{"id":328,"date":"2015-02-26T02:09:34","date_gmt":"2015-02-26T02:09:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/azmi.co\/cust\/ngba-wp\/?page_id=328"},"modified":"2022-03-01T17:02:56","modified_gmt":"2022-03-01T17:02:56","slug":"islam-women","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/?page_id=328","title":{"rendered":"Islam-liberated women"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the name of All\u0101h,
\n<\/span>the Beneficent, the Merciful.
\n<\/span>Peace and Blessings of All\u0101h on Mohammad.
\n<\/span>DEDICATED TO
\n<\/span>All\u0101h\u2013the Glorious and the High,
\n<\/span>Lord of the worlds
\n<\/span>AND TO
\n<\/span>Mohammad\u2013who brought the world
\n<\/span>to our feet and eternity to our arms.
\n<\/span>*<\/span><\/p>\n

CONTENTS<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Women before Islam
\n<\/span>2. Testimony is half that of a man\u2019s
\n<\/span>3. Four witnesses
\n<\/span>4. Movement restricted
\n<\/span>5. Cannot marry non-Muslims<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

6. Inheritance half that of a man\u2019s
\n<\/span>7. And the Masjid (Mosque)
\n<\/span>8. And employment
\n<\/span>9. Wife-beating (Islam, Christianity, Hinduism)
\n<\/span>10. Woman\u2013a tilth\/field <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

11. Honor killings
\n<\/span>12. Stoning
\n<\/span>13. Not inferior to men <\/span>
\n<\/span>14. Guile and deceit
\n<\/span>15. Misogyny (hatred of women) in Islam<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

16. No pariah
\n<\/span>17. In Paradise
\n<\/span>18. And Menstruation
\n<\/span>19. And Revelation<\/span><\/span>
\n20. Islamic women vs. Pagan women<\/span><\/p>\n

21. Marriage
\n<\/span>22. Woman has the right to choose her husband
\n<\/span>23. Marriage of those under guardianship
\n<\/span>24. Marriage of minors
\n<\/span>25. Mahr (dowry)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

26. Temporary marriage (Mut’a) and Christians;
\n<\/span>27.Misyar (husband\u2019s secret marriage);
\n28. Ash-Shighar (<\/span><\/span>exchange of daughters\/sisters\/wards)
\n<\/span>29. Muslim\/Catholic marriages
\n<\/span>30. Marital Rape<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

