Why do so many people think the Muslim woman has no right to initiate divorce??

Question

The basic principle concerning this is the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And it is not lawful for you (men) to take back (from your wives) any of your Mahr (bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage) which you have given them, except when both parties fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by Allaah (e.g. to deal with each other on a fair basis). Then if you fear that they would not be able to keep the limits ordained by Allaah, then there is no sin on either of them if she gives back (the Mahr or a part of it) for her Al-Khul‘ (divorce)” [al-Baqarah 2:229]

The evidence for that from the Sunnah is that the wife of Thaabit ibn Qays ibn Shammaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said, “O Messenger of Allaah, I do not find any fault with Thaabit ibn Qays in his character or his religious commitment, but I do not want to commit any act of kufr after becoming a Muslim.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to her, “Will you give back his garden?” Because he had given her a garden as her mahr. She said, “Yes.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to Thaabit: “Take back your garden, and divorce her.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5273).

Khula: Definition and How it is done
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WELCOME-2-ISLAM/message/1126

Answer 1

Muslim women are allowed to ask for divorce. But culturally it has been looked down upon by others. Its not Islam that is the problem but the cultures developed around it that make it harder for women to leave their husbands.

Answer 2

I couldn't care less about some trifle like right to divorce. Let me ask you something. Do you have the right to put on a comfortable summer dress and sandals and nothing else and go shopping? Do you have the right to tell your husband, "I've decided to convert to Buddhism, so I won't be going with you to the mosque any more."? Do you have the right to invite a man over to your house when your husband is away to discuss a business deal? This is only the start of it. I hear apologists all the time saying that "Islam gives women rights". Yes it does, specific and limited rights, and inferior to a man's.

Answer 3

People have been misinformed and mislead here in the west, our media does not show the full picture or give us the full array of the facts.

The oppressive practices that are often associated with Islam are in fact strictly cultural ones. But things like the "honor killings" of innocent women is not a practice of Islam, but a practice of the local culture. This happens to Christian women as well (admittedly less frequently, but it happens nonetheless), but that is generally ignored here.

Islam gave many rights to women that other religions did not before. A woman's right to vote and a woman's right to divorce her husband are wonderful examples. All of this while the Old Testament warns women to cover their heads or as the alternative shave all of their hair off.

The main thing that must be done is educating people. The American media is so horrible though, so I doubt that happening anytime in the near future.

I'm not trying to say that these things aren't bad or excusable, I'm sickened by them in fact, but there is no direct tie to the religion of Islam at all.

Answer 4

FACT: In India as far as I know the civil law is different for different religions. If you're a Muslim, woman does not have a right to divorce her husband(unless he is a grave sinner of the society). But on the other hand, if a husband is not happy with the wife, in the presence of the Priest(Imam or Islamic Clergy). He can say "Talaq, Talaq, Talaq" (known to the world by media as Triple Talaq or INSTANT DIVORCE) within four walls and his divorce is granted. It is definitely not allowed if the woman asks for it, or repeats those words.

Fact in the Middle east: Women’s right to divorce is often extremely limited compared with that of men in the Middle East. While men can divorce their wives easily, women face many legal and financial obstacles. For example, in Yemen, women usually can ask for divorce only when the husband’s inability to support her life is admitted, while men can divorce at will.

By law it is not allowed as equal as a man's divorce(Sorry to mention it this way)and on top of it, she is looked down upon as a Heretic, sinner, and blasphemer. Her family and relatives are looked down upon.

INVESTIGATION: My personal belief is that men and women should be treated equal. "And among the teachings of His Holiness Bahá'u'lláh is the equality of women and men. The world of humanity has two wings -- one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible. Not until the world of women becomes equal to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues and perfections, can success and prosperity be attained as they ought to be." (Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 288)

Conclusion: There is inequality in different cultures, different places in the world, Let us all work on growing equally and treating each other equally. Hope this helps. Let there be peace and Unity.

Answer 5

if it is like this then most of the muslims around the world don't know really islam.

Answer 6

They were one of the first allowed in the 7th century.


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Answer 7

A great many things that Islam claims, are not practiced. Flies on the wall can see that, my dear.

Answer 8

Women have few rights under Islam, if divorce is one of them leave him while you still can.

Women's rights according to the Quran:

2:228 "(Women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in kindness, and men are a degree above them."

2:282 "And call two witness from among your men, two witnesses. And if two men be not at hand, then a man and two women."

4:3 "Marry of the women, who seem good to you, two or three or four."

4:11 "To the male the equivalent of the portion of two females, and if there be women more than two, then theirs is two-thirds of the inheritance, and if there be one (only) then the half."

4:15 "As for those of your women who are guilty of lewdness, call to witness four of you against them. And if they testify (to the truth of the allegation) then confine them to the houses until death take them."

40:20 "And if ye wish to exchange one wife for another...."

4:34 "Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them."

4:176 "Unto the male is the equivalent of the share of two females."

24:31 "And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands. ... And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment."

33:30 "O ye wives of the Prophet! Whosoever of you committeth manifest lewdness, the punishment for her will be doubled, and that is easy for Allah."

33:32-33 "O ye wives of the Prophet! Ye are not like any other women. ... Stay in your houses."

33:53 "When ye ask of them (the wives of the Prophet) anything, ask it of them from behind a curtain. That is purer for your hearts and for their hearts. And it is not for you to cause annoyance to the messenger of Allah, nor that ye should ever marry his wives after him. Lo! that in Allah's sight would be an enormity."

33:59 "O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad)."

65:1 "O Prophet! When ye (men) put away women...."

66:5 "If he [Muhammad] divorce you, will give him in your stead wives better than you, submissive (to Allah), believing, pious, penitent, devout, inclined to fasting, widows and maids."

Answer 9

honor killings and stuff i think alot of people dont understand your culture.most people dont know any Muslims so we are taught by the media.i think that it depends more on the culture that iff Muslims come from. i lived in the middle east and it was very strict in some places and other places it was not. so it depends on the local culture more than the religion.

Answer 10

god do not tell us can or cann't. why in muslim country man can marriage many wife???????