Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Women: Difference between revisions
→Characteristics of Women: Added additional quotes from Quran and Hadith to support Islamic point of view on women
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==Characteristics of Women== | ==Characteristics of Women== | ||
This article does not accurately reflect the Islamic viewpoint on women. It cites multiple Hadith, some of which are known to be contradictory or false, and very little Quran. One of the most misunderstood areas in Islam is that of the position of women in the religion. While not all Muslims deal with women as inferior, this is unfortunately true in some segments of the Muslim world and this treatment is supposedly justified by the religion. However, when we look at the basis of the religion, the Quran, we see a very different picture. In the Quran God makes it very clear that men and women are equal. Many in Islam even consider women to be closest to God, and although various cultures and traditions fail to recognize the facts in the Quran, they remain present nonetheless. | |||
Men and women prayed together at the time of the prophet. Even today, during the most sacred event a Muslim can partake in, '''Hajj''', or pilgrimage, '''men and women stand side by side and pray together'''. The Quran states to remove the 'veils' from faces and the basis for the belief to wear a hijab or to separate women is from a single hadith describing the prophet's wife during a visit with another man. The reasons were not described and can only be assumed. While Hadith can be found which seem to support the views on the bottom of this page in the original article, there are also many Hadiths which support the '''Quranic''' viewpoint: | |||
-Ibn Abbas radi allahu `anhu (may God be pleased with him) shares with us, “A beautiful woman, from among the most beautiful of women, used to pray behind the Prophet. | |||
-Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas (ra): “Al-Fadl bin Abbas rode behind God’s Messenger ﷺ as his companion rider on the back portion of his she-camel on the day of Nahr (slaughtering of sacrifice, 10th Dhul-Hijja) and Al-Fadl was a handsome man. The Prophet ﷺ stopped to give the people verdicts (regarding their matters). In the meantime, a beautiful woman from the tribe of Khatham came, asking the verdict of God’s Messenger. Al-Fadl started looking at her as her beauty attracted him. The Prophet ﷺ looked behind while Al-Fadl was looking at her; so the Prophet ﷺ held out his hand backwards and caught the chin of Al-Fadl and turned his face (to the other side) in order that he should not gaze at her….”3 (Did not separate the woman, did not tell her to cover her face, etc.) | |||
-With to the women “clinging to the walls” of Madinah at the time of the Prophet (saw), as Sh. Abu Halim Al-Shuqqah points out, in his encyclopaedic work examining the true status and interactions of women at the time of the Prophet (saw), this was merely to avoid touching/bumping into other men. The streets of Madinah were very narrow at the time of the Prophet (saw). By walking into the middle of the road, overcrowding etc. was more likely to occur. | |||
-Incidentally, it was specifically to avoid overcrowding, that the Prophet (Saw) asked another door to be opened into the mosque for the women (and not because women need a separate door). | |||
-Now, the most oft-quoted tradition supporting women praying at home states, “It is more excellent for a woman to pray in her house than in her courtyard, and more excellent for her to pray in her private chamber than in her house” (Abu Dawood, al-Tirmidhi). In '''context''', '''this was in response to a specific question!''' This saying was related to the people after the Prophet had announced that men gain more reward when they pray in congregation at the mosque. Nonplussed by this announcement, a woman approached him and said, “but I'm at home with the kids and the housework. I can't get to the mosque — that's not very fair, is it?” The Prophet agreed, but explained it in terms of a woman's responsibility in the private sphere: In '''context''', the tradition is saying that while men get more reward by going to the mosque, women who have responsibilities at home get the '''same''' reward when they pray at home. | |||
-Ibn Abbas radi allahu `anhu (may God be pleased with him) shares with us, “A beautiful woman, from among the most beautiful of women, used to pray behind the Prophet (not separately or at home) | |||
As previously mentioned, the Qur'an expresses the equality of the works of the sexes and the oneness of origin of the sexes: | |||
-Quran 49:13] O people, we created you from the same male and female | |||
-Quran 4:1 men and women are each pair made from a single soul. | |||