31. Concubinage
\n<\/span>32. Divorce
\n<\/span>33. Women\u2013disease and illness
\n<\/span>34. Female circumcision
\n<\/span><\/span>35. Female\/male equality
\n<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0*<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ISLAM-LIBERATED WOMEN<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1. Women before Islam:<\/em>
\n<\/span>\u201cBefore Islam,\u201d as Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din noted in his Open Letters to the Bishops of Salisbury & London<\/i>, \u201cWoman was treated as a chattel. No religion or civilization had as yet raised her to the status that should have been her birthright.\u201d (p. 71). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 In pre-Islamic Arabia women had no rights to inheritance. Her daughters were buried alive. She could be inherited against her will, and deserted by her husband by his simply calling her his mother. He could suspend conjugal relations with her indefinitely by swearing that he will not be intimate with her. Islam abolished all these abominable practices. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMuhammad says: \u201cWoman is the sovereign of your house.\u201d
\n\u201cGive your wife good counsel, and do not beat your noble wife like a slave.\u201d \u201cAdmonish your wives with kindness.\u201d \u201cA Muslim must not hate his wife; and if he be displeased with one bad quality in her, then let him be pleased with another which is good\u2013(Muslim Vol. 2, #3469).\u201d\u201d (<\/span>Ibid<\/i>. pp. 74, 75, 76).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Women can earn\u2013(Qur\u2019an 4:32); and can inherit and own property\u2013(Qur\u2019an 4:7, 177). Whereas women have exclusive right to utilize their earnings however they please\u2013(Qur\u2019an 4:4, 32), it is incumbent on men to maintain women\u2013(Qur\u2019an 4:34). Islam liberated woman\u2013(2:187; 4:19-22); exalts her\u2013(4:1; 9:71-72); and has given her equality with man in financial, property, moral and spiritual matters\u2013(4:32, 7-10, 176-177; 3:195; 33:35).\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Islam does not sanction any injustice against any people, whether the difference is in race, color, creed or sex, this is cemented in the following verses:
\n\u201cO you who believe, be maintainers of justice, bearers <\/span>of witness for Allah, even though it be against your\u00a0<\/span>own selves or (your) parents or near relatives\u00a0\u2013whether he be rich or poor\u2026.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u201cSo He reveals to it (the soul) its way of evil and its\u00a0way of good, he is indeed successful who purifies it,\u00a0and he is ruined who corrupts it\u201d
\n\u201cWhoever does good it is for himself, and\u00a0<\/span>whoever does evil, it is against himself…\u201d<\/span>
\n\u201cAnd wrong not men of their dues, and act not \u00a0<\/span>corruptly in the earth, making mischief\u201d
\n\u201cSurely Allah enjoins justice and the doing of good\u2026<\/span>and He forbids indecency, and evil and rebellion\u201d <\/span>(Qur\u2019an 4:135; 91:8-10; 45:15; 26:183; 16:90).<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Testimony is half that of a man\u2019s :<\/i><\/span>\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:282).
\nA woman\u2019s testimony is half that of a man\u2019s only in the area of business,<\/i> as the verse clearly states, as business transactions were dominated by men. In advanced societies where women also are involved in business dealings such a practice is not required. However, this does not mean that the Qur\u2019anic injunction is obsolete. There are (and will always be) <\/i>societies the world over where women are not familiar with business dealings where this Qur\u2019anic injunction may be applicable. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 A woman\u2019s testimony cannot be half of that of the man\u2019s in every area of life, for as pointed out in Qur\u2019an 24:6-9, (in the matter of the wife\u2019s alleged infidelity)<\/i> the testimony of the wife, supersedes that of the husband\u2019s; and no court would dare to assert that a man\u2019s testimony in all matters is inferior to that of the wife\u2019s, or that the testimony of a man is \u201cworth half\u201d (or \u201cone-fifth,\u201d as per the verse) that of a woman\u2019s. And, notably, a woman\u2019s chastity is a more sensitive matter than business.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Also, the Prophet Mohammad taught that after worship of All\u0101h the next in line for our service is our mother, and three times over before service to our father. And no critic would dare assert that a father\u2019s worth is only one-quarter the worth of a mother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 In summary, if it be claimed that the woman is worth half that of a man, then it can be claimed that a man is worth a fifth (or a fourth as per the hadith) of a woman. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>That Mohammad said women are \u201cdeficient\u201d in their minds and yet says that women will go to Hell (whether in majority or minority) is a contradiction. All\u0101h is Just; He holds one accountable only for what he\/she is capable of understanding. A person who is \u201cdeficient\u201d in mind cannot be held responsible for his\/her actions. Thus, it would be an injustice for All\u0101h to send a person who is \u201cdeficient\u201d in mind to Hell. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 That women are not \u201cdeficient\u201d in their minds is also contradicted by the fact that men and women are\/were created of the same essence\u2013(Qur\u2019an 4:1). Being created from the same kind one party\u2019s mind cannot be \u201cdeficient\u201d than the other. Though the one that utilizes his\/her reasoning faculties can be said to be superior to the other. If the Prophet had made such a statement, the critics have misinterpreted it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 All\u0101h created man and woman physically different. Seems All\u0101h also created man and woman mentally different.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

