PROLOGUE
This research ultimately started with the hypothesis that women in the past were not taken seriously. The impetus behind it was from unclear and unsatisfactory responses to the question of ‘Why are Women imprisoned by their religion (ISLAM)?’ from certain individuals. It was part of a natural self-questioning and reflection in life. Research reading commenced with great enthusiasm only to quickly discover that attempting to discuss the past status of Women in isolation from behavior is insufficient, inappropriate and ridiculous. Hence, the inclusion of development, change, and outlook. Notes were taken for my own record, which are now shared. It has been fun to write freely without word, subject and reference restriction. The pleasure has been to gain an understanding of thoughts and actions, including the amazing sacrifices made. Although this article was initiated as a personally chosen project for the benefit fit of those individuals whom do not realize how women are valued in the religion of Islam, it has blossomed into a journey of discovery and acceptance in the world.

ISLAM & WOMEN

Unfortunately, for those whose only source of knowledge concerning Islam is the western media, will inevitably believe that Islam is 'oppressive' to women - the hijaab (veil) being the symbol of that oppression. Why? This is the result of a fierce propaganda campaign that has been going on all over the western world for a long time. Yet in the US, western Europe, Japan and Australia, it is the women who have been turning to Islam in record numbers and adopting the Islamic code of dress and enjoying their lives ever since. However, of late, many Muslim women have begun to envy their western counterparts for having a so-called "free and easy life".

Yet little do they realize that the poor and unfortunate western woman is suffering a nightmare. Outwardly, non-Muslim women are seen to be given equal rights in education, work and so forth, but in reality these women are still oppressed in a different, subtler way. In these days of so-called "equal-rights" a woman is expected to have boyfriends (or she is considered weird) and to lose her virginity before she is married. Under the banner of "freedom" western women are told they have the complete independence to do as they wish. This however, is a charade - both the media machine and the multimillion dollar film/advertising industries establish the status quo that people are programmed to accept. Consequently, these institutions fashion and nurture the ideas of the common people and their principles, morals and conduct. This unnecessary pressure on women to conform or be rejected is in itself a form of oppression although many women do not realise it. This is where the fallacy of the freedom and non-oppression of women lies. It seems that everywhere in the west a woman is seen as an object of man's desire only to be harassed and reduced to a source of temporary joy and pleasure as well as her sexuality being exploited - how? - Nearly every advertisement has to have a naked woman in order to sell its product. The lewd onslaught that humanity has been subject to has provided an environment where the honour and respect of women is constantly under threat. For example, women are subject to unacceptable harassment in the modern workplace; - 38% of men have been found to physically abuse their female counterparts. Outside the workplace, men have let loose of their desires due to the high exposure to the media bombardment they receive that exploits the femininity of women, day in day out.

Consider the following statistics:

• A rape is committed every two minutes in the USA

• In 1996 307,000 women were the victims of rape or sexual assault in the USA and only 31% of rapes and sexual assaults were reported!

• 75% of all sexual assaults are committed by men who know their victims personally

Even her womb is an unsafe place for her unborn child as she is pressured into believing that abortion is a natural choice (why should a living child in the womb be deserving of fewer rights than one which is already born). Women with children are no better off as men are no longer made responsible and accountable for the children they produce. In the USA in 1994, 9.9 million single mothers were maintaining and taking care of their children compared with only 1.6 million single fathers.

The western woman is led to believe that by selling her body she is achieving equality, but in reality she is just being exploited for the desires and financial gains of men. And with the billions of dollars that are generated by the pornographic industries it is not surprising that she is encouraged to do this. Thus, women in this society are not regarded as human beings with feelings and needs but as mere available commodities to be used and cast aside. All this is leading her to alcohol and drug addiction as well as poor health and depression, then eventually suicide - all of which are increasing rapidly for women today. In bygone days, women were murdered when they had served their apparent purpose, now women are ultimately driven to kill themselves!

This is the position of women in the west. Is this a society that promises the freedom and protection of its womenfolk? It is apparent from the above that the illusion of freedom and supposed equality of life of the western woman is in fact destroying her. But she staggers around in an apathetic stupor because she cannot envisage an alternative.

