The truth..

Islam is a religion that does not put one being over another. The Prophet is reported to have said: “All people are equal, as equal as the teeth of a comb. There is no claim of merit of an Arab over a non-Arab or of a white over a black person or of a male over a female. Only ALLAH-fearing people merit a preference with ALLAH”. [4] Thus, Islam does not leave any space for sexism, even though that is the biggest criticism of the religion itself. It is said many times that women in Islam must follow the orders of men, but that in fact is not true at all. As a Muslim both men and women are only subjected to follow, worship, and abide to Allah. There are many different quotations from the Holy Quran which support this statement. “Allah has got ready forgiveness and tremendous rewards for the Muslim men and women; the believing men and women; the devout men and women; the truthful men and women; the patiently suffering men and women; the humble men and women; the almsgiving men and women; the fasting men and women, the men and women who guard their chastity; and the men and women who are exceedingly mindful of Allah. (Al-Ahzab 33:35)” [4] As stated, Islam rewards and punishes both men and women equally in the eyes of Allah, based on the preceding of only Allah. In Surah Al Nahl (Bees) of the Quran, it is said: “Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a new Life, and life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions” (Surah Al Nahl, 16: 97). [5] Women in Islam are also given the right to enter a marriage or exist upon proper reasoning. Both men and women must be willing for a marriage contract to be accepted Islamically, which is why a seega or vows are read in front of an Alim (priest). Thus, no women can be forcefully wed. Divorce has been noted as one of most disliked actions by God, which is why there are many provisions to it such as Idat period (3 month waiting time before divorce is finalized), and reciting of seega (vows of divorce). However, divorce was not forbidden and is power in the hands equally among women and men including the provisions to both. [6] This proves wrong the many who believe that a man can leave a woman as he pleases, and a woman is bound in a marriage until allowed freedom by her spouse. Divorce has also been provided because a woman has the right to leave a man if he is cruel to her in any sense or obligates her from abiding to Allah. In Islam a husband is not the master of his wife, Allah is the divine master of all his subjects. Islam also gives women the right to own property. Any property under a women’s name before marriage remains her own after marriage. Islam also encourages women to work as long as the job does not interfere with her dignity. As said by the Prophet, “The most blessed earning is that which a person gains from his labour”. [6] Women are also subject to inheritance, though a little less then men. This is due to the fact that men in Islam have the obligation of providing to the household, again not meaning that women should not work. It is assumed many times that in Islam a women’s testimony is only half that of a man’s, but this is stated nowhere in the Quran. [6] All that is stated above is the true status of a woman in Islam; Equal to a man.