Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question which touches on the life and message of our blessed Prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Muhammad ibn Abdullah is the final Messenger of Allah to all inhabitants of the earth. The proofs that show the truthfulness of the Prophet Muhammad and his genuineness are abundant.

With regard to your question, Sheikh `Abdur-Rahman `Abdul-Khaliq illustrates that the clear evidences that verify the Prophethood of Muhammad are countless. Some of them have been presented in following lines:

• The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) foretold of everything that would occur to him and his community after him, pertaining to victory, the removal of the tyrannical kingdom of Khosrau [the royal title for the Zoroastrian kings of Persia] and Caesar, and the establishment of the religion of Islam throughout the earth. These events occurred exactly as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) foretold, as if he was reading the future from an open book.
• The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also brought an Arabic Quran that is the peak of eloquence and clarity. The Glorious Quran challenged those eloquent and fluent Arabs of his time, who initially belied him, to bring forth a single chapter like one of the many chapters of the Glorious Quran. The eloquent Arabs of his day were unable to contest this Glorious Quran.
• The life history of this Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) was a perfect example of an upright, merciful, compassionate, truthful, brave, generous, distant from all evil character, and ascetic in all worldly matters, while striving solely for the reward of the Hereafter. Moreover, in all his actions and dealings, he was ever mindful and fearful of Allah. Allah instilled great love for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the hearts of all who believed in and met him. This love reached such a degree that any of his companions would willingly sacrifice his (or her) self, mother or father for him.
• The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) came with a great religion in its creedal and legal framework. The Prophet Muhammad described Allah (glory be to Him) with qualities of complete perfection, and in a manner that is free of ascribing to Him any imperfection. Neither the philosophers nor the wise could ever describe Allah with such description. Indeed, it is impossible to imagine a person that possesses such complete ability, knowledge, and greatness; who has subdued the creation and who has encompassed everything in the universe, small or large; and who possesses such perfect mercy.
• Prophet Muhammad came with a perfect law based upon justice, equality, mercy and objectivity for all human activity on earth that touched on various spheres of human activity, such as buying and selling, marriage and divorce, renting, testimony, custody, and all other contracts that are necessary to maintain life and civilization on earth, with inimitable justice and effectiveness.
• The legal and creedal structure of the religion that was brought by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) resembles, in its miraculous nature, the creation of the heavens and the earth, being of the same source, i.e. God. The degree of inimitability of the Divine law that was sent down upon Muhammad is to the same degree of inimitability of the Divine creation of the heavens and earth. For just as humanity cannot create this universe, in the same manner humanity cannot bring forth a law like Allah’s Law that He sent down upon His servant and messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Please, keep in touch…

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Source: Taken from www.sultan.org  with modifications

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Dear questioner, thank you for your interesting question.

Islam has the flexibility to maintain originality and relevance to all times ‎and places. Islam coincides with human nature in its rulings. If you study Islamic rulings you will find this characteristic clear and evident in each aspect of the Islamic law. This claim is based on some clear proofs and original evidence. This feature does not exist in many religions of the world.

As regards your question, we will show some examples in the light of the Glorious Quran and blessed Sunnah that explain how Islam coincides with human nature and needs. ‎‏

• A Muslim can shorten and join two prayers in some cases, such as ‎when he is sick or traveling, which makes praying easy for him. Allah (Glory be to Him) says:

And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer, [especially] if you fear that those who disbelieve may disrupt [or attack] you. Indeed, the disbelievers are ever to you a clear enemy‎‎. (An-Nisaa’ 4:101)

• During wars or times of fear, Muslims can pray in a very easy way, as Allah (Glory be to Him) has explained. The Glorious Quran says:

And when you are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand [in prayer] with you and let them carry their arms. And when they have prostrated, let them be [in position] behind you and have the other group come forward which has not [yet] prayed and let them pray with you, taking precaution and carrying their arms. Those who disbelieve wish that you would neglect your weapons and your baggage so they could come down upon you in one [single] attack. But there is no blame upon you, if you are troubled by rain or are ill, for putting down your arms, but take precaution. Indeed, Allah has prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment. (An-Nisaa’ 4:102)

• The poor and the disabled people are exempted from performing the duty of ‎ Allah (Glory be to Him) says:

