In ISLAM a woman gets half the inheritance a man gets. ...?

Question

Then how can muslims say that a women & men are equal. Other than pious homilies about women why does not Islam give equal benefit to women in areas where it will REALLY help them.

I am aware the half inheritance rights given to muslim women were far ahead their time when originally given. However now when even the lesser developed countries have given women equal inheritance rights, the rights of muslim women are far behind the times. Is is not time to change.
Serious answere please.

rhsaunder- You are talking from a male viewpoint. See the other view where a woman may be married to a man who is poor. In such a case the woman's inheritance will be of immense help to the family.
Anyway in today's world women work shoulder to shoulder to women & therefore should be entitled to equal rights also.

.. I mean shoulder to shoulder to men..

rennkael - The issue is not about you doing what you feel like but what the laws of the country states/does.

drutazo- Should we compare Islam to the best or to the worst?

lyla- This is EXACTLY what I am talking about. If a woman is REALLY considered equal, then what's wrong in expecting her to support her father/mother to the full extent of what a son is expected to do. Expecting only the son to support his parents is a typically male chauvinist response & strongly implies that a son is considered far far more equal than a woman. Pl open your mind. This is not full & TRUE equality.

PB to you too. You can have cases (and there are many) in today's world where a woman is more intelligent & earns more than a man. Then what happens to your theory?

AAYY- I have had a discussion with several Imams on the subject. They have answered it more or less on the lines of what "Artist" has said.

icestorm- you have answered on the lines of what layla has written. Thie system laid by you was alright during the ancient times where it was dangerous for a woman to even go out of her house & a woman needed a strong protector. However in civilised society you will agree things have changed.
As per what you say, a man is essential - to take care of his family and also to take care of his parents/sisters/cousins etc. Its no wonder that most Muslim parents strongly prefer to have boys over girls as in muslim society only men have the obligation to support their parents. The girl child is discriminated against even at birth!

sunshine- You are right in saying that when Islam gave a women the right to half of the inheritance, it was because the man was the #1 supporter of the family. How's about now when in several cases the woman earns more.
While a woman is physically weaker than a man, however physiologically & mentally a woman is stronger. That's why in any developed country (I take developed countries because in underdeveloped countries women are subjected to many types of discriminations) the average age of a woman is 3-5 years more than a man.
Further, in today's age physical strength has lost most of its relevance. This is because you have machines to take care of all your hard work & even to fight!

maseehs- You have probably nor read my later notings. As for calling my question dumb pl note - A person who is not willing to see will shut his eyes even more tightly to light!

sunshine- you are right - my religion or lack of it is not relevent to this question. But basically you are repeating what others have written ie. Islam expects a man to be the head of the house. Personally speaking I am supporting my family pretty well, touch wood, but that does not stop me from empathising about others.
Like I said - You can have any number of suras on the importance & value of women BUT in issues where equality is really important (such as wealth) women are shortcharged by half.
I agree Muslims are told not to discriminate between a boy or girl child but the SYSTEM in Islam is such that a boy child is mostly preferred.
I know what I am talking about as I have seen muslim life at close quarters. Indeed my parents were muslim!

hijab- The issue is not about how you are personally treated. I know muslim girls are treated just as well as non muslims.

drutazo-I think you misunderstood. What I meant was that Islam should be compared with the standards prevailing in the best countries/societies & not in the worst.

Answer 1

You seem like you really want a serious answer, so I'll give it to you...

1.When Islam gave a women the right to half of the inheritance, it was because the man was the #1 supporter of the family.

2. Islam holds a very high place for women. It is not like some people think, Islam cares for women very much. Women are considered more then half the society, they are the mothers, the sisters and daughters of every man. And for the guy that mentioned the virgins, they are not only women... they are called "hour" meaning ' magnificent black eyes'.

3. Men are more able to go out and earn money then women (they can stand more body pressure then women).

4. In Islamic countries, women who work are paid the same amount as a man. Women are able to have their own business, and create their own fortune.

Hope that helps you for now, and if you're still want more details, feel free to email me.

Peace.

Edit:

Even in this case my friend... Islam wants men to be strong, to be the head of the family, to keep his self respect and dignity. And for that it teaches him that he is responsible for taking care of his family, not the other way around.

I don't know what your religion is (and it doesn't really matter), but you're a man, and you tell me... How would you feel if you were living with a women who supports you and always mocks you for that?.. Doesn't that break your self confidence as a MAN.

Believe me... I understand your point, but the rules or guidlines in the Islamic religion were only put for the sake of man kind.

Peace my friend.

Edit:

One more thing... women are not discriminated in Islam. Islam holds a very high stage for women.

There is a whole Surah named "Annisa'a" meaning " the women".

There is also an Ayah that tells people that it is wrong to discriminate a child just because the baby is a girl. I've known so many Muslim men who wish for girls not boys.

Sorry for writing so much, but if I can, I'de write even more. It takes a Muslim to know what a Muslims life is like, and I'm really comfortable with how my religion treats me.

