Truth Defender

Resolving the Christian “I-Know-Nothing” Multi-Problem In Textual Criticism

admin — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 03:23:07 +0000

Occasionally we come across Christians who, when informed that the text of the gospels underwent corruption during their transmission, often react with the following type of questions: “When? Who did the corruption? In what country? Before or after Muhammad? Why was it done? How come no one noticed it?” These type of seemingly “innocent” questions merely reveal the incalculably colossal ignorance of the person in question. Christians who pose such questions do not seem to realize how utterly foolish they come across to anyone who are familiar with at least the very basics of textual criticism. Thus, the poor questioner only succeeds in on humiliating no one else but himself. Christian apologists and missionaries need to stop posing such outdated, absurd questions since it reflects quite badly upon their intelligence and gives others a very bad impression of them.

Therefore it was not surprising to come across an anonymously-written “paper” containing precisely these type of questions on the Christian missionaries’ cesspool, Answering Islam, entitled The Muslim Multi-Problem. This will be a reply to this short “paper” where the argument is that we are, in fact, faced with a Christian who-when-where-how-what-why-I know nothing-multi-problem. Since this article is a response to Christian missionaries, most of the attention will be focused upon the integrity of the New Testament and will only occasionally make mention of the Jewish Bible where necessary.

The anonymous writer begins:

Many Muslims claim that the Bible has been tampered with and corrupted.

Yes, because it is true; the Biblical text was indeed corrupted. Moreover, Biblical scholars are also in full agreement that the text of the Bible (in this instance, by “Bible” it is referred to both the Jewish Bible and the Christian New Testament) underwent changes during the course of its transmission.

Any event in real life reality with human agents has certain characteristics and conditions attached to it. Any such act is done by one or more particular persons, at one or more specific times, in a certain fashion, in certain places, and for a reason. I hope everybody can agree with that. So, to make your claim of tampering credible you will have to answer these questions:

Sure, let us now answer the questions by using the answers provided by Biblical textual critics.

When happened this tampering? [Before or after Muhammad]?

Mostly before Muhammad (P). Beginning with the New Testament, scholars of textual criticism generally agree that the text of the New Testament underwent the most drastic and frequent types of changes/corruptions in the first three centuries of its transmission. The New Testament text of these periods is often described as a “living” text, a “fluid” text, and a text in “flux.” For instance, one of the leading scholars in the field of New Testament textual criticism of our times, Bart D. Ehrman describes the transmission of the New Testament text in the earliest period as follows:

The majority of textual variants that are preserved in the surviving documents, even the documents produced in a later age, originated during the first three Christian centuries.

This conviction is not based on idle speculation. In contrast to the relative stability of the New Testament text in later times, our oldest witnesses display a remarkable degree of variation. The evidence suggests that

during the earliest period of its transmission the New Testament text was in a state of flux

during the earliest period of its transmission the New Testament text was in a state of flux, that it came to be more or less standardized in some regions by the fourth century, and subject to fairly rigid control (by comparison) only in the Byzantine period¹

Similarly, in the latest revision of Bruce Metzger’s classic, The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption and Restoration, co-authored with Bart Ehrman, we read:

We have good evidence to indicate that in the early decades of transmission numerous changes were made to the texts in circulation: as words or entire lines came to be left out inadvertently or inadvertently copied twice, stylistic changes were made, words were substituted for one another, evident infelicities or outright mistakes were corrected, and so on…It is a striking feature of our textual record that the earliest copies we have of the various books that became the New Testament vary from one another far more widely than do the later copies, which were made under more controlled circumstances in the Middle Ages. Moreover, the quotations of the New Testament by early church fathers evidence a wide array of textual variation dating from these earliest stages in the history of transmission.²

Likewise, the Alands describe the state of transmission of the text of the New Testament of the earliest period as follows:

Until the beginning of the fourth century the text of the New Testament developed freely. It was the “living text” in the Greek literary tradition

Until the beginning of the fourth century the text of the New Testament developed freely. It was the “living text” in the Greek literary tradition, unlike the text of the Hebrew Old Testament, which was subject to strict controls because (in the oriental tradition) the consonantal text was holy. And the New Testament text continued to be a “living text” as long as it remained a manuscript tradition, even when the Byzantine church molded it to the Procrustean bed of the standard and officially prescribed text. Even for later scribes, for example, the parallel passages of the Gospels were so familiar that they would adapt the text of one Gospel to that of another. They also felt themselves free to make corrections in the text, improving it by their own standard of correctness, whether grammatically, stylistically, or more substantively. This was all the more true of the early period, when the text had not been attained canonical status, especially in the earliest period when Christians considered themselves to be filled with the Spirit. As a consequence the text of the early period was many-faceted, and each manuscript had its own peculiar character.³

Similar statements acknowledging the fluid state of the New Testament text in the first three centuries are found in many other sources. Thus, we can say with reasonable certainty that the vast majority of changes and corruptions were made to the New Testament text much before the time of Prophet Muhammad (P).

Moving on to the Jewish Bible, scholars again agree that most changes were made to its text much before the time of Prophet Muhammad (P). For example Waltke explains:

…the further back we go in the textual lineage the greater the textual differences. Before the text was fixed as ca. 100 CE it was copied and recopied through many centuries by scribes of varying capabilities and of different philosophies, giving rise to varying readings and recensions (i.e., distinct text-types).⁴

Thus, far more variations are to be encountered in our earliest witnesses. It should be noted that we do not encounter the “original text” of any book of the Jewish Bible in the Qumran scrolls - the oldest witnesses of the Jewish Bible. Eugene Ulrich, one of the leading authorities on the Qumran scrolls - being the chief editor of the Qumran scrolls - and the text of the Jewish Bible, explains:

Although in the traditions, pious, and popular imagination, the books of Scripture were composed by individual holy men from earliest times (Moses and Isaiah, for example), critical study of the text of Scripture demonstrates that the books are the result of a long literary development, whereby traditional material was faithfully retold and handed on from generation to generation, but also creatively expanded and reshaped to fit the new circumstances and new needs that the successive communities experienced through the vicissitudes of history. So the composition of the Scriptures was organic, developmental, with successive layers of tradition. Ezekiel was commanded to eat a scroll and found that it was sweet as honey (Ezek 3:1-3), so perhaps I can be allowed to use the image of baklava for the composition of scriptural texts: many layers laid on top of one another by successive generations over the centuries, as the traditions were handed on faithfully but creatively adapted, and formed into a unity by the honey - sometimes heated - of the lived experience of the community over time.⁵

The Qumran scrolls reveal that the text of the Jewish Bible were not copied without changes. Instead, the text was growing organically, being adapted and changed. Naturally, this alters our understanding of the so-called “original text.” After summarising the state of the text of the individual books of the Jewish Bible in the Qumran scrolls, Ulrich concludes:

The process of composition of the Scriptures was layered; some of the latter stages of that process - multiple literary editions of the books of Scripture - are demonstrated by our new extant evidence.

