A Comparison Between American Women and Women of Islam

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There have been advancements and back falls for women who are tired of living in a mans world. This particular paper presents the Spiritual, social, economic and political aspects in which Muslim women have to face in their countries.

Although women must abide by these rules they are exempt from prayer, fasting and the mosque when they are (haydh) menstruating and 40 days after they have given birth. Not for reasons of sympathy but rather because women are seen as impure and unholy during these times. Some may claim that these are advantages women have over men, others say this is discrimination for something women have no control over.

According to the Quran women are seen as equal to men. whoever works of righteousness, man or woman and has faith, verily to him will we give a new life that is good and pure, and both were forgiven (Quran, 2:36,7:20-24).

Yet, in the popular view, their religious rites and position are generally considered inferior to those of men (Yammani, 498). Traditional Muslim women are discouraged to attend the mosque; also they are bound by their religion to cover their bodies. They must only have their hands, face and feet showing so they are not considered temptation for men. Most Muslim women do not see this as a negative constraint. The headscarf has become an important symbol of religiosity in contemporary Islamic societies. If these women are seen as equals in the holy book then why are women not treated like they are? This is the question that has not been addressed in depth.

Muslims women have had many restrictions placed on them even in a social aspect. Directly from birth women were seen as shameful. Some use to bury their girls alive. Muhammad forbade this crime and considered it murder, and when the female (infant) buried alive- is questioned, for what crime she was killed (Quran, 81:8-9). Little girls were property and servants of their fathers and not so much daughters. They were also subservient to their brothers and husbands. Womens marriages are arranged. The arrangements are based on family income and social status and in hopes that love may come later. Despite what many people think women do have to agree to the marriage. Women are not forced into marriage under the Islamic law. And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them, and men are a degree above them (Quran, 2:233). Here is a clear example that women are equal to men only in certain circumstances.

The justification for this inequality is the fact that women have no financial responsibilities to the family. This is why they must be subservient to their husbands. The man carries all the burden of the familys well being financially. Another aspect of a Muslim marriage is that men can have four wives or more as long as they are equally happy. A woman can only have one husband. In a case of divorce men can walk out with no obligations and a women is permitted divorce only on limited grounds. If she is on her menstration cycle during the time of a divorce she is not considered divorced. During the time of marriage if the women becomes pregnant she now has to play a different role. In thee Islamic faith mothers are to be respected to the fullest. And we have enjoined upon man (to be good) to his parents: His mother bears him in weakness upon weakness (Quran, 31:14- 46:15,29:8). It is the generous that is good to women, and it is the wicked that insults them.

Economically a woman is not deprived of independent ownership. According to Islamic law, womens right to her money, real estate, or other properties is fully acknowledged. It is nowhere suggested in the law that a woman is a minor simply because she is a female. Women can seek employment if there is a necessity for it. They are encouraged to remember that Islam regards her role in society as a mother and a wife as the most sacred and essential one. In addition, Islam restored to woman the right of inheritance, after she herself was an object of inheritance in some cultures. Her share is completely hers and no one can make any claim on it, including her father and her husband. If the husband happens to die the inheritance will go directly to the son. If no son then the daughter receives it. The woman should not receive any inheritance from the man.

Islamic women argue they can benefit by politics if it returned to the sources of Islam. Which praises woman to get involved in politics as well as business (Yamani, p200). Woman feminists argue that Islam demands respect for women and offers opportunities to be learned, educated and trained, all at the same time providing and honored space for them to become mothers, wives and home makers (Yamani, p200). Unfortunately, politics are not fit for the benefit of women. Politically, women were marginalized. Islamic constitution instructs on insisting that the leader of the nation must be a man and so should the president. There are certain policies that are extremely bias in favor of men. Such policies as Fathers who murdered their wives, sisters, mothers on the charge of adultery were not subject to any punishment, honor Killings (Yamani, p202). Rights over child custody battles are in favor towards men. When a couple divorces, male child stays with his mother until age seven and female until age nine. After the ages of seven and nine she to give up her children to the ex- husband (Hakim, p235). The list can go on and on, of the bias rights that benefit men only. Women in politics are constrained by the ideological views that designate them as inferior. They are to be modest, silent and invisible. Changes have been made to include women but for the most part it remains the same.

In closing, this paper deals with the aspects of spiritual, social, economic and political issues in which Islamic women have been facing for centuries. Some Islamic beliefs are exaggerated and misinterpreted time and time again. I ask only those to take the time to educate one another about the Islamic faith. It is not a religion that justifies the mistreatment of woman by any degree embodied in the Islamic faith. It is the extremists who misinterpreted the Quran. It is imperative that I mention that the status of women is improving day by day. Muslim woman have had many struggles and sacrifices for their voices to be heard. Their voices shall not go unheard anymore. I hope I have given some understanding to the trial and tribulations that the women of Islam experience.

