To John Bastile; Answer to 1st question ; crucial problems of Muslim women

Submitted by Nuray (Portugal), Jan 15, 2006 at 13:36

Dear John,

Thank you for asking those questions which are really good ones to understand Islam. I will answer your first question. Others will be on next coming comments.

1. What happens to muslim women when they die and admitted to Paradise?

First of all, Allah doesn't treat women and men differently to give permission in order to enter heaven.

"Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islâmic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter). " (16:97)

and sharing joy of paradise

That He may admit the believing men and the believing women to Gardens under which rivers flow (i.e. Paradise), to abide therein forever, and to expiate from them their sins, and that is with Allâh, a supreme success .(48:5)

Therefore, encourage both of them

Verily, those who give Sadaqât (i.e. Zakât and alms, etc.), men and women, and lend to Allâh a goodly loan, it shall be increased manifold (to their credit), and theirs shall be an honourable good reward (i.e. Paradise). (57:18)

"Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allâh in Islâm) men and women, the believers men and women (who believe in Islâmic Monotheism), the men and the women who are obedient (to Allâh), the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and the women who are patient (in performing all the duties which Allâh has ordered and in abstaining from all that Allâh has forbidden), the men and the women who are humble (before their Lord Allâh), the men and the women who give Sadaqât (i.e. Zakât, and alms, etc.), the men and the women who observe Saum (fast) (the obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadân, and the optional Nawâfil fasting), the men and the women who guard their chastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the men and the women who remember Allâh much with their hearts and tongues or praying extra additional Nawâfil prayers of night in the last part of night, etc.) Allâh has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise). "(33:35)

Have you notice the consistency in the treatment of women and men in Quran? It is amazing. If women was inferior than men women shouldn't be encouraged equally with men for paradise.

Let's go over some verses of Quran, what's offered as a reward

(1) 'Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens) will they enter, therein will they be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments there will be of silk (i.e. in Paradise). (35:33)

In this verse Allah refers to dwellers of Heaven as "they" neither men or women. What we know women like bracelets of gold and pearls and wearing clots made of silk.

There is very special gift (Houri) for men,

"So (it will be), and We shall marry them to Houris (female fair ones) with wide, lovely eyes "(44:54)

Women will not be treated as Houris in the Paradise. They will be created.

"Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation" (56:35)

Male Houris are never promised for women. Most probably women will live as wives of Muslim men as they do on earth.

You might ask why more reward are offered to men rather than women and described in detail in Quran. Human history in the Middle East is based on male dominated civilizations inherited from children of Abraham (Jews and Christians from Isaac while Muslims from Ismael). God of Abraham started sending many messengers almost 4000 years ago to obey his rules. God of Abraham offers a paradise, which seems another planet. His rules in paradise shouldn't be different the ones on earth. If you already know how women and men share life in this world you should have an idea what would happen to women and men after death. They will change just a planet to live not their role.

God of Abraham, Allah, gives more freedom and respect to women in Quran than what we see in Muslim countries. Women haven't flighted enough for their rights while surviving in man dominated societies. They should read Quran carefully and don't let men treat them as maid or servant. There are many misguiding and fabricated hadiths (words of Muhammed, peace upon him). This is the main reason why you asked me such a question. Muslim men themselves fabricated some hadiths to control women. Not a surprise. Wise women were called as witches and burnt to death in Christians history.

Muslim men pictured paradise as if heaven is only for men. But as we read Quran the truth is completely different. Both Quran and hadith shape a Muslim society. Therefore, women should fight for themselves. It is a challange for Muslim women. It is not easy but not impossible to fight againts culturel habbits. Obeying to husband is not a free ticket for them to paradise. Not so easy, indeed. Allah puts more responsibility on their shoulders.

As you see by asking just one question you touched crucial problems of Muslim women. As a conclusion, There is no doubt that Allah will take care about women in paradise as they deserve. But the problem is how women would take care of themselves on earth. Before thinking about the paradise a Muslim woman has got to do more on earth. What a female believer should do is very well explained in Quran.

Nuray

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