Talk about Real Women

[Asxabul_kahf]

In Islam there is absolutely no difference between men and women as far as their relationship to Allah is concerned, as both are

promised the same reward for good conduct and the same punishment for evil conduct. The Qur'an says: "And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women." (2:226)

 

The Qur'an, in addressing the believers, often uses the expression,'believing men and women' to emphasize the equality of men and women in regard to their respective duties, rights, virtues and merits. It says: "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 great reward." (33:35)

 

This clearly contradicts the assertion of the Christian Fathers that women do not possess souls and that they will exist as sexless

beings in the next life. The Qur'an says that women have souls in exactly the same way as men and will enter Paradise if they do good: "Enter into Paradise, you and your wives, with delight."

(43:70). "Who so does that which is right, and believes, whether male or female, him or her will We quicken to happy life." (16:97)

 

The Qur'an admonishes those men who oppress or ill-treat women: "O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their

will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dowry you have given them - except when they have

become guilty of open lewdness. On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take a dislike to them, it

may be that you dislike something and Allah will bring about through it a great deal of good." (4:19)

 

Considering the fact that before the advent of Islam the pagan Arabs used to bury their female children alive and treat women as mere

chattels and objects of sexual pleasure possessing no rights or position whatsoever, these teachings of the Noble Qur'an were

revolutionary. Islam regards men and women as being of the same essence created from a single soul. The Qur'an declares: "O mankind!

Reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, his mate, and from this pair scattered

(like seeds) countless men and women. Reverence Allah, through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and reverence the wombs (that bore

you); for Allah ever watches over you." (4:1)

 

The Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) said, "Women are the twin halves of men." The Qur'an emphasizes the essential unity of men and

women in a most beautiful simile:"They (your wives) are your garment and you are a garment for them." (2:187)

 

Just as a garment hides our nakedness, so do husband and wife, by entering into the relationship of marriage, secure each other's

chastity. The garment gives comfort to the body; so does the husband find comfort in his wife's company and she in his. "The garment is

the grace, the beauty, the embellishment of the body, so too are wives to their husbands as their husbands are to them."

 

Islam does not consider woman "an instrument of the Devil", but rather the Qur'an calls her "muhsana" - a fortress against Satan

because a good woman, by marrying a man, helps him keep to the path of rectitude in his life. It is for this reason that marriage was

considered by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a most virtuous act. He said: "When a man marries, he has completed one half of his

religion." He enjoined matrimony on Muslims by saying: "Marriage is part of my way and whoever keeps away from my way is not from me

(i.e. is not my follower)."

 

The Qur'an has given the raison d'être of marriage in the following words: "And among His signs is this, that He has created for you

mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity with them; and He has put love and mercy between you. Verily in that are

signs for those who reflect." (30:21)

 

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was full of praise for virtuous and chaste women. He said: "The world and all things in the world are

precious but the most precious thing in the world is a virtuous woman." He once told the future khalif, 'Umar: "Shall I not inform

you about the best treasure a man can hoard? It is a virtuous wife who pleases him whenever he looks towards her, and who guards herself when he is absent from her."

 

Before the advent of Islam women were often treated worse than animals. The Prophet (PBUH) wanted to put a stop to all cruelties to

women. He preached kindness towards them. He told the Muslims: "Fear Allah in respect of women." And: "The best of you are they who

behave best to their wives." And: "A Muslim must not hate his wife, and if he be displeased with one bad quality in her, let him be

pleased with one that is good." And:"The more civil and kind a Muslim is to his wife, the more perfect in faith he is."

 

The Prophet (PBUH) was most emphatic in enjoining upon Muslims to be kind to their women when he delivered his famous khutba (sermon) on

the Mount of Mercy at Arafat in the presence of one hundred and twenty-four thousand of his Companions who had gathered there for

the Hajj al-Wada (Farewell Pilgrimage). In it he ordered those present, and through them all those Muslims who were to come later,

to be respectful and kind towards women. He said: "Fear Allah regarding women. Verily you have married them with the trust of

Allah, and made their bodies lawful with the word of Allah. You have got (rights) over them, and they have got (rights) over you in

respect of their food and clothing according to your means."

