Hello dear brothers and sisters! Writing after a long time, but with a very much anticipated topic – Status of Women in world religions.
We know that Islam phobia has made this a fact that Islam oppresses women. I have cleared much so called confusion on Islam. Today we are going to witness how the other religions behave to women in comparison to Islam.
Let’s start off with Christianity and Judaism first, shall we?
Women in Christianity and Judaism: (Hijab in Christianity and Judaism HERE)
1. Let a Woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. (Timothy:2:11-15)
2. The women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. (Corinthians:14:34-35)
3. To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” (Genesis:3:16)
4.For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.(Galatians:3:26-29)
Women in Hinduism:
1. Men must make their women dependent day and night, and keep under their own control those who are attached to sensory objects. Her father guards her in childhood, her husband guards her in youth, and her sons guard her in old age. A woman is not fit for independence. (Manusmriti 9.2-3)
2. They (women) make a lie appear as truth, and a truth appear as a lie. (The Mahabharata Anusasana Parva, Section XXXIX)
3. Addressing Shakuntala, Dushmanta said:
"Women generally speak untruth" (The Mahabharata Adi Parva, Section LXXIV)
"Women generally speak untruth" (The Mahabharata Adi Parva, Section LXXIV)
4. Yudhishthira (addressing Bhishma) said:
Women in particular, the Rishis have said, are false in behavior. Women in particular have been declared in the ordinances to be false. In the very Vedas one may read that women are false. (The Mahabharata Anusasana Parva, Section XIX)
Women in particular, the Rishis have said, are false in behavior. Women in particular have been declared in the ordinances to be false. In the very Vedas one may read that women are false. (The Mahabharata Anusasana Parva, Section XIX)
5. A damsel, whose menses begin to appear (while she is living) at her father's house, before she has been betrothed to a man, has to be considered as a degraded woman: by taking her (without the consent of her kinsmen) a man commits no wrong. (Vishnusmriti 24.41)
6. Even if destitute of virtue, or seeking pleasure (elsewhere), or devoid of good qualities, a husband must be constantly worshipped as a god by a faithful wife. Manusmriti 5.154
7. Women are powerless, have no inheritance, and speak more humbly than even a bad man. Krishna Yajur Veda Taittiriya Samhita 6.5.8.2
8. Lakshmana (addressing Sita) said:
It is the nature of women all over the world to be vicious, fickle, and sharp-tongued and to sow seeds of dissension. Valmiki Ramayana Aranya Kanda, 45.29
It is the nature of women all over the world to be vicious, fickle, and sharp-tongued and to sow seeds of dissension. Valmiki Ramayana Aranya Kanda, 45.29
9. A woman who has been unchaste should worship Siva in his calm aspect, Siva who is Kama. Then she should summon a Brahmin and give herself to him, thinking, and ‘this is Kama who has come for the sake of sexual pleasure.' And whatever the Brahmin wishes, the sensuous woman should do. For thirteen months she should honor in this way any Brahmin who comes to the house for the sake of sexual pleasures, and there is no immorality in this for noble ladies or prostitutes. Matsya Purana 70.40-60 (cf. Mahabharata III, 2.23)
Women in Buddhism:
1. In Early Buddhism, the Sigalovada Sutta of the Digha Nikaya in the Pali Canon describes the respect that one is expected to give to one's spouse. However, since the ideal of Early Buddhism is renunciation, it can be seen from examples such as the story of the monk Nanda and his wife Janapada Kalyāni that striving for the bliss of Nirvana is valued above romantic love and marriage. Despite having married her just that day, encouraged by his cousin Gautama Buddha, Nanda left his wife to become a bhikkhu in the Buddhist Sangha. In stories like this from the Pali Canon, romantic love is generally perceived as part of attachment to samsara, the endless cycle of rebirth. Susan Murcott has pointed out that Early Buddhist attitudes to romantic love and marriage generally reflect the Brahmanic ideals of India at the time... including the recent rise of the renunciate ideal and the associated decline in the status of romantic love and marriage.
2. In Vajrayana Buddhism, a sexual relationship with a consort is seen in a technical way as being a spiritual practice in anuttarayoga tantra intended to allow the practitioners to attain realizations and attain enlightenment. The union of tantric consorts is depicted in the yab-yum iconography of meditation deities.