3. Because the text of each book was produced organically, in multiple layers, determining “the original text” is a difficult, complex task; and theologically it may not even be the correct goal. How do we decide which of the many layers that could claim to be the “original reading” to select? Often the richer religious meaning in a text are those which entered the text as a relatively late or developed stage; do we choose the earlier, less rich reading or the later, more profound reading? In contrast, if a profound religious insight in an early stage of the text is toned down later by a standard formula or even a vapid platitude, which do we select? And must we not be consistent in choosing the early or the later edition or reading?

. . .

5. The Masoretic Text, like the Samaritan Pentateuch and the Septuagint, is not a univocal term or entity, but a collection of disparate texts, from different periods, of different nature, of different textual value. There is no reason to think of the Masoretic collection as a unit (a codex, a “Bible”), or as a unity. The collection is like the Septuagint, a collection of varied forms of the various books.

6. Thus, finally, the situation has changed concerning translations of “The Holy Bible.” The New Revised Standard Version now contains a number of improved readings based on the biblical manuscripts from Qumran. It can even claim to be the first Bible to contain a paragraph missing from all Bibles for 2,000 years! It contains between chapters 10 and 11 in 1 Samuel a paragraph found at Qumran and attested by Josephus, but absent from all other Bibles over the past two millennia.⁶

And therefore it should be obvious that the vast majority of changes and corruption of the text of the Jewish Bible and the New Testament happened many centuries before the time of Muhammad (P).

Who did the tampering?

The New Testament text was corrupted by Christians who were involved in the copying of its text whereas the text of the Jewish Bible was corrupted by the Jews responsible for the copying of the text.

The New Testament text was corrupted by Christians who were involved in the copying of its text whereas the text of the Jewish Bible was corrupted by the Jews responsible for the copying of the text.

Where was it done? [city, country, ...?]

It was done where ever Christians were located and required New Testament texts — such as Palestine, Asia Minor, Egypt, etc. In the case of the Jewish Bible, we would say the Palestinian region.

What parts of the text were changed?

A list of some specific changes is produced here. D. C. Parker, the leading British scholar of textual criticism, in The Living Text of the Gospels, discusses some of the important parts of the text of the gospels which were changed - such as for instance the words of Jesus (P) on divorce and remarriage (Mark 10:2-12; Matthew 5:27-32; 19:3-12; Luke 16:18); the Lord’s prayer (Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4); the addition of the story of the woman caught in adultery in John 7:53-8:11; the ending of Mark; and a bunch of textual problems in the last 167 verses of Luke. After analysing a number of textual problems in Luke, Parker concludes:

In our investigations we have uncovered evidence in rather more than 40 verses out of the last 167 of Luke’s Gospel, about a quarter of them. Some of the readings might be best described as quaint. In several others we can see, as in so many other places, a difficulty or an unfortunate phrasing being removed…But the sum total provides incontrovertible evidence that the text of these chapters was not fixed, and indeed continued to grow for centuries after its composition.⁷

Bruce Metzger and Bart Ehrman, on the other hand, make mention of several other changed parts of the New Testament text which are of immense theological and exegetical significance:

Just within the Gospels, reference can be made to the Prologue of John (e.g., 1.18), the birth narratives of Matthew and Luke (e.g., Matt. 1.16, 18; Luke 1.35), the baptism accounts of the New Testament (e.g., Mark 15.34; Luke 3.22; John 1.34), and the various passion narratives (e.g., Mark 15.34; Luke 22.43-44; John 19.36). Moreover, a number of variants effect a range of issues that continue to interest historians and exegetes of the New Testament, including such questions as whether the Gospels could have been used to support “adoptionistic” Christology (e.g., Mark 1.1; Luke 3.22; John 1.34) or one that was “antidocetic” (e.g., the Western non interpolations), whether Luke has a doctrine of the atonement (e.g., Luke 22.19-20), whether members of the Johannine community embraced a gnostic Christology (e.g., 1 John 4.3), and whether any of the authors of the New Testament characterizes Jesus as God (e.g., Heb. 1.8).⁸

How was it done [i.e. without leaving traces of it]?

We know that the texts were changed and corrupted precisely due to the numerous traces left of it in the manuscript tradition! Traces of changes and corruptions are most prominent in the earliest New Testament fragments and manuscripts. Quoting Bruce Metzger and Bart Ehrman again:

It is a striking feature of our textual record that the earliest copies we have of the various books that became the New Testament vary from one another far more widely than do the later copies…⁹

Gabel, Wheeler and York summarise the types of traces of changes and corruptions to be found in our earliest witnesses:

One study of three of the most extensive papyri (Chester Beatty I, Bodmer II, and Bodmer XIV-XV), covering passages from the Gospels and Acts, has discovered more than a thousand “singular readings” - words or groups of words not found in any other known manuscript - and this does not include different spellings! None of the papyri has a text wholly like that of the later, reconstructed families surveyed earlier. To the extent that they represent a consecutive text at all and are not fragmentary (as most of them are), they are witnesses to several textual families within the same book. For example, the Chester Beatty Papyrus II, from the third century, gives us a reading of Romans that exists nowhere else. It places the doxology that now ends chapter 16 at the end of chapter 15, lending support to those who have maintained on literary grounds that chapter 16 is really a separate letter that was later attached to Romans. Both Bodmer II and the Bodmer XIV-XV contain portions of the Gospel of John, but they often differ drastically from one another.

What can account for this wide variance among documents written so early in the history of the New Testament text? The answer, leaving aside errors of copying and writing, is that Christianity was evolving rapidly during its first several centuries and the New Testament evolved along with it to meet its needs. As the young religion spread across the ancient world, it created communities of believers in widely separated places, and each of these communities faced unique situations and had its own peculiar needs. The sacred texts were adjusted to meet local conditions. One scholar refers to such changes as “reverential alterations,” while another calls them “orthodox corruptions.”¹⁰

Similarly, it is due to the traces left in the manuscript tradition of the Jewish Bible that we know for sure that its text also underwent corruption:

Textual criticism is necessary because there is no error-free manuscript…Variants occur more frequently in the medieval manuscripts of the MT tradition, but they are minuscule compared to the variants found in the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS). In fact, the further back we go in the textual lineage the greater the textual differences. Before the text was fixed as ca. 100 CE it was copied and recopied through many centuries by scribes of varying capabilities and of different philosophies, giving rise to varying readings and recensions (i.e., distinct text-types).

The restoration of the original OT text is foundational to the exegetical task and to theological reflection.¹¹

As we have seen, the same observation also holds true for the New Testament text; the earliest manuscripts and fragments of the New Testament reveal far more differences and variations than all the later manuscripts.

Why would anybody do this incredibly difficult thing?

