Women's Issues

The Qu'ran never specified what type of head covering to use (or what parts of the head needed to be covered). So I was wondering if other woman on this board wear hijab? If so how they wear it and why they wear it the way they do? I personally try to do a historical European/American twist on it, because I'm white so I want to break the stereotype that because I'm Muslim I'm abandoning my culture (and I don't like tight things around my neck). I want to remain modest though. so I generally wear a scarf wrapped loosely around a slouchy hat. Salaam, I don't currently wear a scarf. Some days I do, some days I don't. I am not sure what your beliefs are but some Quran only Muslims think that it is not talked about in the Quran. But I have read different opinions on this. Some say the term Khimar does refer to a scarf that was cover your head, others say that we shouldn't really focus on the meaning of that word but the meaning of the passage. Which states "And tell the believing women to reduce of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which appears thereof and to wrap their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands...etc" (4231). This means to not expose your chest and to cover it. whether that means using a scarf or not wearing low collar shirts or something. I am not going to say the Quran specifically supports it and doesn't support it. But I think turbans are great. I love turbans or just wearing a hat. I think it's great. here are 2 different links to the topic. Both websites are Quran only viewpoints and they say 2 different things. https//www.quranaloneislam.net/women-s-dress-code http//www.quran-islam.org/articles/women_dress_code_(P1150).html personally, I think I agree with the first one more...its better to cover and be wrong, then not cover and be wrong and end up in hellfire for arrogance. especially if you are doing it for the right reasons and not committing idolatry by following other sources outside of the Quran. I haven't decided which one I agree with...and just because other Quran only Muslims believe one thing doesn't mean it's true...we need to read the text for ourselves and come to that conclusion on our own. Our only source of truth is the Quran.

Peace, I am sorry for replying a months-old post. Just want to tell you that equality =/= similarity. People who fight for gender equality are not seeking or attempting to make or make people see that women and men are the same, but women and men should have social and economic equality. Anyway what is wrong.... with.... you...? I was thinking about you earlier today and hoping that you're in a good place, and still questioning with that great mind of yours. And here you are. All the best. Take care. Sajda.

Salaam, I think I understand what you mean. Maybe i wasn't clear, English is not my first language. What I meant to say even if the correct translation would be to cover their head, it still doesn't follow that women are obligated to cover their head. The essence of the verse as I read it, is the covering of the chest. So there are really two ways to engage in the discussion with hadith followers regarding this verse one with regard to the correct translation, and one with regard to the meaning / essence of the verse. Bold "brother", please. Bold Yes brother i completely agree the verse does not command women to WEAR "headcovers", it simply says put coverings over their garment openings and nowhere does it say that it is sinful for women to not wearing "headcover". And the discussion with the Hadithists, i am uncertain that many of them would listen but we should discuss both of the essence of the verse and the meanings of the words used by Allah/God (SWTAY).

Thanks! I'll watch it, in'sha'Allah. I subscribed to that channel fairly recently actually because I wanted to check them out. Dont forget to watch this video as well. https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGoM1JUjDR8

Salaam, In theory, it's a great idea that I would spend my precious time to refute your perception of women. Fortunately, I have nor time or desire to do so. If you have such a low opinion of women, and this is what you have garnered during your life so far, then it is your perogative. Take care. Salaam. Sajda. How can you refute Quran .divorce is very common now. lot of men don't believe in marriages .there is no tranquility in marriages .it is more like compromise .there is no submission in love . BTW ,what you think about these statements wife taking care of her in laws (fatwa) men supposed to spend on wife ,only if she make herself available (fatwa) -Wife giving zakat to her husband (fatwa) do you think these type of fatwas can unite husband and wife .no man will ever think that his wife or his children are a separate entity .i believe home is a one unit this is the real Islam which is the part of this world now,pl don't tell me we will never get effected by these fatwas

I hope everything is well with you. Wish the best. Salaam

I hope our ayes will be opened and we'll see that h. Meryem s.a. was ordered to fast when she gave a birth. She was told to "eat and drink" and it was explained to her that her "sawm" is in not talking visible (insiyy) with others. Our fast was told in form III as "siyaam", which explaines that it's abstention between us, one from others. We should be 'akifoon, separated from other during that time, which is "eyyamem ma'dudat", days 3-4. Full Moon can be visible today and ones who're witnesses to it (shehide) should fast it, as Allah order ones before us too.

