The status of women in Islam & several civilizations

 

v  France  586 AD :

A conference was held to discuss whether the woman is a human with the soul or not, & if she has a soul is it either human or animal nature, & is her soul equal the soul of men or not.

At the end they agreed that she has a soul but it is inferior because it is only created to serve the desires of the man.

“The evil, coward and corrupt sprits of men are the ones from which women were created.”          -PLATO

v  Chinese Society :

Women in Chinese society occupied a low and degraded status. They were customarily assigned the most despised and least important jobs and positions. The male child was looked upon as a "gift" from the gods, and treated accordingly. As for the female child, she had to endure multiple hardships, like the binding of her feet in order to cripple her from running and other customs.

         A Chinese proverb says:

"Listen to your wife, but never believe what she says."

v  Greek Society :

Among the Greeks, women were degraded to the extent that men claimed that women were nothing but the epitome of evil. There was no system to protect women in that society. They were deprived of the rights to education; bought and sold like any other commodity; deprived of the right of inheritance; and considered as minors with no rights to make any transactions regard to possessions and wealth. Women were subjected to the will of men throughout their lives. Divorce was an absolute right of men. The common situation of women in the society led some Greek thinkers to say:

"Woman's name must be locked up in the house, as it is the case with her body."

Gustave Le Bon, the French thinker, stated about the status of women in the Greek society in his book "Arab Civilization":

"Greeks, in general, considered women to be the lowest creatures of the low. They were useful for nothing other than reproduction and taking care of the household affairs. If a woman gave birth to an 'ugly, retarded or handicapped' child, the man could take the liberty to kill the (unwanted or undesirable) child".

"We Greek men enjoy the company of prostitutes for sexual pleasure; 'girl-friends' and 'sweet-hearts', to care of our daily needs, and we marry to get 'legitimate' children".       -Demosthenes

From this licentious double standard, and depraved morality, we can see what fortune women had in such a society based on the statement issued by one of their top rank, well-known thinkers.

v  Roman  Society :

A woman in Roman society was also looked upon as an inferior being that could not run her own affairs. All authority was in the hands of men who totally dominated all private and public affairs. Men even had the authority to sentence their wives to death in certain cases when accused of specific crimes. The authority of man over woman in the Roman society included the right to sell her, punish her with tortuous punishments, send her into exile or kill her. The woman in Roman society had to listen to and obey all commands given by the man. And they were deprived of the right of inheritance.

v  In ISLAM:

Islamic sharia for women: Women are spiritually equal to men; women have been created with a soul of the same nature as men’s.

Prophet (SAW) has advised husbands to treat their wives with great respect, kindness and love. His (SAW)’s life clearly sets an example as to how a husband should treat his wife. The importance of an ideal behavior towards wife is highlighted by the fact that Prophet (SAW) mentioned her rights also in his last sermon. He (SAW) said: “The best among you is he, who has best manners, and the one who is good mannered is he, who is good and nice to his wife.” He (SAW) further said: “I am the best among you in treating the members of my household.” He (SAW) entrusted all responsibilities with regards to wife to her husband. According to Islamic Shariah, wife’s needs of livelihood including food, drink, dress, treatment, medication, and accommodation, fulfillment of all personal and domestic needs are the responsibility of her husband. Verse 19 of Surah Nisa says:

“You who believe, it is not lawful for you to inherit women against their will, nor you should treat your wives harshly, hoping to take back some of the bride-gift you gave them, unless they are guilty of something clearly outrageous. Live with them in accordance with what is fair and kind: if you dislike them, it may well be that you dislike something in which Allah has put much good.’

“When she is a daughter, she opens a door of Jannah for her father. When she is a wife, she completes half of the Deen for her husband. When she is mother, Jannah lies under her feet.

My request to you all brothers in Islam that please respect women; the women are not a garment you wear undress however you like. They are honored and have rights.
and I will request all my sisters in Islam just to think and realize the way Islam has given you rights, follow all teachings of Islam that are advised to you don’t disgrace your personality just realize the importance of your rights, importance of Islam because all teachings are for good to you, never understand those teachings as your restrictions like many of our sisters mention mostly.