Adam

Muslims claim that Islam gave a lot of rights to women. According to them at the time of Prophet Muhammad women were treated poorly and unjustly. Islam fixed the issue of women rights and gave them their proper deserved rights. The most common historical fact that is give is the pre-Islam pagans of Arabia killing their infant female child by burying them alive. It is fair to state that there could be certain groups which would be indulged in this kind of behavior but obviously not all. Secondly Arabia also had Christians and Jews and their religion doesn’t permits this kind of behavior at all, rather Christians still holds women right much higher than Islam. Hard to believe let’s see what Islam preaches about women and their rights.

Uneven distribution of Inheritance

Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females. But if there are [only] daughters, two or more, for them is two thirds of one's estate. And if there is only one, for her is half. And for one's parents, to each one of them is a sixth of his estate if he left children. But if he had no children and the parents [alone] inherit from him, then for his mother is one third. And if he had brothers [or sisters], for his mother is a sixth, after any bequest he [may have] made or debt. Your parents or your children - you know not which of them are nearest to you in benefit. [These shares are] an obligation [imposed] by Allah. Indeed, Allah is ever knowing and wise. (Quran 4:11)

So to begin with the share of a male child vs female child after the death of the father is half and if you have only daughters they will get two third, and if one daughter only then half and the rest goes to the other family members. But if you even have one son after the share of the mother everything goes to the son. The verse 12 is also correlated it explains the division of property after the death of wife.

Women as sex object for husband

Women has to obey for sex call anytime husband ask for it. In a hadith the requirement for a women towards the husband is so strict that if she says no to husband’s calls to bed then she will be cursed by the angles all night long.

Sahih Muslim, Book of Marriage(Book 8), Hadith 3368 Abu Huraira (Allah he pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (may, peace be upon him) as saying: When a man invites his wife to his bed and she does not come, and he (the husband) spends the night being angry with her, the angels curse her until morning. (This hadith has been narrated through the same chain of transmitters (with a slight variation):" He said: Until she comes back.)

In Quran women are described a tilth for cultivation and husband goes to his wife and has sex as plow goes to his field

Your wives are a place of sowing of seed for you, so come to your place of cultivation however you wish and put forth [righteousness] for yourselves. And fear Allah and know that you will meet Him. And give good tidings to the believers. (Quran 2:223)

Sahih Muslim, Book of Marriage, Hadith 3364 and 3365 Grade: Sahih Jabir (b. Abdullah) (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Jews used to say that when one comes to one's wife through the vagina, but being on her back, and she becomes pregnant, the child has a squint. So the verse came down:" Your wives are your ti'Ith; go then unto your tilth, as you may desire." This hadith has been reported on the authority of Jabir through another chain of transmitters, but in the hadith transmitted on the authority of Zuhri there is an addition (of these words):" If he likes he may (have intercourse) being on the back or in front of her, but it should be through one opening (vagina)."

Marrying an underage women

It is allowed for a father of underage girl to marry her with anyone he desires. In this regard Quran and Muhammad’s hadith are clear in marrying an underage women, Let’s start with Quranic verses

O Prophet, when you divorce women, divorce them for [the commencement of] their waiting period and keep count of the waiting period …… And those who no longer expect menstruation among your women - if you doubt, then their period is three months, and [also for] those who have not menstruated. And for those who are pregnant, their term is until they give birth. And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him of his matter ease. (Quran 65:1-4)

When a women is divorced in Islamic law there is a waiting period of 3 months before she could be married again to verify if she is pregnant, and if she is pregnant the divorce cannot apply until she gives birth to the child. In the above verse it is clear that even if the women have not menstruated yet also has to wait for 3 months. The only logical conclusion for the above verse is that the women is a child and haven’t reached the age to get the menstruation. But if it is not clear lets see Tafsir al-Jalalayan

“And as for those of your women who read alla’i or alla’i in both instances no longer expect to menstruate if you have any doubts about their waiting period their prescribed waiting period shall be three months and also for those who have not yet menstruated because of their young age their period shall also be three months”

