Did you know this about the muslim woman?

Question

In the culture, especially Pakistani that I am very familiar with as I lived in it for 5 years (not Pakistan, but the community in the US) and still am very into, they have a lot of dinner parties and birthday parties, did you know this? Did you know that for each occasion, her husband buys her new clothing and jewellry along with a nice pair of shoes to match, including the children (in my experience anyway)? Did you know we are not as oppressed as you think, even though I am white, but they are the same? Did you know that we go shopping when we want to, go for a drive when we feel like it, take the kids out, and have the right to demand payment for the housework and child care? Does any of this surprise you? Does it surprise you to know that most of our husbands do not complain as long as when they are hungry there is food available for them to either reheat or microwave and bread to eat it with? And did you know that if they lay a hand on us out of anger, rarely, we rescind?

It doesn't have to be diamonds and gold, now come on, that would be too much. Just a nice fashionable set from one of the stores is good enough. Otherwise it would just be ridiculous.

Think about that? Yeah, I did, when I was shopping for a lot of the clothing and jewellry in Pakistan, especially at the Pakistani weddings. Only in the west? Please! They brought it over FROM Pakistan.

Ok, what part of "Brought over from Pakistan" do you not understand? This is what goes on there a lot of the time. You say "try that there", what part about "I did, while shopping there" is hard to understand? And not with men, only with my one sister in law while the men were out in another area of the city doing their own shopping.

I counted 16 camels, in a herd, and that was it. Most people have cars, either Toyota or Honda. And their interiors are all leather, for many of the cars. Oh, and they come with these little pillows that can go around the top of the seats with elastic, for each passenger. Very comfortable. I suppose it amazes you to know that they have freeways, too, just like us, right?

Answer 1

Yes, I know all that, thank you. I live in Morocco, and Moroccan women have a lot of the same freedoms. They work, they go shopping, they drive, they go outside together (just women), they don't always cook dinner, they have parties, they get new clothes, etc.

But unfortunately, in some countries (KSA, Iran), women ARE oppressed, and while I personally know it has nothing to do with Islam itself, it's still the responsibility of us, specifically women, and even more specifically, Muslims, to denounce the way women in those countries (and sometimes others) are treated.

Answer 2

Muslim women deserve to be treated with respect, just as Muslim men do. It is so sad when people believe that Islam is a cause for oppression of women, when really a lot of the times it is culture. But from what you wrote, the Pakistani culture that you have seen is working hand in hand with Islam! Al Humduallah!

Answer 3

Being a person qualified in Islamic studies, I would like to explain that Muslim women are exempted from religious duties during the menstruation. This rule actually relieves women from having to keep the five daily prayers, fasting and other duties while she is in the uncomfortable physical condition of menstruation. How can one imagine a woman being asked to fast in this situation? I must clarify, however, that some people generalize and prohibit all types of "prayers". The ritual prayer in Islam is called "salat" and it has to be done 5 times a day in a certain way. This "salat" is not required from women during their menstruation. The English word "prayer" is more general than the Islamic "salat", and can include other types of prayers like the supplication that one does any time of the day, and without having to do the rituals of the Islamic "salat". This type of prayers is not prohibited for women. In other words, menstruating women can keep praying to God, talking to Him, praising Him, asking for His love and forgiveness, but without doing it in a ritual "salat." The "submission" site is not an Islamic site. It belongs to a sect that was created by "Rashad Khalifa", a Christian Egyptian who claimed that he was Muslim, then made a big publicity about a false discovery called the "numerical miracle of the Quran". In the same book he claimed that he defined the exact date of the end of the world, which totally contradicts what the Quran and the Sunna preach. Later his truth was discovered. He also claimed that the Sunnah is not part of Islamic law and that we don't have to follow it, so that's why his sect is totally outside Islam. Hope this makes things clear. Salaam-peace.