It is not “incredibly difficult” to make certain changes to the text of a document, especially if that document is initially passing along in a non-uniform manner between different communities. The New Testament is not one book; it is a collection of different books produced by various authors at different times and locations. Not all of the four gospels were available to all the Christian communities from the start. For instance, one community might initially have read only Mark while lacking the other gospels; another community might have read Matthew but would not know anything about Mark; and yet other communities might have possessed Luke and John while lacking Matthew and Mark and so on. Only later were the books collected together and widely known as such. As Frederic Kenyon explained:

…the anonymous Gospels and Acts were not regarded as the literary compositions of their authors, but as narratives of the life of our Lord and the work of His apostles, compiled with the purely practical object of disseminating the knowledge of their lives and teachings among the Christian community, and with no eye to a future which in any case would soon be curtailed by the Second Coming. There was no need to be meticulous in verbal accuracy. The substance was what mattered, and if additions, believed to be authentic, could be made to it, why should they not? Then there were little means, even if it had been thought needful, to secure uniformity of transmission. Each book circulated originally as a separate roll, and there was no fixed Canon of Christian Scriptures. Not every Christian community could possess a complete set of Gospels or of Paul’s epistles, but each would supply itself as best it could from its neighbours. Many copies would be made by untrained provincial copyists, and there would be no oppurtunity of correcting them by comparasion with other copies, except such as might be in the immediate neighbourhood. Such revision as there might be would be local and unmethodical.¹²

In such a scenario, different communities would make different types of changes to the specific books that they happened to possess as they copied and recopied their text. Then these copies would find their way to other communities and scribes, who would then further adjust and edit their texts to suit their own particular needs and this process would go on and on. Even later when Christians would have become aware of most of the writings now forming the New Testament, different changes would continue to be made to the text of these documents by different Christian scribes involved in the copying of the texts and in the recopying process more changes would undoubtedly come about. Thus, the text of the New Testament writings were changed in a haphazard and non-uniform manner. Hence, the text underwent different types of changes even though there was no outright grand “conspiracy” involving each and every Christian to alter the text of documents. Moreover, not all of the changes were deliberate. Many corruptions would be quite unintentional, such as spelling mistakes, missing of words and lines, mistakenly copying lines twice, etc.

Besides the many unintentional changes, parts of the text of the New Testament were also altered occasionally for theological and doctrinal reasons - thus quite deliberately. Christians belonging to different rival sects altered the text of the various New Testament writings, particularly those of the gospels, to suit their theological and doctrinal agendas, while accusing their rivals of changing passages. Then on other occasions similar passages within the gospels were harmonised with each other in order to eliminate contradictions. Moreover, at times passages were also corrected to remove historical and other errors from the text.

The different reasons that led to the corruption of the New Testament text are listed by Bruce Metzger¹³ as follows:

1. Unintentional errors

Errors arising from faulty eyesight
Errors arising from faulty hearing
Errors of the mind
Errors of judgement

2. Intentional changes

Changes involving spelling and grammar
Harmonistic corruptions
Addition of natural complements and similar adjuncts
Clearing up historical and geographical difficulties
Conflation of readings
Alterations made because of doctrinal considerations
Addition of miscellaneous details

We are finally done answering all of Christian’s “I know nothing!” multiple questions. Yet the anonymous apologist is not quite finished. It seems he/she is intent on embarrassing him/herself further by making the following astounding claim:

No Muslim could ever answer these questions. I wonder why?? Maybe because it is such an incredible feat that would require more than a miracle do get done? Believing in the tampering needs a lot of faith. Blind faith, against the manuscript evidence we have.

Refusing to look at the incontestable evidence and irrationally insisting otherwise is the actual blind faith

It takes no faith whatsoever to believe and know for sure that the text of the Bible underwent corruption during the course of its transmission, since it is solely due to manuscript evidence that we know with 100% certainty that the Biblical text was indeed corrupted — both intentionally as well as unintentionally. Refusing to look at the incontestable evidence and irrationally insisting otherwise is the actual blind faith, and is in fact self-deception — akin to a child screaming incoherently, “Santa Clause does exist!” multiple times upon realizing that he is but a myth. One may close their eyes, deny the truth a million times, insist that something is true while knowing it is false, but the truth will not alter despite these episodes of self-deception.

And only God knows best!

For a detailed refutation of popular Christian claims about the manuscripts, preservation and textual accuracy of the New Testament, see also: Textual Reliability / Accuracy Of The New Testament

Bart D. Ehrman, The Orthodox Corruption Of Scripture: The Effect Of Early Christological Controversies On The Text Of The New Testament, 1993, Oxford University Press: London & New York, pp. 28-29
Bruce M. Metzger, Bart D. Ehrman, The Text Of The New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration, 2005, Fourth Edition, Oxford University Press, pp. 275-276
Kurt Aland, Barbara Aland, The Text of the New Testament: An Introduction to the Critical Editions and to the Theory and Practice of Modern Textual Criticism, 1989, 2nd edition, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, p. 69
Bruce K. Waltke, “How We Got the Hebrew Bible: The Text and Canon of the Old Testament”, in Peter W. Flint (ed.), The Bible at Qumran: Text, Shape, and Interpretation (Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature), 2001, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, p. 27
Eugene Ulrich, The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Origins of the Bible (Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature), 1999, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, p. 23
Eugene Ulrich, The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Origins of the Bible (Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature), 1999, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, p. 32
D. C. Parker, The Living Text of the Gospels, 1997, Cambridge University Press, p. 172
Bruce M. Metzger, Bart D. Ehrman, The Text Of The New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration, 2005, Fourth Edition, Oxford University Press, footnote 52, pp. 284-285
Bruce M. Metzger, Bart D. Ehrman, The Text Of The New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration, 2005, Fourth Edition, Oxford University Press, pp. 275-276
John B. Gabel, Charles B. Wheeler and Anthony D. York, The Bible As Literature: An Introduction, 2000, 4th edition, Oxford University Press, pp. 262-263.
Bruce K. Waltke, “How We Got the Hebrew Bible: The Text and Canon of the Old Testament”, in Peter W. Flint (ed.), The Bible at Qumran: Text, Shape, and Interpretation (Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature), 2001, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, pp. 27-28
F. G. Kenyon, The Text of the Greek Bible, Studies in Theology, 3rd edition revised and augmented by A. W. Adams, 1976, Duckworth, pp. 249-250.
For more details see: Bruce M. Metzger, The Text Of The New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption and Restoration, 1992, Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 186-206.

Taken from: Resolving the Christian “I-Know-Nothing” Multi-Problem In Textual Criticism

Busby SEO Test

Are two women equal to one man in Islam?

admin — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:47:37 +0000

Introduction: Before we start, it is important to know that Allah Almighty in Islam is perfect when it comes to justice. The slightest of the doubt is not tolerated. Below, I presented a Noble Verse where Allah Almighty commanded us to provide four reliable men as witnesses against one woman.

It’s not that one man or two men can not witness an event well enough, but rather, GOD Almighty Wants to enforce Perfect Justice in the society. That is why even 3 male witnesses are not sufficient enough.

1- The Noble Quran’s Divine Claim and Its support from the Bible:

There is a widely prevailing misconception by the anti-Islamics regarding this issue. They claim that since Allah Almighty ordered courts in Islam to bring either two reliable females witness or one reliable male witness, then therefore, Islam (1) discriminates between men and women; and (2) does not consider men and women to be equal.

