MidnightWatcher – Prophecy in Motion

Usama Zaid Malik, “very convenient….quoting only what you want, point is, read the whole verse, it says that men are given authority over women due to the fact that it is their duty to spend on women, and not vice versa”

Hi UZM, thank you for your comment. Are you sure you want to go into the whole verse? The full verse calls men the superior gender as well as domestically superior. It also gives the “superior” Muslim man the authority to physically strike their disobedient and inferior wives, too, despite some translator’s attempts to whitewash the teaching of the text. Here are a few translations:

Sura 4:34, Pickthall, “Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret what Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High Exalted, Great.”

Sura 4:34, M. H. Shakir, “Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in their sleeping places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great.”

Sura 4:34, Dawood, “Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because God has guarded them. As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and forsake them in beds apart, and beat them. Then if they obey you, take no further action against them. Surely God is high, supreme.”

Sura 4:34, Yusuf Ali, “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband’s) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whom part you fear disloyalty and ill conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance) for Allah is Most High, Great (above you all).”

The teaching of this verse is abundantly clear. Men are not superior because they manage the affairs of women. Rather, they manage the affairs of women because men are superior. Could it not be possible that Mohammed’s misogynistic proclivities was likely spurred on by his own superstitious beliefs in evil omens? For example:

Hadith, Sahih Al-Bukhari 4.111, Narrated by Sahl bin Sad Saidi, “Allah’s Apostle [Mohammed] said ‘If there is any evil omen in anything, then it is in the woman, the horse and the house.'”

Usama Zaid Malik, “your refernce to surah 38 refers to the story of the prophet ayyub (job), when his wife agreed to worship satan in return for curing him, and he swore to punish her, bt when he was cured by God, He said to him, We said], ‘And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath.’ Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah ].”

In Sura 38:44 it is “God” who commanded “Job” to beat his wife. Physically striking this woman is therefore “excellent” behavior? Is it any wonder that we see so many women being mistreated, mutilated and murdered in Muslim nations? Here is one glaring example alone of what happens when a Muslim population starts taking Islam a bit more seriously:

Turkey: 62% Of Turkish Men Support Wife Beating, Murder Rate Of Women Increases 1400% Since Election Of Islamist AKP Party

Usama Zaid Malik, “When God or His messeger speak of Man, they in general mean the same for women, except if somewhere it is mentioned that women are not included
likewise”

So in general matters of freedom and independence, trustworthiness, social status, domestic status, matters of inheritance and other financial matters, even in matters of law and punishment a woman is not equal according to the god of Islam and it’s prophet, but in everything else it is the same as that of a man? Please explain Usama, what else is left?

Is that the type of deity and messenger that you truly want to follow? Does your heart not long for a God who treats all with love and compassion equally regardless of gender, race or status? Unlike the Qur’an, “the Bible primarily promotes the dignity of each individual regardless of their gender. History shows that where the gospel [of Jesus Christ] is embraced, human rights gradually improve. There are significant reasons for this trend.

Christians believe their lives should be modeled after that of the Lord Jesus who spent time teaching women, which broke with the customs of his day (Luke 10:38-42). His respect was demonstrated even toward sinful women who turned to him for compassion (Luke 7:36-39). He crossed racial and cultural barriers to reveal his true identity to a Samaritan woman (John 4:1-42). After his resurrection, Jesus honored the female disciples by appearing to them first (Matthew 28:8-10).

Many Christians interpret various Biblical passages to mean that men and women have different roles to play in the home and church, even so, Christians agree that the Bible clearly teaches the equality of the sexes. In the beginning of the Bible it reveals that God created ‘man’ and created ‘him’ as both ‘male and female.’ They were both created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). In God’s eyes a husband and wife become one person in marriage (Genesis 2:24). In the New Testament, it is written that, as Christians, there is equality among all believers. It reveals that, in the church, there is no longer male or female, Jew or Greek, slave or free but they are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).” (Read more).

When you have time, I would encourage you to read through the short article titled “A Few Simple Questions for Muslim Visitors” and to prayerfully consider the last question at the end. If you truly seek truth, I guarantee you that truth will set you free when you embrace it.

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