Why do you say women in Islam are not equal to men?

Question

Wouldn't this verse make it clear that God does see both genders as equal and both will be rewarded equal reward for doing either good or bad?

"Spiritual Equality of Women and Men
Allah has got ready forgiveness and tremendous rewards for the Muslim men and women; the believing men and women; the devout men and women; the truthful men and women; the patiently suffering men and women; the humble men and women; the almsgiving men and women; the fasting men and women, the men and women who guard their chastity; and the men and women who are exceedingly mindful of Allah. (Al-Ahzab 33:35)"

Answer 1

Most of the answers to this question are either illogical or rubbish.

And to the answerers, I would like to say: The Question implied how 'Islam' considers the equality of man and woman, not 'Muslims'. Islam is NOT responsible for Muslims who mistreat their women; it's more of a cultural factor kicking in. Islam does not call for stoning only the adulteress, or justify honor killings etc.

Islam gives rights to woman in such a way that no other religion does.

In Islam, men and women are equal. What many people fail to understand is that equality and identicalness are two separate things. Men and women are not identical to each other (their roles and responsibility can vary), however they ARE equal ultimately.

Simple example --> (7+3) = (6+4)
(Man) = (Woman)

Different numbers, but ultimately we get the same results.

If the responsibilities of the man and the woman were made clear, then a lot of the 'issues' that these answerers have (such as women inheriting money worth half as men, or women not being able to marry non-Muslims etc.) would be solved.

In Islam it is the SOLE responsibility of the man to provide for his family. That's why Islam says that men have a degree over women, because this degree refers to 'responsibility' as opposed to 'superiority'. And that's why a woman inherits half as her brother. Because her brother is financially responsible for his whole family, whereas the woman gets to keep the money in her pocket.

My point is that, every ruling in Islam that might seem sexist actually has a validity behind, because it recognizes the differences in nature and responsibilities of men and women.

Islam is all about balance, including the balance(equality) between men and women.

Answer 2

Westerners look at the Wahabist states and see that the state guarantees women few opportunities or even safety except as granted by their male relatives.

Muslims use the justification of a reward in heaven to justify the limitations of womens opportunities on earth.

This is not a good justification as you could justify a lot of bad things by saying the receipients will receive their reward in heaven (slavery, killing of non-combatants, failing to relieve hunger and suffering).

This is not a limited to Islam of course. At one time in history, European land owners were believed to have said to their workers, don't worry if you are starving on earth, because you will receive pie in the sky.

Answer 3

Great, nice promise. Now what about in this world?

"I have not seen any woman suffer as much as a believing woman." Aisha, Muhammad's wife, Sahih Bukhari, vol. 7, book 77, no. 5825. If this was true when Muhammad was alive, could it really have gotten better with time and inevitable distortion, especially in as misogynistic a place as Arabia?

In Pakistan (under Shariah Law), nearly 75% of the women in prison are there because THEY were raped. A womans testimony on most cases is considered untrustworthy, and when it is accepted there must be two women to equal one man. You misrepresent both Islam and its "prophet". It is neither a peaceful nor a just tradition.

Answer 4

I'm glad you support women's freedom and emancipation from men.

I hope you can convince the rest of the men in the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia and Iran.

(sincere)

Here are some of the problems. Islamic governments follow them:

Stoning to death for female adulterers

Arranged marriages to children as young as 9 (Khomeini allowed it supposedly because of Aisha's marriage to Mohammad)

Female testimony in court does not count the same as male testimony

Female genital mutilation is still practiced not as Islamic but by some groups of Muslims as a "hygienic" way to curtail debauchery

Rape victims need four witnesses, or they can be publicly beaten for "lying"

Women can't drive in Saudi Arabia. They can't leave the country or take a job without the husband's permission.

Religious police control what women wear in both Saudi and Iran. Hijab is the law.

Men can have up to four wives in some parts of the Middle East, obtain full custody of children, and yet divorce any of his wives with three sentences.

Sharia law is still a plague on the earth. Why not let people believe and do as they want? I hope you can be a force for positive change.

Answer 5

we are all equal mohammad's message from god between the duties of men and women are only a recommendation as long as there is a balance and duties are fulfilled.

the taliban are just homos that use women as sex toys. they make me sick. SEXISM is evil in my book.

Answer 6

Then how come it is ok for a Muslim man to slap a woman? How come it is ok for a Muslim man to have up to 4 wives? How come a woman has to walk behind the man? Why does the Muslim religion need 4 witnesses to convict a man of rape and the woman is killed if she can not prove her case? Why does a Muslim man get forty virgins when he enters Heaven? Muslim women are used as sex toys. Why are Muslim women circumcised so that they can not enjoy sex? Why are they forced to wear fully clothed and the men forced young girls to enter a burning building unto death because they tried to escape a fire? Why does your God require women to become suicide bombers? Why does your false Religion require you to kill us?

As Jesus would say to you. "Make a righteous Judgment."

God is love. Turn from your sins and receive His Son as your Lord and obey His commandments, then He will come into your life and show you His love. Choose life, choose Jesus. He is waiting for you to invite Him into your heart. He is a perfect Gentleman and He will never force Himself on anyone.

Answer 7

Don't worry about what Islam says, God is for everyone, man or woman.

As a matter of fact, women were not counted in the "numbers of the crowds" in the new test, because it was taken for granted that they accepted and believed. It was men raising all the hell, no pun intended.

Answer 8

If they are equal! then, why does the woman inherits half what the man inherits! It does not look so equal. Does it!
Even her word in court counts as half of the man's word. Two female witnesses equals to one man. To me that is not equal.
just some examples of many just to think about. I asked why is two women, not one! the answer I got is, so as they keep each others honest. Does that means a woman is not honest, unless there is someone with her to keep her honest! it doesn't' sound good to me. Does it to you!

The reality of life is women are not treated equally by All religions. If they are! we have yet to see it. Sorry, but women have to work harder and longer to get close to what men get. Even in religion, not just Islam. A woman has to do more. That is not fair, but that is life.

If you are OK with it. It is fine with me. None of my business.

Answer 9

One thing is what's written somewhere, another is what's practiced. For example, in Islam, women cannot marry a non-Muslem man, while men can marry a non-Muslem woman.

Women have a dress code. Men do not.

Answer 10

Are women treated exactly the same as men, no restictions on what they wear, can do, own? Can they vote and are they paid the same for the same jobs?