Women in Islam – Educating the West’s “Progressives”

Posted on September 8, 2009
Filed Under Andrea Dworkin, Muslims, National Association of Women, Quran, Rabbi Stephen Julius Stein, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, islam, misogynism, misogyny, rape, rights, violence against women, women, women as chattel, women's rights | 1 Comment

Sura 4:34

Men are the maintainers of women, with that Allah has made of them to excel others and with that they spend out their wealth. So the good women are obedient guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded. And (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the beds and chastise them. So if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Surely Allah is ever Exalted, Great. (Maulana Muhammad Ali translation)

Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because God has guarded them. As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and forsake them in their beds apart and beat them. Then if they obey, take no further action against them. Surely God is high, supreme. (N. J. Dawood translation)

Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband’s) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all). (Youssuf Ali translation)

Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great. (Mohammed M. Pickthall translation)

Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great. (M. H. Shakir translation)

As I’ve posted here:

The word nushūz is translated above as desertion and as disobedience it refers to a woman withholding her conjugal services. While no husband would be pleased with such refusal, most would desist but should such behavior persist they would divorce her. Islam allows the man to beat her in order to get her to submit. Sounds like rape to me!

But surely you say, gentle reader, this is the 21st century and in any case the above Sura refers to a woman withholding conjugal services. No doubt interpretations and understanding have changed. Have they? Yeap, they have!

As the male speaker above makes it obvious, there can be a whole slew of reasons for beating one’s wife, albeit it must be done “lightly!” After all beating a wife is merely “therapy,” as he says, as he proceeds to remind his audience that after all a “woman was created from a crooked rib.” He emphasizes “crooked” as if to imply that woman’s very nature is therefore crooked…

OK, OK, so the guy is a male chaivinist pig, but does real beating go on?

Shouldn’t Rabbi Stephen Julius Stein at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles reconsider his statement that Muslimas are “equal, fully contributing members of their families?” As a “progressive” surely he must be fully committed to equal rights for all regardless of gender, creed or skin color. Why is he covering up the truth?!?!? Why is he so brazenly making statements that deny these women their rights and progress in the 21st century?

In all fairness to the good Rabbi, he’s not the only one guilty of ignoring the sad facts. With the exception of the late Andrea Dworkin, no feminist was ever heard to utter even the faintest sound about the treatment of women in Islam? Why?!?

Why hasn’t the National Association of Women, other such organizations and every single feminist leaders ever made a statestment, a plea, for better conditions and full equality for women in every part of the world, regardless of creed or skin color? It would seem that in spite of all their pronouncements about women in the West, they either harbor a fear of standing up to Islamic customs or are merely prejudiced against women in Islam. Pity!

Chaim

Men Are Human, Women Are Not! Got That?!?!? – Part VI

Men Are Human, Women Are Not! Got That?!?!? – Part V

Men Are Human, Women Are Not! Got That?!?!? – Part IV

Men Are Human, Women Are Not! Got That?!?!? – Part III

Men are Human, Women are not! Got That?!?!? – Part II

Men are Human, Women are not! Got That?!?!?

Women in Islam, From a Muslim Woman’s Perspective

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Comments

One Response to “Women in Islam – Educating the West’s “Progressives””

Kari from District of Columbia, United States on September 10th, 2009 12:32 pm

Crucial topic to discuss, I agree.

If you are interested in influential women in Islam, check out http://www.veiledvoices.com/. We would love your feedback and comments to advance the conversation.

The documentary will be showing on Link TV starting Sunday September 13th. Happy Ramadan!