This practice is not only prescribed and allowed to Muslims but Muhammad the prophet of Islam also married a young girl at the age of 6 and consumed his marriage at her age of 9 years. This hadith is so accurate that you will find it in almost all the books of hadith but let’s take one of it from Sahih al-Bukhari 3894 grade: Sahih

The Prophet engaged me when I was a girl of six (years). We went to Medina and stayed at the home of Bani-al-Harith bin Khazraj. Then I got ill and my hair fell down. Later on my hair grew (again) and my mother, Um Ruman, came to me while I was playing in a swing with some of my girl friends. She called me, and I went to her, not knowing what she wanted to do to me. She caught me by the hand and made me stand at the door of the house. I was breathless then, and when my breathing became all right, she took some water and rubbed my face and head with it. Then she took me into the house. There in the house I saw some Ansari women who said, "Best wishes and Allah's Blessing and a good luck." Then she entrusted me to them and they prepared me (for the marriage). Unexpectedly Allah's Apostle came to me in the forenoon and my mother handed me over to him, and at that time I was a girl of nine years of age.

BTW, some people say that in those days it was common and a tradition to get the young people married because the ages in those times were between 35 to 40 at the average due to inability of proper medications. Even if they do not take Quranic reference with hadith as proper and still claims differently, then if I take their version of story; it might be ok to do so between two people of almost equal age but Muhammad was 53 (way over the average age they give at that time) at the time when Ayesha was 9. How can they counter this claim?

In today’s culture we have seen this happening many times in Islamic countries and there are many news in TV or social media about this and hence no one can deny that this is not permitted.

Ayatollah Khomeini followed his prophet carefully, He himself married a ten-year-old girl when he was twenty-eight? Khomeini called marriage to a girl before her first menstrual period "a divine blessing," and advised the faithful: "Do your best to ensure that your daughters do not see their first blood in your house"?

Beating of Women in Islam

Men are made in charge of women by the decree of Allah almighty in such a way that they can beat them if they only fear disobedience. A devout Muslim women is supposed to obey the husband in any or all circumstances. If men fear their arrogance (please bear in mind the word fear not that she is standing in front of her husband and shouting at him) they can beat.

Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in absence what Allah would have them guard. But those from whom you fear arrogance - advise them; forsake them in bed; and, strike them. But if they obey you, seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever exalted and Grand. (Quran4:34)

In this case some modern scholars explains that this beating is by no mean hard beating but very light where the women skin would not get bruises and shouldn’t use any object or stick etc and etc, but let’s see what Muhammad who is the highest order to interprets Quran says about beating in hadith Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Dress, Hadith 715 with grade Sahih

Narrated 'Ikrima: Rifa'a divorced his wife whereupon 'AbdurRahman bin Az-Zubair Al-Qurazi married her. 'Aisha said that the lady (came), wearing a green veil (and complained to her (Aisha) of her husband and showed her a green spot on her skin caused by beating). It was the habit of ladies to support each other, so when Allah's Apostle came, 'Aisha said, "I have not seen any woman suffering as much as the believing women. Look! Her skin is greener than her clothes!" When 'AbdurRahman heard that his wife had gone to the Prophet, he came with his two sons from another wife. She said, "By Allah! I have done no wrong to him but he is impotent and is as useless to me as this," holding and showing the fringe of her garment, 'Abdur-Rahman said, "By Allah, O Allah's Apostle! She has told a lie! I am very strong and can satisfy her but she is disobedient and wants to go back to Rifa'a." Allah's Apostle said, to her, "If that is your intention, then know that it is unlawful for you to remarry Rifa'a unless Abdur-Rahman has had sexual intercourse with you." Then the Prophet saw two boys with 'Abdur-Rahman and asked (him), "Are these your sons?" On that 'AbdurRahman said, "Yes." The Prophet said, "You claim what you claim? But by Allah, these boys resemble him as a crow resembles a crow,"

Please read that no-where the Prophet Muhammad told the man not to beat the woman this badly or if you have to beat you can beat slowly and shouldn’t have skin marks. Another Hadith Muhammad finally said to the Muslim men that your women who are informing my wives to tell me that they are being beaten by their men are actually bad women. Hadith Of The Sunan Of Abu Dawud, book 12, hadith 2141 Grade Sahih (Al-Albani)

Do not beat Allah's handmaidens, but when Umar came to the Messenger of Allah and said: Women have become emboldened towards their husbands, he (the Prophet) gave permission to beat them. Then many women came round the family of the Messenger of Allah complaining against their husbands. So the Messenger of Allah said: Many women have gone round Muhammad's family complaining against their husbands. They are not the best among you

There are many more hadith that one can find in any hadith books, in the chapters of marriage or women. Most of them will fall under Sahih or Hassan. Hence it is authentic and non-arguable fact that Islam allows beating of your women.