 And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds. (‎‎Aal `Imran 3:97)

• The sick, travelers, nursing and pregnant women are exempted from ‎fasting until their condition changes and they become able to fast.‎‎ Allah (Glory be to Him) says:

 

[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] – then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] – a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess – it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew. (Al-Baqarah 2:184)

 

• Wiping some parts of the body with clean soil or sand is a replacement ‎for ablution at times when water is not available, or there is fear of illness in using water.‎‎ Allah (Glory be to Him) says:

O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janabah (impurity), except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving. (An-Nisa’ 4: 43)

• Poor people who do not have the designated amount of savings for a ‎whole year are exempted from paying alms, even a person who owns the ‎minimum threshold, but he is poor may give and be given alms. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A charity (Zakah) to be taken from their rich and given to their poor.” (An-Nasa’i)
• All unlawful foods become lawful at times when a Muslim is ‎starving and in danger of dying, the amount must not be filling his ‎stomach, but just enough to prevent that danger with the exception of human flesh, food or drink ‎which might lead to death. ‎‎Allah (Glory be to Him) says:

He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit] – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (An-Nahl 16:115)

• Shares in inheritance are adapted to the amount which is inherited, so ‎that the quota for each heir is the same as the original.

These are some selected examples that show flexibility in Islamic provisions. In fact, Islam is the only religion of Allah that remained preserved until this day. The Islamic rulings match human nature in all aspects. Sometimes, the wisdom behind these rulings is discovered by free reasoning and serious thought. And sometimes the divine secrets are uncovered through the scientific researches that reveal the advantages of Islamic Shari`ah. The modern medical science has revealed the benefits of fasting, disadvantages of alcohol and the diseases that are caused by adultery and forbidden sexual desire. (For more information on this subject, please, click here.)

We pray Allah the Almighty to guide us to the right path and help us in this world and the Hereafter.

Please, keep in touch...

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Source: Taken from www.ebnmaryam.com with modifications.

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Thanks a lot dear questioner for your interesting question.

In fact, we smell in your question that you are influenced by the untrue falsities propagated against Islam. The truth is totally different. We will shed light on the issue of slavery and its stance in Islam, in these precious words by C. Mofty.

Islam did not initiate the system of slavery

Slavery existed in Judaism, Christianity, India, and China before Islam. Since the earliest times, Islam had opened doors to free slaves and to eventually end slavery.

The Islamic paradigm did not ignore the realities of the world, nor did it endorse it. Islam regulated it.

As Annemarie Schimmel, a German scholar, noted, “…therefore slavery is theoretically doomed to disappear with the expansion of Islam.” (Islam: An Introduction (Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1992), p. 67)

Shariah Law severely limited the channels in which the number of slaves could multiply. The only source of slavery was captives of legitimate war and the children born to slave parents. After limiting the sources of new slaves, Islamic law dealt with the reality of the existing slaves.

People are born free, slavery is temporary

The Quran states,

O mankind, indeed We have created you from a male (Adam) and a female (Eve) and made you into various families and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most honored of you in God’s sight is the most pious of you. (Al-Hujurat 49:13)

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him) declared, “All of you are from Adam and Adam was created from dust.” (Abu Dawud)

The principle that human beings are born free and slavery is accidental is accepted by all the scholars of Islam. Few important consequences of this principle are: “Voluntary slavery is not allowed.  A free person cannot become a slave even if he wants to.A free person cannot be enslaved. The interesting point is that Muslim theologians did not decide it, but Prophet Muhammad  declared it to be a sin 1400 years ago. He said, “There are three types of people against whom I shall myself be a plaintiff on the Day of Judgment. Of these three, one is he who enslaves a free man, then sells him, and consumes this money.” (Al-Bukhari)

An unclaimed child with unknown parentage was to be treated as a free person even if the child appeared to have slave parents.

