Does Islam Elevate Women?

Hello Mr. Sina,

Could you give me your opinion about the following three accounts please? It is a clear fact in many hadith records and quranic verses that women are degraded naturally and intellectually, but Muslims always keep forwarding the following three hadith accounts to defend their claim that Islam elevates women.

1.Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: A believing man should not hate a believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another.

2. It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar that the Holy Prophet (May be upon him) said: Beware. every one of you is a shepherd and every one is answerable with regard to his flock. The Caliph is a shepherd over the people and shall be questioned about his subjects (as to how he conducted their affairs). A man is a guardian over the members of his family and shal be questioned about them (as to how he looked after their physical and moral well-being). A woman is a guardian over the household of her husband and his children and shall be questioned about them (as to how she managed the household and brought up the children). (NOTE from Author: We should just stop right here! If the Holy Prophet (S) mistrusted woman, then he wouldn’t have said that women are a guardian over the household!) A slave is a guardian over the property of his master and shall be questioned about it (as to how he safeguarded his trust). Beware, every one of you is a guardian and every one of you shall be questioned with regard to his trust.

3.Salim narrated it from his father (‘Abdullah b. Umar) that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When women ask permission for going to the mosque, do not prevent them.

1.

I never read the first hadith and could not find it.  However, to say don’t hate women is not the same as giving them equal rights.  This hadith is condescending.

There is a story that Abdul’Baha attributes to Jesus. He said, one day, Jesus accompanied by his apostles, passed by the corpse of a dead dog. Everyone was disgusted, but Jesus told them to look at its white teeth.

The morale of the story is to emphasize that one should try to find the good even in bad things.  The morale of this hadith is no different. It does not give women any right and does not recognize their equality. It tells the men to be condescending and overlook their flaws.

2.

The second haith is from Muslim 20: 4496.  It defines the responsibility of each category. This hadith confirms the Quranic verse 4:34 that says “the right­eous women are the truly devout ones, who guard the intimacy which God has [ordained to be] guar­ded.”

They are the protectors of what belongs to their husband in the same way that a slave is the protector of what belongs to his master.  The hadith could have added that dogs are guardians of what belongs to their owners. The logic of the hadith would not have changed.

This Muslim apologist is trying to find some rights for women in a hadith where there is none.  This hadith is not about rights, but about duties. A slave has no right over the property that he is in charge of protecting, just as a dog does not have any right over the property he is guarding. A woman is the protector of her husband’s property and responsible to guard it, but she has no right to it.  The only right she has is to her dowry, which she will get when she is divorced. A Muslim woman has no right even to her children.

3.

The third hadith establishes the superiority of the man over the woman. It determines that her permission is in the hand of her man. She cannot make decisions on her own.

This apologist brags that Muhammad encouraged men to grant permission to their wives if they want to go to the mosque. How liberating!  What if she wants to visit a friend, a relative or just go out for shopping or have fun with her friends?  The very idea that women cannot make their own decisions, that they should have guardians and should ask permission to do things that any adult is entitled to, is enough to demonstrate that Islam is a misogynist religion. Why in the hell a woman should ask permission from anyone?

From the above hadiths one cannot infer gender equality or any rights for women. In fact they confirm the contrary. There are many clear Quranic verses and hadiths that unequivocally show that women in Islam have lower status and very little rights. Their rights are similar to those of slaves.

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  1. Jubril says:

    May Allah set your affairs right, that's the only response he needs…

  2. rubayasiraj says:

    Do you know that you will be going to hell for that? Your prayers won't be accepted until you do purdah. I have enjoyed more freedom than you when I was a Muslim. But that doesn't mean that the freedom you an I are getting is accepted by God.

  3. Ellieboo says:

    Fantastic site, and well-argued. Thank you for this, Mr. Sina.

  4. DPhysicist says:

    Lucky you, but many millions are not… try to know about women in Saudi Arabia

  5. Ariya says:

    If there ever was a god, she was a woman. When you can give birth to a human being, Merry of god, you may start believing in he or it as a god. The god that you have and will ever have is your mother, who fed you with her breast milk.

