To Separate Fact From Fiction...

Contrary to widespread erroneous belief,

Contrary to widespread negative stereotyping, and

Contrary to regrettable practices in some Islamic societies where anti-Islamic culture traditions have won over Islamic teachings and where women are subdued (and men even more so).

This information has been written with the objective of briefing you on the true Islamic teachings regarding women laid down by the Quran and prophet Mohammad over 14 centuries ago.

• Islam declared women and men equal.
• Islam condemned pre-Islamic practices degrading and oppressing women.
• The same injunctions and prohibitions of Islam equally apply to both sexes.
• Islam gave woman the right of inheritance and the right of individual independent ownership unhampered by father, husband, brother, son or anyone else.
• Islam gave women the right to accept or reject a marriage proposal free from pressure, and by mutual agreement to specify in the marriage contract that she has the right to divorce (if she misses that option she has the right to seek court divorce if she deems the marriage to have failed beyond repair).
• Islam does not require woman to change her name at marriage.
• Islam protects the family and condemns the betrayal of marital fidelity. It recognizes only one type of family: husband and wife united by authentic marriage contract.
• "Heaven is at the feet of mothers", is a basic Islamic teaching.
• "The best of you are the kindest to their wives and I am your best to mine", is a teaching by prophet Mohammad.
• Islam enjoins sounds morality in thinking, behaviour and appearance. Dress fashions and social patterns that reduce woman to a sex object and exploit her as such are not acceptable to Islam.
• The observance of chastity and moral standards is equally demanded by Islam from both men and women. "Women are the siblings of men", is a saying of prophet Mohammad.

Published by Islamic Centre of Southern California

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