A slave was granted respect and human dignity

The very word “slave” in English has extremely negative connotations of barbaric treatment. Compare it with how the Prophet of Mercy spoke about slaves 1400 years ago, “Your slaves are your brothers! God has placed them in your care. So, whose brother is under his care, he should feed him what he eats and dress him how he dresses. And do not burden them beyond their capacities; but if you burden them (with an unbearable burden), then help them (by sharing their extra burden).” (Al-Bukhari)

 “When the servant of anyone amongst you prepares food for him and has undergone its hardship of heat and smoke, he should make him (the servant) sit along with him and make him eat (along with him), and if he does not do that, then he should spare some portion for him.” (Muslim)

The Prophet of Mercy forbade hitting the slaves. He declared that the atonement of hitting or slapping a slave is to set him free. (Muslim)

Moreover, a slave is not be addressed with hurtful words. The Prophet of Mercy stated not to address them as, ‘My slave boy or my slave girl.” He said, “All of you are slaves of God!” Address them with, “O my young man, O my young lady!” (Muslim)

`Umar ibn Al-Khattab, the second Caliph of Islam, was so fond of Salim, a freed slave that he wished to appoint Salim to be the caliph if he were alive. Salim used to lead the Muslims in prayer, which is considered an honor in Islamic tradition.

Islam granted equal religious rights to the free and the slave

Slaves were at the same footing of a freeman in terms of religious obligations, as well as reward and punishment from God. A slave’s testimony was considered acceptable. A slave had right to personal belongings and property. They were to be helped to legally win their freedom if they so choose through a mechanism known as mukatabah and tadbir. This mechanism is enshrined in the Muslim scripture as God says,

And those who seek a contract [for eventual emancipation] from among whom your right hands possess – then make a contract with them if you know there is within them goodness and give them from the wealth of Allah which He has given you. (An-Nur 24:33)

Freeing slaves is an act of worship

Islam set freeing of slaves as atonement of sins and for specific acts of transgression. Muslims were encouraged to willingly set slaves free to release themselves from the torment of Hell Fire. The state was also a source of setting the slaves free as Islamic Law dictates that Zakah (obligatory charity) given by wealthy Muslims to the state – is to be spent on setting slaves free among other things. God says,

Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah . And Allah is Knowing and Wise. (At-Tawbah 9:60)

Islam integrated slaves into the mainstream society

The issue of integration of freed slaves into the mainstream society has been discussed by some contemporary scholars. The Islamic solution was to integrate them into the society by making them part of the tribes and families. The system was known as “wala’.” The Prophet of Islam said, ‘Freeing slaves is like establishing relations by blood.’ (Ad-Darimi)

 

Please, keep in touch.

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Source: Taken with modification from Islamreligion.com

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Dear Lavinia,

Thank you for your question.

Answering your question, the famous American preacher, Sheikh Yusuf Estes, states:

This is a good question and one that Bible readers have also asked about. The term "We" in the Bible and in the Quran is the royal "We" - as an example when the king says, "We decree the following declaration, etc." or, "We are not amused."

It does not indicate plural; rather it displays the highest position in the language.

English, Persian, Hebrew, Arabic and many languages provide for the usage of "We" for the royal figure.

It is helpful to note the same dignity is given to the person being spoken to in English. We say to someone, "You ARE my friend." Yet the person is only one person standing there.

Why did we say "ARE" instead of "IS"?

The noun "you" is singular and should therefore be associated with a singular verb for the state of being, yet we say, "are."

The same is true for the speaker when referring to himself or herself. We say, "I am" and this is also in the royal plural, instead of saying, "I is."

When Allah uses the term "HE" in Quran, it is similar to the above answer.

The word "He" is used when referring to Allah out of respect, dignity and high status. It would be totally inappropriate to use the word "it" and would not convey the proper understanding of Allah being who Allah is; Alive, Compassionate, Forgiving, Patient, Loving, etc.

It is not correct to associate the word "He" with gender, as this would be comparing Allah to the creation, something totally against the teaching of Quran.

We hope this answers your question.

Keep in touch.

Source: Allah: Frequently Asked Questions by Yusuf Estes.

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Dear Frances,

We highly appreciate your interesting question.

To answer your quesry, we would like to quote the following:

It is widely circulated that Prophet Muhammad proclaimed the inferiority of women. In fact, there is a certain statement of Prophet Muhammad which is used as evidence that women are inferior in Islam.

