What evidence supports the assertion that Islam is barbaric and oppressive towards women?

 

There is a widespread misconception that Islam oppresses women, restricting their rights and freedoms. However, the truth is quite the opposite. Islam elevates the status of women, placing them in a position of respect, honor, and dignity. To understand this better, we need to examine the historical context—how women were treated before Islam during the pre-Islamic era, and how Islam brought about a profound transformation.

The Status of Women Before Islam: The Age of Ignorance

Before the arrival of Islam, women were subjected to severe oppression and injustice, especially in the Arabian Peninsula. The pre-Islamic society, also known as the "Jahiliyyah" (the Age of Ignorance), treated women as property and commodities to be traded, sold, and inherited. Here are some of the conditions women faced:

1. Women as Property: In pre-Islamic Arabia, women were viewed as mere objects. They were considered the property of their male guardians, similar to livestock or other material possessions. Men had complete control over women, deciding their fate without their consent.

2. Denial of Inheritance: Women had no rights to inheritance. Only men who could carry weapons and defend the tribe were considered eligible heirs. Women were excluded from this system, as it was believed that they did not contribute to tribal defense.

3. No Rights in Marriage: Pre-Islamic customs gave women no control in their marriages. Divorce was unregulated, and men could marry as many women as they desired without any restrictions. Widows, too, were often treated as part of the deceased husband's inheritance, with the eldest son sometimes inheriting his father’s widow.

4. Cruel Mourning Practices: When a woman's husband died, she was forced to live in miserable conditions during the mourning period, which lasted a full year. She had to wear her worst clothes, avoid personal hygiene, and isolate herself from society, often residing in the worst part of the house.

5. Corrupt Marriage Practices: Several immoral forms of marriage existed, such as group marriages, temporary marriages (where men would marry women for a short time), and marriages based on the exchange of women between families without dowries. These practices severely degraded the status of women.

6. Infanticide: One of the most horrific practices in pre-Islamic Arabia was the burial of female infants alive. Many Arab families feared the birth of daughters due to perceived shame and the financial burden of raising girls. This brutal practice is condemned in the Quran, where God rebukes those who kill their daughters: "And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked, for what sin she was killed" (Quran 81:8-9).

The Global Condition of Women Before Islam

The oppression of women was not limited to the Arabian Peninsula. In many parts of the world, women faced similar or even worse treatment. For instance:

• In Europe, women were often seen as inferior beings. At one point, a religious council in Rome declared that women were soulless creatures, akin to animals. Women were sold like property, and laws were enacted allowing men to lend their wives to other men for a period of time.

• French society once debated whether women were even human, ultimately concluding that women were humans but created for subjugation and humiliation.

• In England, up until the 16th century, laws allowed men to sell their wives, while kings and feudal lords had the right to spend the first night with a bride before her husband could.

The Transformation Brought by Islam

When Islam emerged, it brought radical reforms that revolutionized the way women were treated, liberating them from centuries of oppression. Islam gave women rights and responsibilities, recognizing them as equal in humanity to men. Here are some of the key ways in which Islam transformed the status of women:

1. Equal Rights in Marriage: One of the first reforms was the recognition of women’s rights in marriage. A woman in Islam has the right to choose her spouse, and no one can force her into a marriage she does not want. Moreover, men are required to treat their wives with kindness and respect, as stated in the Quran: "And live with them in kindness" (Quran 4:19).

2. Inheritance Rights: Islam introduced inheritance rights for women, ensuring that they receive a share of their family's wealth. Although men inherit more in certain cases due to their financial obligations, women are guaranteed their rightful share—a revolutionary concept at the time.

3. Limited Polygamy and Divorce: Islam introduced limits on polygamy, allowing a man to marry up to four wives only if he could treat them all fairly and equitably. Additionally, divorce became a regulated process, giving both men and women rights to end a marriage if it was no longer viable.

4. Protection and Dignity: Islam elevated the honor of women by forbidding harmful practices like forced mourning, group marriages, and the sale of women. Women became full individuals with agency over their own lives, property, and rights.

5. Recognition of Women’s Contribution: Islam also acknowledged the importance of women in society. Women were allowed to work in professions that suited their abilities and physical capacities. For instance, Rufaidah al-Aslamiyyah was a skilled nurse who treated wounded soldiers, and Zainab bint Ali was known for her intellectual contributions.

6. The Role of Women in Religion: In Islam, women are encouraged to seek knowledge and engage in acts of worship. They have the same spiritual status as men, and the Quran praises women alongside men for their piety, devotion, and good deeds. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) even declared that raising daughters and treating them well would be a means for entering Paradise.

Conclusion: Islam as a Liberator of Women

The arrival of Islam marked a significant turning point for women, liberating them from centuries of oppression and providing them with rights and dignity that were unheard of at the time. Contrary to the misconceptions often spread, Islam honors and respects women, recognizing them as equals in humanity and essential contributors to society. By comparing the condition of women before and after Islam, we can clearly see how Islam revolutionized their status, offering them protection, empowerment, and respect.