Amina G.

on: Ibn al-Jawzi's Mysoginist Writings, by Stefan Weidner

Circumcision was never an Islamic teaching for women, it was a habit in some countries and the sunnah calls for circumcision only for boys for hygienic reasons and it has been proved scientifically recently that it's healthy and reduces the chances of a cancer in the genital area and, by the way, Jews also practice the circumcision for boys. There are hundreds of hadiths by the prophet Mohamed (PBUH) who put women in a very high position like, for example, women are sisters of men, and the judgement by God for women and men is equal and that a religious woman is rewarded the same way as a believing righteous man (that's the reason that in Islamic countries women get the same salary as men) although in some western countries until now they are paid less. And that women can benefit and use their money and properties without any interference of their husbands or even their fathers or brothers (although this right has been given to European women in the 20th century. Only Britain was ahead of many other European countries in that matter.)

There is nothing in the prophet hadiths which prevents women from searching work or start a career. Total seclusion of women has nothing to do with Islamic teachings. Muhammad (pbuh) also said women are like the other halves of men and that it is only the generous in character who is good to women and it is only the wicked who insults them. Women were able to express their views on social and legal issues during the early time of Islam like in the time of the caliph Osman. Aisha, the wife of the prophet, was discussing many of his decisions openly and the prophet (pbuh) called for the right of education for both men and women. He said seeking knowledge is mandatory for any Muslim male and female and he said: search for knowledge even if it is in china. Once a man came to the prophet and asked him who among all the people is the most worthy of my good company and kindness he said it is your mother.

Then the man said who comes after that. Then Muhammad said again your mother. For the third time the man asked, who comes after that, then the prophet said it is still your mother because she carried your weakness upon weakness. So the man asked who comes after that, and so Muhammad said your father. He also said that paradise is under the feet of the mother. The prophet (pbuh) was very kind to his daughter, Fatma, and he used to say Fatma is a part of me, her happiness is my happiness, and her anger is my hurt. He also said whoever looks after two girls until they mature he and I will on the day of judgment come as close together like this, showing his two fingers side by side. These are just few examples… Unfortunately I think that some Muslims nowadays try to attain media publicity and make money by publishing such books which give a very negative impression about Islam and Muslim women.