-Quran 4:34 (mistranslated in the original article) “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more ('''strength''') than the other, and because they support them from their means”. | |||
Abdullah '''Yusuf Ali'''’s writes in his commentary to this verse; | |||
“Qawwam: one who stands firm in another's business, protects his interests, and looks after his affairs- or it may be, standing firm in his own business, managing affairs, with a steady purpose.” People say the word‘Qawwam’ means, ‘one degree higher in superiority’ But actually the word ‘Qawwam’ comes from the root word ‘Iqamah’. ‘Iqamah’ means for example ‘when you give the Ikamah before prayers - You stand up’. So ‘Iqamah’ means to standup - so the word ‘Qawwam’ means one degree higher in responsibility, not one degree higher in superiority. | |||
‘'''Ibne-Kathir'''’ commentary on this verse: | |||
"‘Qawwam’ means one degree higher in responsibility, not one degree higher in superiority. And this responsibility, should be carried out by mutual consent of both husband and wife. Thus we can see that in this verse the only thing told is that ‘men are the protectors and maintainers of women; and nothing more. And that too because they by nature have more physical strength. | |||
-Quran 16:97] Whoever works righteousness, Man or Woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.” | |||
-Quran 4:124] As for those who lead a righteous life, male or female, while believing, they enter Paradise; without the slightest injustice. | |||
-Quran 3:195] Their Lord responded to them: "I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you male or female - you are equal to one another. Thus, those who immigrate, and get evicted from their homes, and are persecuted because of Me, and fight and get killed, I will surely remit their sins and admit them into gardens with flowing streams." Such is the reward from GOD. GOD possesses the ultimate reward. | |||
-Quran 33:35] The submitting men, the submitting women, the believing men, the believing women, the obedient men, the obedient women, the truthful men, the truthful women, the steadfast men, the steadfast women, the reverent men, the reverent women, the charitable men, the charitable women, the fasting men, the fasting women, the chaste men, the chaste women, and the men who commemorate GOD frequently, and the commemorating women; GOD has prepared for them forgiveness and a great recompense. | |||
-Quran 40:40] Whoever commits a sin is requited for just that, and whoever works righteousness - male or female - while believing, these will enter Paradise wherein they receive provisions without any limits. | |||
-Quran 58:1] GOD has heard the woman who debated with you about her husband, and complained to GOD. GOD heard everything the two of you discussed. GOD is Hearer, Seer. (One does not debate with someone who is inferior, you simply tell him or her what to do. Muhammad also spoke with his wives as equals, though they were not always worthy of his trust) The prophet had trusted some of his wives with a certain statement, then one of them spread it, and GOD let him know about it. He then informed his wife of part of the issue, and disregarded part. She asked him, "Who informed you of this?" He said, "I was informed by the Omniscient, Most Cognizant." (66:3) | |||
It is clear from these verses that Muhammad dealt with women equitably, in spite of the culture that surrounded him. Thus, in his own life he demonstrated the equality of men and women just as he preached it from the Quran. | |||
As most of this article has been based on Hadith, please recall that while God has preserved the Quran against changes and evil, the Hadith has '''never''' been promised to have such protection. The Hadith cited in the original article obviously differ both with the Quran and what we know from history concerning the prophet. Living in local pagan society in the 7th century Arab world, the Prophet Muhammad was seen as a feminist. Women were given little to no rights. It was custom to bury unwanted female newborns. Women were property of their husbands and they weren’t allowed to vote. The Prophet Muhammand preached and advocated against these actions. Islamic law made the education of girls a duty, giving the right to women to inherit and own property. Even the Prophet’s wife, Khadija, was a businesswoman. | |||
Quran 18:27] You shall recite what is revealed to you of your Lord's scripture. '''Nothing''' shall abrogate His words, and you 'shall not find '''any other source''' beside it.' | |||
Quran 6:114] '''Shall I seek other than God as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed?'''* Those who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from your Lord, truthfully. You shall not harbor any doubt. | |||