Let us look at Noble Verse 2:282 “O ye who believe! When ye deal with each other, in transactions involving future obligations in a fixed period of time, reduce them to writing; let a scribe write down faithfully as between the parties: let not the scribe refuse to write: as God Has taught him, so let him write. Let him who incurs the liability dictate, but let him fear His Lord God, and not diminish aught of what he owes. If they party liable is mentally deficient, or weak, or unable Himself to dictate, let his guardian dictate faithfully, and get two witnesses, out of your own men, and if there are not two men, then a man and two women, such as ye choose, for witnesses, so that if one of them errs, the other can remind her. The witnesses should not refuse when they are called on (For evidence). Disdain not to reduce to writing (your contract) for a future period, whether it be small or big: it is juster in the sight of God, More suitable as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves but if it be a transaction which ye carry out on the spot among yourselves, there is no blame on you if ye reduce it not to writing. But take witness whenever ye make a commercial contract; and let neither scribe nor witness suffer harm. If ye do (such harm), it would be wickedness in you. So fear God; For it is Good that teaches you. And God is well acquainted with all things. If ye are on a journey, and cannot find a scribe, a pledge with possession (may serve the purpose). And if one of you deposits a thing on trust with another, let the trustee (faithfully) discharge his trust, and let him Fear his Lord conceal not evidence; for whoever conceals it, - his heart is tainted with sin. And God knoweth all that ye do.”

Leviticus 12:2-5 “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a MALE child: then she shall be unclean SEVEN DAYS; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying THIRTY THREE days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. But if she bear a FEMALE child, then she shall be unclean TWO WEEKS, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying SIXTY SIX days.”

The Honor of men:

There are a number of possible answers and justifications to Noble Verse 2:282 above. One possible one is that GOD Almighty Made men superior over women in everything in the physical world, even in terms of honor. In other words, men are more honored in this world than women in the Sight of GOD Almighty. This is perhaps further supported by this Noble Verse:

“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband’s) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all). (The Noble Quran, 4:34)”

And in the Bible as well:

Leviticus 15:19-30 “And if a woman have an issue (her period/menses), [and] her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even. And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean. And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even. And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even. And if it [be] on [her] bed, or on any thing whereon she sitteth, when he toucheth it, he shall be unclean until the even. And if any man lie with her at all, and her flowers be upon him, he shall be unclean seven days; and all the bed whereon he lieth shall be unclean. And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she [shall be] unclean. Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation: and whatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her separation. And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even. But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean. And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And the priest shall offer the one [for] a sin offering, and the other [for] a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for her before the LORD for the issue of her uncleanness.”

But in the Spiritual world, both men and women are equal, and only the more Righteous one is the better one.

Spiritually men and women are indisputably equal!

“If any do deeds of righteousness,- be they male or female - and have faith, they will enter Heaven, and not the least injustice will be done to them. (The Noble Quran, 4:124)”

“O mankind! [this includes all races and all nations] We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other. Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well-acquainted. (The Noble Quran, 49:13)”

“For Muslim men and women,- for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in God’s praise,- for them has God prepared forgiveness and great reward. (The Noble Quran, 33:35)”

“And their Lord hath accepted of them, and answered them: “Never will I suffer to be lost the work of any of you, be he male or female: Ye are members, one of another: Those who have left their homes, or been driven out therefrom, or suffered harm in My Cause, or fought or been slain,- verily, I will blot out from them their iniquities, and admit them into Gardens with rivers flowing beneath;- A reward from the presence of God, and from His presence is the best of rewards.” (The Noble Quran, 3:195)”

“The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practise regular charity, and obey God and His Apostle. On them will God pour His mercy: for God is Exalted in power, Wise. (The Noble Quran, 9:71)”

“And among God’s signs is this: He created for you mates from amongst yourselves (males as mates for females and vice versa) that you might find tranquillity and peace in them. And he has put love and kindness among you. Herein surely are signs for those who reflect. (The Noble Quran, 30:21)”

A “great deal of good” exists in women:

“O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower [money given by the husband to the wife for the marriage contract] ye have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and God brings about through it a great deal of good. (The Noble Quran, 4:19)”

2- Why did Allah Almighty order such law?

The Noble Verse above is quite clear about providing either two reliable men or 2 reliable women in a substitution for each man in any court. But why did Allah Almighty order such a law? What is the Divine Wisdom behind it?

The Noble Verse above does not in anyway talk about women’s intelligence or memory capabilities or brains. It is simply talking about the women’s complete integrity. Women are by far more emotional than men. This by itself will effect the woman’s ACCURACY in her witness if she is asked to explain what happened in a certain event.

Let us look at few differences between men and women to understand better:

1- Women have a lot more patience and emotions in them than men. This is one of the blessings that Allah Almighty had created in women to enable them to raise children. Men do not have enough patience in them, nor enough loving emotions in them to raise children.

2- Women can easily get frightened. Man can’t. It takes a lot to frighten a normal average man.

Let us look at the following Saying from Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him:

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: “The Prophet said, “Isn’t the witness of a woman equal to half of that of a man?” The women said, “Yes.” He said, “This is because of the deficiency of a woman’s mind.” (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Witnesses, Volume 3, Book 48, Number 826)”

Notice very carefully here that Prophet Muhammad said “woman’s mind” and not “woman’s brain”. No where in any Islamic doctrine do we see any ridiculous uneducated and unscientific claim against women or anyone. The women’s brains and ability to think is not what is being criticized here. It is as I said above their complete integrity. Notice how Allah Almighty said in the Noble Verse “…it is juster in the sight of God, More suitable as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves…(The Noble Quran, 2:282)” So it is the perfect justice and the 100% complete accuracy that Allah Almighty is concerned about here.

In the section we will see a situation where Allah Almighty commands for us to bring 4 reliable men or else the case is dismissed.

It’s not that one man or two men can not witness an event well enough.

It is rather the Perfect Justice that GOD Almighty is enforcing here.

Also please visit:

Why Two Women Witnesses?
(By Karim)

Are women deficient in intelligence and religion? Answer, No!
(By Karim)

3- If it takes two women, here it takes four men for a witness!

It is obvious from Noble Verse 2:282 and the Saying of our beloved Prophet above that Islam is extremely picky when it comes to justice. The slightest of doubts are not acceptable. For instance, a single man’s witness is not sufficient enough to prove that an adulteress did indeed commit adultery. There has to be present 4 reliable (not just any witnesses) in order for the woman to be convicted:

“And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (to support their allegations),- flog them with eighty stripes; and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors. (The Noble Quran, 24:4)”

It is not that one man or two or even three men all together don’t have the mental capability to capture a simple event of adultery done by a woman. It is the uncompromised 100% accuracy and perfection in the conviction that Islam is really picky about. What might appear as an adultery to one man, might not appear as such to another. That is why Allah Almighty in the Noble Quran ordered the Muslims to produce 4 reliable witnesses to convict the woman, or else the case is dismissed and those who made any allegations would get flogged for falsely charging a chaste woman.

Further Answer from sister Nicole Woods, a young American sister who recently embraced Islam; may Allah Almighty always be pleased with her, regarding Noble Verse 2:282 above: “Because women have always been considered inferior and not capable of good testimonies, maybe Allah was concerned that the courts would doubt their integrity. By having two witnesses instead of one, He has assured that we will always be listened to and believed. Maybe one woman can be refuted, but not two!! In fact, the more witnesses, the better, but for the sake of convenience, Allah has assured us that two is enough. In a world where we are the losers because of our gender, Islam always provides a way to force others to see us as equals. Sabhunallah [Good Lord].”