Just a side note let’s us now see if women fear from her husband, how does she has to react according to Quran same Chapter

And if a woman fears from her husband contempt or evasion, there is no sin upon them if they make terms of settlement between them - and settlement is best. And present in [human] souls is stinginess. But if you do good and fear Allah - then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted. And you will never be able to be equal [in feeling] between wives, even if you should strive [to do so]. So do not incline completely [toward one] and leave another hanging. And if you amend [your affairs] and fear Allah - then indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful. (Quran 4:128-129)

If a woman fear that the husband is corrupt and not giving her what he should. She should ask for settlement and if a settlement is not achieved she should ask for separation. Allah is most forgiving and Allah knows that you will not be able to do fair with all your wives. Imagine that …. You can incline towards one wife but do not completely incline a little is fine. Tafsir Ibn Abbas and al-Jalalayn agrees to the following:

(If a woman) i.e. 'Umayrah (feareth) is aware of (ill treatment) i.e. refrains from having sex with her (from her husband) As'ad Ibn al-Rabi', (or desertion) not speaking or sitting with her, (it is no sin for them twain) the man and the woman (if they make terms of peace between themselves) between the husband and wife whereby both of them are made content. (Peace) such that the wife is pleased (is better) than transgression and aversion. (But greed hath been made present in the minds) souls are naturally inclined to be parsimonious, such that the wife withholds the share of her husband; it is also said that this means: her greed drives her to be pleased. (If ye do good) if you are equal in your treatment of the young wife and the elderly wife in the estates and maintenance (and keep from evil) avoid transgression and aversion, (Lo! Allah is ever Informed of what ye do) of transgression and aversion. (Ye will not be able to deal equally between (your) wives) as regards love, (however much ye wish (to do so)) even if you exert your efforts: (But turn not altogether away) with your bodies ((from one)) in favour of the young wife, (leaving her) the other one: the old wife (as in suspense) like a prisoner: neither unmarried nor married. (If ye do good and keep from evil) if you treat them equally and avoid transgression and aversion, (lo! Allah is ever Forgiving) of those who repent of transgression and aversion, (Merciful) towards those who die in a state of repentance. (Tafsir Ibn Abbas)

Women as an object of sin

Women is known to be a possession of a man and not someone as equal to the man. If we look at the Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Hadith 2155, Grade: Hasan

'Amr b. Shu'aib on his father's authority said that his grandfather (Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As) reported the Prophet said: If one of you marries a woman or buys a slave, he should say: "O Allah, I ask You for the good in her, and in the disposition You have given her; I take refuge in You from the evil in her, and in the disposition You have given her." When he buys a camel, he should take hold of the top of its hump and say the same kind of thing. Abu Dawud said: Abu Sa'id added the following words in his version: He should then tale hold of her forelock and pray for blessing in the case of a woman or a slave.

So according to this hadith marring a woman, buying a slave or camel are considered almost same. Men are advised to beware of women as they create fitna (disbelieve and issues)

Witness of Women

Witness of a women is half of a man, no Muslim can deny that but still the following part of the verse of Quran given.

And bring to witness two witnesses from among your men. And if there are not two men [available], then a man and two women from those whom you accept as witnesses - so that if one of the women errs, then the other can remind her. (Quran 2:228)

Also a hadith from Sahih Bukhari: Book of Witnesses: Chapter witness of women: Hadith no. 2658

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 deficiency of her mind".

