Tuesday, March 9, 2010

A Women’s Day




It’s the sign of times…. in that we name a day, then coo and pooh, and end up preening shooing over how modern we are and how evolved we are and how clever we are. Its good economics, good psychology and an opportunity to play the great deception.

In principle what it should be all about is the alleviation of the suffering of women and ameliorating the perception of women. The first step towards solving any problem is identifying the problem.

The fact is that since the beginning of time, we have been abused as women, in every conceivable way. In bygone eras, we had been identified primarily as a means of satisfying men’s lusts and secondarily as a means of producing children. In Christian Europe until the 19 & 20th centuries women were considered mere chattel and it was often hotly debated if we had even a soul. Hindu, Jewish and Buddhist perception of women was little different.

From East to West, North to South, from the stone ages women were subjected to brutality, unfairness and hardship. She was recognized as sex objects and often treated as quasi sex slaves with no recognized rights to her self and her property. Inequality and injustice seemed women’s only birth rights.

Which of the above would anyone deny?

The crux of the problem has always been that down the ages women were perceived as only useful for sex and procreation. Since she could poorly defend herself she was subject to all kinds of harassment both blatant and subtle and exploited for sex and hard labour. This is what happened then, and this is what happens now. Thus in most so called developed societies where reliable statistics are available, every few seconds a women is raped, every few seconds a women is battered, every few minutes a women is murdered, every few seconds a women’s right and honour is trampled, and every few moments women are exploited.

Their in lies the problems faced by women THEN and NOW. Whether it be a women living 5000 years back or a women living in Europe, Asia, North or South America NOW, is different only in the shades and subtleties of discrimination and this being the result of the differences in social and economic realities across the ages. There is in varying degrees exploitation of women based on her sex and brutality, rape injustice for no other reason but her sex.

What is the solution?

More laws …..; as the MUPPETS - both men and women amongst our midst advocate? If laws were the answer! Law-enforcement was the answer; we would have women living in equality, harmony sans prejudice, sans exploitation, harassment and free of violence, hindrance & honour in the bastions of Western democracies. However even in these very countries women have the most startling and horrendous statistics; thus belying the stated premise that ….. “Law and law-enforcement” offers the solutions to problems faced by us women.

I boldly state that the solution to Women’s problems lies in following Allah’s Commandments to the letter. In other words, following the Holy Koran and the Sahih Hadis. In short our rights to human dignity, and our sort in this world and the next can only be guaranteed by following Allah’s deen ONLY.

Let’s all turn together and grasp the rope of Allah. Let’s fight tooth and nail for our salvation and for the salvations of the children that we bear Insha Allah tomorrow. Let’s remind our brothers the great testament that our beloved prophet, the Messenger of Allah – Peace and Blessings be on him, his family & companions, left us on his final sermon on his farewell pilgrimage.

84 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is it right for you to call people names such as “muppets’, because they do not share your views? What are you beating about the bush? What is your point?

Anonymous said...

i love your blog i really really love your blog.

Anonymous said...

This s sooooooooooooooooooo ABSURD. GROBR

Anonymous said...

Why do not go and pitch your tent in saudia?

island kid said...

You are a naïve person, serving a lost cause and a stupid blog. This is 2010. The French revolution, The World wars and the Industrial revolution has long given its fruits. Women are liberated and the world recognizes that women are a major chunk of production and the standard of living of societies.

Gone are the days when you can take women for granted. Without women men cannot even piss straight. The Oaf’s are good for nothing but to oil women’s desires and phantasies. Women WILL have their day, and for your information Women have not just one day but 365 days. Tell your tales to the birds and whackos

Anonymous said...

I like the muppets.:-)

hilmy said...

Aisha…
Very happy to note that unlike jasmine you are wise not commenting on Quran verses and Hadis. You are wise because you are not talking things you are not trained to talk about.

Island kid ….
I pray you grow up

Thakuru said...

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

Masha Allah, beautiful reminder. May Allah bless u -Amin-

Anonymous said...

"Women are liberated" meaning they've been brainwashed to dress-up in rubber fetishes

"and the world recognizes that women are a major chunk of production" meaning women are considered an important marketing commodity plastered over billboards

"..and the standard of living of societies" meaning women are useful for sex and procreation

Jam said...

Isn’t it just amazing that when the WHOLE WORLD was steeped in prejudice against women 1400 years ago, when women was seen as little more than sex objects and bad news, Allah revealed the following…..

"And among His signs is this: that He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest and peace of mind in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Certainly, herein indeed are signs for people who reflect." [Noble Quran 30:21]

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manners and kindest to his wife." [Abu Dawud]

HOW AMAZING IS THIS!

All Praises are to Allah!

pickle said...

@ jam

Go bottle yorself dear. Whats so impressive about that? That is what is called progress by probability. Nothing to go gaga.

Y said...

