The status of Woman in Islam/Islamism

[Badlun]

For me Islam is only faith and morality/spirituality but for many it is the complete code of life including the status of woman to be determined by Quran and Hadith. I will collect Islamic or Islamist injunctions in this thread regarding the status of woman for comments and analysis.

Woman is crooked and like a rib

al-A’raj who was reporting on the authority of Abu Hurairah (with whom may Allah be pleased) who said: Allah’s Rasul (may peace be on him) said:The woman is like a rib, if you try to straighten her, she will break. So if you want to get benefit from her, do so while she still has some crookedness. (Bokhari)

[Badlun]

Women are fields

“Women are your fields: go, then, into your fields whence you please.” Quran 2:223, “The Cow,”

“Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because God has guarded them. As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and forsake them in beds apart, and beat them.” Quran 4:34, “Women,”

“A male shall inherit twice as much as a female.” Quran 4:11, “Women,”

“Call in two male witnesses from among you, but if two men cannot be found, then one man and two women whom you judge fit to act as witnesses…” Quran 2:282, “The Cow,”

“Women shall with justice have rights similar to those exercised against them, although men have a status above women.” Quran 2:228,

“If you fear that you cannot treat [orphan girls] with fairness, then you may marry other women who seem good to you: two, three, or four of them. But if you fear that you cannot maintain equality among them, marry one only or any slave-girl you may own.” Quran 4:3, “Women,”

“If you are in doubt concerning those of your wives who have ceased menstruating, know that their waiting period shall be three months. The same shall apply to those [of your wives] who have not yet menstruated.” Quran 65:4, “Divorce,” "On account of their young age. Child marriages are allowed.

“[Forbidden to you are] married women, except those whom you own as slaves.” Quran 4:24, “Women,”

[DaZahroJaam.]

someone please make him stop...

[Badlun]

Women can be hit/beaten

4:34 Husbands should take full care of their wives, with [the bounties] God has given to some more than others and with what they spend out of their own money. Righteous wives are devout and guard what God would have them guard in the husbands’ absence. If you fear high-handedness from your wives, remind them [of the teaching of God], then ignore them when you go to bed, then hit them. If they obey you, you have no right to act against them. God is most high and great.

[Badlun]

someone please make him stop...

What do you mean by HIM? I am just quoting Quranic verses and hadith, so you want to stop God and the Prophet? Can you stop Quran and Hadith?

My personal approach is that all these injunctions are not part of Islam but Islamism. These verses and traditions need to be reinterpreted in the light of its context ,modern developments and human rights. If you want to implement them as it is, word by word, then you are the supporter of fundamentalism, extremism, wahabism, puretanism, salafism and Talibanism.

[Badlun]

BEATING

... He (Muhammad) struck me (Aisha) on the chest which caused me pain ... (Muslim: bk. 4, no. 2127)


... (Umar) found the Prophet sitting sad and silent with his wives around him. ... (Umar) decided to say something which would make the Prophet laugh, so he said, "Messenger of God, I wish you had seen the daughter of Kharija when she asked me for extra money and I got up and slapped her on the neck." God's messenger laughed and said, "They are around me as you see asking for extra money." Abu Bakr then got up, went to A'isha and slapped her on the neck, and Umar did the same to Hafsa. (Mishkat Al-Masabih: vol. 2, p. 690; Muslim: bk. 9, no. 3506, Siddiqui)

Narrated Aisha: A necklace of mine was lost at Al-Baida' and we were on our way to Medina. The Prophet made his camel kneel down and dismounted and laid his head on my lap and slept. Abu Bakr came to me and hit me violently on the chest and said, "You have detained the people because of a necklace." ... (Bukhari: vol. 6, bk. 60, no. 132, Khan)


Iyas b. Abdullah reported God's messenger as saying, "Do not beat God's handmaidens;" but when `Umar came to God's messenger and said, "The women have become emboldened towards their husbands," he gave licence to beat them. Then many women went round God's messenger's family complaining of their husbands, and he said, "Many women have gone around complaining of their husbands. Those are not the best among you." Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and Darimi transmitted it. (Mishkat Al-Masabih: vol. 2, p. 692)