The Toronto<\/i> Star<\/i> Thursday, December 12, 2013 (p. L6) notes in the article Men, Women are wired differently<\/i>, from the Washington Post, reports that \u201cWomen\u2019s and men\u2019s brains are wired differently, in ways that seem to match the stereotypes.\u201d The test conducted at the University of Pennsylvania \u201cfocused on two regions: the cortex, involved in thought, perception and language; and the cerebellum, which co-ordinates movement.\u201d The findings were that while females were more connected to one side of the brain males were more connected to the opposite side. In males, these differences seem to \u201cpromote coordinated movement, which males can generally do faster in tests.\u201d While in females it \u201cmight reflect a superior ability to process emotions and understand others\u2019 intentions.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 Thus men also have \u201cdeficiency.\u201d This \u201cdeficiency\u201d in men and women are not to be viewed as discriminatory. Men and women were created differently and for their own purpose. The Prophet Mohammad pointing out this \u201cdeficiency\u201d in women is not a \u201cblaming\u201d or derogatory expression. Something that is factual cannot be charged as being \u201cblaming\u201d or derogatory. or misogynistic. The Prophet (and Caliphs) would not utter words degrading to Woman seeing All\u0101h has conferred honor upon her, and for us to \u201cSpeak what is best\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 17:53). We are not even allowed to revile false gods\u2013(Qur\u2019an 6:108).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 That women will go to hell is not because of their mental and religious deficiency \u2013conditions of which they had no choice\u2013<\/span> but because of their actions: their cursing and ingratitude. (Rather than blindly trying to denigrate Mohammad the intelligent approach would be to carry out a survey to determine how many women \u201ccurse frequently\u201d and are \u201cungrateful\u201d to their husbands compared to how many men \u201ccurse frequently\u201d and are ungrateful to their wives).\u00a0<\/span>
\nWhile critics carp at Mohammad for stating truth, Christianity views woman as good only to avoid fornication; as defiler of man\u2013(see\u00a0Christianity-women<\/a><\/span>). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Interestingly whereas Christians try to cast aspersion on this teaching of Qur\u2019an 2:282, the Bible teaches about those who \u201chath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon\u2026\u201d that, <\/span>\u201cAt the mouth of <\/span>TWO<\/span> witnesses, or <\/span>THREE<\/span> witnesses. shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of <\/span>ONE<\/span> witness he shall <\/span>NOT<\/span> be put to death\u201d\u2013(Deuteronomy 17:2-6).<\/span>
\nWould Christians say that one man\u2019s witness is not to be taken under all situations? And the answer is yes as Deut. 19:15 shows:<\/span> \u201c<\/span>ONE<\/span> Witness shall <\/span>NOT<\/span> rise up against a man for <\/span>ANY<\/span> iniquity or for <\/span>ANY<\/span> sin\u2026;\u201d<\/span> and as the teaching of Jesus (the Christian\u2019s God) shows:<\/span> \u201cMoreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between him and thee alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two <\/span>MORE<\/span>,<\/span> that in the mouth of <\/span>TWO<\/span> or <\/span>THREE<\/span> witnesses every word may be established\u201d \u201cIt is also written in your law, that the testimony of <\/span>TWO MEN<\/span> is true\u201d\u2013(Matt. 18:15-16; John 8:17).
\n<\/span>Whereas Deuteronomy deals with \u201cwitness\u201d in the case of false worship and \u201cany\u201d sin, Matthew deals with personal transgression and John seems to deal with all cases which is in consonance with Deut. 19:15. Thus, the Jewish and Christian man\u2019s witness is <\/span>less<\/span> than the Muslim man\u2019s and has only a \u201chalf\u201d witness credibility as the Muslim woman\u2019s; in fact, the Muslim woman\u2019s have greater \u201cwitness\u201d power than the Jewish and Christian man considering that the Muslim woman\u2019s \u201chalf\u201d witness is restricted only to business matters (and only in situations where women are not familiar with business) in contrast to the Jewish and Christian man who has only a \u201chalf\u201d witness in all matters <\/span>(Notably Jesus mentions the witness of two \u201c<\/span><\/span>MEN,<\/span>\u201d<\/span> did he forgot the women, or does the Christian woman has no \u201cwitness\u201d credibility?)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3. Four witnesses:
\n<\/i><\/span>Four witnesses are required to prove a charge of adultery\u2013(Qur\u2019an 24:4; 24:11-13); and where women are guilty of lewdness (which seems to refer to female homosexuality\/lesbianism<\/i>\u2013(Qur\u2019an 4:15). Why four witnesses? Adultery can lead to break-up of marriage, disruption of family life (in the case of the married),<\/i> in the shunning and stigmatizing (in the case of the unmarried)<\/i>, and in humiliation and disgrace of the parents.
\nMuhammad Ali points out that \u201cwhile the Qur\u2019an takes a very serious view of the crimes against chastity, it also makes criminal the circulation of false reports affecting a woman\u2019s chastity\u201d\u2013(comm. 1743).<\/span><\/p>\n

All\u0101h says in Qur\u2019an 24:4: \u201cAnd those who accuse free women and bring not four witnesses, flog them (with) eighty stripes and never accept their evidence, and these are the transgressors\u2026.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 This verse is about non-spousal<\/em><\/strong> cases. This is meant to be a restraint against \u201cslander and gossip\u201d which can be harmful to innocent women. Significantly, unless they are dumb to adulterate in public, it is not easy to have four witnesses to the act. And if the couple is indoors, Islam gives the owner the right to poke the eyes of the peeper\u2013(Muslim Vol. 3, #5370; Bokhari Vol. 7, #807; Vol. 8, #258-259; Vol. 9, #26; 38-39). This verse seems to be saying MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In the case of a spousal charge of adultery, All\u0101h says: \u201cAnd those who accuse their wives and have no witnesses<\/em><\/strong> except themselves, let one of them testify four times, bearing All\u0101h to witness, that he is of those who speak the truth. \u00a0And the fifth (time) that the curse of All\u0101h be on him, if he is of those who lie. \u00a0And it shall avert the chastisement from her, if she testify four times, bearing All\u0101h to witness, that he is of those who lie. And the fifth (time) that the wrath of All\u0101h to be on her, if he is of those who speak the truth\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 24:6-9).
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Whether the husband\u2019s charge is suspicion or truth, the husband can either choose to forgive his wife or effect divorce. (This procedure would seem to be the same in the case of the wife accusing the husband of adultery. Notably, <\/span>Qur\u2019an 24:6-9 abrogates the Judeo-Christian law of Numbers 5:11-31 whereby a husband accusing his wife of infidelity or being suspicious of it, the wife is made to drink \u201cbitter water\u201d; if guilty<\/span> \u201cher belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people\u201d<\/span>)<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