@ pickles, jams, apples, grapes

Comeon man! Womans was treated like shit. Islam gave them biggest status ever hoped for. Its not multiplication, division or probability. It is revelation. All society treats them mean and ugly. Only Islam gives them hope. The mo0re society take islam to the heart, better sort for woman. The big danger is missing message of islam. More women must study our Nabi Kareem’s life and show real position given by Allah to women. Gold for woman. Silver for womans and bronze also for womans. Consolotion only prize belongs unto man.

Allah is the All-Knower.

Disgusted me said...

Women in Maldives are subjected more and more to degradation in their daily lives. We cannot walk on the streets without somebody casting some ugly remarks, somebody trying to physically touch us or stared at in the crudest manner. Further men and boys even follow us, keep giving dirty calls. Also in families men use violence on us and always women are rated second class citizens. To make things worst there are no laws in this country to safe guard women. We need more women to represent us in parliament and the law enforcement agencies. Women should come out. Fight for our rights. Make sure the constitution and ours laws makes men think twice before they trample the rights of women.

Anonymous said...

There are many verses in the Holy Quran that make clear the position of men & women. 16:106 is one such verse.

"Whose disbelieves in Allah, after he has believed - excepting him who has been compelled, and his heart is still at rest with the Faith - but whosoever's breast is expanded in unbelief, upon them shall rest anger from Allah, and there awaits them a mighty chastisement."

Y-me said...

"And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women." [Noble Quran 2:228]

concerned said...

@ digusted me

Alhamdhulillahi Shukr! many posts that you can read and take heart. Islam is not how Muslims practice Islam. Islam is only how Allah revealed His religion. Its not faaaaaaaaaar away. The Koran is very accessible. The Prophets Hadis is also close at hand.

Do not Give up on Islam! Islam is soooooooooooooo beautiful. You dive into it and you will be wonderstruck with its glorious beauty. Understanding it will bring you serenity and a peace that keeps on growing and growing.

May Allah help us attain this Peace.

Anonymous said...

Amin

Anonymous said...

Ameen! This verse I like very much and I like to share.

033.035
YUSUFALI: For Muslim men and women,- for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise,- for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward.

Anonymous said...

May Allahu Bless you dear brothers and sisters. I am enjoying reading these so much. You all have moved me so much today. Thank you.

"And who is better in speech than he who invites to Allah and does righteous deeds, and says: 'I am one of the Muslims.'" [al-Qur'aan, Fussilat(41):33]

Copy Cat said...

Someone had posted this before, and it reminded me of this. How appropiate. :-)))))


(In the name of Allah)

Allah(swt) says in surah Hajj:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُدَافِعُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا

Truly, Allah defends those who believe. (22:38)

This ayah brings ease and comfort during these difficult times for our Ummah. Alhamdulillah, our Rabb is Most Wise and Most Merciful and He Loves those who have emaan.

Imam Sa’di rahimahullah states beautifully regarding this ayah:

This is an announcement, a promise and glad tidings from Allah for the believers that Allah will repel from them every misfortune and He will repel from them every evil, because of their emaan, from the evil of the disbelievers, the evil of the whispers of shaytan, the evil from their own selves and from their wrong deeds. He takes away that which they cannot bear and He eases their affairs.

Every believer is entitled to this protection and blessing depending on how great their Emaan is.

May Allah increase our eeman and guide us to his path. (Amin)

Anonymous said...

"Who so does that which is right, and believes, whether male or female, him or her will We quicken to happy life." {16:97}

Anonymous said...

The Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him) reportedly said,

"Women are the twin halves of men."

The Quran emphasizes the essential unity of men and women in a most beautiful simile: Holy Quran 2:187


"They (your wives) are your garment and you are a garment for them."

Anonymous said...

@ disgusted me..

The Quran admonishes those men who oppress or ill-treat women: [4:19]

"O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dowry you have given them - except when they have become guilty of open lewdness. On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take a dislike to them, it may be that you dislike something and Allah will bring about through it a great deal of good."

Anonymous said...

Another beautiful verse....

30/21
"And among His signs is this, that He has created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them; and He has put love and mercy between you. Verily in that are signs for those who reflect."

Anonymous said...

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was full of praise for virtuous and chaste women. He said: "The world and all things in the world are precious but the most precious thing in the world is a virtuous woman."

sceptic said...

Following is an extract from a non-muslim site. Please can somebody confirm or negate if as said in that site its attributable to Islamic texts ....

The best of men are those who are best to their wives, and the best of women are those who are best to their husbands. The best of women are those who assist their husbands in their work, and love them dearly for everything.

The world and all things in the world are precious but the most precious thing in the world is a virtuous woman. Shall I not inform you about the best treasure a man can hoard? It is a virtuous wife who pleases him whenever he looks towards her, and who guards herself when he is absent from her.

The best property a man can have is a tongue speaking of God, a grateful heart, and a believing wife who helps him in his faith.

The whole world is a commodity and the best of the commodities of the world is a virtuous wife.

hi said...

Prophet's narrations speak of women with praise and respect.

He (SAW) once said:"The world and all things in it are precious and the most precious thing in the world is a virtuous woman."(Ahmad and Muslim)

I dont know abt rest....sorry

James said...

