What's in it for women in Islam? If they had a choice, would they want to be Muslim?

Question

I can see Muslim women who have never known anything else, but how about the ones who are familiar with the rights and priviliges of modern western women? Do they honestly believe their religion is out for thier best benefit and interest?

Answer 1

They got no choice.

The Islamic sexist laws are injected in their minds since they are born, about men being superior and women must obey them.

For example, if I tell you that there is a god. And you believe it.

Then you are bound to believe everything I do in his name. I can tell you to wear a burkha, because "god says so"... I can tell you that god will kill you if you don't submit to me and men of our family.

So you will submit, because you believe in that "first premise" of the example.

And you will also feel good, being tortured as a woman, because you will think that you are only following god's orders. So it's okay.

Answer 2

I have been a devout, practicing Muslim woman for 33 years. I was born and raised here in The United States. I was brought up in Christianity and attended Catholic schools. When it came to embracing Islam, there was no force or coercion. I chose Islam of my own free will and conviction. To this day, I am still a student in Islam. I am always learning and growing. Knowledge is endless.

Non-Muslims should try to understand that regardless of all the negative, derogatory media coverage, women have rights in Islam. Islam recognizes women as the human, intellectual, social, and spiritual equals of men. Women are not less human, less important, or inferior to men. As with men, all of our good deeds are fully recognized, accepted, and rewarded by The Creator. Islam is not for men only, but for all of humanity. It is a way of life, not a religion.

Answer 3

Every person is born with a free will to believe in whatever they want. I have a free will, just like everyone else. Even though I was born as a Muslim, it has been my choice to remain Muslim. I LOVE ISLAM and I am a very happy Muslim girl, I wouldn't change my religion for the world. I would much rather die than ever change my religion. I LOVE GOD AND I LOVE MY RELIGION 110%.

Answer 4

I think everyone has a choice
In past time, Muslim women might not know anything, but today we have many media that can show Muslim woman, actually they have a choice. And they know many choices in religion.
Some women chose to stay in Islam and some women chose to leave Islam. It depends on the faith that they have, not depends on how modern the women is.
Yes, modernism has changed everything, But it will not change a strong faith
U can meet many Muslim women in many western university, you can see they are so educated, but they are religious too...

Answer 5

First of all, I'm sure it's all they've ever known - it's in their families, their friends, and their community. Second, when you grow up learning a set of beliefs, there's a good chance you will stay with it for the rest of your life, especially if you're continually exposed to it. Third, there are many societal consequences for leaving the religion. Muslim women who left their religion would be treated as outcasts. Fourth, they've never had a taste of the freedoms of Western women, and it might even scare them a little. Many Muslim women like the structure of Islam, perhaps because it provides security. It's all they've ever known, so they probably don't know how wonderful freedom can be, but too much freedom might seem frightening to someone who has never had it before.

I'd like to add that I'm speaking mainly about Muslim women in the Middle-East, not in America, because that is not quite the same thing.

Answer 6

Yes, I converted to Islam from Christianity....so I know the 'rights and priviliges of modern western women'. I love Islam and it gives me sooooooo much more!


will add to this later--I am at work and need to get off the internet for now....but I'll star it so you get more answers!

Answer 7

Referring to Hoshi D's statement:

Lina Joy's case is really an uncommon case. Most of the muslim women ( and men too ) in malaysia are given pretty much as much rights and freedom as the western world, barring only acts that are considered lewd, immodest and immoral according to Islamic Moral standards. eg: kissing and fondling in public, public nudity, adultery/fornication

They are encouraged to don the Hijab, but NEVER forced. Most of the Muslim Women in Malaysia don the hijab as an act of devotion to Allah. So far, my Malaysian Muslim girlfriends have no rants about being Muslim in Malaysia. They are generally happy with that choice and have no desire to change it.

I say MOST because there are 1 or 2 of Malaysia's 13 States that are rather extreme in their implementation, because these states are control but a rather gungho Islamic Party, even THEN the general rights of the people men or women are never violated but apart from that the rest of Malaysia is pretty much like Singapore, Hong Kong,Taiwan or Japan, with literally equal freedoms and rights differing only in cultural standards which is the same in every nation in the world.

Answer 8

Muslim women are happy with their religion. I'm sure they would never give it up no matter what. Islam grants women many rights, a lot more that people thing. Islam explains that women are to be respected and treated right, they are not to be treated as "play toys," they are granted the right to stay at home if they wish and not work, and many other rights. I personally love that I'm Muslim, and I'm sure every Muslim here does.

Answer 9

OK first of all , Many people tend to mix up culture and Religion. Islam is the religion that banned the burying alive of women in the time of idols in Arabia. Islam isn't opposed upon us.. ANYONE HERE THAT IS NOT A MUSLIM, OR A MUSLIM WOMAN SHOULDN'T BE ANSWERING.. we have our mind thank you... It's the western women who are brainwashed by societies doctrine of beauty.. nudity and more nudity. We wear hijab so that our mind is focused on.

In talking about Muslim woman people are giving the same old cliche ignorant answer.. the women in the middle east. I guess people forgot about the billions of other Muslim women around the world including converts/reverts...

*****************Attitudes towards women**********************
O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower ye have given them,-except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good. (An-Nisa 4:19)

Answer 10

I know at least two modern day highly intelligent women who are quite familiar with the rights and privileges, as you put it, of modern western women. One is a lawyer, the other does market research. They were Christian but converted willingly and freely to Islam so I have to conclude that they must think Islam does indeed represent their best interests.

Answer 11

Islam gives women dignity and respect. Why do you think there are four women converting to Islam for each one man who converts?