If the adulterous wife ends up pregnant, unlike today when we can have a DNA test to determine the child\u2019s paternity, given that a child has no say how he is conceived, should the husband abide by the Islamic teaching that whoever shows mercy will receive mercy, and raises the child as his own, he is open to receiving up to a seven-hundred-fold reward from All\u0101h\u2013(Qur\u2019an 6:161; Bokhari, Vol. 1, #40). Plus, he will have the satisfaction\/joy of being a father to a blameless and helpless child.
\n(In the case of rape four witnesses are not required. For, whereas adultery and lewdness are consensual, rape is not. The story of Joseph\u2013(Qur\u2019an 12:21-29), in which Joseph is falsely accused of attempted rape, offers an example for such an investigation and evidence. As Islam is a religion of progress, medical evidence such as DNA, is to be accepted).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Recently, I saw a show in which a woman was raped. She later became pregnant. She and her husband decided to have a DNA test to determine the paternity of the child. As they waited for the result of the test, they decided they would raise the child regardless who the father is \u2013it is not the conception of the child that is paramount they reasoned, it is the raising and nurturing of the child.<\/span> They took the DNA result and tore it without reading. Magnificent!
\nIn my view, such a couple, irrespective of creed, will be given Jannah\/Paradise. Considering, as the Prophet have related that a man was given Paradise just for giving drink to a thirsty dog\u2013(Bokhari, Vol. 1, #174; Vol. 3, # 551). A prostitute was forgiven for a similar act\u2013(Bokhari, Vol. 4, #673). And Allah is Most Merciful, and knows best!<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Movement restricted:
\n<\/i><\/span>The Muslim woman\u2019s movement is \u201cstrictly restricted\u201d only to the degree of her personal safety. When we hear about women in modern \u201cfree\u201d society\u2013Britain, Germany, Canada, the U.S., and also in India\u2013having to band together in \u201cmarches\u201d to take back their neighborhood from rapist(s) and girls being preyed upon, one can greatly appreciate the wisdom of Islam that women not travel about (in certain unfamiliar areas)<\/i> unescorted, by a male companion of her immediate family.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Even the Canadian government recognizes the danger to women traveling alone. The Toronto<\/i> Star,<\/i> Tuesday, February 28, 2012, p. A 10, carried the article by Richard J. Brennan, \u201cNational Affairs Writer,\u201d titled: \u201cDon\u2019t forget to pack a fake husband, federal guide tells female travellers\u201d<\/i> which states that \u201cForeign Affairs Canada\u201d encourages single women traveling by themselves abroad to wear a \u201cfake wedding ring\u201d and carry a picture of an \u201cimaginary\u201d husband [married women are to carry a picture of their husband] to ward off unwanted male attention. The travel guide is said to note that \u201cwomen face greater obstacles [than men] when travelling alone\u201d\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Toronto Star<\/i> Saturday, November 3, 2012 in the article Top 10 safety tips for women travellers <\/i>by Evelyn Hannon, notes the vulnerability of women traveling alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

