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| getting ideas for a research paper |
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| missy |
| 09/16/03 at 02:01:26 |
| [slm], In one of my classes we have to do a 5-7 page research assignment on an aspect of culture. I was going to do it on the rights women have in Islam since it's quite a misunderstood concept, here at least in the U.S, that the muslim women even have rights. But aside from hijab and the rights a woman has in marriage, what would be some other good topics to discuss? I only want to do a couple, since it can only go up tp 7 pages, so I can't go into detail too much unless I only did 1 or 2 topics. There was 2 main reasons I wanted to do the rights of women was because of a girl who had seen a documentary about Islam and the Middle East and so she was getting all worked up about that and the teacher was even agreeing and saying how sad it is to know women are forced live that way. The other reason is it would be a good learning experience for myself as well. Thank you in advance, since I'm not sure when I'll have time to post again. :) |
| Re: getting ideas for a research paper |
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| sofia |
| 09/16/03 at 10:43:31 |
| As-salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah, Missy :) Hmmnnn…not sure if this would qualify under the general topic of "culture." I'm always wary of this concept and tend to separate culture from religion, but in most cases, cultural practices are accepted by Islaam, as long as they do not go against Islaamic principles. Although it's not much by way of "reference" (little Qur'aan/hadith quoted, just a summary), I had a friend who used this type of list for a women's studies presentation, where the class had similar misconceptions about Islaam and women's rights. They seemed to have gotten a lot out of her presentation. You may want to list this somewhere in your paper, and then focus on a few. Let me know where you need references, insha'Allah, I'll try to send them. But I'd definitely recommend it as a presentation, where ever possible, so everyone can benefit. I may have also posted this info here at some point or another. And there are other, better lists. I've kept the bare minimum amount of info necessary, although some points below depend on other factors I haven't gone into. And where ever Islaamic shari'ah is not implemented correctly (ie, in a "Muslim" state that denies certain rights), we actually have a duty to stand up for and demand justice, for ourselves and for others. Under Islaamic law, a Muslim woman has the right to (btw-cultural laws do not overturn Islaamic law, in theory. This list is not based on man's interpretation of Islaamic law as put into practice, since man-made laws are fallible and must be changed/updated every once in a while): 1. Marry who she wants to. A marriage is not valid without the consent of the woman (or man). She also has the right to a divorce, which is allowed under Islaamic law, although divorce is generally abhorred by God. Its main purpose is to get either/both of the spouses out of a relationship that is not conducive to their well-being or to their relationship with God. 2. Earn the same income for the same work done by a man. There is no discrimination in income based on color or gender in Islaam. 3. Inherit what is rightfully hers. No one can take, withhold or invalidate the inheritance of a woman. There are no Jane Eyre books marking the tragedy of a misappropriated inheritance of Muslim daughters. The court is obligated to protect her inheritance, if it is a just court system. 4. Receive an education. Everyone is obligated to educate themselves in Islaam, be they man or woman, black or white. 5. To own property, to work/have her own business, keep her own income, etc. Her $ doesn’t have to be used for anyone else but herself, and she does not give it up to anyone else, except by way of voluntary charity. [Even if she has her own family. Contrast this with the right of the man on $; he can only use for himself that which his family does not need. Anything a woman spends on her family is considered charity, while it is a duty for a man, in most cases.] 6. Political rights, freedom of expression and opinion. Islaam allowed women to vote and hold certain positions over 1400 years ago. Women gave baiyyah [ie, basically voted for their leader] during the time of the Prophet (S). The Prophet (S) also consulted with his wives regarding political and military decision-making on various occasions. 7. Stand trial as a witness, whether for herself or for others. A woman’s testimony can overturn anyone else’s depending on validity of evidence, not on her gender. And in some cases, her testimony "weighs" more than a man's [Ex/ some issues dealing with women and children's issues, etc. People like to harp on the 2-women-for-1-man testimony means women are equal to less than a man. First, this is a false argument and second, it is only for cases dealing with particular financial transactions (and there's so much more to it!). No one's ever argued a man is worth less than a woman based on when her testimony bears more weight than a man's.] 8. Not be kept inside the home like a prisoner. For example, if she wanted to study in the mosque, her husband has no right to stop her. Islaam lifted the chains of slavery and “property-hood” that many women were under during pre-Islaamic times, so that it may be realized she is man’s “twin half” (as described by the Prophet, himself), and no less than that. 9. Not to be viewed as a cheap commodity. A Muslim woman who properly covers herself in public forces others to view her for her intellect and conduct, not for her hairstyle, short skirt or sex appeal. She is not lowered to the level of an animal or prostitute, to be used to sell goods. She is treated in a dignified manner, with respect for her conduct and intelligence, not simply for her appearance. This builds character and self-respect, something too many women (and men) lack these days. 10. If she is a minor, she has the right to be taken care of by her father. During pre-Islaamic times, fathers would bury their newborn or infant daughters alive as a pagan custom. Islaam banished this, and instead taught Muslims that the one who raises even one daughter (by feeding, educating her, treating her kindly, etc) will be rewarded Paradise. This, to prohibit anyone from being disappointed in having a daugher(s). 