Answer 4

This is all nice. The majority of Muslims do not do this. Islam teaches us to live by modest means. Many Muslims do not celebrate birthdays with parties and such. I think it is easy for you to say Muslim women are not oppressed because your a white American. However, Muslim women are oppressed to a certain point. Pakistani culture does not represent all Muslims. They have taken many aspects of their culture from India.. Like showing off their money. The Quran says one should live modest and save, spend what they need.

Answer 5

in islam, a daughter is considered as much of a blessing as 7 Qurans, but there is nothing mentioned about sons! (said by the Prophet) if that doesn't say something about the status of women in islam, i don't know what does...also what the first answerer said.

to the person who answered right before me: i'm not trying to start an argument or anyhting, but i want to clear a few things up. muslim women CAN choose to have children or not. i was reading an Islamic book and it said something about contraceptives and certain ones are allowed. also, if she wants a child, her husband can't refuse. and they definitely can go outside and join classes and such without their husbands' permission. i know in a lot of muslim countries, it is like that and i have no idea why...i mean, they aren't following the Quran's teachings, but anyway, they will be punished.

Answer 6

"Bismillahirahmaniraheem"
786

God said, "Let There Be Light".
When God said this, did you know that you would receive such an abundance.

Adam (PBUH) and Eve were equals within the, Light of God.

It is man that finds differences and creates disunity.
God exists in a pure state of "Unity".
Humans will not understand this, "Truth".

The Souls that dwells within both males and females are identical in there very nature.

Oppression is a word that dwells in mans mind because of a
thing called "Ignorance". The light has not been turned on in a persons heart, that is basking in "Ignorance".

"Oh, Man Love one another.", is difficult for man to comprehend if the heart has not been opened.

"May the wind be always at your back."

Alhamdulillah, Ameen.......
Anbu,

Answer 7

I know... people just think we are oppressed.. when we lived in Pakistan my dad did not get to buy a lot of stuff for us because we did not have a lot of money but now in US my mom gets her own money and can buy what ever she likes

Answer 8

Thats great for you, and I know it is true for lots of women who enjoy this life, but things like the freedom to make ones own decisions and earn ones own income outside the home are much more important to me than shopping, new clothes, jewellery or parties.

From my experiance, the Muslim women I know cant choose whether they want to have children or not, some need their husbands permission to do things like join evening classes, go out with their friends, or even make new friends, and some find this difficult to obtain.

I find the married Muslim women I know find it harder to have a career, or to negiotiate role sharing within the partnership, like the husband coming home and cooking for the children some nights, instead of being at work of with his friends, while the wife goes out on her own. I know this is true for many women, but I notice it more amongst Muslims.

My fiance buys me small things twice a year, christmas and birthday, sometimes anniversary as well. I have my own house, my own income, my own career, my own friends. I will keep this when I marry (swapping own house for own space) and I ask for nothing more. I think all women should remember to be themselves first, and wives second.

Answer 9

I hope they are treated that well, I usually hear of Muslim women being treated badly, as "lower" than men. So this is a better picture than what I usually hear of but still, I don't feel men should have the power. The power should be absolutely equal.

Answer 10

if they don't know that there is another side to Islam that is what it says...PEACEFUL...THEN IT IS ABOUT TIME THEY HEAR IT STRIGHT FROM OUR MOUTHS. it is about time they understand our customs and stop bashing us for it. because to MOST of them NOT ALL, our husbands beat us till we bleed and pass out. like the taliban beat the poor woman, may Allah be with the innocent women. Ameen

to MOST but NOT ALL our husbands don't let us go to the Masjid for Jumma...yet i go to a Masjid full of sister every Friday...they don't know our ways, but they think they do. and they bash us from their own understanding.

there is a point of tolerance. a point when we do not bash them to what they believe as in a higher power. this we are to tolerate. but we are grown tired to misunderstandings that we are all the same. WE ARE NOT. we are not all non violent. and we are not all violent. sister what i can not understand is why haven't all the people seen this yet. why do so many still crush us with their understanding. still my faith will stand stronger to no matter how much i am hated. and not everyone is ignorant to our ways. many take great curiousity to the Islamic ways. and we need more like them. insha'Allah