On Nov. 17, 1999, the world witnessed a horrific image: An Afghani woman named Zarmina was dragged through a soccer stadium and killed by the Taliban. As a Muslim woman, the outrage that I felt was indescribable. Islam teaches hope, mercy and love and in no way condones the violence depicted on my television that day. The outrage that I felt propelled me to do something. Therefore, in 2005 I founded the Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality & Equality (WISE) to address gender inequality in Islam.
In 2010, WISE, partnered with an Afghani WISE woman, to pilot an innovative program, the Imam Training Program to End Violence against Women (ITP), which clarifies distorted and patriarchal misinterpretations of the Quran. Through ITP, we trained 50 of the most respected imams in Jalalabad and Kabul on the five absolute rights provided to women in Islam: Education, Inheritance, Marriage, Property Ownership and Social Participation. We decided to train imams since Afghan communities deeply trust and respect them -- even the Taliban.
Last month, I sent our WISE Program Manager, Fazeela Siddiqui, to Afghanistan to conduct an on-the-ground assessment of our pilot program. I was inspired by the stories that she recounted upon her return; they painted a far different picture than the tragic stories that I have continually heard. Below is a moving account of Fazeela's field visit.
We are increasingly trusted since we are able to meet Afghanis where they are at, honoring and working within their traditions. For example, instead of staying at a compound or hotel, Fazeela was invited to stay at an Afghani home throughout her trip. The American public often asks what the American-Muslim community is doing to end violent extremism and change the situation of women in Afghanistan. Here is our answer. Fazeela's trip confirms that Islam is not the enemy, extremism is. American-Muslims can traverse the formidable walls that have been built by religious fallacies. We can do this by addressing misinterpretations of our faith while simultaneously exploring its beauty and strengths. While viewing pictures and listening to Fazeela recount her Afghanistan trip, my team and I looked at each other across the board room table and we were speechless. We wondered why our country has failed to implement similar programs and utilize its best asset -- American-Muslims. Which brings me back to Fazeela's field notes:I met with many courageous Afghani men and women who value progress and are strident advocates for women's rights. Afghanis told me that their communities are willing to partner with Americans to bring about progress, insofar as their cultural and religious mores are respected. Yet the international community (which includes American NGOs) does not work within a human rights based framework that utilizes Islamic principles. Therefore, very few NGOs have been able to traverse the proverbial Afghan cultural and religious wall to bring about social change. Conversely, by changing hearts and minds through training imams on women's rights within an Islamic framework, we American-Muslims have been uniquely able to catalyze progressive and sustainable change in Afghanistan.
I was moved by an imam focus group that I conducted with seventeen of the most eminent imams from Kabul province. These imams graciously traveled long distances to sit with me to discuss the effectiveness and challenges of the ITP-EVW. Upon arrival, an imam who was hesitant about my presence -- An American-Muslim-woman-lawyer who did not apologize for being American -- looked me in the eyes with a stern face and said, "We are worried when the rights of women come from the West, from a non-Islamic perspective. We will fight against this. But, if the[se] rights come from the Quran, we welcome ideas and we will listen to what you have to say." Concerned that I was offended, a project associate immediately leaned over and whispered in my ear, "We Afghanis are a proud people. We are one of the only nations in the world that has never been conquered. Therefore, we do not want other nations' values imposed on us." Another imam chimed in and said, "You only hear the most tragic stories. [These stories also] outrage and sadden us. They are inexcusable crimes that have nothing to do with Islam or our belief system. But for some reason they are viewed as the norm around the world."
An imam who was appreciative of my presence smiled and stated, "We are a Muslim nation, we respect the Quran, yet we have a major lack of understanding of the Quran." He further stated, "We left our original teachings, which is why we have problems ... Women were deprived of their rights due to cultural and tribal rules that dominated. Through this program, we are slowly opening to a new understanding of the rights of women in Islam." Another imam recounted a story of an elder man who had just heard the imam's khutba (sermon) on marital rights. This man was so disturbed that he held the imam by his collar and cried, "No one can help me. Time is gone. I have committed all sorts of violence against my daughters. I took the Walwar (bride price) for each of their marriages, I stopped them from getting education and I forced them into marriages. They are suffering every day because of my wrongdoings. Why weren't you talking about this before?" The imam replied, "It is not too late; we have a younger generation to bring up." After hearing this, the eldest imam in the room, who appeared to be in his mid-80s, reminiscently replied, "The Quran is 1,500 years old and at the time of revelation, it was the most progressive book that addressed women's rights. We were more advanced about women before others even thought about the issue."
