The Misconception about the Women's Rights

Reply to the Misconception about the Women's Rights

Second: Some people, who do not truly know reality of Islam, who are either called scholars or Orientalists and enemies of Islam, claim that Islam does not respect the rights of the women. This disrespect, they claim, conflicts openly with human rights, which ensures the freedom of the belief of the individual.

The reply:

The standpoint of Shari'ah on the non-Muslims residents in the Islamic society, is frank and crystal clear. Both the Qur'ân and the Sunnah, traditions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) illustrate that freedom of religion is available to all members of the society under Islamic Shari'ah government. In fact, the Islamic state does not require to use any forceful measures to impel people from other faiths, who are not Muslims, to embrace Islam. This is an implementation of the verse of Qur'ân, Sura Yunus [Joanna] 10:99 the meaning of which is translated as:“ If it had been thy Lord's Will, they would all have believed, all who are on earth! Will you then compel mankind, against their will, to believe!”.

Commercial dealing is permitted with non-Muslims, both resident and non-resident, of the Islamic society. Eating their lawful food is also permissible to the Muslims. In fact, Islam goes a step further to permit male Muslims to marry a Jewish or a Christian woman. We must remember that Islam gives a special attention and importance on raising a family. Yet, marriage with the so-called people of the Book; Jews or Christians is permissible to the male Muslims [only]. The Almighty Allah states in the Glorious Qur'ân Sura al-Maidah [The Table] 5:5 the meaning of which is translated as:“ This day are (all) things Good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the People of the Book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them. [Lawful unto you in marriage] are [not only] chaste women who are Believers, but chaste women among the People of the Book, revealed before your time, when you give them their due dowers, and desire chastity, not lewdness, nor secret intrigues. If any one rejects faith, fruitless is his work, and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost [all spiritual good]”.

In addition, the Almighty Allah states in the Glorious Qur'ân Sura al-Momtahinah 60:8 the meaning of which is translated as:“ Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loves those who are just”.

However, the non-Muslims who wage war against Islam and Muslims have a different treatment according to Islam. The Almighty Allah states in the Glorious Qur'ân Sura al-Momtahinah 60:9 the meaning of which is translated as:“ Allah only forbids you, with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith, and drive you out, of your homes, and support (others) in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them (in these circumstances), that do wrong”.

Yet, Islam takes another step further in this regard. Islam permits religious discussions and dialogues with non-Muslims. Yet, Islam commands Muslims to adhere to the best approaches of discussions and dialogues with the non-Muslims. The Almighty Allah states in the Glorious Qur'ân Sura al-Ankaboot [The Spider] 29:46 the meaning of which is translated as:“ And dispute you not with the People of the Book, except with means better (than mere disputation), unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong (and injury); but say, 'We believe in the Revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; our God and your God is One; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam)”.

Furthermore, Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) addresses those of other faiths and religions, saying in the Qur'ân Sura Ahqaf 46:4 the meaning of which is translated as:“ Say: Do you see what it is you invoke besides Allah? Show me what it is they have created on earth, or have they a share in the heavens? Bring me a Book (revealed) before this, or any remnant of knowledge (you may have), if you are telling the truth!”.

In fact, we shall quote here Sir Thomas Arnold a Christian intellectual in his book Call to Islam, page 48:' Based on the friendly relationships, which were built and established between Christians and Muslims among Arabs, we can judge that force was never a decisive element in converting people to Islam. Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) himself participated in a pact with some Christian tribes. Furthermore, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) took upon himself to protect and grant freedom for such people [non-Muslims] to practice their own religious rituals. In fact, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) permitted the clergymen of the church to enjoy their rights and authority with peace and security '.

It is sufficient, in rebuttal to this misconception against the human rights in Islam, to quote general jurist ruling as follows, '[The non-Muslims] are entitled for what we [Muslims] are entitled for. They are also demanded what we [Muslims] are demanded to do.' This statement proves beyond any doubt that there is no disparity against non-Muslims residing in an Islamic society.