Women Rights in Islam

Many people think that women in Islam have no rights. They think that Islam oppressed women and didn’t treat them as human beings. In this article this misconception shall be discussed and answered.

Islam considers women as members who play a very important role in the Islamic society. A woman raises the children, builds generations of youth and brings them to the society to help building it. Islam recognizes this important role, and recognizes the effort a mother performs to take care of her child from his birth till his marriage, and even after his marriage. That’s why when a man came to Prophet Muhammad and asked him about who among the people most deserves his fine treatment, the answer of Prophet Muhammad was: “your mother”. The man asks Prophet Muhammad: “Then who?”, Prophet Muhammad says:”your mother”, Then the man asks again. The Prophet says for the third time: “your mother”. The man asks again, Prophet Muhammad says:”your father”. Prophet Muhammad says that Heaven lies under the mothers’ feet.

Prophet Muhammad tells that a man who has daughters and raises them well shall enter Paradise. He tells that seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim male and female. This answers the misconception among non-Muslims that Muslim women are not allowed to be educated in Islam. Actually it is mandatory for them to be educated. Women are even consulted in Islam. This was clear during the life of the Prophet Muhammad when he consulted his wife in the affairs of the Islamic state. Aisha the wife of Prophet Muhammad used to teach people about what she learned from him, and people used to ask her and consult her.

Islam orders a husband to treat his wife well that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said that the best of Muslims are the best to their wives. The Quran orders the husbands to treat their wives with kindness. In Islam, a husband should pay a gift to his wife and it is a main condition in the marriage contract. A woman in Islam is not asked to spend a cent on her house but it is actually the sole responsibility of the husband. The main responsibility of a woman is to take care of her house. So even if a woman works and gains money, she is not asked to spend on the house. She has the right to save all the money for herself.

Islam recognizes that there are differences in nature between a man and a woman, that’s why each has different responsibilities. Although the man is the leader of the house, this leadership means that he has greater responsibilities. God shall account him on what he did and if he fulfilled his duties or not. A woman has less responsibility because she is generally weaker in nature and because she is generally driven by her emotions. That’s why Islam is concerned with justice not with equality. Men and women don’t have the same nature as a man is generally stronger and his mind overcomes his emotions. So he naturally should have more responsibilities. This is not an oppression of women but it is a mercy to women as this won’t load them what they cannot bear.

For more information regarding Islam you can take help of Islamic books in English and Hindi and you can go for Quran audio as well which is widely available on the Internet.

Islam Is The Only Complete Way Of Life

Islam is not a religion it's a way of life. The purpose of religion is to teach you how to behave in a way that will elevate your body, mind and soul. If you are a believer of a faith then this knowledge comes from a higher source so in the case of Islam the way to live your life for the betterment of mankind is from Allah through His revelations to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) in the Quran. So when people opposing Islam say that it's more than just a religion, don't they realise that it should be.

The world has advanced so much in the last 100 plus years. The use of modern transport allows us to travel further and faster, harnessing the resources of the earth through coal, oil and gas, uranium to obtain electricity, petrol, and nuclear fuel. The use of technology to produce products better and faster, and to link people around the world. But with all this have human beings really advanced, that is if electricity were to be switched off then is our code of conduct better or worse?

The people of Prophet Hud four generations after Prophet Noah (peace and blessing on them) considered themselves to be advanced at that time and to be physically strong. They built the city of Iram with lofty pillars the like of which was never seen before (Quran 89:6-8). They believed in idolatry, they were arrogant, saying who is mightier than us in power and they were abusive to Prophet Hud (Peace be upon him). After a long period of opposing God they were destroyed.

Islam's teachings have stood for over 1400 years and the rules and principles are not open to be altered by man. For example the use of alcohol in Islam is totally forbidden as it corrupts the mind and soul. So to change this to make it acceptable to drink in and for governments to benefit from it by taxing the alcohol will ultimately lead to corruption. A whole industry built up around this arguing to ban alcohol will result in loss of jobs and tax revenue. This is how man deviates from Allah's commands and creates problems (alcohol abuse, crime, etc.) by making a forbidden behavior permissible and then trying to solve its effects.

If you believe in a religion then you believe in God and the scriptures. Then to go about changing them to suit the time period, location and demands of a few people in authority will only create problems in the future, thus the Quran stands the unaltered word of Allah.

The flood of negative information on Islam is to distract people from the true light of Islam and the wisdom it holds. So the negative campaign against Islam that prevails with lies, out-of-context quotes, abuse towards the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) and towards the Quran. This is with the intent to obtain a reaction from Muslims to then further accuse them of being intolerant, against free speech and democracy

One of the main accusations put on Islam is that it suppresses women. Islam over 1400 years ago gave women so many rights while only a few hundred years ago the church was debating whether women had a soul or not. In the Quran there is a whole chapter named women (Surah An-Nisa) stating the property rights of women and their marriage rights. Also the respect of the mother is given three times more than the father in one hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him).