As late as 2015 women were warned against travelling alone. The Toronto Star<\/em>, Friday, September 18, 2015, under the article “U.S tourist in India says she was gang-raped,” page A12, written by \u00a0Fred Barbash of the Washington Post notes:
\n-“A 46-year-old American tourist” says she was “gang-raped” in India. The rape is “one of several” reported by female tourists; plus many rapes of Indian women<\/span>
\n-“A 30-year-old American woman” was said to be gang-raped in 2013
\n-Japan warned its women visitors to India after \u00a0“two rape allegations” by Japanese women<\/span>
\n-In 2012 “tourists from Switzerland, Ireland and Denmark” reported they were raped
\n-“The State Department’s Bureau of \u00a0Consular Affairs” urges women to “exercise vigilance” and warns against using<\/span><\/span>\u00a0public transport at night without “known and trustworthy companions,” to restrict “evening entertainment” to familiar venues, and to avoid “isolated areas” when alone at any time, the article notes. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Even in local schools (and colleges) girls are molested, and perhaps raped and forced to perform oral sex on boys. (This difficulty can be eliminated in a well-secured all-female school). Women can go out by themselves to take care of their needs: \u201cO women! You have been allowed by Allah to go out for your needs\u201d\u2013(Bokhari Vol. 7, # 164). She can go to the cemetery\u2013(Bokhari Vol. 2, #\u2019s 368, 372; Abu Dawud Vol. 2, # 3161). There is no teaching against her offering the funeral prayer. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Significantly, the above statement by the Prophet that women are permitted to go out for their needs.<\/i> What is to be considered is the background to which this statement was made. At the time of the Prophet\u2019s marriage to Saudah \u2013when this permission was given, before the Hijrah (the Prophets migration from Makkah to Madinah)\u2013Islam was still besieged by the enemy; and thus, not safe for Muslim women, who were subjected to annoyance by the enemy, to be traveling alone.
\nWhile this permission may still have had some restrictions, after the triumph of Islam (and in places of peace and security) this restriction would seem to be lifted. For women to obtain an education is definitely a \u201cneed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 While there is probably no environment that is completely safe for a woman (or man), Islam has given severe punishment for violating a woman; which crime may fall under \u2018mischief in the land\u2019<\/i> and carries up to the maximum penalty of death\u2013(ref; Qur\u2019an 5:33). Muhammad Ali on this verse: <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe words used here imply originally all those opponents of Islam who waged war on the Muslims and made mischief in the land by causing loss to the life and property of innocent Muslims who fell into their hands. But it has generally been accepted as including all dacoits and murderers who cause disorder in a settled state of society. In fact, when war came to an end in Arabia and the kingdom of Islam was established over the whole peninsula, the enemies of Islam, being unable to oppose its authority openly, resorted to dacoity and murder to disturb the peace which was now established in the land. Hence, though it is such enemies that are primarily spoken of here, the words are general and include all cases of murder and dacoity. <\/span><\/p>\n