Here is the controversial hadith:

Abu Said Al-Khudri narrated that the Messenger of Allah once went out to the Musalla (to offer the prayer) on `Id-al-Adha (Greater Bairam) or `Id-al-Fitr (Lesser Bairam). Then he passed by women and said, “O women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you (women).” They asked, “Why is it so, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone who is deficient in intelligence and religion but able to cause a cautious, sensible man to lose his reason more than one of you.” The women asked, “O Messenger of Allah! What is deficient in our intelligence and religion?” He said, “Is not the witness of two women equal to the witness of one man?” They replied in the affirmative. He said, “This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isn’t it true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?” The women replied in the affirmative. He said, “This is the deficiency in her religion.” (Al-Bukhari)

The above hadith involves some conceptions which are misunderstood nowadays and so used to propagate the following misconceptions: (1) women will be thrown away into the Hell-fire, (2) women are evil seducers, and (3) women are deficient in intelligence and religion.

Will Women be Thrown away into the Hell-fire?

Unfortunately, the above hadith is used as evidence that according to Islam women will be thrown away into the Hell-fire. This hadith is used as a basis for the false claim that Islam views womankind as inferior for they are evil beings and as a result they should be tortured.

This is an attempt to give Islam such a negative image which Judaism and Christianity have when it comes to women. Some critics of Islam endeavor to cause the above hadith to look like the following verses in the bible:

“To the woman he said, ‘I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.’” (Genesis 3:16)

The enemies of Islam try to portray Islam as such a religion which promotes the hate of woman and encourages their persecution as may be understood from the Bible.

However, the tradition of Prophet Muhammad abounds in many hadiths in the same manner. For example, Prophet Muhammad said: “I looked into Paradise and I noticed that most of its dwellers are the poor, and I looked into Hell-fire and I noticed that most of its dwellers are the rich and women.” (Ibn Hajar)

He also said: “The poor Immigrants will enter Paradise five hundred years ahead of the rich Immigrants.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

He further said: “I stood at the gate of Paradise and I saw that most of those who entered were the poor and the destitute. The people of means were held back, whilst the people of Hell had been ordered into the Fire. I stood by the gate of Hell, and saw that most of those who entered it were women.” (Imam Ahmad)

Isma’il bin `Ubaid bin Rifa`ah narrated from his father, from his grandfather, that he went with the Messenger of Allah to the Musalla, and he saw people doing business, so he said: “O people of trade!” and they replied to the Messenger of Allah turning their necks and their gazes towards him, and he said: “Indeed the merchants will be resurrected on the Day of judgment as wicked people, except the one who has fear of Allah, behaves charitably and is truthful.”

Now, is it reasonable that Islam discriminates against the rich, the merchants or womankind? Does it sound rational that Islam does not like those groups of people?

It is apparent enough that such classes of people commit common sins which Islam warns them against. So if the members of such classes pay heed to such a warning and desist from committing such sins, they will survive the Hell-fire. Otherwise, they will be thrown into it.

For example, Prophet Muhammad explained why women will be the majority of the dwellers of the Hell-fire. He remarked that they curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. He warns women that frequent cursing and ingratitude to husbands will lead them to the Hell-fire. Thus, the women who refrain from such cursing and ingratitude will not be among the dwellers of the Hell-fire.

However, Allah foreknew that most women, rich people and traders will continue to commit the stated sins prohibited above. Therefore, He told Prophet Muhammad that they will account for the majority of the inmates of the Hell-fire.

Are Women Evil Seducers?

To tell the truth, I myself don’t see anything wrong with the following statement of Prophet Muhammad: “I have not seen anyone who is deficient in intelligence and religion but able to cause a cautious sensible man to lose his reason than one of you.”

Prophet Muhammad made the above statement for two purposes: (1) as a reason why women will constitute the majority of the dwellers of the Hell-fire, (2) express his personal wonder at some women’s mighty influence over even a cautious, sensible man.

Prophet Muhammad did not say: “than you” (meaning all women). He rather said: “than one of you”. He wanted to say that there are some women who can capture the heart of even a cautious, sensible man to the extent that he may, as a result, lose all sense and reason. Thus, such a sort of man may be impelled to do something wrong. There is no doubt that such cunning women deserve to be thrown into the Hell-fire.

Are Women Deficient in Intelligence and Religion?