THE SOLUTION

First of all, hijaab (head cover), the greatest symbol of oppression and servitude in the West, is not an invention of Islam; in fact, it is part of Judaeo-Christian tradition. Rabbi Dr. Menachem M. Brayer (Professor of Biblical Literature at Yeshiva University) quotes some famous ancient Rabbis saying "It's not like the daughters of Israel to walk out with heads uncovered" and Cursed be the man who lets the hair of his wife be seen...a woman who exposes her hair for self-adornment brings poverty." [1] In the New Testament, St. Paul made some very interesting statements about the veil:

"Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head - it is just as though her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or shaved off, she should cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman but woman for man. For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head" (1 Corinthians (1:3-6))

Many times Muslim women are asked why they cover completely from head to toe. They are also told that this is oppression. Marriage is an important part of life in Islam and women are required to show themselves to their husbands only and not the public. Men are also prevented from showing certain parts of their body in public. The above statistics show clearly how often women are raped and molested in this society. The Hijaab (Veil) of the Muslim woman is her protection. It allows her to be judged as an individual and not as an object of desire, i.e. her sexuality is no longer in the equation and she is no longer a slave to the unfair demands of beauty made by this male driven society. The hijaab inculcates modesty in a woman, it does not act as a sign of man's authority over women, or her subjugation, and rather it protects her from molestation.

"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garment over their bodies so that they should be known (as Muslim and chaste women) and not molested" (33:59)

Before becoming lured by the "Sugar coated Poison" of the western woman's lifestyle, realize that our Hijaab (Veil) is our pride not our shame. Truly the respect we are looking for will diminish if we neglect this. Also, free mixing and inter-mingling of the sexes is prohibited in Islam for the benefit of both men and women and it is clear that such behavior is the cause of so many problems in today's society, i.e. adultery - which is the most common cause for divorce. Undoubtedly whatever Allah (SWT) commands is pure, beneficial to mankind and right.

Islam encourages chastity, marriage, reproduction and upbringing of children for women, all of which our so-called "modern, liberated women" are taught to neglect at their peril. Islam gave women economic liberation and independence from men for the first time in human history. The Muslim woman was able to buy, sell, inherit and invest as she pleased. Through observing Haya (modesty, bashfulness) and the elevated status of motherhood, Muslim women enjoy respect and protection in society. Islamic history is replete with Muslim women who were scholars and intellectuals as well as the true backbone of society. This is because of the strong emphasis on education as well as social stability that Islam holds.

The western woman prides herself on her "freedom". Yes, freedom is a quality of life that all should have, however, does freedom to fornicate, commit adultery and other sins of the flesh equate to progress and advancement of society, or is this a return to traits of bestiality, a far cry to those noble qualities commanded in the Noble Qur'aan and the teachings of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAW). This acts as a source of mercy to the world we live in, acknowledging the inherent evil nature of man, rather than the need to restrict and punish women.

Prior to Islam, a woman’s status in the sight of all nations of the World was nothing more than the value of household goods. Women we’re classified as an inferior species. They were treated like animals. They were bought and sold. They had no choice in the matter of marriage; they had to silently accept the highest bidder. They never inherited, even from their close relatives. In fact, she herself would become an item of distribution just like any other commodity of inheritance in a descendant’s estate. Women were regarded merely as properties and possessions of men. Even in the so-called modern European countries they were not even regarded as human. Even in religious matters women were given no status by the men, for they were not considered to be worthy of prayer or fit to be counted as human.>

It was generally accepted that it was permissible for men to bury their daughters alive, and this heartless act of inhumanity was regarded as an act sight of humanity and respect. Further more, it was generally accepted that if a lady was murdered then her murderer could not be punished in any way. Neither was he to be killed in retaliation nor was he to pay blood money. According to many religions, when a man dies, his wife has to burn herself to death.

WOMEN & MEN

In fact, it was as late as 586 AC that a little concession was given to women and after much arguing, debates and disputes, revolution was passed stating that a woman was a human but that she was created and born only to serve man. As late as 1856 women in Britain were not allowed their earnings and had no right to inheritance. In that year women perhilitioned pastinant which was composed safely of male members to allow married women to keep their own earnings and inherit property. In 1857 divorcee women were given the same rights as single woman but married women had to wait until 1893 to receive the same rights.

Testullion, a religious leader of the early period of Christianity interprets the Christian idea of women in these words: “She is the gate through which the devil enters she is the beginner of man to the forbidden tree, she is the breaker of the law of God and is the plunderer of man who is the image of God.

THE PROPHET (Peace Be Upon Him) REGARDING WOMEN

May our lives be sacrificed for that mercy unto mankind the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and the religion of truth which he brought and which opened the eyes of the World. He (S.A.W), with divine guidance taught mankind the real value of humanity. From the swarm of darkness and polytheism into the paradise of light and monotheism.