Women are inferior in religion and intelligence and dwellers of Hellfire

Women are inferior to men as described in the following verse of Quran

...And due to the wives is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable. But the men have a degree over them [in responsibility and authority]. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise. (Quran 2:228)

The first part of the verse is already described in witness of a women, this is the second part of the same verse where quran describe the inferiority of women over man. Let’s look at tafsir to under this further.

“Women shall with justice have rights similar to those exercised against them, although men have a status above women.” Dawood page 35

Also on tafsir al-jalalayan describes the same verse as “… women shall have rights due from their spouses similar to those rights due from them with justice as stipulated by the Law in the way of kind conjugality and not being harmed; but their men have a degree above them in rights as in their duty to obey their husbands because of their the husbands’ payment of a dowry and their husbands being the bread-winners.”

In the following hadith of Bukhari the remaining doubt also vanishes.

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: Once Allah's Apostle went out to the Musalla (to offer the prayer) o 'Id-al-Adha or Al-Fitr prayer. Then he passed by the women and said, "O women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you (women)." They asked, "Why is it so, O Allah's Apostle ?" He replied, "You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you." The women asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What is deficient in our intelligence and religion?" He said, "Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?" They replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isn't it true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?" The women replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her religion." - Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Menstrual Periods, Hadith 301, Grade Sahih.

So biological reasoning is deficiency in women’s religion and the religion which describes that the witness of two women is equal to the witness of one man actually made the women intellectually deficient. Which finally made them the dwellers of hell fire as they are ungrateful toward their husbands.

Different Ruling for women and Men

There are different ruling for adultery for man and women according to Islam.

Those who commit unlawful sexual intercourse of your women - bring against them four [witnesses] from among you. And if they testify, confine the guilty women to houses until death takes them or Allah ordains for them [another] way. (Quran 4:15)

And the next verse tells what if it is man among the guilty

And the two who commit it among you, dishonor them both. But if they repent and correct themselves, leave them alone. Indeed, Allah is ever accepting of repentance and Merciful. (Quran 4:16)

If you have any doubt about the translation of the 16th verse then please see the tafsir al-Jalalayan

“And when two of you read wa’lladhani or wa’lladhanni men commit it that is a lewd act adultery or homosexual intercourse punish them both with insults and beatings with sandals; but if they repent of this lewd act and make amends through good action then leave them be and do not harm them. God ever turns relenting to those who repent and is Merciful to them”

Women as prisoner of war is your sex slave

According to Quran a slave women is a sex slave.

And [also prohibited to you are all] married women except those your right hands possess. [This is] the decree of Allah upon you. And lawful to you are [all others] beyond these, [provided] that you seek them with [gifts from] your property, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse. So for whatever you enjoy from them, give them their due compensation as an obligation. And there is no blame upon you for what you mutually agree to beyond the obligation. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise. (Chapter 4:24)

Right hand possess is referred in Quran many times. In the times of 7th century Arabia, anyone who is captured in battle is called right hand possessed i.e. slaves. It is permitted if you have captured a women as sex slave. You do not have to marry them, they are permitted by Allah to be sex toys for you. In disagreement? Let’s look at a hadith from Sunan Abi Dawud book 12 i.e. Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah) hadith 110, Grade: Sahih

Abu Sa’id Al Khudri said “The Apostle of Allaah sent a military expedition to Awtas on the occasion of the battle of Hunain. They met their enemy and fought with them. They defeated them and took them captives. Some of the Companions of Apostle of Allaah were reluctant to have relations with the female captives because of their pagan husbands. So, Allaah the exalted sent down the Qur’anic verse “And all married women (are forbidden) unto you save those (captives) whom your right hand posses.” This is to say that they are lawful for them when they complete their waiting period.

Hadith from Sahih Muslim, Book of Marriage, Hadith 3371, Grade: Sahih Abu Sirma said to Abu Sa'id al Khadri (Allah he pleased with him): 0 Abu Sa'id, did you hear Allah's Messenger mentioning al-'azl? He said: Yes, and added: We went out with Allah's Messenger ? on the expedition to the Bi'l-Mustaliq and took captive some excellent Arab women; and we desired them, for we were suffering from the absence of our wives, (but at the same time) we also desired ransom for them. So we decided to have sexual intercourse with them but by observing 'azl (Withdrawing the male sexual organ before emission of semen to avoid-conception). But we said: We are doing an act whereas Allah's Messenger is amongst us; why not ask him? So we asked Allah's Mes- senger ?, and he said: It does not matter if you do not do it, for every soul that is to be born up to the Day of Resurrection will be born.