By saying that “women are deficient in intelligence and religion”, Prophet Muhammad did not intend to degrade women. He just expressed wonder at some women’s exceptional ability to influence even cautious, sensible men though they are deficient in intelligence and religion. He seems as if he wanted to wonder: “How come a woman, such a weak creature who is deficient in both intelligence and religion, can wield such extraordinary power over even cautious, sensible men?”

As a matter of course, having considerable influence over people requires either devout religiousness or acute intelligence, which are both lacked by most women. However, a woman can still dominate even a cautious, sensible man despite having no devout religiousness or acute intelligence. That is why Prophet Muhammad made the above statement.

As evidence that Prophet Muhammad did not mean to underestimate women, the reasons he cited for women’s deficiency are beyond their control. Islam does not blame a human being for something which is beyond his/her control. Allah says in the Qur’an:

Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. (Al-Baqarah 2:286)

Are Women Inferior for They are Deficient in Intelligence and Religion?

Definitely, it is a big mistake to conclude that women are inferior to men based on the fact that they have some deficiency in intelligence and religion. Though women have the stated deficiency in intelligence and religion, they have superiority and even advantage over men also in terms of intelligence and religion but in other aspects.

As for deficiency in intelligence which is represented in viewing man’s testimony as double the woman’s and rejecting woman’s testimony in certain situations, this is attributable to the fact that women are by nature too emotional and sentimental. This is not something bad, but this is good when put in its relevant context. A woman is supposed to be a wife, mother and/or sister. It will be very good for her to be emotional towards her husband, children or kindred for those people are in dire need of her emotions. She is the source of emotion in their lives. They may have no source of emotion other than her.

Yet, a witness should not be emotional. We need him to be quite neutral and objective. He is just to tell us what he knows about the case in hand without additions, omissions, personal sentiments or subjective impressions. This job is better done by a man.

A woman intrinsically tends to share her own sentiments and impressions about any given incident or occurrence. She may give such subjective accounts of the event which are open to addition or omission according to the woman’s personal tendency. If she is sympathetic towards some party, she will, either voluntary or involuntary, try to side with him/her, and vice versa. This is not acceptable when it comes to testimony in the court of law. That is why a woman’s testimony sometimes needs to be corroborated by a man’s, and is sometimes rejected in the highly sensitive cases.

However, this does not mean that woman is absolutely deficient in intelligence. This just means that her involvement in matters of testimony in the court of law is relatively limited for she does not have all the required faculties and man is better qualified for this job.

Nevertheless, as reflected by Prophet Muhammad’s wonder expressed in the above hadith, woman is superior in intelligence in some situations. In the Qur’an, we read the following verse:

So when her husband saw his shirt torn from the back, he said, ‘Indeed, it is of the women’s plan. Indeed, your plan is great.’ (Yusuf 12:28)

By nature, man has some qualities which qualify him to be a reliable witness such as objectivity, wisdom, neutrality, sobriety etc.

Though woman is much weaker, she managed to develop her own strength which is not necessarily a physical one. She is characterized by cunning, slyness, craftiness, wiliness, artfulness, and care about details etc. Woman has soft, intangible power which, in many situations, is far more considerable than man’s hard, tangible power.

She is able to easily defeat man in any battle where she has the chance to wield her own destructive weapons. It is ironical that woman can first strip man of his hard power before using her own soft power. More astonishingly, man is defeated in many battles quite willingly if woman is foxy enough to persuade him to get defeated without much effort.

As man knows that woman is much weaker than him, he does not take the necessary precautions, and she exploits that by launching such a sudden attack which is met with no or little resistance. This is always the case in all battles ending in woman’s victory.

Woman’s physical weakness is compensated for by such exclusive, superior intellectual faculties which man does not have, nor can he confront. Thus, Allah is not unfair towards women by creating them as such human beings which are weaker in physique. He gives them soft power instead to be used when necessary. Such soft power becomes much more enormous than man’s hard power if it is properly employed.

Hence, intelligence is not a single mental ability only. Intelligence involves many mental abilities. Woman is admittedly deficient in such mental abilities which are required for acceptable testimony. However, she is still superior to man in many other mental abilities.

As for deficiency in religion, firm belief is usually brought about by doing as many good works as possible. Sometimes, as Prophet Muhammad indicated, a woman cannot do acts of worship. She sometimes cannot offer prayer or observe fasting. This is something which affects her religiousness and derogates from her faith.