`Umar reported the Prophet as saying, "A man will not be asked about why he beat his wife." Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it. (Mishkat Al-Masabih: vol. 2, p. 693)


Hakim b. Mu`awiya al-Qushairi quoted his father as telling that he asked, "Messenger of God, what right can any wife demand of her husband?" He replied, "That you should give her food to eat, clothe her when you clothe yourself, not strike her on the face, and do not revile her or seperate from her except in the house." Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it. (Mishkat Al-Masabih: vol. 2, p. 691)

Volume 6, Book 60, Number 466: Narrated Abdullah bin Zama: That he heard the Prophet delivering a sermon, and he mentioned the shecamel and the one who hamstrung it. Allah's Apostle recited:-- 'When, the most wicked man among them went forth (to hamstrung the she-camel).' (91.12.) Then he said, "A tough man whose equal was rare and who enjoyed the protection of his people, like Abi Zama went forth to (hamstrung) it." The Prophet then mentioned about the women (in his sermon). "It is not wise for anyone of you to lash his wife like a slave, for he might sleep with her the same evening." Then he advised them not to laugh when somebody breaks wind and said, "Why should anybody laugh at what he himself does?"

[badmash_khel]

Let's be fair here, citing individual hadiths is not proof even if they come from the six biggest hadith collections. There are all kind of hadiths attributed to the prophet (saw), most of which don't fit his character as described in the Quran and the way muslims undrestand him to be.

It would be better if you posted Fatwas from the four madhabs which state that you can beat your women so severly that it causes pain in their chest.

The issue of disciplining the wife comes from verse 34 of Surat al-Nisa. Yusuf Ali translates this verse as follows, "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because God has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what God would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For God is Most High, great (above you all). Pickthall's translation is, " Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High."
As you can see, one translator chose the word "beat," while the other chose the word "scourge." The Arabic word is "wadribouhounna," from the root word "darb." Linguistically, "darb" has many meanings, some of which include to hit or strike lightly. The English translations may be misleading in some cases and that is why it is important to go to the Arabic sources and see how the scholars have interpreted this verse.
I have found that the majority of scholars have interpreted this as permission for men to discipline their wives who have become "nashiz," which means rebellious, recalcitrant, or lewd. This permission is not a general permission to discipline the wife whenever the husband feels like it, but rather is meant for women who act out in very specific circumstances and threaten the harmony of the marriage. Furthermore, it is a permission granted by Allah to men. It is not a right or privilege. Scholars have also placed limits on what form this discipline takes. The husband is only allowed to use his hand or the equivalent of a miswak, a tooth-stick. Furthermore, he may not strike in anger, beat, bruise, or harm his wife. Rather, he gives her a symbolical tap with this very light object. He may not strike her face or any other delicate part of the body. And once again, this is permission, meaning he does not have to do this, but is merely allowed if circumstances warrant.

Is It A Distortion To Say That Wife Beating Is Allowed In Islam? * *

[Badlun]

[MENTION=3825]badmash_khel[/MENTION]

This is the right approach to discuss such matters.

However do the women have the right to discipline their men if they become nashiz(rebellious, recalcitrant, or lewd)?

And what about other issues like inheritance, evidence, slavery, polygamy, woman as crooked etc mentioned above.

[Badlun]

SATISFYING THE MAN'S SEXUAL DESIRES

The Qur'an, speaking figuratively about sex, says of women:
Women are your fields: go, then, into your fields whence you please. (Qur'an 2:223, Dawood)

Warnings to women who would not accommodate their husband's or master's desire.

