THE PROPHET AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS
One would want to ask about how Muhammad treated women. Were he an overbearing father or a heartless husband as some mischievous writers would want us believe or a compassionate and dutiful father and loving and caring husband, who not only treated female members of his family kindly but all women in general, as the case really was?!
The answer to this question is not far-fetched. Muhammad gave women their due honour at a time when women were regarded as just a commodity that can be purchased and discarded at will; at a time when some nations who now claim the monopoly of civilization were yet to decide whether woman is a human being or not; and at a time when she was deprived of her right to inheritance, possession of properties, among other rights.
To start with, it is very essential to hear some of what the Qur’aan; the Book revealed to Muhammad has to say about women. The Qur’aan regards women as halves of men. It treats both fairly as far as rights and obligations are concerned. The following verses of the Qur’aan are enough testimony:
“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect.” (Ar-Room 30:21)
“And wish not for the things in which Allaah has made some of you to excel others. For men there is reward for what they have earned, (and likewise) for women there is reward for what they have earned, and ask Allaah of His Bounty. Surely, Allaah is Ever All-Knower of everything.” An-Nisaa 4:32
“There is a share for men and a share for women from what is left by parents and those nearest related, whether the property be small or large - a legal share.” (An-Nisaa 4:7)
Every aspect of a woman’s life is adequately addressed by the Qur’aan. Concerning the divorced woman, the Qur’aan says:
“And for divorced women, maintenance (should be provided) on reasonable (scale). This is a duty on the pious ones.” (Al-Baqarah 2-241)
“Lodge them (the divorced women) where you dwell, according to your means, and do not harm them so as to oppress them (that they be obliged to leave your house). And if they are pregnant, then spend on them till they lay down their burden. Then if they give due payment, and let each of you accept the advice of the other in a just way. But if you make difficulties for one another, then some other woman may suck to the children for you, give them their give suck for him (the father of the child). Let the rich man spend according to his means; and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allaah has given him. Allaah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him. Allaah will grant after hardship, ease.” (At-Talaaq 65:6-7)
The Messenger of Islaam was very kind in his treatment of his wife, very affectionate with his daughters and very sympathetic with the womenfolk in general. Though he married more than four wives, he painstakingly treated them equally. He commanded his companions to do the same and would tell them: “The best among you is the best one in their treatment of their wives, and I am the best of you in this regard.”
He sternly warned against injustice in treating of women. He said: “Whoever has two wives and inclines to one of them, he will come on the Day of Resurrection with his side slanting.
The answer to this question is not far-fetched. Muhammad gave women their due honour at a time when women were regarded as just a commodity that can be purchased and discarded at will; at a time when some nations who now claim the monopoly of civilization were yet to decide whether woman is a human being or not; and at a time when she was deprived of her right to inheritance, possession of properties, among other rights.
To start with, it is very essential to hear some of what the Qur’aan; the Book revealed to Muhammad has to say about women. The Qur’aan regards women as halves of men. It treats both fairly as far as rights and obligations are concerned. The following verses of the Qur’aan are enough testimony:
“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect.” (Ar-Room 30:21)
“And wish not for the things in which Allaah has made some of you to excel others. For men there is reward for what they have earned, (and likewise) for women there is reward for what they have earned, and ask Allaah of His Bounty. Surely, Allaah is Ever All-Knower of everything.” An-Nisaa 4:32
“There is a share for men and a share for women from what is left by parents and those nearest related, whether the property be small or large - a legal share.” (An-Nisaa 4:7)
Every aspect of a woman’s life is adequately addressed by the Qur’aan. Concerning the divorced woman, the Qur’aan says:
“And for divorced women, maintenance (should be provided) on reasonable (scale). This is a duty on the pious ones.” (Al-Baqarah 2-241)
“Lodge them (the divorced women) where you dwell, according to your means, and do not harm them so as to oppress them (that they be obliged to leave your house). And if they are pregnant, then spend on them till they lay down their burden. Then if they give due payment, and let each of you accept the advice of the other in a just way. But if you make difficulties for one another, then some other woman may suck to the children for you, give them their give suck for him (the father of the child). Let the rich man spend according to his means; and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allaah has given him. Allaah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him. Allaah will grant after hardship, ease.” (At-Talaaq 65:6-7)
The Messenger of Islaam was very kind in his treatment of his wife, very affectionate with his daughters and very sympathetic with the womenfolk in general. Though he married more than four wives, he painstakingly treated them equally. He commanded his companions to do the same and would tell them: “The best among you is the best one in their treatment of their wives, and I am the best of you in this regard.”
He sternly warned against injustice in treating of women. He said: “Whoever has two wives and inclines to one of them, he will come on the Day of Resurrection with his side slanting.
posted by Amir | 8:40 AM
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