  6. Dragoste7 says:

    you find him debating here: http://www.faithfreedom.org/features/verbatim/the

  7. Dragoste7 says:

    You and your Family are not good Muslims.

    that is Shabeer, a brother Muslim of yours, look what he had to say about you:

    "Islam is the religion of morals. It keeps woman’s honor and dignity, raises her status and preserves her chastity. It obligates a woman to wear the hijab as a protection against weak souls. It never makes her a good to be bought or sold. Islam intends to safeguard Muslim women from all attempts to render them into mere beauty objects"

    and many more horrible stuff from this site http://www.onislam.net/english/ask-the-scholar/mo

  8. Dragoste7 says:

    Typical Muslim.

    We don't Fear your Hell nor Your Allah but you fear Both.

    you are not to Judge who goes to Hell you ignorant brainwashed Muslim!

    If God is Just —> a man's punishment would be that he'd suffer as much as he cause pain to others —-> your Mo and Muslim brothers would suffer much more then John K for they have caused so much pain in the world ——–> John K would step into heaven before you do.

    and that heaven is for sure not Your twisted Porn Heaven your Mo described!

  9. Agracean says:

    Dear Merry of God, you should spend some of your precious time to look through some of the aweful and gruesome pictures of how some human beings were tormented or brutally killed by those hopelessly religious fools and then, you'll appreciate the hard works and love of Dr Ali Sina and many ex-muslims here, for spending so much time and effort, to help all those braindead zombies out of this cult and making our dear planet earth a better place to live in.

  10. Ali Sina says:

    Breivik was not a Christian. He is an atheist who supports cultural Christianity. But Breivik’s probelem was not his belief. He had mental problems.

  11. Ali Sina says:

    If only God has the right to judge, don’t judge hastily. Keep on reading. Many passed through these gates who had your views. Those who read a bit more soon realized I am on the right side and joined me.

  12. N K says:

    Lauren,
    Such a typical ignorant quip by an immature, uneducated wasp. Do us all a favour and stick to the Jersey Shore or the Hills posts which are more up your alley. Don't forget to pick up your cloak and hood from the dry cleaner for tomorrows loan rally.

  13. Merry of God says:

    Mr. Sina,
    With all due respect, your emotional bias of Islam is overwhelming
    God exists in every religion. It is MEN such as yourself that cause division between human beings and create blockages to peace.
    As a scholar and practioner of many religions for over 40 years, including Judism, Christianity, Buddhism,
    Sihkism, Jain, Zoroastrian and Islam, your arguments and interpretations of Islam are incorrect. I urge you to seek spiritual healing to unleashed the hatred and anger in your heart in order obtain peace
    Only God has the right to judge other men or women. He does not promote hate filled diatribes against any other group of humans or individuals.
    Seek peace from God and you will no longer feel the need to spread hate or attack others. Study another religion if you do not agree with Islam but do not attack followers. Hate breeds hate. Love is contagious. Peace be with you son.

  14. Ganesh says:

    As usual, offence is defense for Muslims.

    So what if Breivik is a Christian? He is much less a terrorist than any Muslim terrorist.

    Breivik was not following Bible when he attacked people. When a Muslim attacks anyone, he is following the Koran and Hadith.

  15. Ganesh says:

    Muslims always violate others' rights in the name of non-existent "Allah" and crib about others violating their's.

    Grow up!

  16. Comment says:

    dont say that allah will hear.and send us to hell,oh my god,let me hide under my bed,oh i know,i will blast something and kill someone,then i will feel better

  17. Comment says:

    Muslim are blind in some kind of love of muhammad

  18. JSOP says:

    ''You really have quite the attitude of superiority for being wrong so much.''

    Have you even studied psychology?