@HP Tech I live in a multiethnic Environment where the majority is shaking Hands without any exclusion but it happend that i came in contact with a muslimgroup where it is not allowed to shake Hands with the opp. gender .Then it was immidate after that Occasion that i had to greet a families friend and i was still in this not shaking Hands with opp. gender but this time the other insisted of shaking Hands but i didnt and i felt pitty. Ah I see. So you ended up feeling petty or sorrowful for not extending a handshake to the family friend. How did the person who insisted on shaking hands feel after you curved him? Were you able to still speak to the person and have a polite cordial conversation? You know parents sometimes feel guilty for saying no to their children when they ask them for things. However, in the end teaching the child self-restraint, patience, good behavior is better for both the parent and the child. Therefore it might be uncomfortable at first but it does not mean the greeting with the person must end there. Example A family friend walks up to you and says Hi nice to meet you I am so and so, while extending his hand towards you You can simply respond back quickly "Hi nice to meet you" with a big smile and convey, "Sorry, I do not shake hands. How are you this evening? Was it cold outside?" Change subject there are so many more important or interesting things to focus on besides hand shaking. Some people are comfortable with touching others and some are not. You are in control of your body so make the choice that best suits you. However, if the only thing impeding you from shaking hands is your conscience regarding what Quran might have to say about this situation. Then I would suggest duah (supplication) unto your Lord. He will respond to you

Pay attention to the part underlined and in bold http//misconceptions-about-islam.com/muhammad-married-young-girl.htm I agree with you wakas in regard to this diagrammatic explanation http//misconceptions-about-islam.com/age-of-marriage-quran.gif I think this ends the issue , our prophet could have never gone against this ayah but how will you explain the child marriages that happen through the ages .i mean ,it was due to Islamic traditional acceptance or due to social acceptance

A detailed breakdown of the part in question can be found here http//www.quran434.com/wife-beating-islam.html#part2 "...guardians/protectors to the unseen/private with what God guarded/protected..." - may be related to what came before, i.e. implying part of being dutiful/obedient is to be this. When used for humans in this way, the unseen (al ghayb) cannot refer to THE unseen, i.e. the same unseen as God knows THE unseen, thus must refer to what is unseen/hidden/private from the people at large and/or her husband, but not to the person addressed. Seems to imply that whatever God ordered to be guarded (i.e. via scripture) in private/unseen, this is what they should guard. Also see 1252 for an example of betrayal in the ghayb/unseen/private.

Sorry for my late reply-I've had some issues at home and with family lately so I haven't been on here as often... I went to the masjid on my birthday with my husband. I'm still nervous about the idea of going to learn about Islam, so I decided to just go and see what the masjid was like. We got permission to take photos inside the masjid, and to be honest, I loved being there. When I went, there were only two or three other women from Malaysia there and a Japanese woman who seemed to be like us-just wanting a look. Apart from them, it was just me and my husband. I feel like it was a good idea to go when there was practically no one else-I got to really enjoy being there and looking at the architecture (I was stunned by how beautiful it was in there!) and also, as it was so quiet and peaceful, I went upstairs to the women's floor and just relaxed for a moment...I really felt at peace just being there. They also had several copies of the Qu'ran on the women's floor which I looked through-the Arabic script truly is beautiful to look at. They sell Arabic/Japanese Qu'rans in the cultural centre there, which I was very tempted to buy... I didn't get to ask anyone while I was there, but they do offer what appears to be free Qu'ran classes and they also have Arabic lessons. I would like to attend both, but again, I'm worried about learning sectarian biased information, so I don't think I will go to the Qu'ran lessons, but I thought that if I attend the Arabic classes, I can use that as a base to teach myself to learn Arabic to read Qu'ran-I think the lessons they are teaching are modern Arabic for people to use to communicate, but I read somewhere that modern Arabic can be used as a base to learn classical? I am planning on going back to the masjid by myself-now that I've met the staff in the cultural centre (they seem very kind and friendly) and have been in the masjid and seen what it's like, I feel more confident about going by myself. I'm hoping that if I go when no one is present, I could even pray upstairs without worrying that others will see (I have been trying to pray twice a day, but I know that my way of praying is vastly different to how Sunnis pray, so I will stick out like a sore thumb!) I know I don't have to pray in a masjid, but the peace I felt at the masjid was amazing-I would love to pray there....