Lots of feel good stuff here to read. However I feel your religion respects only men and considers women as only second standard citizens. Why is that??

Anonymous said...

“Verily the most honourable of you in the sight of Allaah is the most God conscious”
Qur’an 49:13

Anonymous said...

@James

Maybe mostly because thts how it is being portrayed by most of the media, but the truth of the matter is, here or there, ours or yours, women r being ill treatd as the main post in this page suggest. They r weak they r vulnerable nd thus naturally become a better target for abuse. Islam condemns such actions nd if ur in doubt abt this, then insha Allah I mayb able show you the necessary proof.

May Allah guide us all -Amin-

Anonymous said...

James, read the many ayats of quran commented here, so why do stil feel islam degrades women?

Anonymous said...

@ James

What you feel?

my advice - please be objective. Layed out here are the many verses by people that clearly points to the status of women in Islam. Its up to you to show any "source" docs in Islam that demonstrates that Islam respects only men and considers women as only second standard citizens ; as you state in your post.

The fact is both men and women can only have an edge over the other with respect to their human status only on the basis of PIETY, and not on sex.

Do your reserch. May Allah Guide you and us to the truth!

Anonymous said...

It looks as if Women and men have the same rights and obligations, when it comes to education. Isn't this the conclusion from the following Prophet Muhammad's* saying:

"Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every believer." [Ibn Majah]

One would think "believer" includes both men and women. Allah knows best.

Rai said...

Dear James, some interesting points to take note if u will. Taken from Dr. Badawi..

Athenian women were always minors, subject to some male - to their father, to their brother, or to some of their male kin. Her consent in marriage was not generally thought to be necessary and "she was obliged to submit to the wishes of her parents, and receive from them her husband and her lord, even though he were stranger to her."

A Roman wife was described by an historian as: "a babe, a minor, a ward, a person incapable of doing or acting anything according to her own individual taste, a person continually under the tutelage and guardianship of her husband." In the Encyclopedia Britannica, we find a summary of the legal status of women in the Roman civilization:

In Roman Law a woman was even in historic times completely dependent. If married she and her property passed into the power of her husband... the wife was the purchased property of her husband, and like a slave acquired only for his benefit. A woman could not exercise any civil or public office, could not be a witness, surety, tutor, or curator; she could not adopt or be adopted, or make will or contract. Among the Scandinavian races women were: under perpetual tutelage, whether married or unmarried. As late as the Code of Christian V, at the end of the 17th Century, it was enacted that if a woman married without the consent of her tutor he might have, if he wished, administration and usufruct of her goods during her life.

According to the English Common Law:
...all real property which a wife held at the time of a marriage became a possession of her husband. He was entitled to the rent from the land and to any profit which might be made from operating the estate during the joint life of the spouses. As time passed, the English courts devised means to forbid a husband's transferring real property without the consent of his wife, but he still retained the right to manage it and to receive the money which it produced. As to a wife's personal property, the husband's power was complete. He had the right to spend it as he saw fit.
Sorry for loooooooooooooooong post.

Anonymous said...

"O Mankind, keep your duty to your Lord who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate (of same kind) and from them twain has spread a multitude of men and women...". [Noble Quran 4:1]

A scholar who pondered about this verse states: "It is believed that there is no text, old or new, that deals with the humanity of the woman from all aspects with such amazing brevity, eloquence, depth, and originality as this divine decree."

Anonymous said...

Those of you who entertain such ideas that women are somehow inferior to men because of their being male or female, please read these verses from Allah and be guided to the truth.

"He (God) it is who did create you from a single soul and therefrom did create his mate, that he might dwell with her (in love)..." Quran 7/189

"The Creator of heavens and earth: He has made for you pairs from among yourselves" Quran 42/11

"And Allah has given you mates of your own nature, and has given you from your mates, children and grandchildren, and has made provision of good things for you. Is it then in vanity that they believe and in the grace of God that they disbelieve?" Quran 16/72

(copy) Meeaooow said...

A woman is to be treated as God has endowed her, with rights, such as to be treated as an individual, with the right to own and dispose of her own property and earnings, enter into contracts, even after marriage. She has the right to be educated and to work outside the home if she so chooses. She has the right to inherit from her father, mother, and husband. A very interesting point to note is that in Islam, unlike any other religion, a woman can be an imam, a leader of communal prayer, for a group of women.
A Muslim woman also has obligations. All the laws and regulations pertaining to prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimage, doing good deeds, etc., apply to women, albeit with minor differences having mainly to do with female physiology.

Yusuf said...

@ James & like minded individuals.

Many Islamic scholars have studied the Saint Coran in depth, examined the Hadis in detail and come to the conclusion that women are completely on par with men in the sight of God in terms of rights and responsibilities. Given below are some of those verses pointing to this.

1. "Every soul will be (held) in pledge for its deeds"

2. "...So their Lord accepted their prayers, (saying): I will not suffer to be lost the work of any of you whether male or female. You proceed one from another..."

3. "Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily to him will We give a new life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to their actions."

4. If any do deeds of righteousness,- be they male or female - and have faith, they will enter Heaven, and not the least injustice will be done to them.