Talq b. `Ali reported God's messenger as saying, "When a man calls his wife to satisfy his desire she must go to him even if she is occupied at the oven." Tirmidhi transmitted it. (Mishkat Al-Masabih: vol. 2, p. 691)

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (p.) said, "if a man invites his wife to sleep with him an she refuses to come to him, then angels send their curses on her till morning." (Bukhari: vol. 7, bk. 62, no. 121, Khan)

VIRGIN WOMEN ARE A REWARD IN HEAVEN

Lo! those who kept their duty will be in a place secure amid gardens and water-springs, attired in silk and silk embroidery, facing one another. Even so (it will be). And we shall wed them unto fair ones with wide, lovely eyes. (Qur'an 44:51-54, Pickthall)

Surely for the godfearing awaits a place of security, gardens and vineyards and maidens with swelling breasts, like of age, and a cup overflowing. (Qur'an 78:31-33, Arberry)

Perfectly We formed them, perfect, and We made them spotless virgins, chastely amorous, like of age for the Companions of the Right. (Qur'an 56:34-35, Arberry)

Anas reported the Prophet as saying, "In paradise the believer will be given such and such power to conduct sexual intercourse." He was asked whether we would be capable of that and replied that he would be given the capacity of a hundred men. Tirmidhi transmitted it. (Mishkat Al-Masabih: vol. 3, p. 1200)

Koran 78:31 As for the righteous, they shall surely triumph. Theirs shall be gardens and vineyards, and high-bosomed virgins for companions: a truly overflowing cup.

Koran 37:40-48 …They will sit with bashful, dark-eyed virgins, as chaste as the sheltered eggs of ostriches.

Koran 44:51-55 …Yes and We shall wed them to dark-eyed houris. (beautiful virgins)

Koran 52:17-20 …They shall recline on couches ranged in rows. To dark-eyed houris (virgins) we shall wed them…

Koran 55:56-57 In them will be bashful virgins neither man nor Jinn will have touched before. Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny ?”

Koran 55:57-58 Virgins as fair as corals and rubies. Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny ?”

Koran 56:7-40 …We created the houris (the beautiful women) and made them virgins, loving companions for those on the right hand.. ”

Koran 55:70-77 “In each there shall be virgins chaste and fair…

Dark eyed virgins sheltered in their tents whom neither man nor Jin will have touched before..

Volume 6, Book 60, Number 402: Narrated Abdullah bin Qais: Allah's Apostle said, "In Paradise there is a pavilion made of a single hollow pearl sixty miles wide, in each corner of which there are wives who will not see those in the other corners; and the believers will visit and enjoy them. And there are two gardens, the utensils and contents of which are made of silver; and two other gardens, the utensils and contents of which are made of so-and-so (i.e. gold) and nothing will prevent the people staying in the Garden of Eden from seeing their Lord except the curtain of Majesty over His Face."

[Shehbaz Khan]

'Hudallil Muttaqeen' says the Quran right at the start of the second chapter!

[Badlun]

'Hudallil Muttaqeen' says the Quran right at the start of the second chapter!

Good point. This is exactly what I want . Quran is guidance for muttaqeen but who are mutaqeen? Salafis, Wahabis, Islamists, ghair muqledeen, ahle hadith, deobandis, tableeghis, Taliban etc who want to implement Quran word by word including the above verses on women or what Quran says about Muttaqeen .

Read the whole verse

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

2:1 I, Allah, am the best Knower.

2:2 This Book, there is no doubt in it, is a guide to those who keep their duty(Muttaqeen),

2:3 Who believe in the Unseen and keep up prayer and spend out of what We have given them,

2:4 And who believe in that which has been revealed to thee and that which was revealed before thee, and of the Hereafter they are sure.

2:5 These are on a right course from their Lord and these it is that are successful.

Here Muttaqeen are those who believe in unseen, who spends on poor, offer prayers,holy books, Hereafter. This is the definition of Muttaqeen not those who beat wives and consider women to be half of men in some aspects like inheritance and evidence.

[Badlun]

Let's be fair here, citing individual hadiths is not proof even if they come from the six biggest hadith collections. There are all kind of hadiths attributed to the prophet (saw), most of which don't fit his character as described in the Quran and the way muslims undrestand him to be.

It would be better if you posted Fatwas from the four madhabs which state that you can beat your women so severly that it causes pain in their chest.