 

In Islam a woman is a completely independent personality. She can make any contract or bequest in her own name. She is entitled to

inherit in her position as mother, as wife, as sister and as daughter. She has perfect liberty to choose her husband. The pagan society of pre-Islamic Arabia had an irrational prejudice against their female children whom they used to bury alive. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was totally opposed to this practice. He showed them

that supporting their female children would act as a screen for them against the fire of Hell.

 

It is narrated by the Prophet's wife, 'A'isha, that a woman entered her house with two of her daughters. She asked for charity

but 'A'isha could not find anything except a date, which was given to her. The woman divided it between her two daughters and did not

eat any herself. Then she got up and left. When the Prophet (PBUH) came to the house, 'A'isha told him about what had happened and he

declared that when the woman was brought to account (on the Day of Judgment) about her two daughters they would act as a screen for her

from the fires of Hell.

 

The worst calamity for a woman is when her husband passes away and, as a widow, the responsibility of maintaining the children falls

upon her. In the Eastern World, where a woman does not always go out to earn her living, the problems of widowhood are indescribable. The

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) upheld the cause of widows. Most of his wives were widows. In an age when widows were rarely permitted to

remarry, the Prophet encouraged his followers to marry them. He was always ready to help widows and exhorted his followers to do the same. Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet said: "One who makes efforts (to help) the widow or a poor person is like a mujahid (warrior) in the path of Allah, or like one who stands up for

prayers in the night and fasts in the day."

 

Woman as mother commands great respect in Islam. The Noble Qur'an speaks of the rights of the mother in a number of verses. It enjoins

Muslims to show respect to their mothers and serve them well even if they are still unbelievers. The Prophet states emphatically that the rights of the mother are paramount. Abu Hurairah reported that a man came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and asked: "O Messenger of Allah, who is the person who has the greatest right on me with regards to kindness and attention?" He replied, "Your mother." "Then who?" He replied, "Your mother." "Then who?" He replied, "Your

mother." "Then who?" He replied, "Your father."

 

In another tradition, the Prophet advised a believer not to join the war against the Quraish in defense of Islam, but to look after his

mother, saying that his service to his mother would be a cause of his salvation saying, "Then remain in your mother's service, because

Paradise is under her feet."

 

The Shari'ah regards women as the spiritual and intellectual equals of men. The main distinction it makes between them is in the physical realm based on the equitable principle of fair division of labor. It allots the more strenuous work to the man and makes him responsible for the maintenance of the family. It allots the work of managing the home and the upbringing and training of children to the woman, work which has the greatest importance in the task of

building a healthy and prosperous society.

 

It is a fact, however, that sound administration within the domestic field is impossible without a unified policy. For this reason the Shari'ah requires a man, as head of the family, to consult with his family and then to have the final say in decisions concerning it. In

doing so he must not abuse his prerogative to cause any injury to his wife. Any transgression of this principle involves for him the

risk of losing the favor of Allah, because his wife is not his subordinate but she is, to use the words of the Prophet (PBUH), 'the

queen of her house', and this is the position a true believer is expected to give his wife.

 

In contrast to these enlightened teachings of Islam in respect of women, Western talk of women's liberation or emancipation is

actually a disguised form of exploitation of her body, deprivation of her honor, and degradation of her soul!

[muunad]

Originally posted by Asxabul_kahf:

 

 

The Qur'an admonishes those men who oppress or ill-treat women: "O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their

will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dowry you have given them - except when they have

become guilty of open lewdness. On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity.

 

"If you take a dislike to them, it

may be that you dislike something and Allah will bring about through it a great deal of good

." (4:19)[Qoute/]

 

i am having trouble understanding this part. could some one expain in easier terms?