3. In the Mallikā Sutta of the Pali Canon, King Pasenadi expresses disappointment when Queen Mallikā gives birth to a daughter instead of a son. In Bhikkhu Sujato's translation of the Sutta, the Buddha responds to this disposition by stating:
"Well, some women are better than men,
O ruler of the people.
Wise and virtuous,
a devoted wife who honors her mother in law.
O ruler of the people.
Wise and virtuous,
a devoted wife who honors her mother in law.
And when she has a son,
he becomes a hero, O lord of the land.
The son of such a blessed lady
may even rule the realm."
he becomes a hero, O lord of the land.
The son of such a blessed lady
may even rule the realm."
4. In the Somā Sutta, the nun Somā is addressed by the evil god Māra:
"That state’s very challenging;
it’s for the sages to attain.
It’s not possible for a woman,
with her two-fingered wisdom."
it’s for the sages to attain.
It’s not possible for a woman,
with her two-fingered wisdom."
Somā responds to this taunt in verse:
"What difference does womanhood make
when the mind is serene,
and knowledge is present
as you rightly discern the Dhamma.
when the mind is serene,
and knowledge is present
as you rightly discern the Dhamma.
Surely someone who might think:
'I am woman', or 'I am man',
or 'I am' anything at all,
is fit for Māra to address."
'I am woman', or 'I am man',
or 'I am' anything at all,
is fit for Māra to address."
At this response, Māra disappears.
Women in Islam: (Jihad in Islam HERE)
- “And among God’s signs is this: He created for you mates from among yourselves (males […] for females and vice versa) that you might find tranquility and peace in them. And he has put love and kindness among you. Herein surely are signs for those who reflect.” (Quran, 30: 21)
- “They (your wives) are your garment and you are a garment for them.” (Quran, 2: 187)
3. “And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women.” (Quran, 2: 228)
- “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms.” (Quran, 24: 30-1)
- “When one of them gets a baby girl, his face becomes darkened with overwhelming grief. Ashamed, he hides from the people, because of the bad news given to him. He even ponders: should he keep the baby grudgingly, or bury her in the dust. Miserable indeed is their judgment.” (Quran, 16: 58-59)
- “Their Lord responded to them: “I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you male or female – you are equal to one another.” (Quran, 3: 195)
- “The believers, men and women, are helpers, supporters, friends and protectors of one another, they enjoin all that is good, and forbid all that is evil, they offer their prayers perfectly, and give Zakat (obligatory charity) and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will bestow Mercy on them. Surely Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” (Quran, 9: 71)
- “The most complete believer in faith is the best in morals, and the best among you is the best to their wives.” (Tirmidhi)
- “O Messenger of Allah! Who is most deserving of my fine treatment?” He said, “Your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, then your nearest, then nearest.” (Narrated by Abu Hurairah – Bukhari and Muslim)
- “I went to the Apostle of Allah (PBUH) and asked him: What do you say (command) about our wives? He replied: Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them.” (Narrated by Mu’awiyah al-Qushayri – Abu Dawud)
- “Verily, women are the twin halves of men.” (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)
A long representation over the four-five great religions over the world. The judgment is up to you, though to any general man the quotes of Hinduism will look most violent, I guess. But we should keep this thing in mind; Islam has come as a testimony of the previous religions. All of these wrong and violent things in the religions are due to corruptions by human, men dominated society. But, with an open mind, just look at the 11 verses and Hadiths over Women. Aren’t they the most beautiful ones?
End Quote:
Why all of these differences in religions? Can’t we ask ourselves? What is the main reason? Is it that God wanted this? Never! He only wants your submission, your obedience. But it is we, the humans who made the religions, all the past religions except Islam (it would also become such, the only reason is that as it is the last and final religion, Creator has said that He will preserve it Himself) distorted and corrupted. Priests in Christianity, Rabbi in Judaism, In Hinduism all have empowered themselves including some of our scholars in Islam too. Buddhism stands apart for its position, but we should keep in mind that it is not from God. So, you want to find God, you come to Islam, and find that it is Allah who is the only One worthy of worship.
May Allah give us Hedayah (Guidance) to the Truth!
