Did you know that Islam itself does not oppress women?

Question

I am a woman, an American woman who's been to Pakistan multiple times. I never even once felt oppressed or as if I was lesser, and spoke my mind with my big mouth there just as I do here. What do you think of this quote?

"DOES ISLAAM OPPRESS WOMEN?

No. On the contrary, Islaam elevated the status of women 1,400 years ago by giving them the right to divorce, the right to have financial independence and support and the right to be identified as dignified women (Hijab) when in the rest of the world, including Europe, women had no such rights. Women are equal to men in all acts of piety (Quraan 33:32). Islaam allows women to keep their maiden name even after marriage, their earned money and spend it as they wish, and instructs men to be their protectors as women on the street can be molested. Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of God be upon him) told Muslim men, "The best among you is the one who is best to his family". Some Muslim men, do oppress women today.

This is because of their cultural habits or their ignorance about their religion. Female Genital Mutilations has nothing to do with Islaam. It is pre Islamic African Custom, practiced by non Muslims including Coptic Christians as well."

Answer 1

she isn't preaching! She isn't telling us to become muslims! She is giving us info that most of us don't know. I am glad to hear this, thank you.

Answer 2

Oppressed, pumpkin. Your article seems to say that, because Islam is a slight improvement over the way other people did things 1400 years ago, it's not oppressive. That's silly. You are not considered a fully independent human being, but are always, always seen as the dependent of some man, an adjunct, not a human in your own right. The reality is that your prophet's words, by which you are supposed to live, demand that you be obedient to the man who is held responsible for you (father, husband, son, brother), and his words paint you as less than any man. Obedience is not required between equals. Period. You asked for respectful answers...and then you disrespected me and all other non-Muslim women almost casually. You see, I manage to be respected while dressing as I see fit, without having to throw a tablecloth over my head. I don't enjoy being told that I am some kind of disreputable prostitute because I don't cover my head. Who are you to say I don't respect my body? Who are you to say that because men can see my skin and the shape of my body, that means they can't respect me? Every time I see some hijabi trying to convince everyone that she does it "for Allah" under her own steam, invariably, she pulls out the slanderous, disgusting, and frankly dangerous crap about how women who don't cover are not respectable. The word "prostitute" gets thrown around, as if the only alternative to hijab is to go naked. For you to say "If your showing skin you won't be respected" is appallingly bigoted. As a fellow New Yorker, I have to say that the thought of you dutifully bringing up children, and teaching them that uncovered women are not respectable makes my blood run cold. What kind of behavior can I then expect from your sons toward my nieces? Your self-righteous intolerance toward others is frankly nauseating. And despite your apologetics about polygamy, there is no chance that such an arrangement can ever be a balanced relationship between equals. Real equality is between the husband and the wife, not between wives. That's why it's unacceptable to me/

Answer 3

But then why does this muslim struggle with some of his beliefs?

http://www.angelfire.com/la/IslamicView/Doctors.html

Namely, he finds it unreasonable that a female muslim should have to see a female muslim doctor first, then if not available, a female non-muslim doctor, then if not available, a male muslim doctor, then if not available, lastly, a male non-muslim doctor.

A quote from his text: "One would have to ask if this these are the only considerations to take into account when chosing medical treatment. Are Muslims limited to the matter of gender and religion, without taking into consideration the other very important aspects when choosing a doctor. Do we not question the capabilities of the medical doctor who we are entrusting our health with? Health is a blessing from Allah, any illness should not be taken lightly and surely should not be left to treatment by one solely on gender. Something which should be of a concern to both Muslim women and Muslim men when it comes to the ability of a doctor to treat a patient."

Answer 4

I totally agree with you, Islam does not oppress women, I am an American who married to an Iranian women, she has two masters degrees, and can speak 4 languages, I have been to Iran with her, and have met her family. Her sister, is an English teacher with a masters degree in information technology working for the U.N. in Iran and her mother has a PhD and owns her own chain of pharmacies in Iran. Most people just assume the worst about Islam without ever learning the truth.

Answer 5

Are you saying that if muslims force women to cover up in public it is not the fault of Isalm? I can give more examples, but you can see what I am getting at. If the vast majority of a group practices something then that group can be said to condone that practice.

Answer 6

yes i knew this pity the men folk in our religion seem to overlook this

Answer 7

As a pakistani muslim i know first hand that the women in our families are very powerful and actually make all the decisions and run the household so this oppresion stuff is just nonsense, its all to do with culture and education NOT religion

Answer 8

Again, why are you telling me?

Tell the Saudi Arabia and Iran, here you are just preaching to the chior

Answer 9

So, when women have to stand behind the men in the mosque or even in a different room and not allowed to be among them....that's not opressing them?


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P.S. YAY POCAHONTAS!!!!

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Yay Snow White!

Answer 10

you wouldnt say the same thing if your were living in the middle east, its easy to say in America. With Jesus Christ you dont even have to worry about all these things, we are sinners today and we need a savior wont we accept Jesus Christ today.