11. Be taken care of by her husband, whether with his kindness and/or with his money, even if she has an income greater than his. The Prophet (s) taught his followers that the best of them are the ones who treat their families the best, and in some narrations, specifically the ones that treat their wives the best. A man has no right to abuse his wife in Islaam, nor vice versa. 12. Stay at home and take care of her children. Her husband cannot force or coerce her to work outside of the home if she does not want to. It’s not her responsibility to bring in an income for her family, as her first responsibility is to take care of her home and children, if she has any. It is his responsibility to provide for his family, and even if she did work, he has no right to her income as she has rights to his income (some may actually argue that Islaam gives too many rights to women! At least, the early Meccans did). 13. Receive the best companionship/kindness from her children. The Prophet (p) told his followers that Paradise is at the feet of the mother, and that the best companionship should be for one’s mother (and he repeated this 3 times before he said that the next in line to be treated well is one's father). 14. The right to custody of her children, especially young children, in case of divorce. In some instances, the Prophet (S) asked the child, him/herself, which parent s/he wanted to live with. In other cases, the father was given custody, depending on what was best for the child. 15. Make the Hajj/pilgrimage. It is a sacred visit to God’s house, and He did not invite men only. Women have been making Hajj, as well as upholding all other acts of worship, since the time of the Prophet(s). Along the same vein, women have the right to receive the same reward from God for the same acts of ‘ibaadah/worship. In a Qur’aanic verse, God says: “Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily to him will We give a new life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to their actions.” (Translation of the Qur'aan: Chapter of the Bee, 16:97) There were no debates on whether or not women were complete human beings, or whether or not they had souls. In fact, there was never even a debate regarding the status of non-Arabs or non-Muslims, amongst scholars of Islaam. There are many more I haven't listed. All of these rights are God-given rights, not given by man after years of struggling through a suffrage movement. During the time of the Prophet (S), some women fought alongside men during battles with repressive tribes. Women voted on important socio-political issues, could divorce their husbands, worked to get food on their tables, traveled along with the caravans, worshipped in the same masjids - ALONG with their menfolk. When these rights are withheld by repressive rulers, it is done so in spite of the teachings of Islaam, *not* because of it (take the examples of Iran or where ever else. Their laws are currently not a reflection of true Islaamic shari'ah, unfortunately. We'd be hard-pressed to find any country that correctly implements it). There is no compulsion in religion, and the religion of Islaam is perfect. But, you will not find a perfect Muslim, just as you will not find a perfect Christian or Jew. That is why the struggle for perfection, for human rights, and to get out from beneath the yoke of oppression is part of the jihad/struggle in Islaam. Enjoin good and forbid evil. For man or woman, black or white, old or young. And those who struggle to uphold the rights of the marginalized (be they men, women, slaves, orphans, the disabled, etc), will be rewarded for upholding the Islaamic teachings Prophet Muhammad (s) came with. |
| 10/01/03 at 12:10:17 |
| sofia |
| Re: getting ideas for a research paper |
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| sofia |
| 09/16/03 at 12:28:22 |
| [slm] ...[to continue with my thought on a presentation, which may/may not be part of your assignment, but go with me on this] And [i]then[/i], at the end you could mention something like: "So now you may understand why there are so many women who convert to Islaam." [i]Not sure of actual figures, but I have a feeling that more women than men convert into Islaam, although they could be very similar #s. I could be wrong. No need to mention this.[/i] And [i]then[/i], you could tell them: "And I'm one of them." :) And [i]then[/i], there'd be all these students converting left and right... [i]Hey, it could happen. Insha'Allah. Let us know how it goes, iA.[/i] ;) |
| 09/16/03 at 12:29:36 |
| sofia |
| Re: getting ideas for a research paper |
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| WhiteSomali |
| 09/16/03 at 17:27:48 |
| [slm] ;D [quote] Not sure of actual figures, but I have a feeling that more women than men convert into Islaam, although they could be very similar #s. I could be wrong. No need to mention this.[/quote] I don't know if there's ever been a formal survey, and I can't remember the exact numbers (although they were only estimated anyway), but there are quite a few female reverts for every male revert. [slm] |
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