Is It A Distortion To Say That Wife Beating Is Allowed In Islam? * *

This is very important point that each and every hadith cannot be a proof for an islamic action but what about Quran? Do we also need fatwas/verdicts of scholars on the verses of Quran?

Why Salafis, ahle hadith etc do not believe in taqleed and say that Quran and hadith are enough for islamic system?

If a hadith is mentioned in the 6 authentic books, sihahe sitta, still we need verdict of a scholar? It means words of a scholar are superior to the words of hadith?

[DaZahroJaam.]

you shouldn't have to ask him for money unless you decided to be a baby making machine and a maid. In which case, if he denies you something you know you deserve, you shouldn't be sitting there an waiting for him to give you the silent treatment and then go on about hitting you.
I have not come across any religion that treats women nice. I also know that you can't have a straightforward answer for everything in life. If you don't agree with something, you don't have to prove it to the rest of the world to justify it or get their approval. No one is forcing you to live in a way you don't want to live and. It's for others to decide whether their religion is fair to them or not. And as always, women who accept or tolerate abuse or injustice in the name of modesty or loyalty to their faith, God or husbands; very well deserve it.
Treat yourself every once in a while by not wasting your time with dwelling over the same topics all the time. Variety is said to be the spice of life.

[badmash_khel]

@badmash_khel

This is the right approach to discuss such matters.

However do the women have the right to discipline their men if they become nashiz(rebellious, recalcitrant, or lewd)?

Women have the right to complain to their husbands if their rights are being violated and needs not met, such as food, shelter, protection etc. The woman aren't explicitly permitted to "lightly" tap their husbands but she has other avenues to seek justice such as going to a judge etc. The nature of man and woman is different, even in western countries, domestic abuse mainly is commited by men towards women. Its in men's nature to resort to force, which is not an excuse but a honest assessment of different pre disposed nature of both men and women. Women tend to cry more while men tend to keep it in.

Womens' rights are clearly mentioned in the Quran and Ahadiths. Its another matter wether one takes the Quran and the hadiths to be God's literal words.

And what about other issues like inheritance, evidence, slavery, polygamy, woman as crooked etc mentioned above.

The inheritence is divided that way because in an islamic household (like pashtunwali), man is usually the one responsible for the financial matters of the household and naturally men are better equipped to defend their financial assets, like property etc. Since men are responsible in Islam for providing for the women, don't you think its only fair they get more inheritance? Women are totally free from any financial responsiblity in an islamic marriage.

Slavery was already outlawed by the Ottomans, which shows that Sharia can be interpreted depending on the socio economic conditions.
Having said that the status of a slave in Islam is equal to that of any other human being. A slave is more like a servant rather than someone who can be used and abused as colonial powers have done.

Although polygamy is allowed in Islam, the men have been advised to marry only one wife because it is hard to do justice among all the wives. A woman can stop a man from having another wife by putting a clause in her Nika contract which prevent a man from marrying again. The problem is that most muslim women don't know their rights and it has alot to do with men not letting them.

[Badlun]

Then why women do not have explicit injunctions to discipline/beat their husbands? Why they have to resort to legal justice procedures. And as woman cannot go out of home alone, how she can file a complain in the court of a judge? Why so many complications for women while for men all the steps are designed clearly ending in beating her. Are women not equal to man as we see in other injunctions of Quran?

If men are already violent and dominant because of their nature then how can you give them further license to discipline/beat their women. Justice demands that the weaker women should be empowered not the already violent and powerful man by a clear divine injunction to beat the already docile, fair, week woman.

The best power is the power to earn and spend your own money. Why you cripple women that she must depend on men for their financial responsibilities. Why she is given a status like a parasite dependent beggar non existent entity?

Why an educated, intelligent, capable , hard working woman does not have the duty to earn and spend. This is the worst conspiracy against women to make her dependent on men financially. Once men pays her or spends on her, her status is not less than a prostitute or a servant.

If slavery can be abolished after 1300 years then why we cannot abolish polygamy, beating of women, women being half of men and other injustices with women in the name of religion.