He enforced justice, making it obligatory for men to fulfill the rights of women. Similarly it is necessary for them to fulfill the right of men. He freed women from the slavery of man. A woman was granted the ownership of her life and property. Thus, no man, not even a father or a grand father could force a mature woman to marry against her wishes and desires, nor without her consent.

No person has the right to use her wealth without her permission. Just as males are entitled to their share in the estate of their relatives, females also have their own rights. To spend upon ones wife and to keep them happy within the boundaries of Islam is regarded as an act of worship. The blessed Prophet has stated:

“To have intercourse with ones wife is charity and a means of reward ". The Sahabah (R.A) inquired. “O’ Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) is there a reward for fulfilling your desires also?” The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) replied, “Had he fulfilled his desires in the wrong place would he not have sinned?” The Sahabah (R.A) answered “Yes.” So the Prophet (S.A.W) then said, “In order to safeguard oneself from sin one will undoubtedly attain reward.”

DEPRIVING WOMEN

To deprive a woman of her rights is undoubtedly a severe oppression, which Islam has wiped out by means of very just and moderate laws. The so-called lifestyle of women is also a form of injustice to give them a free right depriving them of the guided authority of men and making them equally responsible to pursue their own livelihood to lead them to their destruction.

PARENT'S UPBRINGING OF A CHILD

Unfortunately, nowadays, the parents themselves have a tendency to encourage their young daughters to go and earn their own livelihood and when things go wrong they question themselves as to how the situation came about. They will cry for months on end little knowing that they themselves sent their daughters to the fire.

WHAT QUR'AAN HAS REVEALED REGARDING WOMEN

Allah the Almighty states in the Holy Qur’aan: “And stay in your houses and do not display yourselves like that of the time of ignorance.”
(Surah Ahzab – Al – Qur’aan)

And at another place: “And tell the believing women to lower their gazes (from forbidden things) and protect their private parts and not to show off their adornments only that which is apparent.”
(Surah Nur – Al – Qur’aan)

In Surah Baqarah Allah the Lord of Mankind has declared: “And the men have superiority over the women.” In other words, men are their guardian governors. The difference could be likened to the necessity of appointing a captain in a football team, where the captain is subjected to the same rules and privileges of his teammates. But a greater responsibility and a higher rank have been conferred upon him in order to maintain a proper system for the smooth running of the team.

WOMEN AND THE MODERN SOCIETY

 During the pre-Islamic era women were treated like animals and household goods. Unfortunately today the modern world has ushered in a second period of ignorance in which, in its attempt to rectify the folly of the pre-Islamic times.

Some of the ill effects created by removing women from under the guardianship and authority of men:

a) The respect for women has been lost.

b) Marked increase in the divorce rate.

c) Neglect of children.

d) Children are not being educated and trained in an Islamic way.

e) Jobs of male personnel being taken by females, resulting in the increase of unemployment.

f) Increase in the instances of rape.

g) The rise in the unemployment amongst males leads to loafing idleness which encourages

alcoholism, drug abuse, rape, murder, robbery and a host of other social evils. All this in the name of liberation.

Nowadays, there are some misguiding and misleading notions regarding the status of the rank of women in Islam. This information is given by people who consider women in Islam to be prisoners and someone who has no rights and is always under the domination of man. The importance given to a woman can be deduced from the following Hadith:

PROPHETS WORDS REGARDING WOMEN

The Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has stated:
“The best amongst you is the one who is the best towards his wife.”
(Tirmidhi, Ibne-Majah)

On another occasion the Prophet (S.A.W) stated: “Paradise lies under the feet of mothers.”
(Bukhari)

On another occasion the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was questioned, “Who deserves the best care from me?” The Prophet (S.A.W) replied, “Your mother.” He repeated this three times. When he was asked a forth time he replied, “Your father and your near relatives.”
(Adab-ul-Mufrad)

THE FIRST PERSON TO ACCEPT ISLAM

Also, the first person to accept Islam was not a man, but it was a woman. Hadhrat Khadija (R.A) the wife of Our Beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).

THE FIRST MARTYR

The first person to get martyred was also a woman. Abu-Jahal tied the right arm and leg onto one camel and tied the left arm and leg to another camel and shouted out:

“O’ Sumayyah radiallhu anha forsake the religion of Muhammad (S.A.W).” She replied,
“O’ Abu-Jahal make this camel run one-way and the other camel in the opposite direction, but I will never forsake the religion of Muhammad (S.A.W)” She was then martyred.

From the above it is clearly proven just what an important position is given to women in Islam. May Almighty Allah guide both the Muslim men and women and grant them the correct understanding of the true religion.