Oh, and please excuse rennkeal.

Peace.

Edit:

Sorry my friend, I don't mean to repeat anything, but it is only in the inheritance that the women are cut in half.

In all the other points of life women are given the right to own business, to own wealth, and to own property.

I can see that you know what you're talking about, if it wasn't for that, I wouldn't have come here again, and again.

But, what you see in some Muslim families is not always what Islam teaches. It's not the Islamic system, it's the people themselves.

I know many families who seem very related to Islam, yet in many aspects of life, they live as any other non-Muslim.

I don't want you to judge Islam on the basis of what people are doing, but on the basis of what the religion is pointing to. You seem like a person who really wants to KNOW, God bless you.

Peace.

Answer 2

You know they should do that they do in some parts of africa when finding husbands. The man in question are force by there familes to drink milk for a month after that they are praded around with other young single men semi-butt naked like cattle at a cattle market with others who have done the same thing, the single women and where familes then get to those which one they like, the fatter they are, (ie the more milk they have drunk) show how richer they are. Mostly women tend to pick the ones that have gorged themselfs on milk for this month. Its a shame that all cultures anywhere in the world have things that are sexist in nature but it seems only the ones that are bais towards women get mention.

yoyodda:- Its not up to me to compare Islam to be the best or the worst but it seems that question is and hence is your question bias.

Answer 3

y?
well that's really true,man has to support his family,his wife,kids, as well as some share also for his parents.these are under his responsibilites,so under these aspects islam gave double share to men,as on day of jjudgement he will be answerable to God for his responsibilities.
as far as women,as u rightly said women got the half share in islam when they were not given any...now a women doesn't have any responsiblity,her money is totally for her needs so in aspect of these she has given half of men.

well! i am a muslim woman,n i never had any such problem of gender bias or gender discrimination.
i am med student, in my med school there are 2\3 muslim l girls, n 1\3 muslim boys, we come up to this level on equal merit...without any discrimination.
besides this i have been school n college debator.i am also in college cricket team(girls),n other sport events,without any discrimination.
i am single daughter with 2 brothers, n definately treated as princess,n also has a great role to play in family decisions..
so atleast as far as my life concerned never felt any discrimination.

Answer 4

What you said is correct ,but in Islam declear that man is the head(according to quraan). Muslims women should avoid being in places that containing alot of men.their brothes or fathers do their needs.You will say that this is not fair,but it is the careness and mercy of Allah for those weak creatures.and the needs of men is more than women's ones.Men who marry and pay for their wives.They build the house.They feed their families.On other hand , women should take care of husbendand children, cook,clean etc.We live peacefully in this way.In the past women were been treeted like animals.But Islam raise women value in society and make her equal to men and treat her as a human being.Muslims women don't mind that because it is an order from Allah.Nowaday,women have the rigt to work in many places.but they must keep wearing alhijad and protect their selves.
(sorry for bad spelling)

Answer 5

That is because men are to be the Bread Winners in the Marriage and provide for their wives.


Men and Women Endowed With Unique Qualities

[4:32] You shall not covet the qualities bestowed upon each other by GOD; the men enjoy certain qualities, and the women enjoy certain qualities. You may implore GOD to shower you with His grace. GOD is fully aware of all things.

[4 :33] For each of you, we have designated shares from the inheritance left by the parents and the relatives. Also those related to you through marriage, you shall give them their due share. GOD witnesses all things.

[4:34] The men are made responsible for the women,** and GOD has endowed them with certain qualities, and made them the bread earners. The righteous women will cheerfully accept this arrangement.


May Peace be with you :"}

Answer 6

You make a very good point. Islam was an improvement over no law. However with human rights in general is very outdated. More moderate muslim countries follow much less Islamic law. Islam puts woman in a horrible light it. There idea of Paradise is woman virgins as sex slaves. It just horrible. Prophet Mudbath him self had multiple sex partners and wife's.(not much of a holy person) This is the example he set. I think we in the world community have to do everything to oppose Sharia Law. Personally i think Islam is a barbaric religion.

Answer 7

That is not the right place to ask such a question. U might want to ask a mosque they will be more than happy to answer ur question. Tip. don't answer ur own question the way u want it other wise don't ask?

Jihad is defending my religion, family, and country. Not attacking others.
the person that is afraid of jihad up there ur not making any sense. It is a good idea to reread what u wrote.

Answer 8

The standard Muslim justification for this is that men have a responsibility to support women, so need a bigger share of the pot. Islam has its problems, but I do not regard this as one of them.

Answer 9

If you were to read more you would see that although men are able to receive more what they do get they must also use to support their sister niece whoever. It is not just their money but money that they are to use to take care of the women in their life.

Answer 10

In islam, there is a saying. Women are for babies and boys are for fun. It is really sad that such things happen. It also scares me that people that say such things want to kill (jihad) me because I do not believe as they do!!! Scary!!!