Again, I can’t stress this enough!

It is not that one man or two men can not witness an event well enough. It is rather the Perfect Justice that GOD Almighty is enforcing here.

4- The Scientific Evidence:

The following was sent to me by sister Jacqueline S. Waheed; may Allah Almighty always be pleased with her.

Are two women equal to one man in Islam?

[Ref Noble Qur'aan 2:282]

“O you who believe! When you contract a debt for a fixed period, write it down. Let a scribe write it down in justice between you. Let not the scribe refuse to write as Allah has taught him, so let him write. Let him (the debtor) who incurs the liability dictate, and he must fear Allah, his Lord, and diminish not anything of what he owes. But if the debtor is of poor understanding, or weak, or is unable himself to dictate, then let his guardian dictate in justice. And get two witnesses out of your own men. And if there are not two men (available), then a man and two women, such as you agree for witnesses, so that if one of them (two women) errs, the other can remind her. And the witnesses should not refuse when they are called on (for evidence). You should not become weary to write it (your contract), whether it be small or big, for its fixed term, that is more just with Allah; more solid as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves, save when it is a present trade which you carry out on the spot among yourselves, then there is no sin on you if you do not write it down. But take witnesses whenever you make a commercial contract. Let neither scribe nor witness suffer any harm, but if you do (such harm), it would be wickedness in you. So be afraid of Allah; and Allah teaches you. And Allah is the All-Knower of each and everything.”

This particular verse has frequently been used by Christian missionary and other anti-Islaam elements as an unusual and absurd claim that has nothing to do with the issue being raised in a twisted and perverted fashion. First and foremost this verse is addressing an issue in conjunction of least ideal situation which may or may not arise. But if it does, than let us explore why?

Men and women have their gender, biological, physical, and emotional differences [to name few], which results in different medical, mental, health, and psychological conditions. Those in denial or ignorant will dispute this fact without realizing that Noble Qur’aan 1,421 years ago actually protected women forever with this very verse. Many reasons which effects women’s health have been discovered by modern science in recent age and will continue to be explored in future. Let us see some of those facts which impairs a woman’s everyday life not to mention concentration..

Premenstrual Syndrome
(Late Luteal Phase Dysphoric Disorder)
Premenstrual Syndrome (Late Luteal Phase Dysphoric Disorder) is a concept of which the validity has been questioned for decades. While based on clinical reality, with at least 60% of all women suffering from it, PMS has served as a tool for diminishing women, for enforcing stereotypes about their unpredictable and uncontrollable character, and for ridiculing their assertive behavior. The notion of PMS got so woven into the texture of our psycho-social fabric that many women self-diagnose themselves (or let their partners do so) without really having the disorder; while others who actually do need help go untreated because they (or their doctors) simply “”don’t believe” in PMS. Stereotypes are rich soil for self-fulfilling prophecy. The best way to conquer these stereotypes is through education.

Osteoporosis
Menopause is a distinct phase of a woman’s life with its own special health needs and issues. Without a doubt, the single most important concern of the post menopausal women remains osteoporosis, or thinning and brittle bones.

· Traumas

· Eating Disorders

· Health Disorders

Endometriosis
It is a painful disease that may afflict 10 percent of women of child-bearing age. Endometriosis can go undetected and untreated by the medical community and wreak havoc on the sufferer’s life. Many women who suffer from endometriosis eventually undergo unnecessary hysterectomies.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the most frequent anxiety disorders with current prevalence of 1.6% and lifetime prevalence 5.1% (Wittchen, Zhao, Kessler, & Eaton, 1994). It is a chronic condition which, despite some fluctuations, is relatively stable with continuous symptom pattern (Rickels & Schweizer, 1990; Brown, Barlow & Liebowitz, 1994). It’s a state of continuous apprehension and anticipation of something horrible, characterized by excessive anxiety and unrealistic worry. It often affects social and occupational functioning and might have disruptive influence on the patients’ families. The impact on the patients’ perception of his/her emotional and physical well-being is great.

Panic disorder and Agoraphobia
Did you know that almost 14 % of general population suffers from one of the anxiety disorders? And did you know that the majority are women? One of the most common anxiety disorders is panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (even more common are simple phobias, such as fear of heights, darkness, animals etc.). The psychological, social and economical consequences of this disorders are enormous. Many kinds of effective treatments exist. Still, a great number of panic and agoraphobic patients struggle alone, afraid of confiding in their physicians because of the stigma attached to mental problems. Some physicians fail to recognize the symptoms. If you suffer from hyperventilation, palpitations, tingling sensations, dizziness or chest pain that suddenly come and suddenly disappear, you might be suffering from panic disorder. Wait no longer. There is help.

Relationship Issues
a.. Arguing
b.. Co-dependency
c.. Making Relationships Work
d.. Negative Thinking
e.. Sleep Hygiene

For some, falling asleep is as simple as laying back into a soft pillow. But for others, it is a frustrating process of tossing, turning and glancing nervously at the advancing clock. Whether you awake refreshed and ready to face the day or red-eyed and sluggish depends on your sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene is your personal collection of habits that determine the quality of your sleep.

For further information check this link of American medical Association [Women's Health Issues] http://www.ama-assn.org/special/womh/womh.htm

American Medical Association http://www.ama-assn.org/

American Psychological Association [Women's Health] http://helping.apa.org/

American Psychological Association http://www.apa.org/

There are literally hundreds of mental, psychological, medical and emotional conditions that modern science has discovered that a women suffers from her birth till she dies, let alone PMS or Child birth, to death in family, or sickness or death of child of close kin. To avoid lengthy response I have provided the links above. Where one can find expert opinions and women’s health info.

LET US GET LEGAL HERE:

One must note that I have used red font above in quote of verse 2:282 to distinguish and emphasize “such as you agree for witnesses” …This part or portion of the verse also provides the liberty to parties to agree for witnesses. Which is followed by a “IF” that actually gives woman more power and guarantee for following reasons.

1. Outdoors and judiciary has historically been always men’s dominated world and it still is.

2. Even in so-called free world and so-called civilized societies of Europe and USA have a glass ceiling [invisible] for women which often prevents women to advance and exercise her rights. Still women are overwhelmingly outnumbered by men in so-called democratic judicial systems [to represent or be represented] of Europe and USA let alone other parts of world.

3. Keeping the point 1 & 2 in mind verse 2:282 provides women strength by virtue of number=power, that means when a women is out numbered by men in judiciary of legal proceeding she has someone from her own gender which can be a support to her by understanding her special needs, her weaknesses, and her strengths “IF” she faces such situation.

4. Beside that this verse does not prevent a women to have a MEHRUM [father, brother, husband, or son] to be on her side. The key theme here is protection of women’s right to be a witness. Does bible gives it to women? I don’t think so. Please keep this fact in mind that Noble Qur’aan does say that IF one of them (two women) errs, the other can remind her. So “IF” is the key word not a mandate. Which proves that Qur’aan is catering the women whereas bible uses her for sex, lies and nudity.