In Quran Chapter 23 verse 5 and 6 states following confirming you can have sex with slave girls.

And they who guard their private parts. Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed (Quran 23:5-6)

So basically a women if captured as slave, it is fully permitted to have sex without getting married to her. She is your sex slave, Muhammad by himself have kept many slave girls as sex slaves. Even when he had multiple wives at that time. Quran explicitly tells Muhammad to not stop when his wives made promise by him that he will not go to the salve girl any more because he has many wives the following verse came down

O Prophet, why do you prohibit [yourself from] what Allah has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (Quran 66:1)

Tafsir al-jalalayan will tell us what this is about. - “O Prophet! Why do you prohibit what God has made lawful for you in terms of your Coptic handmaiden Mariya — when he lay with her in the house of Hafsa who had been away but who upon returning and finding out became upset by the fact that this had taken place in her own house and on her own bed — by saying ‘She is unlawful for me!’ seeking by making her unlawful for you to please your wives? And God is Forgiving Merciful having forgiven you this prohibition”

If the above tafsir is still not clear let’s take another tafsir of the same verse from Asbab Al-Nuzul by Al-Wahidi

"The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, entered the house of Hafsah along with the mother of his son, Mariyah. When Hafsah found him with her [in an intimate moment], she said: 'Why did you bring her in my house? You did this to me, to the exception of all your wives, only because I am too insignificant to you'. He said to her: 'Do not mention this to 'A'ishah; she is forbidden for me [i.e. Mariyah] if I ever touch her'. Hafsah said: 'How could she be forbidden for you when she is your slave girl?' He swore to her that he will not touch her and then said: 'Do not mention this incident to anyone'. But she went ahead and informed 'A'ishah. The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, decided not to go to his wives for a month.”

Kill a Women if you have killed someone’s women

Said al-Sha‘bi: “Fighting took place between two Arab tribes. One tribe had more power than the other and, therefore, they said: ‘For every slave of ours that you kill, we will kill a free man of yours, and for every woman of ours a man of yours’. And then this verse was revealed”.

O you who have believed, prescribed for you is legal retribution for those murdered - the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But whoever overlooks from his brother anything, then there should be a suitable follow-up and payment to him with good conduct. This is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy. But whoever transgresses after that will have a painful punishment. (Quran 2:178)

If during a fight between two groups, one group kills 2 women of other group (please mind it is not a battle it’s a street fight kind of a thing). They cannot kill the killer as retribution, but rather women for a women. Please read any tafsir on this. There are certain other verses which came after that describing blood money to be a better thing to do rather than killing as retribution but non overrides this fully. They can chose to take blood money and its prescribed better thing to do but it’s a choice on the other person not obligatory.

Men and Women in Heaven

In many verses of Quran and hadith men believing men are promised many beautiful, wide-eyed, fair in color, young, full breasted, virgin girls whom no one has ever laid eyes on. Read ch37:40-48, Ch38:52, Ch52:20, Ch55:70, 72, 74, Ch56:35-36 and maybe a few more describing the Hoor-Al-Ayan the women of paradise specifically made for believing men.

What is there for women? If you give me the verses of other things in paradise, then they are for the believing men as well. Why a women should be forsaken in this world and the world after?

Vail/Hijab in Islam

Please do not get me wrong on this point. I am not against vail or modest clothing at all. I would rather say it is better to be modest, but it should be a choice and not an enforcement plus there is a difference between hijab and modest clothing obviously. Secondly Islam actually ask women to wear vail so that they could not be molested or abused. So hijab is not for the modesty of women but for the men to not abuse them. That is where the problem comes in, why not tell the men to be on a higher level of morality rather than forcing (According to Islamic Law) women to cover themselves from the head to the toe.

O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. (Quran 33:59)