Are Muslim women really free if they cannot choose anything in their lives?, not even if they wanna be muslims

Question

Yes or no and please include the reasons of your way of thinking.

To the 1st person who answered
Women in many Islamic countries can't drive, own propety, go outside unaccompanied or even choose not to wear veils, if they do they are punished.

Edit
And what (islamic) countires are those would you please tell us?

Sopa
Isn't there in Saudi Arabia a raped woman inprisoned for going outside unacompanied? and for being in a car with a non relative? isn't it truth that Saudi Arab women cannot even drive?

Answer 1

Islam gave women the first rights of inheritance in history. Unfortunately, like everything else in life, Islam has been corrupted by humans and their interests. Any country claiming to following Islamic law, that prevents women from having an education, working, taling part in the most basic activities, is NOT practicing what it preaches.
In the Quran it does state that the best place for the woman is in her home. This is her protection. In her home and with her family she does not have to cover her body to avoid being annoyed or worrying that someone will disrespect her. In her home the woman is the queen. Althought the husband is the leader of the family, the wife has the right to have an influence in what takes place with the family.
All ways of life have followers that are extremists. Those men that don't value their wives, mothers and daughters like the precious gems that they are. We are to be protected, not exploited.
It is unfortunate that the media gives the most gross examples of people skewing Islam to their own benefit. In this country, in mainstream society, Islam is still unchartered territory. To many people Muslims, especially Muslim women, are such a mystery. My advice to anyone that has legitimate questions; and has not prejudged a situation, to contact a mosque and ask an Imam. Another suggestion would be to contact whyislam.org, this is an organization designed to dispell misconceptions and rumors about Islam.

Answer 2

yes i am a Saudi Muslim woman i can say for sure that woman here can do what ever they want although it is true we can't drive but we have drivers i mean in any Saudi house drivers are a must .
the driving is more of a cultural thing as in people here are not used to seeing woman driving they feel it is beneath her
BUT we can own property actually it wasn't a long time ago when western woman couldn't own property and was considered to be her husbands property herself, that was never the case at the same time when western women couldn't have their rights Muslim women had their full rights!
AND we can go outside by our selves ! where do you get your facts from as they are FALSE :)

Answer 3

They are free to choose a lot of things, even apostatize from Islam. Of course in Muslim countries they'll be killed for doing it, but they're still free to choose.

Even in non-Muslim countries the killing may be done by their families. Sadly, there are all too many "honor" killings.

I know they like to make comparison with Christians and say they do as much evil, but saying that killing your children is honourable is not one of them.

Edit: Well, the Quran Says you can beat your wife (lightly). Is that fair to women?

Noble Verses 4:34-36 "(34). 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)."

The thing about this writing, they only need the "fear" (suspicion) of disloyalty to justify beating their wife. A jealous husband can beat his wife anytime without a valid reason. It doesn't happen as often to Muslim women in western countries because in most of those countries it is illegal to beat your wife. In Muslim countries, it's another thing.

Beside I've seen some of the photos of these "light" beatings. Does it also include burning the majority of their body, and putting them into the hospital?

Answer 4

Yes they are free, believe it or not. Now, not all muslims follow islam as they should, thats why you have these so-called muslims mistreating women, and that is forbidden in Islam. It just depends what country the muslim woman lives in. The woman has the right to choose who she marries, if she wants to divorce, what she wears, and if she wants to be a muslim. In Islam, the men have certain rights over the woman, and the woman has certain rights over the man, but it balances out for them to be equal in their roles.

Answer 5

Where did you get the idea that they could not choose anything in there lives?

Muslim women are just as free as Christian women.

[Edit] Robin, Islam does not support killing people. Neither Honor Killings. Get your facts straight. Muslim woman can choose to convert to other religions, wear hijab, anything. There is a difference between culture and religion.

[[Edit]] Yes, Muslim in many COUNTRIES can't. That is the rules of the country, not the religion itself.

Answer 6

Apparently, religions think that freedom is overrated. Religions talk about free will, but god help you if you use it.

Answer 7

Thats a calumny
Please read the article below:

WOMEN'S LIBERATION THROUGH ISLAM

Today people think that women are liberated in the West and that thewomen's liberation movement began in the 20th century. Actually, thewomen's liberation movement was not begun by women but was revealed by Godto a man in the seventh century by the name of Muhammad (peace be uponhim), who is known as the last Prophet of Islam. The Qur'an and theTraditions of the Prophet (Hadith or Sunnah) are the sources from whichevery Muslim woman derives her rights and duties.

I. HUMAN RIGHTS

Islam, fourteen centuries ago, made women equally accountable to God inglorifying and worshipping Him - setting no limits on her moral progress. Also, Islam established a woman's equality in her humanity with men.

In the Qur'an, in the first verse of the chapter entitled "Women," Godsays, "O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created youfrom a single soul and from it its mate and from them both have spreadabroad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty toward Allahin Whom you claim (your rights) of one another, and towards the wombs (that bore you). Lo! Allah has been a Watcher over you." (4:1)

Since men and women both came from the same essence, they are equal in their humanity. Women cannot be by nature evil (as some religious believe) or then men would be evil also. Similarly, neither gender can be superior because it would be a contradiction of equality.

