Q. European and Human Rights Activists claim that Islam does not give proper rights to women. What do you say about this statement?

Various objections have been posed by European and human rights activists upon the rights given to women in Islam. To analyze whether these arguments have any veracity we must delve into this issue, in depth, and compare these objections with the injunctions of Islam and observe what they truly say about the matter at hand.

OBJECTION # 1. Women are not to be obeyed in Political matters; they are considered deficient in intelligence

Response: Umm Salama, one of the Prophet’s wives, was instrumental in advising the Prophet during the crisis at Hudaybiya in 628.A.D. (6.A.H.). Her advice prevented disunity among the Muslims after the Treaty of Hudaybiya and her opinion prevailed over that of many men, including Umar ibn al-Khattab.

According to the Holy Quran:

"The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil." (9:71)

The above given verse suggests that both men and women can decide what is right and prevent each other from doing what is wrong whether matters are political or non-political in nature, so there is no point of considering women as deficient in intelligence in terms of political matters.

OBJECTION # 2. They are considered deficient in intelligence also because the evidence of two women is equal to that of one man.

Response: Muhammad Asad in his book "The Message of the Qur’an" writes:

"The stipulation that two women may be substituted for one male witness does not imply any reflection on woman's moral or intellectual capabilities: it is obviously due to the fact that, as a rule, women are less familiar with business procedures than men and, therefore, more liable to commit mistakes in this respect."

Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood comments:

"The Qur’an actually taught that the testimony of a woman was just as valid as that of a man, and made no distinction regarding the gender of a witness in every single reference except one – the concession of granting two female witnesses in legal cases where women had little knowledge or expertise. The intention of this concession was to prevent women being tricked or cheated by unscrupulous men who could take advantage of their inexperience in business matters."

Sheikh Salman al-Oadah comments:

“Her testimony as a witness is half that of men only in matters wherein she is generally less versed than men. In other matters wherein women have particular knowledge, like fosterage and virginity, the testimony of a woman is accepted but not that of a man.”

OBJECTION # 3. Women are treated unequally by the fact that their inheritance is half as much as that of men

Response:

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women." (An-Nisa: 3)

Biologically, only women can bear and feed/foster the future generations. The Qur’an creates a harmonious balance in society by establishing a functional responsibility for males to facilitate this biological function of females. The fact that men are caretakers and protectors of women does not give men inherent superiority or authority over women. It establishes mutual responsibility in society.

To perform this duty a male must possess adequate means to make ends meet. Thus, men have a larger share in inheritance because it is their responsibility to take care of the needs of their families.


OBJECTION # 4. Women are considered to be deficient in their Faith. Their weakness is that for a few days in every month they have to abstain from prayer and fasting, and this abstention from worship is a proof of their deficiency in Faith

Response: Sheikh Salman al-Oadah comments:

"These are matters of Islamic Law. A woman is neither sinful nor blameworthy because of the prayers and fasts that she misses. She, in fact, receives blessings by obeying Allah and abstaining from those acts while she is menstruating."

During menstruation a women can perform other forms of worship, like reading Islamic books, giving charity, and just being a ‘mother’ for which she receives a lot of blessings. So it be said that women are deficient in religion just because they cannot pray and/or fast during menstruation, since women can perform worship in many other ways. Moreover obeying Allah by abstaining from those acts while she is menstruating is part of her religion, she receives blessings for it.

The blessings that a woman earns without fast or prayers are evident from this Hadith. Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:

“Take care of your home for that is your Jihad.”

Thus, even during menstruation women can carry out jihad.

Objection#5. Women must wear hijab while western society imposes no such restriction upon women

CONTINUE …….