Reaching out to the topic, there has been many controversies regarding the compared status of a woman with a man in Islam. And as many non-Muslims do argue on this topic, they, as a reference, point out to certain Ayat or Hadees to support their argument. But as said before, every Ayat has to be appropriately interpreted before taking into account.
In a very linear way, non-Muslims believe that Islamic laws and Islamic Shariat oppress women and their rights are often neglected. Women are given a status 'low' as compared to men which, in common terms, labels Islam as a Sexist religion i.e a religion preferring the male gender over the female gender. Such false labels are a consequence of the preliminary stated facts. Islam, as a religion of peace and equality, holds that men and women are created equal and it is indeed one's deeds that make one superior to another. Islam teaches it's followers the true sense of morality which implies the respect of women irrespective of any 'ifs' and 'buts'. As the question 'Why is Islam labelled with sexist beliefs?' has been answered in the preliminary paragraph, I shall now move on to the next and more important question' What specific content makes one believe so?'. And by 'specific content';of course, I mean 'Quranic Ayat' or 'Hadees'. As being the fuel for many controversial arguments over Islam after being interpreted in the wrong sense, many Ayat have been used as to question the true status of women in Islam as the Ayat in 'their'(non-Muslim) sense, favors their comprehension.
For instance,one of the most chiefly exploited Ayat in this context lies in the second Surah, Surat-ul-Baqarah which states:
For instance,one of the most chiefly exploited Ayat in this context lies in the second Surah, Surat-ul-Baqarah which states:
Divorced women shall wait by themselves for three periods. And it is not lawful for them to conceal what God has created in their wombs, if they believe in God and the Last Day. Meanwhile, their husbands have the better right to take them back, if they desire reconciliation. And women have rights similar to their obligations, according to what is fair." But men have a degree over them". God is Mighty and Wise. (Surah Al-Baqarah; 2:228)
As emphasized in the Quranic text above in Bold, Allah says that "But men have a degree over them" which can be simply paraphrased as that 'Men are given a high status in Islam as compared to Women and that they have a degree over them'. Wrong!. What this Ayat actually means is that men have been chosen as the guardians, protectors, guiders of women and that is why they have been 'gifted' with a superior 'nature'. Justifying this won't take much time. No-one would disagree about the fact that Men are physically stronger than women. Secondly, men have a higher tendency to render correct decisions for themselves and their family without being highly affected emotionally. However, women, on the other hand, are emotionally more fragile than men. This is the reason that men have been granted the responsibility of taking care of women, whether the man taking care is a father, a brother, a husband and or even a son! And when someone has been given a task literally so respectful, that someone's status is 'improved'.This clarifies the real meaning of the Ayat i.e that men are gifted with nature superior to women because they have a fitting task to do with their gifted nature i.e stronger physique.
Another one of the major queries regarding this topic is linked to the following Ayat of Surah An-Nisa:
Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, as God has given some of them an advantage over others, and because they spend out of their wealth. The good women are obedient, guarding what God would have them guard. As for those from whom you fear disloyalty, admonish them, and abandon them in their beds, then strike them. But if they obey you, seek no way against them. God is Sublime, Great. (Surah An-Nisa; 4:34)
As most skeptics would do, this Ayat is taken in the context that women abuse and torture is encouraged by Islam, which is strictly not the case. In the first half of the Ayat, Allah describes the qualities of 'good' men and women. Paraphrasing, the first two lines direct to the same point that men have been granted with the special ability and task to protect women. And the right of a man on a woman is not only because they protect them and maintain them, but because they spend their money and wealth on their women and care for them. In common comprehension, one would regard men as husbands only but the Ayat doesn't speak only for husbands but also for a more respectable relation, a father. In every natural relation, a man goes out for work and earns money and spends that money on his family i.e a woman. A man earns for his woman, gives him the respect she deserves, the care she needs and the love and sensitivity she requires and in turn expects one thing back which is 'loyalty'. And if a woman defies that loyalty, then in that specific context, a man is allowed for harsh behavior with a woman, just like parents are allowed to be a little angry if they see something in their children they do not expect. Also, striking them doesn't mean killing them. It is just introduced as an expression of anger for men who suffer disloyalty from their wives, a way to show anger and annoyance. This right is strictly given to those men who take extremely good care of their wives and bear hardship for their wives' comfort and coziness and complete their requisites and necessities.