Last but not least this particular verse [2:282] provides more protection to Muslim women which OT and NT does not at all. Christians’ profound ignorance to Islaam and Noble Qur’aan is amazing. This is about time they must augment their studies with the revealed and inspired message that is to be found in the Final Revelation of God *The Noble Qur’aan*. Which will enable Christians to compare both religions and books with an open mind. Christians must get out of their inherited tunnel vision that they have so firmly established for centuries.

Such bizarre claims are nothing but a form of yellow journalism and stereotype which can make a missionary/bible thumper Christian feel better. That if bible does not make sense so does Qur’aan. But those who can reason knows very well that this is not true about Noble Qur’aan.

“Come now and let us reason together, saidth the Lord.” [1:18 Isaiah].

Taken from: Are two women equal to one man in Islam?

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The ideal Muslimah (Female Muslim)

admin — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:41:11 +0000

The ideal Muslimah (Female Muslim):

The following was an email I received from salsabeel@aol.com, may Allah Almighty always be pleased with him or her. I added the English translations in parenthesis for some of the Arabic words used.

The Ideal Muslimah and Her Community

1. She is truthful
2 She does not cheat, deceive or stab in the back
3. She is not envious

4. She is sincere
5. She keeps her promises
6. She has a good attitude towards others and treats them well
7. She is characterized by shyness
8. She is gentle towards people
9. She is compassionate and merciful
10. She is tolerant and forgiving
11. She is easy-going in her business dealings
12. She is of cheerful countenance
13. She has a sense of humor
14. She is patient
15. She avoids cursing and foul language
16. She does not falsely accuse anyone of fisq (transgression) or kufr (blasphemy)
17. She is modest and discreet
18. She dose not interfere in that which does not concern her
19. She refrains from backbiting and slander
20. She avoids giving false statements

21. She avoids suspicion
22. She keeps secrets
23. She does not converse privately with another person when there is a third person present
24. She is not arrogant or proud
25. She is humble and modest
26. She does not make fun of anyone
27. She respects elders and distinguished people
28. She mixes with people of noble character
29. She strives for people’s benefits and seeks to protect her from harm

30. She strives to reconcile between Muslims
31. She calls people to truth
32. She is wise and eloquent in her da`wah (Islamic Propagation)
34. She is not a hypocrite
35. She does not show off or boast
36. She is straightforward and consistent in her adherence to the truth
37. She visits the sick
39. She repays favors and is grateful for them
40. She mixes with people and puts up with their insults
41. She tries to make people happy
42. She guides others to righteous deeds
43. She is easy on people, not hard
44. She is fair in her judgment of people

45. She does not oppress or mistreat others
46. She loves noble things and always aims high
47. Her speech is not exaggerated or affected
48. She does not rejoice in the misfortunes of others
49. She is generous
50. She does not remind the beneficiaries of her charity

51. She is hospitable
52. She prefers others to herself
53. She helps to alleviate the burden of the debtor
54. She is proud and does not beg
55. She is friendly and likeable
56. She checks her customs and habits against Islamic standards

57. She follows Islamic manners in the way she eats and drinks
58. She spreads the greeting of salam (peace)
59. She does not enter a house other than her own without permission

60. She avoids yawning in a gathering as much as she can
62. She follows the Islamic etiquette when she sneezes
63. She does not look into other people’s houses
64. She does not imitate men

…. an important lesson for sisters!

“Say: O `Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed
against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)!
Despair not of the Mercy of Allah:
verily, Allah forgives each and every sin.
Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”.
(The Noble Quran, 39:53)

Taken from: The ideal Muslimah (Female Muslim)

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Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Did Not Beat Or Strike Aisha (RA)

admin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:35:40 +0000

There’s one Hadith used by Anti Islamic people to criticize Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in one occasion during his stay in the house of his (PBUH) wife mother Aisha (RA). In the occasion prophet Muhammad is reported to had beaten mother Aisha (RA). When in the reality it was not, but the word “lahada” used in the Hadith has been mistakenly translated into “Struck”. This brief article is meant to debunks prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from such mistranslation. Insha Allah this article will shed some light upon those whose seek for the answer concerning the issue. The following article I took from: Mistranslation of Hadiths, and I regard it as accurate answer.

‘An answer to the false claim made by anti islamic people that the prophet one time beat aicha’

(misunderstood hadith) Sahih Muslim, Book 004, Number 2127:

Muhammad b. Qais said (to the people): Should I not narrate to you (a hadith of the Holy Prophet) on my authority and on the authority of my mother? We thought that he meant the mother who had given him birth. He (Muhammad b. Qais) then reported that it was ‘A’isha who had narrated this: Should I not narrate to you about myself and about the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)? We said: Yes. She said: When it was my turn for Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) to spend the night with me, he turned his side, put on his mantle and took off his shoes and placed them near his feet, and spread the corner of his shawl on his bed and then lay down till he thought that I had gone to sleep. He took hold of his mantle slowly and put on the shoes slowly, and opened the door and went out and then closed it lightly. I covered my head, put on my veil and tightened my waist wrapper, and then went out following his steps till he reached Baqi’. He stood there and he stood for a long time. He then lifted his hands three times, and then returned and I also returned. He hastened his steps and I also hastened my steps. He ran and I too ran. He came (to the house) and I also came (to the house). I, however, preceded him and I entered (the house), and as I lay down in the bed, he (the Holy Prophet) entered the (house), and said: Why is it, O ‘A’isha, that you are out of breath? I said: There is nothing. He said: Tell me or the Subtle and the Aware would inform me. I said: Messenger of Allah, may my father and mother be ransom for you, and then I told him (the whole story). He said: Was it the darkness (of your shadow) that I saw in front of me? I said: Yes. He struck me on the chest which caused me pain, and then said: Did you think that Allah and His Apostle would deal unjustly with you? She said: Whatsoever the people conceal, Allah will know it. He said: Gabriel came to me when you saw me. He called me and he concealed it from you. I responded to his call, but I too concealed it from you (for he did not come to you), as you were not fully dressed. I thought that you had gone to sleep, and I did not like to awaken you, fearing that you may be frightened. He (Gabriel) said: Your Lord has commanded you to go to the inhabitants of Baqi’ (to those lying in the graves) and beg pardon for them. I said: Messenger of Allah, how should I pray for them (How should I beg forgiveness for them)? He said: Say, Peace be upon the inhabitants of this city (graveyard) from among the Believers and the Muslims, and may Allah have mercy on those who have gone ahead of us, and those who come later on, and we shall, God willing, join you.

Answer to the mistranslation:

The term used in the hadith is:

Imam Nawawi in his Sharh states that:

The word “lahada” according to the lexicographers means, “to push” (dafa’a).