The punishment described is of four kinds, which clearly shows that the punishment to be inflicted in any particular case would depend upon the circumstances of the case, as well as the time and place where the crime was committed. For instance, if murder has been committed in the course of dacoity, the punishment would include the execution of the culprit, which may take the form of crucifixion if the offence is so heinous or the culprit has caused such terror in the land that the leaving of his body on the cross is necessary as a deterrent. In other cases, the punishment may be imprisonment, where the severer punishment of cutting off of hands is deemed unnecessary. The judge would take all the circumstances into consideration and inflict such punishment as he thought necessary. A particular case dealt with under this verse was that of a tribe called \u2018Urainah. Some men of this tribe came to the Prophet, and accepted Islam. They fell ill and were sent by the Prophet to a place at a little distance from Madinah for change of climate and recovery of health. But when they regained health, they killed the very people who had served them and went off with their camels. Then they committed dacoities and violated the chastity of women, and they were severely punished (B. 4:66, i.e.<\/i> Vol. 6, ch. 103, # 134), and the comments on it in \u2018Aini<\/i>). Many other cases of this nature are recorded by IJ.\u201d (Muhammad Ali\u2019s translation of the Qur\u2019an with notes, text, and commentary can be viewed online: www.muslim.org<\/a><\/span>).<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Cannot marry non-Muslims: <\/i><\/span>
\n<\/i>Does Islam permit marriage between a Muslim woman and a non-Muslim man? Does the Muslim woman marrying a non-Muslim man render her an adulterer\/fornicator?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201c<\/span>And marry not the idolatresses until they believe; and certainly a believing maid is better than an idolatress even though she please you. Nor give (believing women) in marriage to idolaters until they believe, and certainly a believing slave is better than an idolater, even though he please you.<\/span>\u00a0<\/i>These invite to the Fire and All\u00e5h invites to the Garden and to forgiveness by His will<\/span>\u00a0<\/i>and He makes clear His messages to men that they may be mindful\u201d\u2013(<\/span>All\u0101h, Qur\u2019an 2:221).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Prophet Mohammad is noted as saying: \u201cA woman is married for four things, i.e., her wealth, her family status, her beauty and her religion. So you should marry the religious woman\u201d\u2013(Bokhari Vol. 7, #27; Muslim Vol. 2, #3457).<\/span> Thus according to this teaching the paramount consideration of a Muslim is to marry for religion. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 All\u0101h says Muslim women have rights as those against her::\u201cAnd women have rights similar to those against them in a just manner, <\/span>and men are a degree above them\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:228);<\/span> and that Muslim men can marry Jewish and Christian women: \u201c<\/span>And the food of those who have been given the Book is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. <\/span>\u00a0<\/i>And so are the chaste from among the believing women and the chaste from among those who have been given the Book before you\u201d\u2013(<\/span>Qur\u2019an 5:5). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 Noticeably, All\u0101h said Muslim men can marry Jewish and Christian women, He did not say Muslim women can marry Jewish and Christian men. In fact of the many places that marriage is mentioned in the Qur\u2019an there is no mention of the Muslim woman being permitted to marry a non-Muslim man. As Muhammad Ali points out in his book The Religion Of Islam<\/i> that <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cwhile there is an express mention of a Muslim man marrying a non-Muslim woman who professes a revealed religion, there is no mention of the legality or illegality of a marriage between a Muslim woman and a non-Muslim man. The mere fact however that the Qur\u2019an speaks of the one and not of the other is sufficient to show that marriage between a Muslim woman and a non-Muslim man is NOT allowed\u201d\u2013(pp. 597-598. Emphasis added. For this book and MA\u2019s translation of the Qur\u2019an see: www.muslim.org<\/a><\/span>).\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 That woman has \u201crights\u201d as those against her (as per Qur\u2019an 2:228 above) is no argument for her to marry a non-Muslim man. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 That the Muslim man can marry a non-Muslim woman is NOT a \u201cright\u201d the man is seeking against the woman; this is a DIVINE DECREE as to what the Muslim man is allowed. All\u0101h has detailed the primary rights and duties of both man and woman. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 This \u201cright\u201d mentioned in Qur\u2019an 2:228 relates to secondary matters such as personal and family affairs \u2013for instance, if a husband dislikes his wife having certain individuals in the house that he is not comfortable with, likewise he is not to have such individuals in the house that the wife is uncomfortable with;<\/span> This is equity in marriage \u2013giving rights to others that you exact for yourself. <\/span>(It is because of this lack of principle \u2013giving rights to others that one exact for himself\u2013 that the world is wobbly like drunken rats).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 Qur\u2019an 5:5 and 2:228 are about different matters. Qur\u2019an 5:5 is about MARRIAGE, and Qur\u2019an 2:228 is about MUTUAL RIGHTS after marriage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 Further, whereas woman has rights with man in various avenues they do not have the same rights in all respects. For instance