Islam has been conscious of women rights since it's beginning as Annie Besant(1930s) observed,
"It is only in the last twenty years that Christian England has recognized the right of woman to property. While Islam has allowed this right from all times. It is a slander to say that women have no souls". (The Teachings of Muhammed,1932)
Islam orders very strict obligation of women rights irrespective of a relationship and guides to behave gently with women.At this point, it is requisite to mention that the Quran has a complete chapter, 'Surah An-Nisa' on women(Nisa means women) .Islam doesn't hold back women from education as it was prevalent in the societies before Islam. In fact, Islam makes it compulsory for all Muslims,men and women, to learn and gain knowledge.In a famous Hadees, Prophet (P.B.U.H) said :
"Education is compulsory for all Muslims"
In the last address,Khutba-e-Hujjatil-wid'a, Muhammed(P.B.U.H) strictly reminded Muslims of women rights again and again, emphasizing on the topic.
Thus, as a predictible conclusion of this question, I conclude that Islam is not a Sexist Religion but a religion offering the guidelines and regulations to form the absolute society of gender equality and respective respect of each other.
As emphasized in the Quranic text above in Bold, Allah says that "But men have a degree over them" which can be simply paraphrased as that 'Men are given a high status in Islam as compared to Women and that they have a degree over them'. Wrong!. What this Ayat actually means is that men have been chosen as the guardians, protectors, guiders of women and that is why they have been 'gifted' with a superior 'nature'. Justifying this won't take much time. No-one would disagree about the fact that Men are physically stronger than women. Secondly, men have a higher tendency to render correct decisions for themselves and their family without being highly affected emotionally. However, women, on the other hand, are emotionally more fragile than men. This is the reason that men have been granted the responsibility of taking care of women, whether the man taking care is a father, a brother, a husband and or even a son! And when someone has been given a task literally so respectful, that someone's status is 'improved'.This clarifies the real meaning of the Ayat i.e that men are gifted with nature superior to women because they have a fitting task to do with their gifted nature i.e stronger physique.
Another one of the major queries regarding this topic is linked to the following Ayat of Surah An-Nisa:
Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, as God has given some of them an advantage over others, and because they spend out of their wealth. The good women are obedient, guarding what God would have them guard. As for those from whom you fear disloyalty, admonish them, and abandon them in their beds, then strike them. But if they obey you, seek no way against them. God is Sublime, Great. (Surah An-Nisa; 4:34)
As most skeptics would do, this Ayat is taken in the context that women abuse and torture is encouraged by Islam, which is strictly not the case. In the first half of the Ayat, Allah describes the qualities of 'good' men and women. Paraphrasing, the first two lines direct to the same point that men have been granted with the special ability and task to protect women. And the right of a man on a woman is not only because they protect them and maintain them, but because they spend their money and wealth on their women and care for them. In common comprehension, one would regard men as husbands only but the Ayat doesn't speak only for husbands but also for a more respectable relation, a father. In every natural relation, a man goes out for work and earns money and spends that money on his family i.e a woman. A man earns for his woman, gives him the respect she deserves, the care she needs and the love and sensitivity she requires and in turn expects one thing back which is 'loyalty'. And if a woman defies that loyalty, then in that specific context, a man is allowed for harsh behavior with a woman, just like parents are allowed to be a little angry if they see something in their children they do not expect. Also, striking them doesn't mean killing them. It is just introduced as an expression of anger for men who suffer disloyalty from their wives, a way to show anger and annoyance. This right is strictly given to those men who take extremely good care of their wives and bear hardship for their wives' comfort and coziness and complete their requisites and necessities.
Islam has been conscious of women rights since it's beginning as Annie Besant(1930s) observed,
"It is only in the last twenty years that Christian England has recognized the right of woman to property. While Islam has allowed this right from all times. It is a slander to say that women have no souls". (The Teachings of Muhammed,1932)
Islam orders very strict obligation of women rights irrespective of a relationship and guides to behave gently with women.At this point, it is requisite to mention that the Quran has a complete chapter, 'Surah An-Nisa' on women(Nisa means women) .Islam doesn't hold back women from education as it was prevalent in the societies before Islam. In fact, Islam makes it compulsory for all Muslims,men and women, to learn and gain knowledge.In a famous Hadees, Prophet (P.B.U.H) said :
"Education is compulsory for all Muslims"
In the last address,Khutba-e-Hujjatil-wid'a, Muhammed(P.B.U.H) strictly reminded Muslims of women rights again and again, emphasizing on the topic.
Thus, as a predictible conclusion of this question, I conclude that Islam is not a Sexist Religion but a religion offering the guidelines and regulations to form the absolute society of gender equality and respective respect of each other.