1= Coran 74;38 2= 3;195 3=16;97 4.=4;124

As someone has noted above one has to beware of the press that always tries to malign Islam and Muslims by portraying certain tribal, cultural and similar peculiarities of people as the position of women in Islam. This is unfair and unethical.

This is a very vast subject and with many angles. It’s truly fascinating to learn about the position of women in Islam - a stand taken in the deserts of Arabia by the prophet of Islam - Pbuh, some 1400 years ago. It’s a story of love, beauty, courage, hope and great promise.

A story well worth scrutinizing. Good luck and God Bless You!

Anonymous said...

attabhoy!!!! giddi up

Anonymous said...

Equal or Equaly Balanced??

“The extent of women’s emancipation is often viewed as a yardstick to be used in judging the social and political level of society. The Soviet state put an end to the discrimination against women so typical of tsarist Russia with determination and without compromise. Women gained a legally-guaranteed social status equal with men. We are proud of what the Soviet government has given women: the same right to work as men, equal pay for equal work and social security. Women have been given every opportunity to get an education, to have a career, and to participate in social and political activities. Without the contribution and selfless work of women, we would not have built a new society nor won the war against fascism.

But over the years of our difficult and heroic history, we failed to pay attention to women’s specific rights and needs arising from their role as mother and home-maker, and their indispensable educational function as regards children. Engaged in scientific research, working on construction sites, in production and in the services, and involved in creative activities, women no longer have enough time to perform their everyday duties at home – housework, the upbringing of children and the creation of a good family atmosphere. We have discovered that many of our problems – in children’s and young people’s behavior, in our morals, culture and in production – are partially caused by the weakening of family ties and slack attitude to family responsibilities. This is a paradoxical result of our sincere and politically justified desire to make women equal with men in everything. Now, in the course of perestroika, we have begun to overcome this shortcoming. That is why we are now holding heated debates in the press, in public organizations, at work and at home, about the question of what we should do to make it possible for women to return to their purely womanly mission.”

(Perestroika,chapter status of women by Mikhail Gorbachev)

Thakuru said...

Its good to see that your stil here. May Allah bless u brother Yusuf

Yusuf said...

@ Thakuru

May Allah Bless you Thakuru and all our brothers and sisters.

Yusuf said...

Brother Thakuru,

I was saddened this site came to a close, because I enjoyed reading verses and Hadis posted by brothers and sisters in Islam. I enjoyed varying thoughts and experiences shared here. Exchange of ideas is good. Encouraging each other to good and staying away from bad is the duty of each of us.

It was unpleasant to see sister Jasmine pushed into a corner many times. You and many tried to come to her defense. May Allah Bless those who defend other Muslims. Islam is our religion by choice. We all need each others love and care. Our Prophet – Pbuh showed us this in practice. May Allah bless you brother Thakuru.

Anonymous said...

"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well aware of what they do." 24:30

Copy cat said...

A complete code of modesty is laid down in the Quran as follows:

"And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty save to their husbands, or their fathers or their husbands' fathers, or their sons or their husbands' sons, or their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical desire, or small children who have no sense of sex; and that they should not stamp their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O believers! Turn all together towards Allah, that you may attain bliss."
Quran 24:31

A key term in the above verse is Zinat.

It means both natural beauty and artificial ornaments. The word as used in the above verse seems to include both meanings. Women are asked not to make a display of their figures, not to wear tight clothing that reveals their shapeliness, nor to appear in such dress except to:

their husbands,

their relatives living in the same house with whom a certain amount of informality is permissible,

their women, that is, in the strict sense, their maid-servants who are constantly in attendance on them, but in a more liberal sense, all believing women,

old or infirm men-servants, and

infants or small children who have not yet got a sense of sex

Dress Designer said...

Will you benefit from the following traditions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) dear sisters?

1.
"It is not lawful for any woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day that she should uncover her hand more than this" and then he placed his hand on his wrist joint. "When a woman reaches puberty no part of her body should remain uncovered except her face and the hand up to the wrist joint."

2.
Ayshah reports that once she appeared dressed up in nice clothes in front of her nephew, 'Abdullah ibn al-Tufail. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not approve of it. "I said, 'O Apostle of Allah, he is my nephew.' The Prophet replied, 'When a woman reaches puberty it is not lawful for her to uncover any part of her body except the face and this and then he put his hand on the wrist joint as to leave only a little space between the place he gripped and the palm."

3.
Asma', the sister of Ayshah and daughter of Abu Bakr, came before the Prophet in a thin dress that showed her body. The Prophet turned his eyes away and said, "O Asma'! When a woman reaches puberty, it is not lawful that any part of her body be seen, except this and this" - and then he pointed to his face and the palms of his hands.

Houri & Hymen Inc said...

@ Anon on Equal or Equally balanced.

Thanx for sharing Gorby’s thoughts with us. Its very interesting to note that our women in the name of progress keeps on trying to imitate women who dress freely, move about freely, talks freely and indulges in sex freely. Doesn’t this make the world we live in exciting and a nice place to live in? Please be honest?

