to men in hell would also be larger.

 

The Prophet is simply stating the crime of most of the women in hell.

Read on..

[/url] Q"]http://www.islamhelpline.com/view_answers.asp?QAID=1610]Q & A[/url]

 

Q & A

 

There is no word about the husbands’ ingratitude and harshness.

 

ISLAM IS FAIR TO ALL( WOMEN AND MEN)

 

The religion of Islam is fair and just and God Almighty has put a fair test and trail for both males and females in this world. As mentioned in the above article and reply, God never judges according to sex but according to works and deeds.

 

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 103 Surah Al-Qariah verses 6-11:

 

Then he whose balance (of good deeds) will be (found) heavy

 

Will be in a life of good pleasure and satisfaction.

 

But he whose balance (of good deeds) will be (found) light

 

Will have his home in a (bottomless) pit.

 

And what will explain to thee what this is?

 

(It is) a Fire Blazing fiercely!

HOLY QURAAN Chapter 49, verse 3

 

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

Most Hadiths are for both sexes however as you have clearly put down for us, some hadiths are for women and some are for men. If you have continued your extensive research then maybe you will come across several hadiths regarding men.

 

 

You can read more on all this information at

 

Answering Christianity and Their Propaganda

[makalajabti]

Women are not inferior to men in Islam, it's just that male-dominated societies in some muslim countries "enjoy" discriminating women, those men are backwards, and anti-modern, they cling on their prerogatives by using some verses of the Qura'n or hadiths out of their context.

[ElPunto]

Anyone who truly understands Islam believes it is fair to all and a way of life for all at all times. The problem is that too little of it is put in practice especially with regard to women. Witness the Mukhtar Mai case - some of our male brethren have nasty and repulsive attitudes towards their women.

[Socod_badne]

Originally posted by ThePoint:

The problem is that too little of it is put in practice especially with regard to women.

True, the problem is not with Quran or Islam. The emancipation of women is urgent need for ALL of the 3rd world not just the muslim part. It's pervasive problem which is further exacerbated by poor illiteracy rates and abject poverty.

[Ibtisam]

^^^my dear; finally

True, the problem is not with Quran or Islam.

[makalajabti]

Originally posted by ibtisam:

^^^my dear; finally

quote:

---

True, the problem is not with Quran or Islam.

Why finally? :confused:

[Socod_badne]

Originally posted by makalajabti:

quote:Originally posted by ibtisam:

^^^my dear; finally

quote:

---

True, the problem is not with Quran or Islam.

Why finally? :confused:

Obviously something you're not privy to... mind your own business nosey-parker. I can assure you it has nothing to do with virginity -- your favourite topic!

 

Ibtisam, don't you agree with saying: all good things come to those who wait?

[makalajabti]

Originally posted by Socod_badne:

Obviously something you're not privy to... mind your own business nosey-parker. I can assure you it has nothing to do with virginity -- your favourite topic!

It's unbelievale all the faarax out there "enjoying" their lives and next thing on SOL lecturing people religiously on virginity!!!

Our people are a riot sometimes!

 

[ March 10, 2006, 17:49: Message edited by: sheherazade ]

[RendezVous]

Generalization

 

It's unbelievale all the faarax out there "enjoying" their lives and next thing on SOL lecturing people religiously on virginity!!!

It is true we value virginity so much..Stop generalizing faarax's as if there are no "Hot Faarax's" .. or what is your description of being Hot.The ones who are not Virgins whether a man or a woman are not true muslim characters ..Facts are facts.Do u really know what you are talking to many eligible faarax'z anyway?

 

If you don't value virginity, this is a different thread altogether.. Makalajabti

[Naden]

The ones who are not Virgins whether a man or a woman are not true muslim characters

 

I can bet on my beat-up Taurus and my cat's tattered old coat that you can have a true muslim character AND be virginity-challenged. Just need to find one (out of the 1.3 billion) who fits both categories.

 

Hint: Otherwise, you will find a plethora of the virginal. The come in the short variety and some people call them 'children' .

[makalajabti]

Originally posted by The Flipmode:

If you don't value virginity, this is a different thread altogether..

Makalajabti

[/QB]

I answered to the other faarax's message (socod-folxumo), give me a break, he is the one who started with that virginity-shit and messed up your thread.

[Socod_badne]

Originally posted by makalajabti:

quote:Originally posted by The Flipmode:

If you don't value virginity, this is a different thread altogether..

Makalajabti

I answered to the other faarax's message (socod-folxumo), give me a break, he is the one who started with that virginity-shit and messed up your thread. [/QB]

Not true, stop lying! It's eminent truth, discernable to all that you have inordinate fixation with ALL things related to virginity? It's all you talk about, what's the deal with that? There is more things going on in the world that have absolutely nothing to do with virginity you know?

 

Don't try to turn the tables over on me now.

[makalajabti]

Not true, stop lying! It's eminent truth, discernable to all that you have inordinate fixation with ALL things related to virginity? It's all you talk about, what's the deal with that? There is more things going on in the world that have absolutely nothing to do with virginity you know?Don't try to turn the tables over on me now.

Are you retarted? this thread is " women & quran", where do u see "virginity", you are the one who talked about "v" in this thread (messing up with the Flippymode's discussion), until you arrived like a fly into one's mouth, everyone was talking about Islam.

And Stop Stalking me!

[Ibtisam]

^^^you two want each other

 

makalajabti relax darling, no one cares who is a virgin and who is not, but then the continues talk of the subject is a bit boring; what is the big deal :confused:

 

 

SB; all good things come to those who wait did you say! hhm well you best practice what you preach dear!!

[Socod_badne]

Makala,

 

You still haven't answered my question: what is it with you and virginity? Every time the subject is broached, you're there to hound it. Any reasons?

 

And you're right, let us not hijack the thread. The subject broached was: the Quran and woman. Lets discuss.

 

 

Ibtisaam,

 

hhm well to you best practice what preach dear!

 

Not following! I must preach what I practice or practice what I preach or best practice what I preach or preach practice and preach... sorry don't get that at all. Wanna try again?