That seemed like scene from a funny movie! D Yep, I'm sure the guys were left forever scarred however. But wait wait! Where such thing happen? Still in Karachi, Pakistan? Yes. Whether the men there are very rarely seeing women until they couldn't refrain themselves from commenting or even harassing women at the shrine? I suppose the men who did cop a feel to woman (other than their spouses/partners) really need to enjoy the electric stun guns (real ones), indeed. Wherever you have somewhat stricter rules for whatever reason regarding the mixing of genders, you have this sort of stuff going on. It gets to be so bad that even innocuous things take on a sexual identity of their own. True, there are always punishments but only so far they can go. Understanding, exposure (no pun intended), tolerance and education will help to avoid some of the issues to some extent. It could be... but not really sure they can get away easily if they're doing it to "the wrong male victims". Haha true. Perhaps we need more questions to make it more clear... f) Blue or pink? g) Boxer of Chihuahua? h) Lace or chain? i) Polka dot or army motif? Any other suggestions for quiz questions are welcome! ;D Salm. Good, good, we'll have a master list soon that will sniff out maleness like a crazed bloodhound!

Degree is not rank and you must see that they aya refers to the situation of divorce and the fact that the woman, if she believes in God, should not hide pregnancy. It is not setting ranks. Draja in the Qur'an is never a rank but an specialty. Prophets have different missions, and the Qur'an says that saying they have different daraja. But sets not rnaks within them. In this case the daraja is of responsibility and duty. If the woman is pregnant upon de ex husband revolves the duty to attempt at reconciliation if it is possible, and if not, the duty to provide for the child and the mother. Also, see, that it would be ridiculous to set and different rank where it says just before that to them (feminine plural) same as against them (feminine plural), if this istrue it cannot be negated after saying the opposite, so it is not a question of ranking but of the specificity of the conditions. Concerning the witnessing, As shown, quite wisely by the way, by Ale Asghar Engineer, who a short time ago, the outlook in Qur'an respecting women and men differs in that women are considered from the point of view of their (of the women) rights and men from the point of view of their (of the men) duties. So the question of the witnessing that you put forward as far as I can see stems from the fact that it is not voluntary witnessing but that the witnessing is imposed. It is an obligation. Of course the witnessing by women must be accepted just as the witnessing by males, but they are nto to be obliged, in this case since it is an obligation, in orde to soften it and make it easier it is proposed what shown. It is in a setting where obviously it may not be easy to get capable witnesses. The ridiculous attempt to disqualify women as witnesses is not the product of Qur'an but of the malecentric mentality, which if it does not cling to that would cling to something other. Where there is a will there is a way. No scripture will stand in the way of pride and self-delusion. And in order to bring the Qur'an in true light as the Qur'an itself says, you must be of pure heart. Salaam

Peace Are there any verses in the Qur'an that make it wrong for women to shake hands with men?