\n-men are circumcised women are not
\n\u00a0<\/span>-men are Divinely decreed to maintain women, women are not Divinely decreed to maintain men\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:228)
\n-men are given twice the inheritance as a woman\u2019s (because he is maintainer of the family); women have the right to be believed (in the matter of her fidelity) over the man\u2013(Qur\u2019an 4:11, 177; 24:6-9)
\n-women’s\u00a0witnessing ability in certain business transaction and under certain conditions is half of man\u2019s\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:282)
\n-men are allowed a limited polygamy of up to four wives; women are not allowed to have more than one husband\u2013(Qur\u2019an 4:3). It is doubtful a Muslim man or woman would submit that woman has the \u201cright\u201d to have four husbands (polyandry) because she has similar \u201crights\u201d against man as he has on her. (See Islam-polygamy<\/a><\/span>).\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0There are three reasons \u2013social, moral, and spiritual\u2013<\/span> why Muslim women are not allowed to marry non-Muslim men:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Social\u2013<\/i>Islam (not to be confused with un-Islamic practice of some Muslims) has given woman rights that no other religion has given her. By marrying into another religion, the Muslim woman is likely to lose these rights. Even though Jews, Christians, and Hindus may not be practicing their Scriptural laws on women (and heaven lies in following Scripture\/God),<\/span> and even though the Muslim woman may be practicing her faith, yet the Muslim woman in a \u201cmixed-faith\u201d marriage would have relegated herself to the lowly status her husband\u2019s Scripture has subjected her. (See Christianity-women<\/a>;\u00a0Hinduism & women<\/a><\/span>). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Moral<\/i>\u2013As man, generally, is the captain of the house, his Muslim wife may be subjected to the indignity of preparing foods prohibited by Islam and catering to his alcoholic practice. Mostly, she may be coerced or even forced to conform to her husband\u2019s religious belief. To apostatize from Islam is to retreat into religious imperfection (and even into religious darkness as certain doctrines have no Divine foundation)<\/span>\u2013 as God\u2019s favor to man was not \u201ccompleted\u201d and man\u2019s religion not \u201cperfected\u201d until the advent of Prophet Mohammad: Qur\u2019an 5:4\u2013<\/span> for no religion can be shown to be superior to, or equal with, Islam. Also, there may be dispute as to whose faith children are to be schooled \u2013or no faith at all; which would be an abdication of her duty. (See next item).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 Spiritual<\/i>\u2013All\u0101h says: \u201cThe adulterer cannot have sexual relations with any but an adulteress or an idolatress, and the adulteress, none can have sexual relations with her but an adulterer or an idolater; and it is forbidden to believers\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 24:3. <\/span>The Arabic word zina<\/i> means sexual intercourse between two people who are not married to each and covers both adultery and fornication). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i>Since the unchaste Muslim man\/woman \u2013even though a believer in Allah<\/strong>\u2013 <\/span>is not allowed to have carnal relations with a chaste Muslim, it is a greater prohibition that a non-Muslim \u2013a disbeliever in Allah<\/strong>\u2013<\/span> have intimacy with a chaste Muslim woman. Muslims are to have physical, moral, and spiritual purity. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/i>All\u0101h requires Muslims to obey Him and the Prophet and to take whatever the Prophet gives us\u2013(Qur\u2019an 3:30-31; 4:69; 59:7 1A<\/span><\/sup>):<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 -The Prophet gave the Adhan<\/i> (call to prayer, extolling the Unity, Glory, Greatness, and Grandeur of All\u0101h, God; which is the best National Anthem in the entire world) into the ear of the newborn\u2013(Abu Dawud Vol. 3, #5086). Will the Christian father allow this \u201ccall\u201d? or will he want the farcical phrase, \u201cIn the name of the Father, son, and Holy Ghost\u201d be recited to the child
\n(There is no documentation that Christ uttered such a phrase; Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:9-20 <\/span>are \u201cforgeries\u201d in the Bible, see<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Bible corrupt & obsolete<\/a><\/span>). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 -Islam requires the male child be circumcised. Will the Hindu husband agree to this? <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 -The Prophet recommends Aqiqa<\/i> for a child (thanksgiving to All\u0101h in which two sheep are slaughtered for a male child and one for a female) be performed\u2013(Bokhari Vol. 7, #380; Abu Dawud Vol. 2, #2828-2837); in Christianity the child is \u201cChristened\u201d in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (and ascribing Divinity to Jesus and sonship to God is, as All\u0101h says, blasphemy, and its adherents are heading to hell\u2013Qur\u2019an 5:17, 72-73; 18:4-5; 19:88-91).<\/span> So in whose faith will the child be initiated, Islam, Christianity, no faith?<\/span><\/p>\n

