A Muslim Question -- Is it Safe to Say...?

Question

Since some of the societies that embrace Islam as their religion, do other Muslims believe these societies are not truly Muslim due to the fact that their culture and traditions pervert the teachings of Islam? (This is a generalized question -- whether you want to believe it or not, some Islamic countries DO NOT treat their women well. Many of you say the Qur'an says you are to hold women in high esteem but places like Saudi Arabia clearly do not. )

For instance, in Christianity, many Christians believe that some Christian denominations aren't truly Christian because some of their formalism goes against scriptures. Do Muslims believe the same of the different Muslim sects? Ex. Arab Muslims vs Indonesian Muslims or Muslims from Sumatra etc.

Serious answers please! IF you can't answer in an adult manner -- just say thanks for the two points and move on.

Answer 1

I attended a lecture by Muslim women who wanted to emphasize that Arab culture is historically oppressive to women and that Islam was, in part, an attempt to fix the status of women. The lecturer's argument was 'if it's oppressive to women, it's not true Islam.'

We have the same problem in the west - not only with christian cults, but maintream christiainity. Women are treated very poorly- one homeschool conference i was invited to had as it's main workshop - Every man a hero, Every wife a coach!!!!!!!!!!
Now, that's not as oppressive as having the religious police lock you in a burning building 'cause you dont' have a veil, but it's part of the same mentality.

When I ran a support group for battered women, we were taught that conservative religious men were far more likely to batter their families.

Answer 2

I always think of the same thing. I don't think any muslim in any part of the world follows the Quran in its entirety and they all differ in and are modified against the Quran.
I grew up as a muslim girl in Malaysia and since I was young I was told all these things that I was suppose to do or not do as a muslim girl. Then I moved to the USA and met a lebanese muslim and she was taught differently and what she can do and cannot do was different. Then I finally picked up the Quran read it and had her translate or make sure the translation was right since she spoke Arabic.
Only then I discovered that there are no true muslims. The teachings are all modified based on culture and in a way it is a control system in all these countries. Some are worst than others but none the less they are all not correct. Based on ths there is no true Islam followers and if there is it is a tiny percentage.
As for the sects, unlike the Christians muslims not all muslims try to wrong them but some still do in many ways. Religon is complicated and can't be proven and for that reason I am a happy agnostic :).
I hope this answers your question, have a nice weekend :D

Answer 3

Quran has given particular Rights to every Muslim male and a female and they are very much clear for the various stages and aspects of life. The basic structure remain the same but some changes are seen in different countries and that due to the laws of the land. According to the Islamic Law all the women are equal let it be in Saudi or Indonesia. In Saudi women are not allowed to vote but in Indonesia women contest elections.

Answer 4

Yes, Indonesian Muslims, including the Muslims from Sumatra, think the Saudis are a bit silly and a lot hypocritical. And look at Iraq -- there we find two kinds of Muslims killing each other. Just like in America where the Falwell Folks want to kill the Episcopalians. Ain't religion fun???!!!

Answer 5

It is only human that we, as individuals, groups, societies, cultures, and so on, believe that only we are the beholders of the Universal Truth (whatever that is!) and that everybody else is just wandering in the dark. So I suppose this is why there are so many sects, for example, because at one point, somebody reading the bible believed he/she REALLY understood what was written there. For example, in Russia there are more than 300 orthodox sects. The same goes with the interpretation of the Coran or any other thing. And this is why the Shi'a hate the Sunni's and so on. Just a fake belief that they are smarter. Well, this and secret services's undercover men.

Answer 6

Know that the Qur'an and almighty Allah did give the women her full right there is no doubt about it, but if you are in Saudi Arabia and you are seeing thing that does not match what Qur'an says, that’s why because Saudi Arabia are ruled by Bedwien culture, and not by the book of Allah, am from Kuwait, I hope you go to Kuwait and see our women, they are treated with full respect, in the end what you are seeing in Saudi Arabia is traditions, I hope I meet what you are looking for

Answer 7

Well First it is true some Muslims do not treat there Wives well but it is not based on Islam it is based on "Hislam" so to speak. Islam does no teach such things since I'm a Muslim Female I should know. It is the Responsibility of the the Muslim to educated them selves first of all in the Ways of this Wonderful faith. There is One God and one faith insha Allah this verse of the Quran is not miss understood and not miss quoted in the interpretation of the meaning the Quran says:6.159] Surely they who divided their religion into parts and became sects, you have no concern with them; their affair is only with Allah, then He will inform them of what they did. I think it speaks for it self I'm no Scholar by any means but As Muslim it is not my place to say He or she is not Muslim It is not my Judgment We have The Quran and Sunnha of the Prophet We are forbiden from adding anything to this great Deen Islam , insert from interpretation of the meaning:
"This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion; but whoever is compelled by hunger, not inclining willfully to sin, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." i Surah 5:3 So the Islam has been set for Muslims and they way things should be done we cannot change them Allah is All knowing of what we do and what those innovate. We are brother and sisters in Islam Allah knows best. If any error in my statement please My Muslim Sisters and brothers feel free to Correct me and May Allah Bless you Amin

Answer 8

Muslims consider all Muslims the same-------in theory. But, they do not always really feel that way. Some feel that the practice of the religion is not fundamentalist enough. A good example is: I know someone from Saudi Arabia who thinks the Jordanians are heretics, as they do not practice a strict fundamentalist religion as it is done in Saudi Arabia. But, you will find this in all religions.

Answer 9

Hello,

Thanks for such wise question...I hope I can give a wise answer too.

Yes, in many Muslim countries (as you mentioned, Saudi Arabia) women are not treated as they are supposed to be here are the different ways they are treated:
1. In Turkey women with Hijab (scarf/vail) cannot got to school/university (as in France)
2. In Arab countries women don't have many legal and natural rights...(like take part in votings...)
3. In Iran women don't have the freedom to have Hijab or not...I mean if a woman doesn't want to wear scarf they don't let her.

To answer your question, yes, as I've seen in Iran they say something bad about Saudi Arabia for that but it's not like blaming them or wanting to get in fight or war with them. They just use it for promoting themselves (usually at votings)...so, there's no serious problem with that.

But, there are some countries that can't stand some other Muslims (like Taleban in Afghanestan) and even kill them...they are extremists...

Hope it helped and feel free to contact me for discussing it,
-MOLi

Answer 10

the quran also states that there should be no different sects.there are many sects in religion because someone always wants to be leader.a person will stand up and lead and people who can't stand for themselves will follow. all religions have good and bad people.none of them are the way God intend. you can"t judge everyone by some,but i also feel that good Muslims who know that these others are acting against the true Islam are going to be held accountable for not defending Gods name.people are being slaughtered in the Name of God,innocent people and this is not the way of the righteous.