Are Women Oppressed in Islam???

 Youth of Islam has recently come across a very simple, yet insightful article on this topic. This article was posted to and published in the local news paper of the Sister's country. May The Almighty Allah bless this person for her efforts:-

     To answer the very popular and misconceived notion of a Muslim man being allowed to have up to four wives there is also another simple explanation. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) there were many wars and as a result many widows. In order to prevent these women from turning to prostitution to support themselves and their children and to protect them from rape, they would be married to men who could protect and support them. One must keep in mind that there were of course more women than men and as a result more than one woman had to be married to a man. The Prophet only had one true wife, and when she died he married others to maintain ties and form peaceful alliances, or to protect women from the streets. These days these reasons are completely abandoned and I agree to some degree that Muslim men take advantage of this allowance which is very unfortunate indeed. In the Qur’an God says:

“And consort with your wives in a goodly manner, for if you dislike something about them, it may be well that you dislike something which God might yet make a source of abundant good” [Q: 4:19].

     Any decent, understanding, compassionate and caring husband would attend to the needs of his wife and treat her with love, respect and kindness as it is this that pleases God. The Muslim woman really does have 'the say' because it is essentially she who chooses whom she wants to marry. Yes, the man is the one to approach her father, but if she refuses him she cannot be forced into marrying him. Women do have a say in this religion and they are the ones who are in charge of the family which is a major role in itself. The woman actually has a choice in whether or not they want to work. Islam does not force its women into labor like the western capitalist societies do. A woman in Islam is fully within her rights not to work if she does not want to because it is the husband’s duty to provide for his wife and family. She is not ostracized by her peers or looked at as being inept or oppressed if she decides to stay at home and take care of her family.
     Finally, with regards to the woman wearing the hijab and/ or the burqa, it is a command by God to Muslim women. It is compulsory for women when they reach puberty to wear the hijab and it is a sign of modesty and chastity (Chapter 24 Verse 31). It also forces her potential husband to know her and grow to respect and admire her for who she is rather than her physical appearance. Remember physical beauty fades. Also, it enhances a marriage and the feeling is indescribable to know that you share this beauty with your husband alone and no other “outside” male has privilege to such a sight. I hope this has given all a better understanding of this religion and shed new light on old and misconstrued information. If I have offended anyone in anyway may God forgive me...

*This sister can be contacted at: babygenious_19@hotmail.com