Summarized
from:
What Does She Expect Better?
|
Islam
gave women rights and privileges at a time when only barbaric manners and
values dominated.
Yet, some people argue that Islam has alienated women in some domains. In fact, this belief is a misconception. People who say so, may have read about it in a magazine or seen it on TV. A quick examination of the issues judged as unjust to women will certainly correct the misunderstanding.
Man as
the head of the household:
Some
people believe that a woman in Islam is regarded as inferior to man since the
Quran says (what means):"Men have one degree above women." [Quran
2: 228]
In the
Quran it also says (what means): "Men are the protectors
and maintainers of women, because Allaah has given the one more than the other
and because men support them from their means." [Quran
4:34]
This
verse implies that it is a man's duty to support his wife, and not the reverse,
but this, in no way, makes him superior to her.
In
fact, the rights and responsibilities of a woman are equal to those of a man
but they are not necessarily identical. Since men and women are not created
identical, they have different physical and emotional qualities, jobs and
privileges. This does not mean that women are inferior.
On the
contrary, women are considered crucial members of society in Islam since they
are assigned the job of bringing up future generations. People today tend to
look down at housewives but, in fact, raising children is one of the most
important and difficult tasks. The way a mother brings up her child determines
the way he will behave in the future. This duty, which requires patience, love,
understanding and wisdom was significantly assigned to women in Islam because
her nature suits this job.
Allaah
The Exalted, in His Wisdom, has assigned a role for each member of the family
so that there would be no arguments concerning who should do what. If a
sailboat has two leaders, each will want to follow a path, leading ultimately
to chaos and even a crash. In the same manner, how many times have your parents
fought over some decision because each had their own point of view and wanted
to apply it? This is precisely why it is preferable to have one leader for each
household. However, this does not give the leader the right to be a dictator,
or to neglect the role of his companion. This does not make him superior to other
members of his family. It just gives him a larger duty.
Inheritance:
Some
people claim that Islam is unjust towards women because it entitles them to
inherit half of what men get. In fact, those people only know one side of the
truth.
First,
the principle of women inheriting half the money is only applicable in 45
percent of the cases. In the other 55 percent, women inherit the same amount or
sometimes even more. For example, a mother and a father each inherit the sixth
of their son's property when they are not the only inheritors.
In
addition, the laws of inheritance in Islam are proportional to the duties of
spending. Indeed, a man in Islam has the responsibility of supporting his
family, his brother's children (when his brother dies), his parents (when they
retire and do not have an income), his children from his previous marriage (if
he has them) and his household, including his wife and children. A woman, on
the other hand, does not bear this responsibility. She has the freedom to use
the money she collects from her dowry or work as she pleases.
You
might object here, saying that women today are working and helping their
husbands pay the expenses, which entitles them to share equality with men. In
fact, you should know that women's economic assistance to their husbands, which
has become the norm today, is only an answer to the females’ wishes. Islam does
not oblige women to spend on their households. It is a free choice many women
have themselves taken today to feel more liberated, so it does not entitle them
to a bigger portion of the inheritance.
Polygyny:
Polygyny
is one of the most questioned principles that Islam grants men and women.
Indeed, many people wrongfully accuse Islam of injustice because it allows a
man to have up to four wives. Nevertheless, like every instruction in the
Quran, polygyny has a reason. You see, Islam is a practical religion that
acknowledges the needs and temptations of human beings and provides laws that
deal with them, thus preserving harmony and morality.
- Polygyny
might be the solution for a couple if the wife is barren, the husband wants
children of his own and the option of separation does not appeal to both
parties.
- If
a woman is chronically ill and is unable to perform her marital duties.
Polygyny may also be the solution when the couple does not want divorce.
- Polygyny
is the religion's answer to cases where some men have excessive sexual needs
that cannot be fulfilled by one wife. This in no way means that men should
abuse this right and use it whenever they fancy a woman. It is rather a chance
Islam has provided to prevent men from committing adultery. Many people who
condemn polygyny cheat on their wives, calling this phenomenon a 'swift
affair.' Islam, at least, has offered the second woman the option of being
called 'a wife' rather than 'a mistress', especially in some countries where
women remarkably outnumber men.
- Polygyny
may settle the problem of an increased number of unmarried women, especially
during wars.
However,
polygyny has some limits and conditions to be met. Indeed, the Quran instructs
the man to be fair with his wives on all levels, including treatment, money,
house, etc. The only level where the man may have an uneven stance is the level
of the feelings that he cannot control:
The Quran says (what means): "You
will never be able to do perfect justice between wives even if it is your
ardent desire, so do not incline too much to one of them [by giving her more of
your time and provision] so as to leave the other hanging [i.e. neither divorced
nor married]. And if you do justice, and do all that is right and fear Allaah
by keeping away from all that is wrong, then Allaah is Ever-Forgiving and
All-Merciful." [Quran 4:129]
Finally,
it is worth knowing that Islam gives a woman the right to refuse polygyny for
her husband by setting it as a condition during the marriage procedures. If
this condition is set, then the woman is granted divorce if her husband marries
another while he is still married to her.
You
might ask, why could not there be polyandry (a woman having more than one
husband)? The answer is simple. Islam did not allow it because Allaah is
All-Aware that it will create a problem of kinship. This means that the child
may not know who is actually his father (it could be anyone of the four
husbands). In addition to the psychological damage it may cause, this problem
also complicates the issue of inheritance. Even birds and animals do not allow
polyandry.
In
fact, to understand this Quranic verse, you should see another one, related to
the issue in question. It reveals the wisdom behind this concept.
|
Summarized
This entry was posted in
Are Muslim women oppressed
.
Bookmark the permalink.