-The Prophet enjoined that a child be taught to pray at the age of seven\u2013(Abu Dawud Vol. 1, #495). Will the Christian father allow the child be taught Islam? Or will the Muslim wife be required to forego her Islamic duty and have the child raised a Christian? Or left till he is mature to choose his own faith? <\/span><\/p>\n

-Mahr\/dowry for the Muslim woman is compulsory\u2013(Qur\u2019an 4:4, 24-25; 5:5; Abu Dawud Vol. 2, #2979), and a sermon glorifying All\u0101h\u2013(Mishkat Masabih 13:4-ii).1B<\/span><\/sup> If these conditions are not fulfilled then, from the Islamic perspective, seems the woman is not married and would be engaging in zina<\/i> (adultery\/fornication). <\/span><\/p>\n

-Will this \u201cmixed-faith\u201d marriage be conducted in Islam AND the religion of the man or will it only be a \u201csignature\u201d wedding before a Justice of the peace? <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0If the marriage is a mixture of Islam and Christianity or Islam and Hinduism this would be a mixture of truth with falsehood (as there are no Divine doctrines as Trinity, inherited sin, and vicarious atonement; and Karma and Reincarnation)1C<\/span><\/sup>.<\/span><\/span> And All\u0101h prohibits the mixing of truth with falsehood \u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:42). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0If the marriage is a mixture of Islam and Judaism this also would be improper, for though Judaism teaches the pure monotheism as Islam there is no Divine doctrine as \u201cchosen people\u201d to the exclusion of others based on race or nationality; and as Judaism was Divinely decreed to end upon the advent of Prophet Mohammad \u2013and the Jewish Fathers knew that Mohammad was the Prophet foretold in the Bible (Qur\u2019an 26:192-197; 46:10)\u2013<\/span> then, as Muhammad Ali states, \u201cspiritually the Jewish religion has no future.\u201d Thus, for the Muslim woman to marry according to the rites of Judaism is to defy (knowingly or unknowingly) the decree of All\u0101h. (See\u00a0<\/span>Judaism<\/a><\/span>).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0If the marriage is a \u201csignature\u201d one only, this would make the marriage, from the Islamic perspective, devoid of Divine prescription; (whereby jurists may conclude there is no marriage and the woman would be engaging in zina<\/i> \u2013adultery\/fornication).\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 When a chaste believing non-Muslim woman marries a chaste Muslim man he not only respects, honors and cherishes her but brings her into spiritual purity \u2013into the Purity of God1D<\/span> <\/sup>\u2013 <\/span>and gives her rights alongside man from the cradle all the way to Jannah\/Paradise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/span>If the non-Muslim man was following the teachings of his prophet \u2013not what is passing under the name of these prophets\u2013<\/span> he would be a Muslim; and would have no alternative but to take the further step and follow Mohammad.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>As no religion can be shown to be superior to or equal with Islam, a non-Muslim man and woman \u2013and even the atheist, as the atheist cannot disprove the existence of God which is proven in the Qur\u2019an1E<\/span><\/sup>\u2013 <\/span>who believes in God and wishes to go to heaven would not hesitate to accept Islam. 1F
\n<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0 In enjoining that Muslims marry for religion All\u0101h IS <\/i>being merciful to us.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0All\u0101h loves us.
\n<\/span>\u00a0All\u0101h wants to guide us.
\n<\/span>\u00a0All\u0101h wants us to be pure.
\n<\/span>\u00a0All\u0101h wants us to have a life in Paradise.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Notably, whereas Islam allows marriage between a Muslim man and a Jewish and Christian woman, Judaism and Christianity prohibit \u201cmixed\u201d marriages altogether: \u201cNeither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son\u201d\u2013(Deut. 7:3);<\/span> and Paul states: \u201cBe ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?\u201d\u2013(2 Cor. 6:14). <\/span>(For more on Paul see\u00a0All\u0101h and Jesus or Paul<\/a><\/span>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Be it in \u201cFrance\u201d or in \u201cIndonesia\u201d or elsewhere, only those Muslims who do not know one end of the Qur\u2019an from the other or those who know the language of the Qur\u2019an but not the Qur\u2019an would leave Islam. As the noble Messenger of Allah said, Islam is an easy religion, whoever makes it hard will not be able to keep it. Egyptian Muslim women who were \u201ctempted\u201d to \u201cconvert\u201d to Christianity to \u201cameliorate their lot,\u201d were deluded. Christianity does not \u201cameliorate\u201d the lot of women.
\nWoman \u201creceived the worst treatment of all from Christianity,\u201d as pointed out by Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din in his Open Letters to the Bishops of Salisbury & London,<\/i> p. 71.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0The religion which condemns Woman to a life of subjection to her husband\u2013(Gen. 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:11-12); that she is made wife only to \u201cavoid fornication\u201d\u2013(1 Cor. 7:2); that she was the transgressor, and a \u2018defiler\u2019 of man\u2013(1 Tim. 2:14; Rev; 14:4); which reduces her to \u201cwoman, what have I to do with thee\u2013(John 2:3-4), and sells her into bondage\u2013(Exod. 21:7) \u2013such a religion cannot be said to \u201cameliorate their lot.\u201d Whatever lofty status the Christian Woman is enjoying is due only to the dictates of modern culture. (See\u00a0<\/span>Christianity-women<\/a><\/span>).<\/span>
\nIn contrast, Islam has ennobled Woman, liberated her, and given her rights unparalleled in the history of religions. She has nothing more for which to strive. In trying to \u201cameliorate\u201d her lot, the Muslim woman is not fleeing from Islam but from repressive mullahs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Islam is the Great Liberator of Woman.
\n<\/span>\u00a0Islam is the only Liberator Woman has known.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

6. Inheritance half that of a man\u2019s: <\/i><\/span>(Qur\u2019an 4:11, 177).
\nEven though a woman may have wealth and even have greater wealth than her husband, All\u0101h God designates men to be the maintainers of women\u2013(Qur\u2019an 4:34). It is for this reason that men are allowed double the share of inheritance than women. For, whereas a wife can at any stage, and for any reason, quit her job and decides to stay home and be maintained by her husband, a husband cannot quit his job and intend for his wife to maintain him. The burden of support lies on the husband. (Even in secular society wives, generally, seem to enjoy this benefit of voluntary employment). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i>Since every ship requires a captain, husbands, by virtue of them being the maintainers of their wives, are given a degree of superiority (in home affairs) over the wives\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:228). (Though he has this degree of superiority, the wise husband would follow his wife\u2019s judgment if it is superior to his).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Whereas daughters of Islam has right to inheritance whether her father has sons or not. Christian women have NO right to inheritance if a man has son(s):<\/span><\/p>\n