Women in Islam - From Islam's Sources: Difference between revisions

To hear groups like the Council of American-Islamic Relations or the Islamic Society of North America, one might be given the impression that [[Islam]] holds women in high regard. Indeed, Souad Saleh, a female professor at Al-Ahzar University in Cairo and a vocal proponent of women's rights in Egypt, recently stated, "Islam is pure and simple, and it holds women in high esteem."<ref name="Al Ahram">Gamal Nkrumah - [http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/766/profile.htm "Soaud Saleh: Time to tear down the divides"] - Al-Ahram Weekly, 27 October - 2 November 2005, Issue No. 766</ref> For example, she says, "Muslim women were the first to be granted the right to inherit property and conduct their own private business affairs. This was so at an age when the women of Europe and Asia were not allowed to own property, inherit wealth and in some instances were treated as chattel."<ref name="Al Ahram"></ref> When addressing the issue of women being mistreated by their husbands, she states, "guardianship over women … does not give male members of the family license to oppress their female counterparts. Islam enjoins men to protect, love and care for their women folk."<ref name="Al Ahram"></ref>

A recent Gallup survey polled a significant percentage of [[Muslim Statistics|Muslims worldwide]]. The findings are highlighted in the book ''Who Speaks for Islam'', edited by John Esposito and Dalia Mogahed. The findings of the poll paint a picture of women in Islam that is in stark contrast to the oppression many in the West believe exists. For example, the authors note, "Majorities of women in virtually every country we surveyed say that women deserve the same legal rights as men, to vote without influence from family members, to work at any job they are qualified for, and even to serve in the highest levels of government."<ref> John L. Esposito & Dalia Mogahed - [http://www.amazon.com/Who-Speaks-Islam-Billion-Muslims/dp/1595620176 Who Speaks for Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think (P. 101)] - New York: Gallup Press, 2007, ISBN 9781595620170</ref> Concerning the ability of Muslim women to obtain an education, the poll demonstrated that Muslim women were often able to pursue post-secondary educations, particularly in Iran (52%), Egypt (34%), Saudi Arabia (32%), and Lebanon (37%).

{{Quote|{{Bukhari|1|6|301}}|Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:

Once Allah's Apostle went out to the Musalla (to offer the prayer) of 'Id-al- Adha or Al-Fitr prayer. Then he passed by the women and said, "O women! Give alms... I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you." The women asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What is deficient in our intelligence and religion?" He said, '''"Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?" They replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her intelligence.'''}}

===Women are the inhabitants of hell===

==Women, marriage and divorce==

===Men can marry up to four wives===

“When a man calls his wife to fulfill his need, then let her come, even if she is at the oven.” (Sahih)}}  

The issue of protecting a man's chastity and keeping him away from temptation is more important than anything else that a woman can do, because Islam wants men and women alike to live in an environment which is entirely pure and free from any motive of fitnah or haram pleasures. The flames of sexual desire and thoughts of pursuing them through haram means can only be extinguished by means of discharging that natural energy in natural and lawful ways.}}