However, as I have just pointed out, a woman’s inability to do acts of worship at some times is beyond her human capacity. Why are women stigmatized as deficient in religion for something beyond their capability?

In reality, the amount of good works which are necessary for somebody to enter Paradise is not the same for all people. Rather, they differ from somebody to another and from a group of people to another according to their natural abilities and capabilities.

For example, the good works which should be done by men for them to enter Paradise are much more than women’s. Men have much more duties and obligations. They are responsible for themselves as well as women. They have commitments both inside and outside home. They are obliged to engage in more forms of Jihad including the armed one. They shoulder more responsibilities as the leaders of families and communities.

On the other hand, women have fewer duties and obligations. They are bound to do fewer good deeds to enter Paradise. Most of their responsibilities are confined to home. They don’t have considerable obligations outside. They are not held responsible for anybody even themselves. In Islam, they are always kept in the custody of some man, be he a father, brother, husband, son or any other kinsman.

Prophet Muhammad said: “If a woman offers her five daily prayers, fasts during her month (Ramadan), guards her chastity, and obeys her husband, then it will be said to her ‘Enter Paradise from whichever gate you wish.’” (Ibn Hibban)

We observe that the good deeds deemed necessary for a woman to be admitted to Paradise are much fewer than a man’s. There is no similar hadith which states that if a man offers the five daily prayers, observes fast, guards his chastity and, for example, respects his wife, he will be admitted to Paradise.

A man has much more duties and so the above good deeds in a woman’s case are not sufficient for him to enter Paradise.

Therefore, a woman in Islam is not discriminated against in terms of the religious status or the otherworldly reward. On the contrary, she is granted such privileges which are not granted under any other religion. Under Islam, her weakness and fewer abilities mean lighter and few duties and obligations and more facilitation in terms of the otherworldly reward.

Still, somebody may argue that if Islam really gives women special status and exceptional privileges, why did Prophet Muhammad stigmatize women as “deficient in intelligence and religion” in such a seemingly degrading manner?

To understand why Prophet Muhammad made the above statement, two considerations should be taken into account: the conduct of women in general and the context in which Prophet Muhammad made the above statement.

Prophet Muhammad did not say that all women curse frequently, are ungrateful to their husbands or cause a cautious sensible man to lose his reason. He wanted to say that many women either curse frequently, are ungrateful to their husbands or cause a cautious sensible man to lose his reason. Some of them may do all of that altogether. If many members of some group do something wrong, it is quite reasonable that the whole group will be criticized in collective terms.

Prophet Muhammad wanted to warn Muslim women against the misdeeds which are more likely to cause them to be thrown away in the Hell-fire. He wanted to stress that many women in the other communities will not be admitted to Paradise for the given reasons. If Muslim women follow suit, they will be also denied Paradise. Thus, the Muslim women who avoid the reasons for getting thrown into the Hell-fire will be certainly admitted to Paradise.

Finally, womankind is not described as “deficient in intelligence and religion” for they are naturally deficient. Islam is too fair to blame somebody or some people for something beyond their capacity. Men themselves also have their own deficiency. However, women are so described for many women relish and persist in such deficiency though they are granted what compensates them for such deficiency.

For example, it is unfair to blame a person for belonging to a family of which many members are evil persons for he has nothing to do with his origins. It is such evil members rather than he who may be blamed for that. However, if he proves a wicked wrongdoer, it is justifiable to dismiss him as one of evil origins.

In a word, the above words of Prophet Muhammad are not intended for degradation. If they are intended for degradation, such degradation applies to the women who commit the stated misdeeds. It does not apply to the good women who do not commit such sins.

Prophet Muhammad said such words as an admonition and warning against the stated sins given that the hadith was begun with orders for giving alms and seeking Allah’s forgiveness.

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References:

1- The Glorious Qur’an (Sahih International Translation)

2- Sahih Al-Bukhari

3- Sunan Al-Tirmidhi

4- Musnad Al-Imam Ahmad

5- Fatah Al-Bary by Ibn Hajar

6- Sahih Ibn Hibban

7- The Holy Bible (Visit biblegateway.com)

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Source: www.islamforchristians.com

 

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