Peace When I say Islamic, I mean Quranic Islam, not traditional Islam. Traditionally speaking, old-fashioned gender roles are for a woman to stay at home, cook, clean and make her husband the centre of her world. To be submissive to her husband. To dress 'feminine' although femininity is defined by culture in terms of clothes, hairstyles etc. Men are traditionally the breadwinners, told to be strong, aggressive, hide and not express certain emotions to appear 'strong'. Many men are intimidated by women who have achieved more than them in terms of career and education. However, people in general including women are treated as inferior if they do not reach a certain level of education or career. Should a woman give up on her educational and career aspirations and be treated as inferior by most of society just to please a man or potential suitors? On the other hand, she can always date and marry men with greater job status than her even if she has a PhD however, a lot of men would be missing out on potentially great partners if they keep this egotistic attitude. Many traditionally minded men want their women to depend on them, especially financially i.e. not making enough money to live on intentionally. However, many women do not want to be dependent on their partner to this extent because 1. Why make yourself intentionally dependent on a man if you can help yourself? 2. A man can change i.e. turn from a kind-hearted, trustworthy spouse into a cold-hearted, aggressive abuser and then you're stuck. It's a trap. A smart person will strive to be independent and help themselves if they can and are fortunate enough to achieve this. Also, if a man truly loved a woman, he would protect her but also want her to be able to help herself because he knows he's not invincible and would want her to survive and not live in poverty if he were to die or become incapable of looking after her financially (or otherwise). He would also bear in mind that any kids or family members who depend on his wife will also more likely survive if she has a job or is educated. I am not talking about protective men, I'm talking about men who need their woman to not be able to survive without them in order to feel manly and therefore feed their ego. Men shouldn't be aggressive to their wives, women or anyone in general. Men are told to be the protectors and maintainers of women however, this is very different from being a controlling, aggressive man who thinks women exist to serve him. Where in the Qur'an does it mention that a woman has to serve her husband? It's not a very romantic concept. There was a verse where submitting to God is mistaken for submitting to one's husband. One should try to share household duties out of love, kindness and necessity, not because of some slave-master gender roles. Also in terms of any decision in life, a woman should not be forced to stay at home if her husband tells her she's not allowed to work or get an education simply because the husband has no right to make halal things haram. Yet so many cultures still have this backward concept. But it's also in life in general. Many husbands control every aspect of their wives' lives from what she eats, who her friends are to what she shops for which is toxic, yet they see it as 'Islamic'. They feel as if a woman needs their permission to do anything at all. A woman is a grown-up human being, not a slave. Treating her as if she is a slave or a servant is toxic. From what I know, Quranically speaking, a woman is allowed to work and have a career. She's allowed to have an education. Many men seem to hate women like this and think of it as 'manly' but what about women who do not have a husband or working males in their families? Are they supposed to be viewed as manly for trying to achieve a livelihood for themselves and their families? For trying to survive, have a decent standard of living and avoid poverty? This is why I think traditional lines of thinking can be very toxic. It is always assumed that the woman has options which is not true. It can take years to find a suitable partner, if at all. Even if she's married and working, I don't see how that is not womanly or masculine. A strong woman is still a woman, not a man. Quranically speaking, a woman doesn't even need to have long hair or wear a dress. She can chop all of her hair off if she so wishes and wear trousers and shirts if that's what she prefers. Nowhere in the Qur'an does it state that it is a woman's job to cook and clean i.e. take care of the home (correct me if I'm wrong) and it makes most sense if both spouses share these chores equally. It also makes sense if a stay-at-home spouse who's not working from home does more household duties be it a woman or a man but again there's no implication that it is because of their gender.

Spelling Bee Contestant Asks The Definition of “Woman” www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mnQTzhVgl8

PEACE I know I should not post here, but, where else shall I post this, isn't this a women issue? REWARD FOR WOMEN IN QURAN 4039 "O my people! This worldly life is but a brief enjoyment, whereas, behold, the life to come is the home abiding. (4040) anyone who has done a bad deed will be requited with no more than the like thereof, whereas anyone, be it man or woman, who has done righteous deeds and is a believer withal - all such will enter paradise, wherein they shall be blest with good beyond all reckoning! (4124) anyone - be it man or woman - who does of good deeds and is a believer withal, shall enter paradise, and shall not be wronged by as much as the groove of a date-stone. (972) God has promised the believers, both men and women, gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide, and goodly dwellings in gardens of perpetual blissbut God's goodly acceptance is the greatest - for this, this is the triumph supreme! (1697) anyone - be it man or woman - who does righteous deeds, and is a believer withal - him shall We most certainly cause to live a good life and most certainly shall We grant unto such as these their reward in accordance with the best that they ever did. Further description of reward for women. (374 And with them will be mates of modest gaze, most beautiful of eye, (4454) Thus shall it be. And We shall pair them with companions pure, most beautiful of eye. 5556 ? whom neither man nor invisible being will have touched ere then. (5558 as though rubies and pearls (5572) companions pure and modest, in pavilions. (5220) reclining on couches ranged in rows!" ? 5622 companions pure, most beautiful of eye (5623) like unto pearls hidden in their shells 5634 spouses, raised high (5635) for, behold, We shall have brought them into being in a life renewed, (5636) having resurrected them as virgins, (5637) full of love, well-matched (3656) in happiness will they and their spouses on couches recline; Besides being told that they will be rewarded just as believing men, the description of the reward for women goes further. Women are also told that they will be resurrected renewed, virgins, pure, as though rubies and pearls, with beautiful eyes resembling hidden pearls, and modest gaze. And, they will be coupled/matched to the then purified believing men. What else can a believing women wish for. 5578 HALLOWED be thy Sustainer's name, full of majesty and glory! may God increse our knowledge and give us wisdom.