P.S.

This why we dream of living the life of the free, exciting, meaningful and happy lives of the Western women. This brings sparkle to life.

Have you heard of Sheik Iliyas’s Houri & Hymen speech? He leaves no room to doubt what moves his fancy; does he not? The women in the West and East dress and act to meet the demands of such enlightened sheiks.

Immi said...

Some interesting data on transparent clothes. Please read and pass it on. God Bless us Amin!

Hafsah, daughter of 'Abdur-Rahman, once came before Ayshah wearing a thin shawl over her head and shoulders. Ayshah tore it up and put a thick shawl over her. The Messenger of Allah also said, "Allah has cursed those women who wear clothes yet still remain naked."

The khalifah, 'Umar, once said, "Do not clothe your women in clothes that are tight-fitting and reveal the shapeliness of the body."

Immi said...

Some interesting data on transparent clothes. Please read and pass it on. God Bless us Amin!

Hafsah, daughter of 'Abdur-Rahman, once came before Ayshah wearing a thin shawl over her head and shoulders. Ayshah tore it up and put a thick shawl over her. The Messenger of Allah also said, "Allah has cursed those women who wear clothes yet still remain naked."

The khalifah, 'Umar, once said, "Do not clothe your women in clothes that are tight-fitting and reveal the shapeliness of the body."

Anonymous said...

@ Houri & Hymen Inc

"Have you heard of Sheik Iliyas’s Houri & Hymen speech? He leaves no room to doubt what moves his fancy; does he not? The women in the West and East dress and act to meet the demands of such enlightened sheiks."

I have not heard this Houri and Hymen Speech. Can you let us know please.

Muslim said...

Lawlessness may sound exciting, chaos can also be exciting for some people, but if we come to think of the problems faced in such a community we soon realise that the dangers realy does outweigh the temporary excitements. The good may not sound exciting, the exciting may not necessarily be the good. Try to think about the problems we face in our community, drugs, theft, rape etc,etc. Some people may find these exciting, for them happines might mean to commit these crimes. So does that make any of these right?

I guess you and I define life differently nonetheless Im pretty much sure u do understand my point. Truth really does stand clear from errors.

Lastly islam is not based upon sheik ilyas speech, infact islam is not based upon any "sheiks" speech. Some sheiks may misquotes some may misunderstand. If a speech contradicts the principles of islam which is laid down in the quran and sunnah then their is nothing islam init. No, i realy didnt get the chance to hear it.

Anonymous said...

Jarir says,

"I asked the Prophet what I should do if I happened to cast a look (at a woman) by chance. The Prophet replied, 'Turn your eyes away.'"

According to Buraidah, the Prophet told the future fourth khalifah, 'Ali, not to cast a second look, for the first look was pardonable but the second was prohibited.

Anonymous said...

Abu Hurayrah says that he was sitting with the Prophet when a man came and said that he intended to marry a woman from among the Ansar (Helpers). The Prophet asked him if he had seen her. He replied in the negative. The Prophet told him to go and have a look at her because the Ansar often had a defect in their eyes. According to Jabir ibn 'Abdullah, the Prophet said that when a man sent a request to a woman for her hand in marriage, he should have a look at her to see if there was anything in her which made him inclined to marry her.

Anonymous said...

One Extreme to another extreme

Aristotle in his writings argued that women were not full human beings and that the nature of woman was not that of a full human person. As a result, women were by nature deficient, not to be trusted and to be looked down upon.

This Aristotelian view of women was later carried on into the early Christian tradition of the Catholic church. Saint Thomas of Aquinas in his writings proposed that women were the trap of Satan. The issue of Adam and Eve added a dimension to the earlier Greek ideas of Aristotle; women were the cause of the downfall of man. This type of thought was persistent within the writings of the Church fathers throughout the Middle Ages.

However, after the Protestant reformation Europe decided to free itself from the shackles and chains of the Catholic church. Ideas which have been entitled as the Age of Enlightenment or thought of as such, caused them to feel that they needed to free themselves from many of these ideas. Some of these ideas were scientific in nature, some theological in nature, as in the writings of Martin Luther; and also social in nature, like the position of women in society. However, the writers of the Enlightenment still carried not much of a switch - women where not full human beings.French writers during the revolution, like Rousseau, Voltaire and others, looked at women as a burden that needed to be taken care of.

Thereafter we find in the 1800's the first writings appearing by women and some men calling for the change of these ideas.One of the first books written was the "Vindication for the Rights of Women" by Mary Walsencraft which appeared in the 1800's. Thereafter the tradition of women receiving certain rights came.The first of these were basically legal rights because until the 1800's women were not able to own property and were not able to dispose of their wealth as men did. It is very well known that the first laws that allowed women to own property in the United States or in Europe appeared only in the last couple of decades of the 1800's.

Then came the industrial revolution. Women in the Industrial Revolution, especially England, were forced to labor for many hours in the coal mines and so forth, and would receive no pay whatsoever compared to men. So therefore the first calling of the movement was that people who work the same amount of hours deserved the same amount of money or pay.