    Nice try saying buzz words and trying to pass me off as them yet again

    ''You apparently don't know much about Breivik either. He is not Christian''
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Behring_Breiv

    Anders Behring Breivik
    Born 13 February 1979 (age 32)
    Oslo, Norway
    Nationality Norwegian
    Other names Andrew Berwick, Sigurd Jorsalfare,
    Alma materOslo Commerce School
    OccupationSelf-employed
    Known for2011 Norway attacks
    ReligionChristianity (Church of Norway)

    ''On his Facebook profile, Breivik described himself as a Christian''

    So I am harming Muslims by saying Muslims should not be killing Christians Jews and other Muslims, to just call themselves Muslims,Shun violence Terrorism is bad and not limited to Islam, read all faiths books

    Read what you and others have said about Islam and Muslims

    I do not need your Money nor do I care for it at all

    One can not be proven wrong if the person you are in a disagreement with is the one who decides if you are right (Already made up there mind before someone has a disagreement ) How could someone be proven right if someone has an open bias and has already made up there mind before one even types one word of disagreement?

    It does not mater if someone claims to be smart or if they are smart they can still hate and someone who is in high intellect can still fool those into hating an entire religion or race and base it on lies and half quotes

    As many do not have the same views on this site. As much as you all try and make people believe they do most Jews Christians and other faiths do not think like those on this site.

    -JSOP

  19. JSOP says:

    ''My understanding exceeds yours judging by most of your uninformed comments. ''

    Is this not claiming to be superior them me?

    Watch this Video and learn about others you seem to lack the understanding on the spiritual level on why women wear it (it is not to take away there rights)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=eXzUuKdfn

    ''Does that mean you do not follow Islam?''

    Never said that I was saying forcing the face covering is bad and contradicts Islam and Force removing it is just as bad and is taking there rights.

    ''The degree of conformity to Islam is different among Muslim women.''

    If Nuns and others who wear less cloths do not have to explain themselves and have the right to wear what ever they choose Muslims have the Right to wear what they choose also.

    Muslims should not have there rights violated

    -JSOP

  20. John K says:

    "This is an exaggeration"

    Not.

    "Understand why woman wear the Hijab and Niqab before jumping on there rights are violated band wagon"

    My understanding exceeds yours judging by most of your uninformed comments.

    "Yes it is wrong to force them to wear it but it is just as wrong to force them to remove it as many wear it by choice (Many human rights movements agree with this also)"

    Does that mean you do not follow Islam?

    "Modesty can mean many things to different Muslim women as some do not wear any face covering, some wear the Hijab and some wear the Niqab all have the right to wear it (like the nuns and Eastern Orthodox Christians) all are forms of modesty and not Muslim is less if they choice to wear either the Hijab, Niqab or No face covering at all."

    The degree of conformity to Islam is different among Muslim women.

  21. John K says:

    What are you talking about? This Sura is a direct threat of punishment by Allah for lying and slander.

    You really have quite the attitude of superiority for being wrong so much.

    You apparently don't know much about Breivik either. He is not Christian. If you would follow your own advice about not speaking when you do not have complete knowledge about a subject, you wouldn't publicly embarrass yourself with wrong information so often. Heed your advice.

    Our statements about Islam are not incorrect. Your incorrect statements about Islam are harming Muslims. We have provided documentation to support our statements. You provide nothing but your own opinions. There is a $50,000 reward if you can prove us wrong. You have not even discussed or examined the evidence because your position is wrong.

  22. John K says:

    "Are you not guilty of warranting being called a savage or barbaric those words are not just limit to Muslims or Islam as you accuse Muslims as being savages yet act like a savage yourself"

    How many slaves do you think I own?

    "Do you even understand what Slave of Allah (God) means ?"

    What kind of question is that? The term is obvious and clear.

  23. JSOP says:

    Not a threat read what it means

    it is saying if you do not have a complete Knowledge about a subject it is better to no say anything as you may think it is a trivial remark or comment but it could have grave consequences (Inspire the likes of another Christian terrorist Anders Behring Breivik)
    and cause Muslims harm by there incorrect comments

    -JSOP

  24. John K says:

    We are not concerned about your threats from your false god.