[Quran 45:6] These are God's revelations that we recite to you truthfully. '''In which Hadith other than God and His revelations do they believe?''' | |||
[Quran 5:50] Is it the law of the days of ignorance that they seek to uphold? '''Whose law is better than God's''' for those who have attained certainty? | |||
Quran 5:99] The sole duty of the messenger is to deliver the message, and God knows everything you declare and everything you conceal. | |||
[Quran 5:48] Then we revealed to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous scriptures, and superseding them. You shall rule among them in accordance with God's revelations, and do not follow their wishes if they differ from the truth that came to you..... | |||
[Quran 5:49] You shall rule among them in accordance with God's revelations to you. Do not follow their wishes, and beware lest they divert you from some of God's revelations to you. If they turn away, then know that God wills to punish them for some of their sins. Indeed, many people are wicked. | |||
[Quran 6:19] Say, "Whose testimony is the greatest?" Say, "God's. He is the witness between me and you that this Quran* has been inspired to me, to preach it to you and whomever it reaches. Indeed, you bear witness that there are other gods* beside God." Say, "I do not testify as you do; there is only one god, and I disown your idolatry." | |||
[Quran 27:91] I am simply commanded to worship the Lord of this town - He has made it a safe sanctuary - and He possesses all things. I am commanded to be a submitter. | |||
[Quran 27:92] And to recite the Quran. Whoever is guided is guided for his own good, and if they go astray, then say, "I am simply a warner." | |||
[Quran 50:45] We are fully aware of everything they utter, while you have no power over them. Therefore, remind with this Quran, those who reverence My warnings. | |||
[Quran 69:40] This is the utterance of an honorable messenger. | |||
[Quran 69:41] Not the utterance of a poet; rarely do you believe. | |||
[Quran 69:42] Nor the utterance of a soothsayer; rarely do you take heed. | |||
[Quran 69:43] A revelation from the Lord of the universe. | |||
[Quran 69:44] Had he uttered any other teachings. [Quran 69:45] We would have punished him. | |||
[Quran 69:46] We would have stopped the revelations to him. | |||
[Quran 75:16] Do not move your tongue to hasten it. [Quran 75:17] It is we who will collect it into Quran. [Quran 75:18] Once we recite it, you shall follow such a Quran. [Quran 75:19] Then it is we (God) who will explain it. (Prophet's Hadith should NOT be used to explain Quran) | |||
[Quran 77:50] Which Hadith, other than this, do they uphold? | |||
[Quran 39:23] God has revealed herein the best Hadith; a book that is consistent, and points out both ways (to Heaven and Hell). The skins of those who reverence their Lord cringe therefrom, then their skins and their hearts soften up for God's message. Such is God's guidance; He bestows it upon whoever wills (to be guided). As for those sent astray by God, nothing can guide them. | |||
Quran 6:112] We have permitted the enemies of every prophet - human and jinn devils - to inspire in each other fancy words, in order to deceive. Had your Lord willed, they would not have done it. You shall disregard them and their fabrications. [Quran 6:113] This is to let the minds of those who do not believe in the Hereafter listen to such fabrications, and accept them, and thus expose their real convictions.* | |||
Quran 17:46] We place shields around their minds, to prevent them from understanding it, and deafness in their ears. And when you preach your Lord, using the Quran alone,* they run away in aversion. | |||
[Quran 39:45] When God ALONE is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion. But when others are mentioned beside Him, they become satisfied.* | |||
Quran 6:115] The word of your Lord is complete,* in truth and justice. Nothing shall abrogate His words. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient. | |||
[Quran 7:52] We have given them a scripture that is fully detailed, with knowledge, guidance, and mercy for the people who believe. | |||
[Quran 12:111] In their history, there is a lesson for those who possess intelligence. This is not fabricated Hadith; this (Quran) confirms all previous scriptures, provides the details of everything, and is a beacon and mercy for those who believe. | |||
[Quran 17:9] This Quran guides to the best path, and brings good news to the believers who lead a righteous life, that they have deserved a great recompense. | |||
''''''Quran 25:30] The messenger said, "My Lord, my people have deserted this Quran. | |||
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Original Article''' | |||
===Limits of Women=== | ===Limits of Women=== | ||