Does Islam respect women?

Question

Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).

me, here is some more food for thought: Once Allah's Apostle went out to the Musalla (to offer the prayer) o 'Id-al-Adha or Al-Fitr prayer. Then he passed by the women and said, "O women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you (women)." They asked, "Why is it so, O Allah's Apostle ?" He replied, "You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you." The women asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What is deficient in our intelligence and religion?" He said, "Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?" They replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isn't it true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?" The women replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her religion."

Answer 1

Islam does respect women by protecting them. In Islam, God has given the husband more authority than the wife over certain things, and both wife and husband have rights, and the in islam, both partners must respect each other. Also about the beating, that is just a figurative verse; in Islam, it is absolutely forbidden to beat the spouse, you can only "beat" them with miswak(a small toothpick type used to clean the mouth), which is just saying that that is how forbidden beating is, and if you hit the other spouse with miswak, it will seem so funny and you will forget why you fought in the first place. Islam means peace, and Muslim means follower of peace. God does not prefer one gender over the other. In your hadith, 1 man is equal to two women because women are more emotional, sensitive, then men; but Islam does not say that women are to be mistreated, ever. Women are also known to make more haste decisions based on their feelings and emotions.
Please refer to the following websites: they are very helpful.

"Treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers."
From the last sermon of Prophet Mohammed

Answer 2

If u go deeper in Sharia law u will find that is only up to scholars to interpret and advice according to the specific circumstances where the "facts" took place...is more complicated than just saying what u say. Coz amongst other things u would have to see whether the woman is muslim or not, or the raper, if he is muslim or not, if he is single or not, if he is his relative, etc. Sometimes men can be victims of slandering... And in the case of inheriting, no need of inheriting more in a ideal muslim community were men are responsible to take care of females.Where a woman is allowed to work and keep the money she earns for her only.Where brother´s and man relatives are meant to protect her as well as her children. I am a muslim by choice and I havent been forced to nothing, nor I have been treated unfairly but that is because I know well my rights and the way we should interpret this things. Maybe u can start ur research with something simple like this link...and then go to a islamic library there are plenty in London because only there u can get accurate information. Look for books written by Hamza Yusuf

Answer 3

The Eminent, The Exalted in Might (Al-‘Azeez)
39:5 He created the heavens and the earth in true (proportions): He makes the Night overlap the Day, and the Day overlap the Night: He has subjected the sun and the moon (to His law): Each one follows a course for a time appointed. Is not He the Exalted in Power - He Who forgives again and again?

Interpretation:
(Linguistically, this name encompasses three aspects: there are very few who compare to God’s significance; there is an intense need for Him, though access to Him proves difficult, and He is the defeater. God is the only one who is described by the three criteria together.)

Practical Application:
(Eminent believers are those to whom others turn in important matters, such as the afterlife and eternal happiness. Believers should not glorify anyone or anything other than God, by their speech, actions or in their hearts.)

Answer 4

The Bible tells of many strong women...Esther, Ruth & Judith, for example.

Quoting the Quoran or the Bible for any Holy Book, is wrought with mis-interpretation. My Dad says that the Bible can be quoted to serve the Devil's purposes...

I believe that a woman's place in society is governed more by her culture & tradition than her religion. It all depends on where she lives. You'll find many very submissive Christian women in village areas but you'll find them very modern & independent in the cities. Am certain this applies to Muslim ladies as well.

Answer 5

Some 19 yr old woman in Saudi Arabia just got 6 months and 200 lashes for being a victim of rape. Wrong place wrong time, male escort was not a relative, both pulled from their car, beaten, and the woman raped by several men.

A 17 yr old was stoned to death in Afghanistan for being a Kurd dating a Sunni.

Does Allah (pbhn) want men to protect women, as long as they maintain a 10 foot distance behind them, and obey?

Most Islamic countries are progressing. Last year women ran for political offices in Kuwait. None won, and most received death threats and a few had their rally tents burnt down, but at least they ran.

It is RADICAL Islam that treats woman as sub-human. But beware, all the so-called "Moderate" Moslems, allow the radical cancer to spread, and your world will change before your eyes.

Unfortunately it is not just Moslem women, Moslem men hold in distain, Filipina, Pakistani, Indian, and other Third Country Nationals living and working as servants in the middle east are beaten, raped and even killed by their employers daily.

Answer 6

More so than any other religion, lets not be hypocritical
Christianity calls women the original sin
Christians do not even follow Christianity, I mean in England women could not even own property or get a divorce. In Islam that right was given 1400 years ago.
Plus most of the Quran is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and a mother has more right than the father, and well the mother's feet are symbolic for heaven

Answer 7

read timothy, corinthians and epehsians to see how much the catholic church respects them. all those passages about how women are to remain silent..
the only difference is with chritianity the women do what they want anyway.

Answer 8

you bet ye, they beat the crap out of them if they get out of line.