To Separate Fact From Fiction

To Separate Fact From Fiction...

Contrary to widespread erroneous belief, and contrary to regrettable practices in most Islamic societies where myths, traditions and anti-Islamic cultures have won over Islamic teachings and where women are subdued and oppressed for the sake of the male dominated society, God has enjoyed equality for both men and women. Please

We will try, by God's will, to show you the true Islamic teaching about Woman and their position in today's Muslim society solely according to God's only source, Holy Qur'an.

Western misconception of Women in Islam is a natural reaction of the so-called Muslim countries treatment of their female citizens. Their anti-Quranic treatment of women, for the most cases, is for the sake of pleasing an ancient sexist cultural tradition. A cultural tradition that was implanted and injected by an outside forces at the youth of the Islamic empire. Please read an excellent article written by Dr. Sherif Abdel Azeem about The Myth & The Reality of women in Islam.
Islam declares women and men equal.
Islam condemned pre-Islamic practices degrading and oppressing women.
The same injunctions and prohibitions of Islam equally apply to both sexes.
Islam gave woman the right of inheritance and the right of individual independent ownership unhampered by father, husband, brother, son or anyone else.
Islam gave women the right to accept or reject a marriage proposal free from pressure, and by mutual agreement to specify in the marriage contract that she has the right to divorce (if she misses that option she has the right to seek court divorce if she deems the marriage to have failed beyond repair).
Islam does not require woman to change her name at marriage.
Islam protects the family and condemns the betrayal of marital fidelity. It recognizes only one type of family: husband and wife united by authentic marriage contract.
Islam enjoins sounds morality in thinking, behavior and appearance. Modesty in dress fashions and social behaviors are encouraged for both men and women.
The observance of chastity and moral standards is equally demanded by Islam from both men and women.
The question of hijab for Muslim women has been a controversy for centuries and will probably continue for many more. Most learned scholars consider the subject open to discussion and consider that covering the face is not required and that Hijab is merely an invention of Muslim ulema to subdue Women, while a majority erroneously are of the opinion that it is required. A middle line position is taken by some who claim that the instructions are vague and open to individual discretion depending on the situation. The wives of the Prophet were required to cover their faces so that men would not think of them in sexual terms since they were the "Mothers of the Believers," but this requirement was not extended to other women.

The word "hijab" comes from the Arabic word "hajaba" meaning to hide from view or conceal. In the present time, the context of hijab is the modest covering of a Muslim woman. The question now is what is the extent of the covering? The Qur'an says:

"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women that they shall lengthen their uter garments (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." (Qur'an 33:59)

"Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. 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 cover their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..." (Qur'an 24:30-31)

According to the above verses, Women are required only to cover their chests and lengthen their garments or dresses. These are the only Quranic criteria for modesty in Women. Anything else beyond these points such as traditional Hijab, Chador, and veils are not sanction by God and are anti-Quranic. Off course these could be weared if only by personal preference but not as a religious observance.