Column: Muslim women and Western perception

Is the way women are treated in the Muslim world what Islam prescribes for them? The answer is no. Are a large majority of the women in the Muslim world treated the way Western media and writers portray them? The answer is no. In order to understand the status of women under Islam in its true perspective, we need to have a more pragmatic approach toward this subject. Instead of simply accepting the version of Western writers, who sometimes have difficulty presenting honest and objective views of Muslim women's condition, one must also explore this subject through the accounts of those who profess this faith.

Islam is a religion that immensely improved the status of women in human civilization and granted them rights that the Western world has recognized only in the last century. First, Islam established equality of man and woman. The Quran says, "Their Lord answered their prayers (and said): 'I never let go to waste the labor of any one that works among you, whether male or female, for in My sight all of you are alike'" (3:195). It was the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (pbuh), who raised the status of women from shame and disgrace to that of honor and dignity. He said, "A man of whom only daughters are born, and he brings them up properly [according to Islam], the same daughters will become covering for him against Hell." In another saying, he said, "The best blessing, among the blessings of the world to a man is a virtuous wife."

Islam is one of the first religions to give women extensive economic rights starting with her right to inheritance. A woman gets inheritance not only from her father and husband, but also from her offspring and other near relatives. Unlike her husband, a woman is not obligated to share her wealth with her spouse. These rights help secure a woman's economic position in the society. In Islam, a woman has full freedom in choosing her husband. Nobody has the right to give her away in marriage without her wish and consent; this runs contrary to traditions in some Muslim societies. Furthermore, almost 14 centuries ago, Islam granted women vast legal rights to obtain separation from their husbands who may not treat them well. So, Islam not only provides moral instructions like "Treat your women kindly" (Quran, 4:19), but also gives legal recourse to women in troubled relationships. Islam also stresses the religious and cultural education of women and does not stand in the way of those who desire higher education in other branches of knowledge.

Granted there are some problems in contemporary Muslim societies, such as spousal abuse, honor killing, excessive social restrictions, etc., but these problems are due to lack of education, poverty and the socio-cultural influence of long period of colonization of Muslim countries and are not the values taught by Islam.

The history of mankind stands witness that woman was considered the symbol of shame and sin in the world. Among many nations, the birth of a girl was an embarrassment and shame for her father, who would wonder whether to keep the babe alive or bury her in the ground. Among the religions of the world, where Hinduism debarred a woman from being educated and burnt her alive at the death of her husband (Hindu tradition of Satti), to Buddhism where intercourse with a woman meant loss of salvation, to the Judaeo-Christian tradition where woman was the source of all evil, it was Islam that elevated the honor, dignity, and status of a woman. Islam has so much to offer to our world today, which is in great need of moral guidance and reformation, provided that Islamic values are studied and understood in the spirit of attaining knowledge. Islam should not be viewed as a rival tradition to Judaism or Christianity, but in fact as a continuation and completion of the divine messages. Many, however, have tried to paint a negative image of Muslim women, but interestingly despite this propaganda, most of those who choose to become Muslims in Britain are women and in America, women converts to Islam outnumber male converts four to one.

Hamza Aziz is a Trinity junior. His column appears every third Wednesday.