II. CIVIL RIGHTS

In Islam, a woman has the basic freedom of choice and expression based on recognition of her individual personality. First, she is free to choose her religion. The Qur'an states: "There is no compulsion in religion. Right has been made distinct from error." (2:256)

Women are encouraged in Islam to contribute their opinions and ideas. There are many traditions of the Prophet (pbuh) which indicate women would pose questions directly to him and offer their opinions concerning religion, economics and social matters.

A Muslim woman chooses her husband and keeps her name after marriage. A Muslim woman's testimony is valid in legal disputes. In fact, in areas in which women are more familiar, their evidence is conclusive.

III. SOCIAL RIGHTS

The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Seeking knowledge is a mandate for every Muslim (male and female)." This includes knowledge of the Qur'an and the Hadith as well as other knowledge. Men and women both have the capacity for learning and understanding. Since it is also their obligation to promote good behavior and condemn bad behavior in all spheres of life, Muslim women must acquire the appropriate education to perform this duty in accordance with their own natural talents and interests.

While maintenance of a home, providing support to her husband, and bearing, raising and teaching of children are among the first and very highly regarded roles for a woman, if she has the skills to work outside the home for the good of the community, she may do so as long as her family obligations are met.

Islam recognizes and fosters the natural differences between men and women despite their equality. Some types of work are more suitable for men and other types for women. This in no way diminishes either's effort nor its benefit. God will reward both sexes equally for the value of their work, though it may not necessarily be the same activity.

Concerning motherhood, the Prophet (pbuh) said: "Heaven lies under the feet of mothers." This implies that the success of a society can be traced to the mothers that raised it. The first and greatest influence on a person comes from the sense of security, affection, and training received from the mother. Therefore, a woman having children must be educated and conscientious in order to be a skillful parent.

IV. POLITICAL RIGHTS

A right given to Muslim women by God 1400 years ago is the right to vote. On any public matter, a woman may voice her opinion and participate in politics. One example, narrated in the Qur'an (60:12), is that Muhammad (pbuh) is told that when the believing women come to him and swear their allegiance to Islam, he must accept their oath. This established the right of women to select their leader and publicly declare so. Finally, Islam does not forbid a woman from holding important positions in government. Abdur-Rahman Ibn Auf consulted many women before he recommended Uthman Ibn Affan to be the Caliph.

V. ECONOMIC RIGHTS

The Qur'an states: "By the creation of the male and female; Verily, (the ends) ye strive for are diverse." (92:3-4)

In these verses, God declares that He created men and women to be different, with unique roles, functions and skills. As in society, where there is a division of labor, so too in a family; each member has different responsibilities. Generally, Islam upholds that women are entrusted with the nurturing role, and men, with the guardian role. Therefore, women are given the right of financial support.

The Qur'an states: "Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend of their wealth (for the support of women)." (4:34)

This guardianship and greater financial responsibility is given to men, requires that they provide women with not only monetary support but also physical protection and kind and respectful treatment.

The Muslim woman has the privilege to earn money, the right to own property, to enter into legal contracts and to manage all of her assets in any way she pleases. She can run her own business and no one has any claim on her earnings including her husband. The Qur'an states:

"And in no wise covet those things in which Allah hath bestowed His gifts more freely on some of you than on others; to men is allotted what they earn, and to women, what they earn; but ask Allah of His bounty, for Allah hath full knowledge of all things." (4:32)

A woman inherits from her relatives. The Qur'an states: "For men there is a share in what parents and relatives leave, and for women there is a share of what parents and relatives leave, whether it be little or much - an ordained share." (4:7)

VI. RIGHTS OF A WIFE

The Qur'an states: "And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may live in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between you; Verily, in that are signs for people who reflect." (30:21)

Marriage is therefore not just a physical or emotional necessity, but in fact, a sign from God! It is a relationship of mutual rights and obligations based on divine guidance. God created men and women with complimentary natures, and in the Qur'an, He laid out a system of laws to support harmonious interaction between the sexes.

"...They are your garments and you are their garments." (2:187)

Clothing provides physical protection and covers the beauty and faults of the body. Likewise, a spouse is viewed this way. Each protects the other and hides the faults and compliments the characteristics of the spouse.

To foster the love and security that comes with marriage, Muslim wives have various rights. The first of the wife's rights is to receive mahr, a gift from the husband which is part of the marriage contract and required for the legality of the marriage.

The second right of a wife is maintenance. Despite any wealth she may have, her husband is obligated to provide her with food, shelter and clothing. He is not forced, however, to spend beyond his capability and his wife is not entitled to make unreasonable demands. The Qur'an states: "Let the man of means spend according to his means, and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him. Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him." (65:7)

God tells us men are guardians over women and are afforded the leadership in the family. His responsibility for obeying God extends to guiding his family to obey God at all times.

A wife's rights also extend beyond material needs. She has the right to kind treatment. The Prophet (pbuh) said: "The most perfect believers are the best in conduct. And the best of you are those who are best to their wives." God tells us He created mates and put love, mercy, and tranquillity between them.

Both men and women have a need for companionship and sexual needs, and marriage is designed to fulfill those needs. For one spouse to deny this satisfaction to the other, temptation exists to seek it elsewhere.