Myths and Realities about Muslim Women

Myths and Realities about Muslim Women

Often Muslim women are portrayed as passive, voiceless and submissive victims however, history has shown that Muslim Women have not just sat at home and cooked dinner but have successfully run nations and companies. For example; Khadijah (Radi Allahu Anhu) and Aisha (Radi Allahu Anhu) the wives of our beloved prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) were very talented tradeswomen and Muslim scholar respectively. While women in varied cultures had to earn equality, Muslim women were given these rights from the beginning without any struggle. However, the Muslim women are often pitied and women practicing their religion are considered “Oppressed and non Liberated”.

This info will dispel common myths about Muslim women that skew the general public perceptions.

Myth: Hijab is a form of women’s subjugation

Fact:
Hijab is mandatory for all believers be it men or women Allah says in the Quran:

“Say to the believing men that: they should cast their glances and guard their private parts (by being chaste). This is better for them.”

“Say to the believing women that: they should cast down their glances and guard their private parts (by being chaste)…” Surah An Nur

It is more of an willful/intentional Choice to please Allah than an act of subjugation

Myth: Education is forbidden for women

Fact:
The first word revealed in “‘I’Q’R’A translated as “‘R’E’A’D”.

To gain knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim man and woman, so that they can fulfill their religious and social responsibilities.

“Seeking knowledge is compulsory for each and every Muslim (i.e, both male and female),” Surah Al-Baqara

One of the great example to contemplate is ‘Aisha (Radi Allahu Anhu), mother of the faithful, was a hadith-narrator, scholar, intellectual and jurist of great standing. She is believed to have reported 2,210 Hadiths.

Myth: Women Hold lower status in Islam

Fact:
Islam holds women in highest regard in every phase of her life:

“When she is a daughter, she opens a door of Jannah (Heaven) for her father. When she is a wife, she completes half of the Deen (Religion) of her husband. When she is a mother, Jannah (heaven) lies under her feet.” Surah An Nisa

“O mankind! Reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, his mate, and from this pair scattered (like seeds) countless men and women. Reverence Allah, through whom you demand your mutual (rights), and reverence the wombs (that bore you); for Allah ever watches over you,” Surah An Nisa

A woman is obligated to have a guardian (husband or male relative), he is by no means her owner.

Question:
When everyone are free to practice their belief and call it liberation. Why is it that a Muslim women following her religion is called oppression?

Myth: women is not an equal partner in marriage

Fact:
The prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “women are the twin halves of men.” The Quran emphasis the essential unity of men and women in a most beautiful simple:

“They (your wives) are your garment and you are a garment for them”. Surah Al-Baqara

Quran states that both men and women are equally responsible for the welfare of the family. Tolerance and kindness towards each other is responsible to create a prosperous life and help build a strong family

“And women have rights similar to those of men over them in kindness.” Surah Al-Baqara

She wasn’t created from his head to top him nor from his feet to be steeped upon, she was made from his side to be close to him, From beneath his arm to be protected by him, Near his heart to be loved by him.