Coming from the latter feminist movement which appeared after World War II, a new movement called for the emancipation of women not only in terms of legal rights, but it also questioned some of the morals of society and called for greater sexual freedoms for women. It contended that basically a lot of problems were caused by the institution of marriage and the ideas of family and so forth. People wrote concerning the need to break from these.

Finally , the prevalent argument in the West is that we should discuss genders, not sexes. This idea was expressed in the book called "The Age of Extremes". The author discusses the idea that there is no difference between male or female and that gender is so only due to environment. So therefore we can change the environment so that men could take the roles of women and women take the roles of men by changing the education and climate.

So we find in this 2500 year old western tradition, we come from the first extreme which was expressed by the Greeks, where women were denied their essential humanity, to this extreme expressed today where there is no differences between the sexes and it is an issue of gender, climate and environment.

Anonymous said...

Abu Hurayrah (radiallahu 'anhu) said: Rasool-Allah (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) cursed the man who wears women's clothes and the woman who wears men's clothes. [Abu Dawood and Ibn Maajah Saheeh]

'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (radiallahu 'anhumaa) said he heard Rasool-Allah (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) say: The man who resembles a woman and the woman who resembles a man is not of us (i.e., not of the believers). [Ahmad and At-Tabaraanee - Saheeh)

Anonymous said...

The Prophet (saw) said:
"Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock. The leader is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock; a man is the shepherd of his family and is responsible for his flock; a woman is the shepherd in the house of her husband and is responsible for her flock; a servant is the shepherd of his master's wealth and is responsible for it. Each of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock."(Bukhari and Muslim)

Anonymous said...

Contrary to widespread erroneous belief,
Contrary to widespread negative stereotyping, and
Contrary to regrettable practices in some Islamic societies where anti-Islamic culture traditions have won over Islamic teachings

Women have a RIGHT to choose husband of her choice. & right to refuse a proposed and/or arranged marriage.

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as having said: "A woman without a husband (or divorced or a widow) must not be married until she is consulted, and a virgin must not be married until her permission is sought. They asked the Prophet of Allah (may peace be upon him): How her (virgin's) consent can be solicited? He (the Holy Prophet) said: That she keeps silence. (Translation of Sahih Muslim, The Book of Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 008, Number 3303)"

Allah Almighty said in the Noble Quran: "O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower [money given by the husband to the wife for the marriage contract] ye have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and God brings about through it a great deal of good. (The Noble Quran, 4:19)"

The following Saying is an explanation to Noble Verse 4:19:

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: "About the Qur'anic verse: 'It is not lawful for you forcibly to inherit the woman (of your deceased kinsmen), nor (that) ye should put constraint upon them.' When a man died, his relatives had more right to his wife then her own guardian. If any one of them wanted to marry her, he did so; or they married her (to some other person), and if they did not want to marry her, they did so. So this verse was revealed about the matter. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 11, Number 2084)" So according to Noble Verse 4:19, a woman can not be forced into marriage by any mean.

Narrated AbuHurayrah: "The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: An orphan virgin girl should be consulted about herself; if she says nothing that indicates her permission, but if she refuses, the authority of the guardian cannot be exercised against her will. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 11, Number 2088)"

Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar: "The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: Consult women about (the marriage of) their daughters. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 11, Number 2090)"

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: "A virgin came to the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) and mentioned that her father had married her against her will, so the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) allowed her to exercise her choice. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 11, Number 2091)"

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: "The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: A guardian has no concern with a woman previously married and has no husband, and an orphan girl (i.e. virgin) must be consulted, her silence being her acceptance. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 11, Number 2095)"

Anonymous said...

The RIGHT for education.

"Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every muslim" (Al-Bayhaqi and Ibn-Majah)

Aisha (rali Allahu anha) used to praise women of the Ansar in the following words, “How good were the women of the Ansar that they did not shy away from learning and understanding religious matters.” (Muslim)

Sahih Al-Bukhari, the women at the time of the Prophet (Pbuh) had become so keen to acquire more knowledge that they came to the Prophet (Pbuh) with the following proposal, “You are always surrounded by men for imparting knowledge so appoint a day for us.” The Prophet (Pbuh) promised to do so and went to them and taught them

God will exalt those of you who believe and those who are given knowledge to high degrees.(58:11)

Anonymous said...

The RIGHT to get sexual satisfaction from her husband

The Prophet is reported to have upbraided one of his Companions, who was going to extremes in his devotion to worship: "O Abdullah, have I not been informed that you fast all day and stand in prayer all night?" Abdullah said, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah". He said, "Do not do that. Observe the fast at some times and refrain from fasting at others. Stand in prayer at night, then sleep. Your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you and your wife has a right over you". (Bukhari)

Industrial Revolution said...

@ anon...

Thanks this info...

Then came the industrial revolution. Women in the Industrial Revolution, especially England, were forced to labor for many hours in the coal mines and so forth, and would receive no pay whatsoever compared to men. So therefore the first calling of the movement was that people who work the same amount of hours deserved the same amount of money or pay.