Another slander is, that Islam was spread by the sword, Quran 2:256 states there is no compulsion in religion and no Muslim army went to Indonesia to force Islam but yet it is the country with the largest Muslim population in the world.

In Prophet Muhammad's (peace and blessings be upon him) last sermon he states husband and wife to be equal and to respect each other, people of all color and race to be equal and that he fulfilled Allah's command by conveying the message of Islam to the people, not forcing Islam to the people.

For more information regarding Islam read Islamic books in English and listen Quran audio in English and feel free to visit islamic-videos.com.

Teachings Regarding The Poor And Needy Under The Light Of Quran

The religion of Islam is a complete way of life and as part of it’s teachings, provides humanity the guidance in various aspects of their lives. Among other things, Islam addresses social matters and issues at great depth and detail. The care for the poor and orphans is an excellent example in this regard. Through Quran and the prophet Muhammad’s sayings, Muslims are specifically instructed and encouraged to take great care of orphans and the poor. The following depicts Islam’s stand on the care of such people.

For children and needy, whose parents pass away, the Quran states “And when the relatives and the orphans and the poor are present at the time of division, give them out of the property, and speak to them words of kindness and justice” – [Chapter 4 (Surah An-Nisa') - Verse 8 ]

For the pious and righteous people, the Quran states “Any they give food, inspite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to the poor, the orphan and the captive.

On of the hadeeth (sayings of prophet Muhammad) states “I and the caretaker of the orphan will enter Paradise together like this (illustrating by raising his forefinger and middle finger jointly) [The book of Saheeh al-Bukhari]“

Another hadeeth as quoted by [At-Tabaraanee and As-Silsilah as-Saheehah], the prophet said that “…Be merciful with the orphan, pat his head and feed him from what you eat. This will soften your heart, and enable you to get what you need.”

There are other numerous Islamic teachings, verses in the Quran and Hadeeth by the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that strongly suggest the need to be very passionate to the poor and orphans in return of which God (Allah) promises a lot of reward to Muslims. To learn more read Islamic books in English and Hindi only on islamic-videos.com and also watch Islamic videos in English, Hindi and Marathi for better understanding. You can also go for Quran audio in English and other languages on islamic-videos.com.

Learn and Recite Quran Online

The Quran literally meaning "the recitation" of the holy book is considered as one of the best acts that can be performed by any Muslim. Quran reading can fill our minds with knowledge, influence us, instill a feeling of freshness and bring positive energy as well as blessings of the Almighty Allah on us! Thus, it is said that irrespective of hectic schedules and busy lives, a Muslim should take the time out to read the words of God himself!! It is no news to anyone that the holy Quran is packed with a wealth of information on all subjects that is tremendously beneficial to us in this world and thereafter.

It's the first verses of the Quran that ALLAH has reveals to Mohammad (P.B.U.H) by Angel Gabriel "humans to study".

We are used to reading books which present information, ideas and arguments systematically and logically. So, when we embark on the study of the Quran, we expect that this book too will revolve around a definite subject, that the subject matter of the book will be clearly defined at the beginning and will then be neatly divided into sections and chapters, after which discussion will proceed in a logical sequence. We likewise expect a separate and systematic arrangement of instruction and guidance for each of the various aspects of human life.

So, well every Muslim needs to learn the Quran to know about five pillars of Islam. Which are?

1. 'Shahadah' Believing and saying the words
'There is no god except Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah'
2. 'Salah or prayer' Praying everyday
3. 'Zakah' donating money
4. 'Sawm' Fasting during Ramdan
5. 'Hajj' Going on a pilgrimage

There are various ethical sources of Islamic moral teaching that establish the shariah, the Pathway to Allah. Allah (God) decrees what is right and what is good. The Pathway lays down two main spheres of duty. The Five Pillars of Islam (the first sphere) contains the duties towards Allah (God) himself.

To develop close affinity with the Quran and to understand it is the most important need of the hour. When a man starts learning or teaching the Quran, the doors of spiritual satisfaction and solace start opening in his heart. Holy Quran makes the character of its reader unprecedented and exemplary.

“And indeed we have made the Quran easy for direction and guidance, but is there anyone who will take advice?”

(Sura Al-Qamar 54, verse # 17)

Students and teachers of the Quran both have been praised many times in Ahadith (traditions) by the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him).

“The Best amongst you is (he) who learns and teaches the Quran.”

(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Hadith # 4739)

In today’s world of internet it has become very easy to learn and understand Quran as there are many sources available on the internet providing online mp3 Quran audio in English, Hindi and in many more languages. You can read and listen Quran teachings online. Islamic books in English and Hindi are also a good source to know and understand about Islamic teachings.