Even though the imams were familiar with women's rights in Islam, many of them told me that through the program, their knowledge had grown and they felt equipped to discuss women's rights with their congregations -- despite receiving death threats. The imam who was hesitant with me in the beginning of the meeting had kept silent for the majority of our two hour meeting. Right when we were ready to end, he decided to speak again and said, "In the beginning, congregants would stand up in the middle of Friday khutbas on women's rights and scream, 'You are propagating Western words.' But we stood our ground and responded, 'These are not western words, this comes directly from the Quran and Hadith.' This program gave us courage. It helps to know that all of us imams are doing this at the same time." The hesitant imam ended the meeting by reassuring me, "If you are truly willing to work within the framework of Islam, with no ulterior agenda, we are truly excited to work with you." He then smiled at me and said a prayer -- "May all Muslim women around the world find their united voice in equality as provided by our faith."
After the imam focus group ended, I sat in the program office to drink tea and hovered over a space heater for warmth (Nothing could have prepared me for the frigid weather in Afghanistan, not even growing up in Buffalo, N.Y.). While looking over my notes a program officer looked up from his computer and said, "The U.S. government should not have spent billions [on the war], they should have spent millions and involved the imams [with regards to women's rights] and everything would have been different today." He then wistfully looked into the distance, shook his head and went back to work.
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Aaishah (Radhiallahu 'Anha) said: "Allaah's Messenger (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) never hit anything with his hand ever, except when fighting in the path of Allaah. Nor did he ever hit a servant or a woman." [Recorded by Ibn Maajah. Al-Albaanee graded it Saheeh.]
Firstly, EVERY SINGLE SCHOLAR and COMMENTATOR throughout our history, have ALL agreed this refers to a LIGHT TAP, and NOTHING else. The Prophet FORBADE men to beat women. In Saudi and Iran, a man who beats his wife GETS HIS HANDS CUT OFF.
Secondly, read verse 4:19. Its says men should not be harsh to women unless they're openly lews (yeah like those Vegas show girls). Fast forward to 4:34. The line where it says Allah wanting women to guard what he would have them guard, refers to her chasity (there is a DIRECT connection to verse 4:19 here). A woman is given three chances to stop, because verse 4:35 speaks on divorce.
Thirdly, the marriage to Aisha was perfectly LEGAL. ALL men did that back then, even the Pagans, Jews and Christians. From hadiths we see Aisha is a MATURE woman (girls matured early back then). She was noted for being a politician, army commander and scholar, ALL at a very young age.
Fourthly, Muhammed pbuh NEVER hit a woman. This is in MANY hadiths. The only time was when he PUSHED Aisha's chest to put the fear of Allah in her, the EXACT same way he did to Ubay ibn Ka`b, and Jarir ibn Abdullah Al Bajalî, who were having doubts on God.
According to the hadith, he hit her hard enough to hurt her. Why did he do that? Couldn't he have "put the fear of Allah in her" with words? Why was it necessary to inflict physical pain?
Unfortunately, also true in America: "You only hear the most tragic stories. [These stories also] outrage and sadden us. They are inexcusable crimes that have nothing to do with Islam or our belief system. But for some reason they are viewed as the norm around the world."
The heart-breaker: The father with regrets.
The Holy Prophet listened to Waraq bin Aus' stories of killing all his daughters and cried throughout. After watching the Holy Prophet cry, he became Muslim and never did it again. The Holy Prophet believed that mercy and forgiveness could change the future.
If the Imams are going against the cultural norms, we should pray for them. Their success will benefit everyone.
As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and send them to beds apart and beat them. Then if they obey you, take no further action against them. Surely God is high, supreme."
this is all anybody needs to know. muslim apologists can cry all they want. men are allowed to beat their wives, according to the perfect word of allah. no amount of crying about translation, context, culture, blah blah blah will change that. it happens legally every day under sharia.
period, end of story. deal with it.
And one of His signs is that He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest in them, and He put between you love and compassion; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect. (Quran 30:21)
Domestic violence isn't Islamic. Every 9 seconds a woman in the US is beaten & 3 are killed by husbands/boyfriends daily. More than one in three woman on this planet have been abused.
This epidemic effects women regardless of religion, race, economic status or place of residence. Quran makes clear that men and women are equals.
"The submitting men, the submitting women, the believing men, the believing women, the obedient men, the obedient women, the truthful men, the truthful women, the steadfast men, the steadfast women, the reverent men, the reverent women, the charitable men, the charitable women, the fasting men, the fasting women, the chaste men, the chaste women, and the men who commemorate GOD frequently, and the commemorating women; GOD has prepared for them forgiveness and a great recompense." (Quran 33:35)
If you see a woman with a black eye, ask her if she is safe even if you fear her husband. Only love can heal her heart's wounds.