Women in America have had the privilege to vote receive a higher level of education, religious freedom and also have a voice in politics over the last century. American Women are seen as vital contributors to our economical system, our society and also for raising our families. We would like to believe all women have a chance to be this free. In reality life doesnt function this way for Women of Islamic faith. Muslim women have had their struggles with a patriarchal society. There have been advancements and back falls for women who are tired of living in a mans world. This particular paper presents the Spiritual, social, economic and political aspects in which Muslim women have to face in their countries.

The women of Islam are immensely religious. They must abide by the five pillars, (1st- profession of faith, 2nd- daily prayers, 3rd- fasting, 4th- alms giving, 5th- pilgrimage to Mecca). These are explicitly prescribed devotional duties of Muslim women and men. Although women must abide by these rules they are exempt from prayer, fasting and the mosque when they are (haydh) menstruating and 40 days after they have given birth. Not for reasons of sympathy but rather because women are seen as impure and unholy during these times. Some may claim that these are advantages women have over men, others say this is discrimination for something women have no control over. According to the Quran women are seen as equal to men. whoever works of righteousness, man or woman and has faith, verily to him will we give a new life that is good and pure, and both were forgiven (Quran, 2:36,7:20-24).

A woman can only have one husband. In a case of divorce men can walk out with no obligations and a women is permitted divorce only on limited grounds. If she is on her menstration cycle during the time of a divorce she is not considered divorced. During the time of marriage if the women becomes pregnant she now has to play a different role. In thee Islamic faith mothers are to be respected to the fullest. And we have enjoined upon man (to be good) to his parents: His mother bears him in weakness upon weakness (Quran, 31:14- 46:15,29:8). It is the generous that is good to women, and it is the wicked that insults them.

Islamic women argue they can benefit by politics if it returned to the sources of Islam. Which praises woman to get involved in politics as well as business (Yamani, p200). Woman feminists argue that Islam demands respect for women and offers opportunities to be learned, educated and trained, all at the same time providing and honored space for them to become mothers, wives and home makers (Yamani, p200). Unfortunately, politics are not fit for the benefit of women. Politically, women were marginalized. Islamic constitution instructs on insisting that the leader of the nation must be a man and so should the president. There are certain policies that are extremely bias in favor of men. Such policies as Fathers who murdered their wives, sisters, mothers on the charge of adultery were not subject to any punishment, honor Killings (Yamani, p202). Rights over child custody battles are in favor towards men. When a couple divorces, male child stays with his mother until age seven and female until age nine. After the ages of seven and nine she is to give up her children to the ex- husband (Hakim, p235). The list can go on and on, of the bias rights that benefit men only. Women in politics are constrained by the ideological views that designate them as inferior. They are to be modest, silent and invisible. Changes have been made to include women but for the most part it remains the same.

Women of Islamic faith. Muslim women have had their struggles with a patriarchal society. There have been advancements and back falls for women who are tired of living in a mans world. This particular paper presents the Spiritual, social, economic and political aspects in which Muslim women have to face in their countries.

Despite what many people think women do have to agree to the marriage. Women are not forced into marriage under the Islamic law. And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them, and men are a degree above them (Quran, 2:233). Here is a clear example that women are equal to men only in certain circumstances. The justification for this inequality is the fact that women have no financial responsibilities to the family. This is why they must be subservient to their husbands. The man carries all the burden of the familys well being financially. Another aspect of a Muslim marriage is that men can have four wives or more as long as they are equally happy. A woman can only have one husband. In a case of divorce men can walk out with no obligations and a women is permitted divorce only on limited grounds. If she is on her menstration cycle during the time of a divorce she is not considered divorced. During the time of marriage if the women becomes pregnant she now has to play a different role. In thee Islamic faith mothers are to be respected to the fullest. And we have enjoined upon man (to be good) to his parents: His mother bears him in weakness upon weakness (Quran, 31:14- 46:15,29:8). It is the generous that is good to women, and it is the wicked that insults them.

Islamic women argue they can benefit by politics if it returned to the sources of Islam. Which praises woman to get involved in politics as well as business (Yamani, p200). Woman feminists argue that Islam demands respect for women and offers opportunities to be learned, educated and trained, all at the same time providing and honored space for them to become mothers, wives and home makers (Yamani, p200). Unfortunately, politics are not fit for the benefit of women. Politically, women were marginalized. Islamic constitution instructs on insisting that the leader of the nation must be a man and so should the president. There are certain policies that are extremely bias in favor of men. Such policies as Fathers who murdered their wives, sisters, mothers on the charge of adultery were not subject to any punishment, honor Killings (Yamani, p202). Rights over child custody battles are in favor towards men. When a couple divorces, male child stays with his mother until age seven a! nd female until age nine. After the ages of seven and nine she is to give up her children to the ex- husband (Hakim, p235). The list can go on and on, of the bias rights that benefit men only. Women in politics are constrained by the ideological views that designate them as inferior. They are to be modest, silent and invisible. Changes have been made to include women but for the most part it remains the same.