Anonymous said...

I wish the comments can be numbered dear.

Anonymous said...

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: "A virgin came to the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) and mentioned that her father had married her against her will, so the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) allowed her to exercise her choice. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 11, Number 2091)"

Anonymous said...

Does anyone knows the source of the following saying, please?

The Prophet of Islam, peace be upon him, said: ‘Women are the twin halves of men.’

Anonymous said...

Surah 16 Verse 97.

Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.

Anonymous said...

An amazing verse

4/1
O mankind! revere your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single soul, created, of like nature, its mate, and from the two, scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;- revere God, through whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (revere) the wombs (That bore you): for God ever watches over you.

Anonymous said...

It has been noted once, please let us remember again ..

The Qur'an emphasizes the essential unity of men and women in a most beautiful metaphor:

...They (Your wives) are your garments and ye are their garments. ....


Surah 2 Verse 187

Copy cat said...

extract from a work of brother in Islam Yusuf Estees.


Islam does not consider woman "an instrument of the devil", but rather the Qur'an calls her muhsana, a fortress against Satan. This is because a good woman, by marrying a man, helps him keep to the path of rectitude in his life. It is for this reason that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) considered marriage as a most virtuous act.

The Qur'an has given the raison d'etre of marriage in the following words:
And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.

Surah 30 Verse 21

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) always praised virtuous and chaste women. He said:

‘The world and all things in the world are precious, but the most precious thing in the world is a virtuous woman.’

He (pbuh) was also most emphatic in enjoining upon Muslims, to be kind to their women, when he delivered his famous sermon, khutbat al-wada’ on the Mount of Mercy, at Arafat. This was in the presence of one hundred and twenty-four thousand of his Companions. who had gathered there for hajjat al-wada’ (farewell pilgrimage). It was in this famous Farewell Sermon that he ordered Muslim men to be respectful and kind towards women.

He said: ‘Fear God regarding women. Verily you have married them with the trust of God, and made their bodies lawful with the word of God. You have got (rights) over them, and they have got (rights) over you …’

Anonymous said...

RE: Sheik Iliyas's lecture that you call "Virgins and regenerating hymens".


Islam is based on naql (texts) and ‘aql (intellect). Some people just have the texts – we call them naql-heads.

-- Shaykh Hamza Yusuf (LOL)

Harun said...

Such people as these leaves a person with a bitter taste. Dont confuse the peals to the fruit. Consider ......

A learned man who doesn’t restrain his passions is like a blind man holding a torch, he guides others but not himself.
-Shaykh Sa’di

Anonymous said...

@ Aisha & Jasmine

Are you a fairytale? [Why?] Because you can't be for real.

Not-Anonymous said...

@Anon

And why cant they be for real?

Anonymous said...

It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about a man who finds some wetness (on his clothes) but did not have an erotic dream, and he said, “He should do ghusl.”He was asked about a man who had an erotic dream but did not find any wetness, and he said,“He does not have to do ghusl.” Umm Salamah said, “O Messenger of Allaah, if a woman sees that, does she have to do ghusl?” He said, “Yes, for women are the twin halves of men.(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 113; Ahmad, 25663. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 98)

Anonymous said...

@Anonymous (naql-heads)

It wil be much better & beneficial if you could concentrate more on the content rather than the person. If you are in dispute with what sheikh ilyas said then you should refer the matter to the quran and the sunnah.

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

Prophet Muhammad's(saw) Last Sermon

After praising, and thanking Allah, he(saw) said:

“O People, listen well to my words, for I do not know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Treat others justly so that no one would be unjust to you.

Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (riba), therefore all riba obligation shall henceforth be waived*. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no riba and that all the riba due to `Abbas ibn `Abd al Muttalib shall henceforth be waived.

Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabi`ah ibn al Harith ibn `Abd al Muttalib.

O Men, the Unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to forbid that which Allah has made permissible. With Allah the months are twelve in number. Four of them are sacred, three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Sha`ban. Beware of the devil, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights over your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers. It is your right and they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste...

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, perform your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your financial obligation (zakah) of your wealth. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and you will answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or messenger will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I am leaving you with the Book of Allah (the Qurân) and my Sunnah (the life style and the behavioral mode of the Prophet), if you follow them you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people.”

Anonymous said...

@Anonymous (naql-heads).

It wil be much better & beneficial if you could concentrate more on the content rather than the person. If you are in dispute with what sheikh ilyas said then you should refer the matter to the quran and the sunnah.

I have nothing against the person of this sheik Iliyas. Its more to do with applying what he has presumably learnt on his way to his sheik-hood.

Am I wrong in saying that God has invited Muslims to present Islam in the best of discourses?

This of necessity means to take stock of to whom one addresses and must take into account the potential to do harm or good. No longer is one struck in the bottom of a well, rather one is connected by all ranges of waves to all the distant loci of the world.

Sheik Illiyas’s sermon on sex in heaven, has the potential to play to the stereotypes of Muslims presented by the world media. One has over 6000 verses of the Korans and tens of thousands of Hadis at one’s disposal. IS THIS ALL THAT HE CAN DO, WITH ALL THIS WEALTH OF DIVINE REVELATION TO MOTIVATE THE YOUTH OF TODAY?

