The Oppression Of Women In Muslim Culture

Introduction Western culture often thinks of the words such as oppressed, inferior and unequal when they think about the women in Islam. Such stereotypes cause confusion between Islam and cultural practices, thus the Westerners do not recognize that even Islam empowers the women with most appropriate progressive rights. According to the Westerners, the women in Islam are oppressed, mistreated and disrespected. However, such allegations about the Islamic ways of treating women are not correct (Edwards 53). Various progressive rights unlike the Westerners’ views of oppression are provided by the Islamic culture to protect the women in Islam. According to every religion, men and women are often equal, even though to some extent they are

Muhammad’s declaration was implemented by all the Muslims throughout the entire history. For example, Aisha, Muhammad’s wife was one of the greatest scholars among the Islamic community. Many people (both females and males) would visit Aisha after the death of her husband just to learn because they believed that she was an influential scholar within the Islam society (Edwards 58). Moreover, the women in Islam were motivated to participate in the pursuit of knowledge in the entire Islamic community, for example through awarding scholarships to the females who excellently participate in the field of academia. Furthermore, the al-Qarawiyin University in Morocco was funded by Fatima al-Fihri, (a woman) in 859 C.E. This shows unlike the stereotypes from the Western culture, the Muslims do not oppress the women and instead, the women in Islam have the same educational opportunities as the

Islam protects the woman against forceful marriages. Furthermore, the women can ask for a divorce if they are unhappy with the marriage. Muslims believe that marriage should be founded on three pillars; peace, love, and compassion. (Quran 30; 21) God says about Himself, “And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and placed between you affection and mercy.” The Muslims community considers Muhammad as the role model to the society. The Muslims have emulated his character to treat his family with love, peace, and compassion (Rosenbaum 220). This provides the foundation for Muslims’ tradition , every Muslim would struggle to implement in their daily