The usage of the word “struck” is not a correct translation. Rather, the phrase should be translated as (as Gf haddad said):

- He pushed my chest with a push that made me sore

Secondly, this calls to an important matter that is related to the Hand imposition of the Prophet - Allah bless him - because it is a gesture associated with driving away evil influence (waswâs) and conferring blessing as the following reports show:

1. Ubay ibn Ka`b said: “There occurred in my mind a sort of denial which did not occur even during the Days of Ignorance. When the Messenger of Allah - Allah bless and greet him - saw how I was affected, he slapped me on the chest. I broke into a sweat and felt as if I were looking at Allâh in fear.” (Sahih Muslim)

2. Jarir ibn Abdullah Al Bajalî was sent by the Prophet - Allah bless him - on a mission to destroy Dhu Al Kahalasa, the idol-house of Khatham, nicknamed the Yemenite Kaba. Jarr narrates:

“I went along with a hundred and fifty horsemen but I could not sit steadily on horse. I mentioned it to the Messenger of Allah - Allah bless and greet him - who then struck his hand on my chest so hard that I could see the trace of his fingers on it, saying: ‘O Allah! Grant him steadfastness and make him a guide of righteousness and a rightly-guided one!’ (Bukhari and Muslim)

Allah Knows Best

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Women Status In Islam

admin — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:20:02 +0000

The Status Of Women In Islam. The topic I would like to address in this discourse, Insha’Allah(God Willing), is that of women and their status all through history. As a Muslim, my reason for bringing up this subject is in order to shed some light on the negative publicity Islam has received and the false statements of the media as portraying Muslim women as oppressed. The media paint the Muslim women as being oppressed and under suppression by the Muslim male. Now, before I go any further, I would be an ignorant hypocrite if I failed to mention that in some parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan as well as Arab countries, women are treated as second class citizens, not being able to go out in public as well as have the opportunity to do menial tasks like driving a care, however this is a cultural issue and not an Islamic issue.

Islam should not be blamed for the cultural opinion of a certain race of people in regards to their treatment of women. If this were the case, we could blame other religions like Christianity, for example, for the mistreatment of women in western countries.

Mistreatments such as spouse abuse, neglect, infidelity, etc…I wish to prove that this is not a teaching of the religion of Islam. In Islam, women have equal rights to that of men and have played a vital role throughout Islamic history. Women have the right to own property, the right to marry and initiate a divorce, the right to a personal identity, etc…Allah(swt) has made Himself clear in The Holy Qur’an on the subject of women;

“…I will not suffer the work of any worker from among you to be lost whether male or female, the one of you being from the other.” Surah Al-Imran:195

“O you who believe, it is not lawful for you to take women as heritage against their will. Nor should you straiten them….” Surah Al-Nisa:19

These are just two examples of many. There are also many beautiful Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad(saas) in regards to women, especially of mothers;

“…the world lies at the feet of mothers.” Prophet Muhammad(saas)

“O’ ye men. Fear Allah and treat your women with kindness.” Prophet Muhammad(saas)

Also, in the farewell pilgrimage of Prophet Muhammad(saas), during his farewell speech, he implored men to be good and kind to their women and to deal with them justly. Where else would one find a religious book which dedicates an entire Surah (chapter) to the subject of Al-Nisa (women) in the most respectful terms other than Islam? The answer is nowhere.

One of the tools used by the western media in portraying Muslim women as being under subjugation by their male counterparts is the “HIJAB”. What these ignorant minded media moguls fail to realize is that these Muslim women choose to wear the Hijab, with no compulsion. That is the True Islam. Today, we have Muslim sisters in France fighting for the right to wear the Hijab in the face of that government’s law that bans them. It is noteworthy to mention that while France claims its reasons to ban head wear stems from its claim to be a country void of religious affiliation, it proved just how Catholic it was after the death of Pope John Paul 2, where flags where flown at half mast, Catholic churches becoming the centre of attention and all in the government and media referred to the Pope as “His Holiness”. Hypocritical indeed. As for the Muslim sisters fight for the right to wear Hijab, does that not account for anything in the eyes of the western media? Obviously not.

In Ontario, Canada, a Muslim sister was expelled from her college because she refused to remove her Hijab. Does this sound like someone who is being forced to wear something that she does not want to wear? It most certainly does not. Up until the advent of Prophet Muhammad(saas), women were considered of no value. The act of infanticide against female babies was practiced in abundance in the time of Prophet Muhammad(saas) and it is an evil that is still practiced in some parts of the world even today. Now, the biggest critics you will find, in regards to the treatment of women in Islam, are the Christian Evangelists.

It is for this reason that I will draw a comparison between Islam and Christianity as far as the status of women is concerned, with a slight mention of Judaism. Now please keep in mind that my comparison is drawn from the opinion of the established Christian church and not necessarily the Christian individual, although sadly, this teaching and opinion seems prevalent in the thoughts of most of the Christian lay people, at no fault of their own. We can only hope and pray that Insha’Allah(God Willing), our Christian brothers and sisters will open their minds and hearts and see the truth for what it is. Perhaps the greatest display of mockery on the part of the Christian church towards Islam is polygamy. Christian Evangelists never cease their ridicule of Islam because of their misinterpretation of the following Ayah (verse) found in The Holy Qur’an;

“…marry such women as seem good to you, two, or three, or four; but if you fear that you will not do justice, then marry only one…” Surah Al-Nisa:3

This Ayah (verse) was Revealed to Prophet Muhammad(saas) after the battle of Uhud, were many Muslim men were killed. Because of this, many women and children were left without husbands and fathers. Prophet Muhammad(saas) and his companions(ra) took to marrying these women in order to take care of them legally in the Eyes of Almighty God. They became husbands to the widows and fathers to the fatherless. Allah(swt) makes it clear, however, that if a man cannot deal justly with more then one wife, then he should marry only one. Nowhere in any religious book is the command given to marry only one wife. Even the Bible condones polygamous marriages;

i) Abraham(as) had three wives. Sarah(ra), Hagar(ra) and Keturah(ra).

ii) Solomon(as) had 700 wives and 300 concubines as found in 1 Kings 11:3

These are just two examples from the Bible. Considering the plight of the world today, where the population of women exceeds that of the men, would a polygamous marriage be so wrong if a man can afford to take care of more than one wife? If the city you lived in had a population of 1 million more women than men and you take into consideration how many of those men are sodomites (gays), then you are left with a surplus of women who are unable to find husbands. Does Christianity or the Bible have an answer to this problem? The answer is no. Also take into consideration the infidelity of today’s husbands and wives.

The Christian church can accuse the Muslim of polygamy, but the Muslim can accuse the non-Muslim of “Adultery” in return. If a Muslim does indeed have more than one wife, it is still considered a legal marriage in accordance with Islamic Shari’ah. So, what the Muslim calls a marriage, the non-Muslim calls an “Extra-Marital Affair”. What the Muslim calls a wife, the non-Muslim calls a “Mistress”. So, on the issue of polygamy, the Christian Church is not one to throw stones. On that note; Islam, unlike Christianity, does not hold women responsible for the so-called “Fall of Man” as is related in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), Genesis 3: 1-24. Islam does not shift the blame, meaning every individual is responsible for their own actions be it male or female.

I will not dwell on that point, however, as that is not the topic I am dealing with. Needless to say, Islam, unlike Christianity, does not blame women for the sins of man. In Islam women have rights equal to that of men. This goes back over 1400 years and was indeed unprecedented and unheard of during the time of Prophet Muhammad(saas) as well as up to modern times. It was only in the past century that women were given the right to vote in North America, a right that Muslim women have enjoyed for over 14 centuries.