Peace be with you. Peace be with us all.
this is how much muslims lie to distract from the fact that the koran says men can BEAT their wives. that's what it says, that's what it means. drop the concerned muslim taqiyya act. LIST THE 25 MEANINGS! i'd love to see you try.
am i saying ONLY muslim men beat their wives? am i saying islam INVENTED it? of course not. but it's illegal in america because the feminist movement forced that change. under islamic law, it's always been legal because it's a political system.
don't pretend to be concerned for women who are victims of violence because you're NOT. you lie to cover up what it says in the koran so you don't care about women. that's clear. so drop the act.
muhammad made it clear men and women aren't equal. when a 51 year old man thought it was okay to marry a 6 year old girl AND LATER HIT HER IN THE CHEST WHEN HE GOT MAD IT HER, he didn't think highly of women.
if you see a woman with a black eye and she's in saudi arabia, you know what her husband did to her is justified by 4:34 of the koran, the perfect word of allah. so you can't ask her anything, because he was following the example of your prophet.
don't wish me peace. islam doesn't mean peace. it means submission. drop your act. you don't care about women and your taqiyya lying is disgusting.
Perhaps, this venture is designed to be a money maker for these women. Ok.
The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. People asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet said, “By preventing him from oppressing others.” Volume 3, Book 43, Number 624:Sahih Bukhari.
Peace be with you. Peace be with us all.
1- Allh believes that women have bad memories, and this is the reason a woman is deficient.
2- His statement "Isn't it true that the testimony of two women is equal to that of a man" strongly implies that two female witnesses are required for any type of testimony; and in no way implies that it is for financial testimony only.
3- It is not just deficiency in intelligence but in religion too, which you never discussed.
"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."
Is that your way to avoid discussing the truth about religious teachings by hiding the whole material and preventing people from thinking for themselves? Adding the blasphemy laws we are really reaching new levels to bury the truth.
As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and send them to beds apart and beat them. Then if they obey you, take no further action against them. Surely God is high, supreme."
this is all anyone needs to know. how can muslims stop violence against women when the document that is the supposed perfect word of allah COMMANDS men to beat their wives when they fear disobedience? notice it's FEAR of disobedience, not actual disobedience. gotta love male insecurity!
the world economic forum finds every year in the global gender gap report that the middle east and north africa have the worst gender equality in the world. this is the direct result of 1400 years of sharia, correctly implemented. and there's nothing anyone can do to change the koran and hadith. it's time to deal with reality.
- Yes folks, according to the article it is just another case of misunderstanding. Maybe because the don't read it in it's original language ...maybe translation mistake? Maybe not smart enough?
But is there any mistakes in the translation below. I speak Arabic and I don't think so. This is exactly what we were taught in school. So take a look at what women represent:
(Note: These are valid correct hadiths that no one can reject)
Bukhari (6:301) - "[Muhammad] 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.'"
Bukhari (6:301) - continued - "[Muhammad said] '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.'" Allah has made women deficient in the practice of their religion as well, by giving them menstrual cycles.
Bukhari hadith taken out of context, do provide the lines that come before.
and while you're at it, get educated properly. You have just shown everyone where the problem lies. Just as how the southerners governed slaves by claiming it was all written in the bible, the so-called arabic speakers tell the non arabs mis-translations or incomplete hadiths. It is the sole reason why Islam has been given a bad name. People seek to be educated and search for truth are misguided by half educated egocentric jacka s s who claim to know the religion.
there is no context that makes it okay. that's law from hadith, and bukhari is the most reliable. that is the context for 2:282 of the koran. don't even start with the translation nonsense. point out the translation problems and give us the correct translation then! and tell me why this is happening in arab countries, where the men read and write in arabic. there's no translating going on there.
slavery is sanctioned in the bible, and slaveowners in the south were quoting it correctly. do you think you can turn tables on the discussion and whine about the bible as if it changes islam? thankfully, we have the first amendment in the US and a secular govt. therefore, americans fought the civil war and passed the 13th amendment.
Let us suppose what you say is true then:
"Bukhari hadith taken out of context"
- Explain to us the right context then with references?
" the so-called arabic speakers tell the non arabs mis-translations or incomplete hadiths."
- Give us the true translation then?
....And you can't because it is the correct translation and meaning.
Almost everyone who has jettisoned religious superstition has already done that. Religion, all montheistic religions, are, at this point, a drag on women's equality. Get rid of religion, get rid of most female oppression.
Common sense and social experience will prove that females are, in general, capable of equality with males. Only blind adherence to outdated philosophies keep people from seeing what is right in front of their noses. These blind citizens then insist on maintaining an unjust status quo due to religious precepts.
These days, no argument can be made in favor of gender inequality that isn't religious in nature. Most of our problems would be solved if we could get rid of all religion--Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, etc.