Below, answers from a Muslimah (female Muslim) to the most common prejudices, preconceptions, and misunderstandings about Islam. Read the familiar statments -- then her eloquent responses -- and you will be clear on how Muslimahs actually feel about these questions.


1.Muslim women are not allowed to be educated, due to a better ability to subdue them.

 Answer:  The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said that the pursuit of knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim male and female.  Unfortunately, some Muslim countries that do not rule by Islamic shariah have withheld proper education from the females.  This is not from Islam, but from their own cultural standpoint.  When one is dealing with the Islamic perspective of any topic, it should be understood that there is a clear distinction between the normative teachings of Islam and the diverse cultural practices among Muslims, which may or may not be consistent with them. The suppression of any male or female is not lawful. 

 

2.Muslim women are not seen as equals : this means in many aspects of everyday life

A. Power......they have no ability to be looked up to or in a positions to become a role model.

Answer:  The role models of most Muslim women are the pious female predecessors.  Such as the wives of the Prophet Muhammad, and other righteous women.

B. Money...... have no right to it, as in making it or as in owning it.

Answer:  Muslim wives often make the free choice to stay at home to take care of their families. This is not viewed as demeaning.  The Muslim husband, alone, is responsible for providing for the family.  Muslim women have the right to earn their own money, to own property, to make legal contracts, and to enterprize independently.

C. Control......seen as being without control over their own lives, not being able to make decisions such as a husband.

Answer:  An Islamic marriage is invalid if the wife is not allowed to choose her own husband.  She may follow the advice of her parents or other trusted members of her family.  But, the final decision is hers, alone.

 

3.Muslim women wear Hijab to show submissiveness to men.....as in wearing because commanded to.

Answer:  Muslim women are commanded by God to wear hijab.  It is not worn to show submissiveness to men.  It is a means of protection for the Muslimah. See Qur'an 33:59.  A Muslim woman's standard of dress and behavior should never be from any kind of pressure or force.  It should only be because she desires to please God.

 

4.Muslim women must under go female circumcision

Answer:   Muslim females have not been commanded to be circumcized.  It is definitely not obligatory.

 

5: Muslim women have no right to divorce. 

Answer:  Muslim women have the right to the dissolution of their marriage by the process of khul.

 

6.Muslim women are view as inferior as per Quran. 

Answer:  Just the opposite is true.  There are several verses in the Qur'an that prove the equality of men and women. For example:  49:13, 33:35, 4:1, 51:12, 42:11, 7:189.  These are a few of the verses.  There are others. Men and women have different roles that are suitable to their male or female natures.  But they are definitely of equal value.

 

7.Muslin women are not allowed to associate with people outside of their immediate family.

Answer:  Most of what is witnessed concerning this issue is due to cultural practices.  Muslim women are able to associate with people outside of their immediate family.  Muslim men and women do not mix freely.  There must be a legitimate reason for a Muslim woman to associate with a man who is outside of her immediate family, and certain observances of modesty are a must.

 

8.Muslim women must not speak unless spoken to.

Answer:  This is definitely not from any Islamic source.  I have never heard of this before.

 

9.Muslim religion has nothing to do with Christianity, meaning nothing similar.

 Answer:  There are many similarities between the major religions.  Muslims believe that all true religions originated from God, and that they are all part of one continual message.  God's message to mankind has not changed since the beginning of human existence. 

 

10.The Islamic religion is like a cult.

 Answer:  This is totally untrue.  Islam is the perfect way of life that God has revealed for all of humankind.

 

11.The Islamic religion promotes violence.

Islam is a religion of peace. Muslims are commanded never to be the aggressors.  But, we have every right to defend ourselves if we are attacked.

 

12 Muslims hate Americans, and their religious beliefs.

Answer:  America has some unjust policies that are displeasing to those who love justice.  A large number of non-Muslims are also not pleased with American injustice.  Muslims are tolerant of other religious beliefs.  There is peaceful co-existence amongst Christians, Jews and Muslims in most Muslim countries.  There is plenty of evidence to support this.  Any serious, and sincere investigation will reveal this fact.

 

13.Muslim men are allowed more than one wife regardless what the other wife or wives say.

 Answer:  It is lawful for Muslim men to have as many as four wives.  But, the man must be equally just to all of his wives.  And, most important, he may not force any of his wives to participate in polygyny.  If any of his wives is not pleased with the situation; she has the right to leave.

14.Muslims are breed to hate anyone from any other religion than Islamic.

 Answer:  Muslims are not bred to hate anyone.  We understand that all of mankind is one human family.  We respect those who respect us.  There are many verses that enjoin justice, and tolerance of others.  See Qur'an:  4:36, 4:135, 5:8, and other verses.

 

15.Muslims practice barbaric rituals.

Answer:  This is not true.  There are no Islamic practices that are barbaric.

 

16.Muslims are not allowed to eat any meat.

Answer:  Certain types of animals, and, specifically, pork are not lawful to Muslims as food.  Other kinds of meat are acceptable.  Such as chicken, beef, lamb, goat.

 

17.Muslim women may have no contact with the outside groups...... such as in public schools , television shows, or radio.

 Answer:  It is preferable that Muslim males and females (who are not related) do not mix casually.  But, when there is a legitimate reason to interact; it is allowed as long as modesty is strictly observed in the prescribed manner (Qur'an 24:30-31).

What's the most remarkable book you've ever read?

http://hometown.aol.com/yusuf10106/myhomepage/faith.html