What is it that I get the sneaky idea that the good Sheik is time trapped in a long time gone by with different psyches. It would do well to remind the Good sheik that he is invited to present Islam in the best of discourses. This implies that he takes note of to whom he is addressing, when he is addressing and where is addressing. We are living in an era when education, skills, social correctness, and temperance takes precedence over brute force, servitude and gluttonry.

It doesn’t serve Islam when its scholars are time trapped in a bygone era and who invites negativity and ridicule on Islam, from all around due to his or her myopic and pathetic attempts at “motivating the youth”.

After all on offer was alcohol, sex and gluttonry. Sheik Iliyas, reminds me of Half baked bread. I wish the good sheik would hear this point of view too

May God guide!

Anonymous said...

@ anon

Thanks be to you for giving the origin to hadis..

“Yes, for women are the twin halves of men.”

May Allah swt Bless you.

Anonymous said...

Everyone please calm down. take a deeeeeeeeeeeeeeep breath, think of your creator, ask for His Guidance and calm down.

What excellent advice to take care of that between your legs and that between your cheeks.

CALM DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

@Anonymous (naql-heads)

I must admit that your last comment is much better than the previous one. This is what i meant by saying u should deal with the content rather than the person. Instead of calling him names, ridiculing his character, deal with the content and finish it off there.

May Allah forgive us our mistake

Anonymous said...

If you differ in anything amongst yourselves then refer it back to Allaah and His Messenger, if you do truly believe in Allaah and the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination." [Quran 4:59]

Discuss, consult and sincerely advise. Sometimes we differ in matters linked to
the 'aqeedah, as well as issues linked to actions, yet along with such differences, we still should preserve the unity.So if every Muslim who differed in something were to be ridiculed and abandoned, then no unity would ever remain.

Hatred and jealousy culminated in them having grudges and enmity between one another, they then fell into splitting up. So - O Muslims - beware of doing the likes of this.

"And those who were given the Scripture (the Jews and the Christians) did not split-up except out of baghee (hatred and envy) between each other, after the knowledge had come to them." [Quran 3:19]

"Hold fast, all together, to the rope of Allah(SWT) and do not become divided amongst yourselves. And remember Allah(SWT)'s favor on you; for you were enemies and He joined your hearts in affection so that by His grace you became brethren. And you were on the brink of the Pit of Fire and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah(SWT) make His signs clear to you so that you may be guided. Let there arise from amongst you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. They are the successful ones. Do not be like those who are divided amongst themselves and fall into disputes after receiving clear signs. They will have a dreadful punishment." (Quran 103-105)

Anonymous said...

Sarkozy's Ideology & Womens Right

On the 22nd June 2009 French President Sarkozy announced that the Burqa is incongruous with French values. He said "In our country, we cannot accept that women be prisoners behind a screen, cut off from all social life, deprived of all identity," Sarkozy continued "The burqa is not a religious sign, it's a sign of subservience."

Despite Sarkozy’s political opportunism, his ideological contradictions expose his conscious ignorance, and some may say, out right hatred for the Islamic way of life. Sarkozy who advocates and propagates liberal secularism has forgotten his intellectual heritage. Liberal secularism rests upon the premise of individualism, in other words, viewing the self – the human being – as an abstract entity divorced from social attachments. Two key values are built from this premise, individual freedom and individual rights. According to individual freedom, also explained as freedom of choice, the Burqa shouldn’t be a problem and should be tolerated under French liberal values. So why the contradiction?

The Islamic way of life is not based upon the false premise of individualism, rather it views the human being as an entity with social links and obligations. This correct view on mankind develops and builds sublime values, which include honouring and protecting women.

In the Sarkozy paradigm these values do not exist hence he wants to fight against their emergence, even if it means contradicting his own ideological beliefs. For example in a liberal secular context, individual freedom allows and, in the case of Sarkozy (his wife is an ex-nudist model), promotes pornography. However pornography has been shown to facilitate rape.

Sarkozy’s world view would not ban or criminalise pornography. This is because society itself is not considered or taken into account due to the core value of ‘individual freedom’. As a result Sarkozy’s values have contributed to the increase in sexual crimes in France. There are more than 25,000 rapes a year in France alone, and before Sarkozy points the finger at the Muslims or immigrants, 91% of those convicted are of French nationality.

However in Islam, pornography is banned and is viewed as a dishonor to women. Islam protects women by honoring and providing mechanisms in its social model to protect them.

But Sarkozy would rather flaunt that his wife was an ex-nudist model.

Anonymous said...

@ anon / re knuckle heads.

I’m sorry if I appeared to you to call Sheik Iliyas names or appeared to you to have ridiculed his character. I do not know the good sheik. He may be a very very good person. I was meaning to comment ONLY on what he said. May God Bless you for taking the trouble to guide me.

Anonymous said...

May Allah bless you2 *Amin

Bobby Swanson said...

Amin