Treatment of Women in Islam, Comparison of actions of Mohamed and Christ for Sohail

Submitted by Susan (Canada), Jan 24, 2007 at 07:54

In response to:

Submitted by Sohail, Jan 23, 2007 at 05:53

Do i care what she says. Your the one who is ignoring what i say about how the bible views women.

Sohail

Hi Sohail:

Thanks for responding to my comments. I am not ignoring what you said and what the Bible says about women - but I do not see any proof of it, in contrary I wrote you previously some examples of the opposite.

1. I wanted to point on contradictions that Islam has about women. On one side it talks about equality and uses it to argue its point but on the other side there are oposite verses in Koran and Hadits that are used to opress women. And that is a problem I see with Koran. It has verses and philosophy that contradict each other directly. This applies not only to women but to many diffrent areas. For example when you talk to somebody who does not know about islam you say "Koran says there is no Compulsion in religion" but on the other side there are verses that command to kill anybody who was Muslim even by birth and converted ( so that person had no power to decide for themselves) - so there is definitelly compulsion. Do you think that sepcial taxes imposed on Christians and Jews - dhimmi status is not serving as compulsion too?

2. The best way how to evaluate how who treats women is not only by words but also by actions. Although Middle Eastern culture of the time of the Old Testament viewed women mostly as property and chattel and they had no rights in other societies of the Middle East, women were always protected in the Bible. In the Old Testament even enemy women had some protection that was unprecedented in those days in any culture. ( I can search for example if you want me to) I mentioned previously that for example there was a Judge women in the Old testament so everybody had to listen to her - does it sound like a bad treatment of women to you? How abou Esther and Ruth. You say that there is a Sura called "Woman" - however not all Suras are named in honor of the subject they talk about as far as I know so it can just mean that there are issues that concern women because women are part of life. HOwever Esther and Ruth are Bible books wrote in honour and respect of these women. - so I fail to see any bad treatment in there. To this day I see in Jewish culture a special bond and respect jewish fathers have towards their daughters and wifes. You can not justify beating of women in the Bible contrary to Koran where beating is prescribed as a form of panishment for women by men. Also Intimate bond in the bible is a matter of agreement between husband and wife. Duties and expectations of both have equal weight.

3. I have heard and red many times that Islam never treats innocent people unjustly. This sounds fair. It is a very comforting statement untill you look deeper. However I see a problem with definition and view on who is innocent how innocense or guilt are proved in court and also a degree of punishment. - for example apostasy and its treatment.

To conclude, please compare the following verses and actions one by Mohamed and one by Christ. Both deal with the same situation but the outcome is very diffrent! Based on this example I can say God of Abraham Isak and Jacob is meciful and gives us opportunity to think about our actions and change our behaviour because he wants us to achieve eternal life. Allah God of Mohammed is not the same.

Mohammed – Bukhari collection of Hadits:

Chapter 6: STONING TO DEATH OF JEWS AND OTHER DHIMMIS IN CASE OF ADULTERY Book 017, Number 4211:

Abdullah b. 'Umar reported that a Jew and a Jewess were brought to Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) who had committed adultery. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) came to the Jews and said: What do you find in Torah for one who commits adultery? They said: We darken their faces and make them ride on the donkey with their faces turned to the opposite direction (and their backs touching each other), and then they are taken round (the city). He said: Bring Torah if you are truthful. They brought it and recited it until when they came to the verse pertaining to stoning, the person who was reading placed his hand on the verse pertaining to stoning, and read (only that which was) between his hands and what was subsequent to that. Abdullah b. Salim who was at that time with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Command him (the reciter) to lift his hand. He lifted it and there was, underneath that, the verse pertaining to stoning. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) pronounced judgment about both of them and they were stoned. Abdullah b. 'Umar said: I was one of those who stoned them, and I saw him (the Jew) protecting her (the Jewess) with his body.

Jesus: New Testament:

John 8:4-11 (New International Version - UK), New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

4 and said to Jesus, Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.

5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?

6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.

7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.

8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.

10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, Woman, where are they? Has no-one condemned you?

11 No-one, sir, she said. Then neither do I condemn you, Jesus declared. Go now and leave your life of sin.

Lord Bless you Sohail.
Susan

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