Islam, please explain this passage.?

Question

"the Quran, explicitly spells out many times that no man or woman is superior to another, except in faith and good works".
Please understand that I am not condeming islam I just don't understand this. Is this why women are not allowed to worship with the men or why the women always take the back seat to the men? In Islam are men and women truly equal? Be honest because I know that in some Christian faiths, most for that matter, women are expected to be subserviant to men.

Answer 1

:o) That's my words.

In most mosques women pray behind the men because it seems improper that men might be not praying, but looking at women's behinds while they prostrate in prayer. Its not a part of the religion, just a tradition. During hajj, men and women pray together.

Remember, too, that equal does not mean the same. Actually, women, especially mothers, are afforded a higher status than men. Men are required to protect and provide for women, but women are absolutely allowed to work and earn, and are under no obligation whatsoever to give their earnings to their fathers or husbands. (Unlike in Christianity.)

The status of mothers is actually comparable to the status or prophets in Islam - there is no person we are required to give higher respect to.

Also, you must be aware that many so-called Muslim cultures don't correctly practice Islam. If women are not being given their Islamically guaranteed rights, that is not because of the religion, but because of the un-Islamic culture.

I'm looking for the verses I referred to right now. I'm sorry, I've read them, but I'm not expert enough to produce them from memory. Maybe another Muslim can help me out.

Answer 2

It means that the only way one is above the other is in their deeds. For example, if a woman is good and tries her best to do good and treat others well, while her husband is stingy and ignores her rights while demanding more than he has the right to demand, she is above him. Women when pregnant automatically skyrocket above men as soon as that baby is born, because the baby is to obey and respect the mother above the father, and in the case of divorce, she has the right to custody of the children while the father is fourth in line after the wife's mother and grandmother have been ruled out. She is also above him in the fact that when she works, it's for fun and she spends her money how she wants, no questions asked and no borrowing. He, however, must support the family. She even has the right to demand payment for nursing the children.

Answer 3

Look you have to understand that Islam have answered every issue there is from slavery to women rights to poverty.

Answer 4

Not only man is not superior to woman, also no race or tribe is superior to another.

Search For: 49 - English - English / Yusuf Ali

49:1 O Ye who believe! Put not yourselves forward before Allah and His Messenger. but fear Allah. for Allah is He Who hears and knows all things.

49:2 O ye who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet, nor speak aloud to him in talk, as ye may speak aloud to one another, lest your deeds become vain and ye perceive not.

49:3 Those that lower their voices in the presence of Allah's Messenger,- their hearts has Allah tested for piety, for them is Forgiveness and a great Reward.

49:4 Those who shout out to thee from without the inner apartments - most of them lack understanding.

49:5 If only they had patience until thou couldst come out to them, it would be best for them: but Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

49:6 O ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done.

49:7 And know that among you is Allah's Messenger; were he, in many matters, to follow your (wishes), ye would certainly fall into misfortune. But Allah has endeared the Faith to you, and has made it beautiful in your hearts, and He has made hateful to you Unbelief, wickedness, and rebellion; such indeed are those who walk in righteousness;-

49:8 A Grace and Favour from Allah. and Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom.

49:9 If two parties among the Believers fall into a quarrel, make ye peace between them: but if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other then fight ye (all) against the one that transgresses until it complies with the command of Allah; but if it complies then make peace between them with justice and be fair: for Allah loves those who are fair (and just).

49:10 The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear Allah, that ye may receive Mercy.

49:11 O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed: And those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong.

49:12 O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it...But fear Allah. For Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.

49:13 O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

49:14 The desert Arabs say, "We believe." Say, "Ye have no faith; but ye (only)say, 'We have submitted our wills to Allah,' For not yet has Faith entered your hearts. But if ye obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not belittle aught of your deeds: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

49:15 Only those are Believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and have never since doubted, but have striven with their belongings and their persons in the Cause of Allah: Such are the sincere ones.

49:16 Say: "What! Will ye instruct Allah about your religion? But Allah knows all that is in the heavens and on earth: He has full knowledge of all things.

49:17 They impress on thee as a favour that they have embraced Islam. Say, "Count not your Islam as a favour upon me: Nay, Allah has conferred a favour upon you that He has guided you to the faith, if ye be true and sincere.