Women in Islam : Don't judge by Muslim practices ( Part 1 )

Some people try to portray Islam as a religion which not appreciate women. Moreover, they argue that women in Islam are treated as the second class person such as unfair dividing for the inherited wealth, no right to address their choice for marriage and disallowed to raise their voice in politics.

Even in Islamic laws, women are burdened with a few obligations that not required for men such as cover the whole of their body. In extreme cases, they said men can abuse their wives for their desire with women have no choice to say 'no'. In other words, women just a tool for men.

In fact, it is bias to judge Islam based on Muslim cultures or their practices. Obviously, what are Muslim doing nowadays, not all of them are linear with Islamic teaching, even not surprising to say most of them against to Quran and Hadith.

Thus, to understand Islam and its teaching, we have to refer its main sources which are Quran and Hadith. As for the general principle, we look to Quran while to know how this religion has been practiced, they should find out through the prophet teaching or hadith.

Regarding women, there are a few versus in Quran mention about them in general. For example, the relationship between husband and wife is described by Allah as follows:-

“They are your garments and ye are their garments” (Al-Baqarah: 187)

It is interesting to say that Allah gives a fascinating parable between spouses as the remnant which means it is needed by people either to protect their body and to show their status. Thus, it shows that women are important to men as women also need their spouse.

In other versus:-

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

In this versus, Allah say how women are the person who can take comfort in for men. He also create love and mercy among spouses. In conclusion, Both complete each other as no body can say Islam look down the women.

Meanwhile, as for their act and worship, Allah said

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 (and deny themselves), 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. ( Al-Ahzab: 35).

Meanwhile in another versus, Allah stress:-

"He that works evil will not be requited but by the like thereof: and he that works a righteous deed - whether man or woman - and is a Believer- such will enter the Garden (of Bliss): Therein will they have abundance without measure” (Al-Ghofir: 40)

According to these versus, all of the practices are specified clearly with both of them deserve to get forgiveness and award from Allah. It means that Allah never differentiate between men and women based on their gender.

As for possessing wealth, Allah said:-

To men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn.. ( Nisa’: 32)

It is clear that wealth's principle in Islam, every person has a right to own their fortune as long as they work hard to achieve it.   

To be continue...