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| ==Introduction== | | ==Introduction== |
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| 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>
| | Modern Muslims often claim that [[Islam]] holds women in high regard. 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> She also 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> |
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| Another scholar claimed that Islam abolished the horrible practice of female infanticide prevalent among the pagan Arabs. [[Muhammad]] gave clear directions leading to the restriction of polygamy, restrained the unlimited rights by men over their wives, and gave woman both spiritual and material equality with man.<ref> Pierre Crabites, cited in Allama Sir Abdullah Al-Mamun Al-Suhrawardy, ''The Wisdom of Muhammad'' (New York: Citade Press, 2001), p. 20.</ref>
| | It is also often claimed by Muslims that Islam abolished the horrible practice of female infanticide prevalent among the pagan Arabs. [[Muhammad]] gave clear directions leading to the restriction of polygamy, restrained the unlimited rights by men over their wives, and gave woman both spiritual and material equality with man.<ref> Pierre Crabites, cited in Allama Sir Abdullah Al-Mamun Al-Suhrawardy, ''The Wisdom of Muhammad'' (New York: Citade Press, 2001), p. 20.</ref> |
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| 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%).
| | Islamic websites often claim that Islam elevates the status of women. For example, at the website of the Muslim Student Association at the University of Southern California, one can find the following regarding [[Women in Islam]]: |
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| Pro-Islamic websites love to proclaim how Islam elevates the status of women. For example, at the website of the Muslim Student Association at the University of Southern California, one can find the following regarding [[Women in Islam]]:
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| * Islam declared women and men equal. | | * Islam declared women and men equal. |
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| * Islam enjoins sounds morality in thinking, behavior and appearance. Dress fashions and social patterns that reduce woman to a sex object and exploit her as such are not acceptable to Islam. | | * Islam enjoins sounds morality in thinking, behavior and appearance. Dress fashions and social patterns that reduce woman to a sex object and exploit her as such are not acceptable to Islam. |
| * The observance of chastity and moral standards is equally demanded by Islam from both men and women. "Women are the siblings of men", is a saying of prophet Mohammad. | | * The observance of chastity and moral standards is equally demanded by Islam from both men and women. "Women are the siblings of men", is a saying of prophet Mohammad. |
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| However, as with any area of study within Islam, one must separate out the current reality from the ideological underpinnings. If women are treated equally in Islam, is there justification for it in the sacred writings of Islam, or is this 'equal treatment' in conflict with sacred directives? What does the Qur'an say about women? What does Muhammad say about women as recorded in the hadith, and what kind of example did he set in the way he treated the women in his life? Do the reports we hear of women being oppressed accord with sacred scripture, or are they rather anomalies having no foundation in Islam? What have women from an Islamic background actually experienced – what are their stories? These are some of the issues we will be addressing.
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| ==Does Islam protect women?== | | ==Does Islam protect women?== |