Is Islam kind or cruel to its women?

Question

The Quran writes the following on this topic:

Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them (4:34).

Women's testimony is equal to half that of a man:
Get two witnesses, out of your own men, and if there are not two men, then a man and two women, such as ye choose, for witnesses, so that if one of them errs, the other can remind her (2:282).

Polygyny, and sex with slave and captive women:
"If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, (4:3).

The Quran is clear and unmistakable. Exactly mirroring all legal systems that administer increasingly harsher penalties for continued wrongdoing, the Koran says the Husband should first verbally admonish her, next ground her to the bedroom like a child, and finally when all else fails, to beat her.

1. Give her a piece of your mind by scolding and rebuking her.
2. Ignore her, ground her to her room, starving her of sex, affection and attention. (This is recognized to day as a form of passive wife abuse)
3. Physically beat her.

Six translations of Qur'an 4:34:
"Men are superior to women on account of the qualities with which God has gifted the one above the other, and on account of the outlay they make from their substance for them. Virtuous women are obedient, careful, during the husband's absence, because God has of them been careful. But chide those for whose refractoriness you have cause to fear; remove them into beds apart, and scourge them: but if they are obedient.

Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because God has guarded them. As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and send them to beds apart and beat them. Then if they obey you, take no further action against them. Surely God is high, supreme." (Dawood's version of the Koran, Quran, 4:34)

"Men are in charge of women, because Allah has made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah has guarded. As for those from whom you fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High Exalted, Great." (Pickthall's version of the Koran, Quran, 4:34)

"Men are the managers of the affairs of women for that God has preferred in bounty one of them over another, and for that they have expended of their property. Righteous women are therefore obedient, guarding the secret for God's guarding. And those you fear may be rebellious admonish; banish them to their couches, and beat them. If they then obey you, look not for any way against them; God is All high, All great." (Arberry's version of the Koran, Quran, 4:34)

"Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in their sleeping places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great. (Shakir's version of the Koran, Quran, 4:34)

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whom part you fear disloyalty and ill conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance) for Allah is Most High, Great (above you all). (Ali's version of the Quran, 4:34)

Answer 1

It seems to me that you have answered your own question.

In a town in Saudi Arabia a few years ago, a girl's school was on fire. While in the school, it was all women so they did not have to wear the garb. When the police and firement came to the school, instead of rescuing the girls and women, they chained and locked the doors so they could not escape, because their faces would not be covered!

I'm hard put to believe that God cares more about that than the life he gave them. How cruel. The people gathered around and watched the building burn, while hearing screams from inside.

I suppose your question is relative to how "cruel" is interpeted. In my opinion, it is cruel.

God Bless,

Sue

Answer 2

I come from an Islamic background, but I chose to go towards a more spiritual direction. It isn't just the Quran that puts women in a subordinate position. You have to think about society before these sacred books were produced. Patriarchy has existed for a very long time and no one ever listened to females even if they were possible messengers/prophets from God. It isn't only religion that has oppressed women. Even today, women are treated unfairly. In the end, it's your decision which way you want to follow. The choice is always up to you. Just remember, these religious texts are very old. If society has changed, why can't religion? I don't think God would ever want any of his children hurt, male or female. The only thing I am 100% sure of, is that there is something out there bigger than us. What's true or false is simply based on what you feel is right, not what you have read. If you do want some more meaning in your life in regards of religion, check out http://www.novus.org/home/index.cfm
It helped me, maybe it will help you too. Take what you want, and leave the rest behind.

Answer 3

LOL

Oh God why did you give men words and only one way to interpret them. Please next time send a prophet with a dictionary.

Let us interpret the words another way.


Did I not read in the Koran that allah made women and men not for them to walk behind or infront but to walk beside eachother.

Two womem are needed as women think more complex then men.
One women alone would yield to fast to the wishes of man. If one starts to yield the other can remind her that it is not time for yielding

You can marry more than one women only if there are not enough men left over (after their wars), but only if you can treat each one equal.

And the overall message in all religions is: Use your mind, think, and stop acting as if you know it all.

Answer 4

You have read the Quran in the wrong context. You are reading in English, but you don't even know the true words that the Quran uses. This is a typical style westerners use to justify their means.

First of all, men and women are equal but different, and Islam acknowledges that. Everyone is equal in the sight of God, but one is better than the other through virtue and good conduct. And your usage of words in translating the Quran is also badly done. Admonish, banish, and scourge a wife? Good God, even the Prophet didn't do these things. I don't know what accurate English words should be used, but I know it's not those words. Apparently it's not Islam that is violent but you are.

And one women's testimony is equal to that of a man. Islam understands that women would be more confident if another women was there when she gives a testimony and that if the lawyer threatens her to do something, wouldn't she be more confident to speak the truth? Don't just think of western women (who I respect very much for their bravery and straightforwardness), but also think about the 75% of women who are always afraid and shy to be in public and to give testimony. And western women have only been exponentially outspoken since 1910's (women suffrage). Your current culture is only a young one.

And for the third point, you must know that slavery was acceptable for Judaism and Christianity and Islam for thousands of years. But Islam makes it a virtue to free slaves since its beginning. There are many stories where virtuous Muslims would buy a slave every Friday and free them for the sake of God.

As for polygamy, Islam incourages Muslims to marry one only, because Islam says that unjust husbands will receive God's wrath on Judgement Day. Do you know that there are more women than men in the world? And in a post-war country for example, wouldn't there be millions of widows and families without a father/husband? Who will take care of them if men (who are able to take care of more than one family) aren't allowed to finance a second family?

Islam allows men to marry up to four (should they have the means to support her and her family justly), but Islam prohibits men to cheat on their wives with a woman he hasn't married yet, and Islam does not allow girlfriends and mistresses.

In short, Islam allows not even one girlfriend for a man but up to four wives whom he must take care of financially and emotionally, but as you know western countries forbid its people to marry (or take care of) a second wife, does not forbid men having mistresses (and even misters).

So which law makes the family and the community more harmonious? Divine & constant Islamic laws or man-made & ever changing western laws?

Answer 5

actually, it depends on where youre from...see, im Muslim, and hell no no one is cruel to me...cuz in some places, like Yemen, they force their daughters to get married at a young age(my friend was only 15 and got married in August)...and are you sure that those translations are correct? because, ok, women are supposed to listen to their hisbands, but men are supposed to listen to their wives too...and the last one about polygamy...men can marry upto 4 women at once, but they all have to be treated equally in their eyes...

Answer 6

of course it is , even nowadays when people are more Western , boys go out, boys have sex , boy do whatever they want but because of the religion and what it gave to the culture girls are living in jail ! in west girls are free to have healthy relationships with guys but here it is not normal at all for a girl to talk to a guy !

Answer 7

Just look at this :

http://www.prophetofdoom.net/article.aspx?g=406&i=46003

Answer 8

They haven't matured yet.

Answer 9

cruel to both

Answer 10

not really