  25. JSOP says:

    ''If you were subject to Islam, you would like like a Taliban wife in a burqa. One of bin Laden's wives even said that Saudi Arabia is just the Taliban in luxury''

    This is an exaggeration

    Understand why woman wear the Hijab and Niqab before jumping on there rights are violated band wagon

    Yes it is wrong to force them to wear it but it is just as wrong to force them to remove it as many wear it by choice (Many human rights movements agree with this also)

    Modesty can mean many things to different Muslim women as some do not wear any face covering, some wear the Hijab and some wear the Niqab all have the right to wear it (like the nuns and Eastern Orthodox Christians) all are forms of modesty and not Muslim is less if they choice to wear either the Hijab, Niqab or No face covering at all.

    -JSOP

    -JSOP

  26. JSOP says:

    Are you not guilty of warranting being called a savage or barbaric those words are not just limit to Muslims or Islam as you accuse Muslims as being savages yet act like a savage yourself

    Do you even understand what Slave of Allah (God) means ?

    -JSOP

  27. JSOP says:

    EntoyDaDragoN said ''muhamad has taught you, that is to kill the infidels, cover women, rape the non muslims, beat women, polygamy (you could be the 4th wife of a muslim) etc.''

    If you do not have complete knowledge about anything, better keep your mouth shut. You might think that speaking about something without full knowledge is a trivial matter. But it might have grave consequences [24/15-16]

    -JSOP

  28. John K says:

    I never can understand why Muslims get so upset over these kinds of things. In the Middle East Muslims are proud of their slaves and proud to be called slaves of Allah themselves. You just feel uncomfortable because you live among Westerners who do not think these kinds of things are civilized. And JSOP wonders why I call Islam barbaric.

  29. Talat Enayat says:

    Islam is not what your parents do or did for you…….islam is what your parents are supposed to follow in the light of islam which in your case i see they followed their own version of islam….
    Before calling yourself a muslim in public first go through the basics i.e is quran… because for the outside world islam is not taken for what is written in quran and its taken as what muslims are doing.

  30. Talat Enayat says:

    You are so fuel of hell….

  31. EntoyDaDragoN says:

    if you dont cover your whole body with a burqa, you are a misguided muslim because you dont follow muhammads teachings. to be a good musliim is to be obedient to what muhamad has taught you, that is to kill the infidels, cover women, rape the non muslims, beat women, polygamy (you could be the 4th wife of a muslim) etc.

  32. Sanada_10 says:

    The correct statement should be "what do you know about my family?" and we'd say, "Nope, nothing until you tell us but we know about Islam".

  33. John K says:

    You are elevated because of yourself. If you were subject to Islam, you would like like a Taliban wife in a burqa. One of bin Laden's wives even said that Saudi Arabia is just the Taliban in luxury. Have you seen the beauty contests there where all the women wear a burqa?

  34. vinodkumar says:

    question i not about you sister about the scripture and majority

  35. What do u know about Islam? I'm a Muslim girl and not once have I lived a sheltered life. My parents have let me go to university, work, live alone, wear any clothes I want. I've never covered my head or covered my body like you see on tv. So how do u feel Islam doesn't elevate women?

  36. Lauren says:

    the only way islam elevates women is with a noose

  37. Duratma_Gandhi says:

    "Their rights are similar to those of slaves"
    .
    Note that men too, in Islam, are "SLAVES" of Allah SWT. The difference is, the master of the Muslim-men-slaves is a non-existent, formless version of Hubaal – whereas the master of the Muslimaa-women-slaves is a human almost always right next to her.
    .
    How could any country / organization that is against Slavery be open to Islam – that treates all human beings as Slaves. Some are slaves to other humans, while others are slaves to their demonic formless entity named Allah SubhanaWaTaala. Absurd..

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