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: 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 poss...