In Canada alone, prior to 1929, women were not even considered persons and had no rights, nor where they given the right to vote. The Greek philosopher Aristotle, whose influence on western culture is still adhered to up to the present day, once stated;

“Women are not to be considered full humans”.

This opinion of women, as stated by Aristotle, is also the opinion of Christianity and the western mentality. Up until the 1800’s, in the Christian church, women were considered to be without souls and had no rights of inheritance. They were given no respect as is proven in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 of the New Testament of the Bible;

“….for it is a shame for women to speak in church…”

As I stated above, it is no secret that Christianity blames women for the so-called “Fall of Man”, for the so-called “Original Sin”. Christianity believes that it is the woman’s fault as to why she gives birth in great pain. This has been the teaching of the Christian Church, regardless of denomination, for over 2000 years and many fundamentalist Christians still adhere to this belief to this very day. This is not the teaching or belief of Islam. The Catechism of the Catholic Church consider divorced women to have destroyed their covenant of salvation and that her children will become scourges on society.

Personally speaking, coming from a broken home (divorced parents) growing up, I take offence to this. I take offence on behalf of my mother and other divorced women as well as their children. I recall watching the Pope of the Catholic Church on television, during his Christmas sermon of 2003 from Rome; state that, “…divorced women cannot partake of the communion…”. In the Catholic Church, the communion is considered the most important part of the faith and liturgy, and yet divorced women were disqualified from partaking in this ceremony. How disrespectful is that? Divorced women are condemned by their own church, the church that they support. In The Holy Qur’an, Allah(swt) has made Himself very clear in regards to divorced women;

“And for the divorced women, provision must be made in kindness. This is incumbent on those who have regard for duty.” Surah Al-Baqarah: 241

Unfortunately for Christians, they prefer to take the words of man over that of Almighty God. Let us now ponder over the words of “wisdom?” of Christian leaders over the centuries;

i) Voltaire and Rousseau stated that women are not like men and are not up to the capacity of men.

ii) Tertullian stated that women are the devil’s gateway and the “decenter?” of the divine law.

iii) St. Thomas Aquinas, whose influence on western society is still visible to this very day, stated that women are a trap of Satan and went even further in describing them as “Defective” and “Misbegotten”.

These teachings are nowhere to be found in Islam. The Holy Qur’an and the Sunn’ah of Prophet Muhammad(saas) are completely void of such vile and vulgar statements and beliefs in regards to women. Curiously, the words “Vile” and “Vulgar” are the same words that Rev. Franklin Graham, a noted Islamaphobe, used in describing Islam. Perhaps Mr. Graham should ponder over the teachings of his own religion before condemning another.

Judaism is much the same as Christianity in regards to their opinion of women. In the book of Deuteronomy 25:11 of the Bible, a lesson is related that if a man fights with another man and one of the man’s wife assists him when things are not going well for him in that fight, then her (the wife’s) hand should be “Cut Off”. Obviously, gratitude is not a fundamental belief in Judaism and Christianity, according to their book that is. In Islam, the women have always fought alongside their men and have been encouraged to do so. There is an Orthodox Jewish Prayer which every Jewish male recites that goes as such;

“Blessed be God, King of the Universe that Thou has not made me a woman.”

In light of this, it is hard pressed in understanding how Christianity and the west (non-Muslims) can accuse Islam of what they themselves are guilty of. This has been going on for centuries, for example, the Christian church claims that Islam was spread by the sword, however, there is no historical evidence to support this other than the evidence that they themselves fabricate. History does show, however, that it was the Christian church that was the guilty party of spreading their religion by the sword. Case in point, the “Crusades” as well as the “Inquisition”. However, that is off topic and will be discussed at another time. For now, we will only stick to the topic of women.

In Islam, women are not considered a “Liability”; rather, they are considered an “Asset”. Muslim women have enjoyed all the rights that western women are just coming to know and realize. The western world is playing catch-up with these opportunities, while Muslim women have had them for over 1400 years. In the western Christian culture, when a woman marries, she looses her identity, meaning; she gives up her name and takes the name of her husband.

In Islam, women keep their own names and identities. While the Christian west portrays the Muslim woman as oppressed, it is the western woman who is indeed oppressed and enslaved. A Muslim sister wearing the Hijab is a free woman. She is free because she chooses to cover herself and treat herself with dignity and respect. In the western culture, women are slaves to the latest fashions. They “MUST” wear Tommy Hilfiger jeans, she “MUST” shop at the most trendy of clothing stores, spending an exuberant amount of money on the latest “BRAND NAME” fashions or risk being ridiculed and looked down upon by other women in society. They have become slaves of their own society.

The western woman feels she must parade around half naked in order to be liberated and looks down upon the Muslim sister who chooses to obey Allah(swt) and cover herself. The western woman subjects herself to exploitation when they appear half naked on beer commercials as well as car ads and let us not forget the “STRIP BARS” and so-called “MESSAGE PARLOURS”. The west feels it is necessary to have half naked women on ads selling anything from potato chips to soda pop, telling the western male, “If you want women who look like this, then buy our products and brands”.

All the while, the western woman believes that she must look like these advertisement women because she feels that she is in competition with them for the attention of their men. Let us not forget the “PRIME TIME” television programs that further promote this perversity. Where in the Islamic Shari’ah do you find this type of behavior? In the True Islam, this is nowhere to be found. The women’s liberation movement of the west is merely a by-product of the Islamic Shari’ah as it pertains to women, only now it has been distorted to suite the western mentality.

This is why the western media machine propagates lies about the Muslim woman whose only wish and desire is to treat herself with both dignity and respect in accordance with the Will of Allah(swt) and the Sunn’ah of Prophet Muhammad(saas). This desire of self respect of the Muslim woman only serves to threaten the western culture’s desire to exploit women. The west claims to be built on Christian values, however, one should ask if these values is to exploit women in the name of capitalism and free enterprise.

My point is this, before the Christian west points fingers at Muslims and falsely accuses them of mistreating their women, they should take a good long look at their own behavior towards women and learn what the suppression and oppression of women really is. Exploitation, whether imposed by others or self imposed is a sin that is most prevalent in the western culture and does not appear to have an end in sight. The only cure for this malady is Islam, Alhamdulillah(Praise be to God). I myself have been witness to some of the most scandalous modes of dress worn by women in their very own churches, showing a complete lack of respect for themselves, but more importantly, showing a complete lack of respect for Almighty God in His House of worship. With this in mind, non-Muslims should think twice before “throwing rocks in glass houses”.

In conclusion I would like to say, while it is true that there are Muslim men who do indeed mistreat their women, this is a cultural issue and a personal issue which is outside the Religion of Islam. There are many Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, etc…in the world who also mistreat their women, however, it is wrong to blame that person’s religion for their wrongful actions. Women in Islam share a status that is unknown and unheard of in other faiths, a status of equality, dignity and respect.

May Allah(swt) guide us all to the truth, Insha’Allah(God Willing).

Taken from: The Status Of Women In Islam.

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