Source: muslimdebate.org
Img Src: muslim-academy.com
The Sanctity and value of life:
On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person – unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land – it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our messengers with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land. (5:32)
Nor take life – which Allah has made sacred – except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand qisas or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the Law). (17:33)
The right to freedom, freedom of belief:
Say: O ye that reject Faith! (Islam) I worship not that which ye worship nor will ye worship that which I worship. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship nor will ye worship that which I worship. To you be your Way, and to me mine. Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion. you shall have your religion and I shall have my religion. (Chapter 109)
Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things. (2:256)
The right to justice, being free of injustice and oppression
“O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah as witnesses to fair dealings and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just, that is next to piety. Fear Allah, indeed Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.”(5:8)
“O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even if it be against yourselves, your parents, and your relatives, or whether it is against the rich or the poor…” (Quran 4:135)
And when you speak, then be just though it be (against) a relative, and fulfill Allah’s covenant; this He has enjoined you with that you may be mindful; (6:152)
Helping the weak and poor of society:
Believe in Allah and His messenger, and spend (in charity) out of the (substance) whereof He has made you heirs. For, those of you who believe and spend (in charity),- for them is a great Reward. (57:7)
and spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before Death should come to any of you and he should say, “O my Lord! why didst Thou not give me respite for a little while? I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good”. (63:10)
To orphans restore their property (When they reach their age), nor substitute (your) worthless things for (their) good ones; and devour not their substance (by mixing it up) with your own. For this is indeed a great sin. (4:2)
Humans are equal in essence, it doesn’t matter what race or nation your from:
And one of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your tongues and colors; most surely there are signs in this for the learned. (30:22)
Mankind! We created you from a male and female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you might come to know each other. The noblest among you in God’s sight is that one of you who best performs his duty. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware. (49:13)
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Re: Inheritance: If I could choose I would prefer 1/2 of the inheritance which is 100% for me than a full inheritance with which I have to look after all my wives and children. The ladies have a great advantage here and no disadvantage!!!!! Should we now complain that the Sharia discriminates against men????
Also, human soul has no gender. The soul of man is same as the soul of a lady, so no discrimination in that respect too.
It is the responsibility of man to provide food and shelter to the whole family whereas there is no responsibility on any lady to do that. All she has got belongs to her and nobody can take away that from her. Her ornaments, her bank money, her property, all she can keep as long as she likes.
Islam gave share in inheritance to ladies 1400 years ago.
The ladies got share from inheritance of their father, mother, husband, children, even though the share may have been less than male members, yet it was a great progress for the feminine gender.
Also, Islam gave the power of will to exercise her willingness in marriage. It is the foolish Muslim Clergy who practically took away that right from the young ladies about the choice of their husbands. It is not the fault of Islam.
Further, Bible blames the lady (Eve) for misleading the man (Adam) and for being the first person in the matter of original sin. Read the whole Quran. Quran does not say that. The Quran blames both man and woman about the first mistake. It does not single out the lady for the mistake.
Equal rights should be within limits and with equal responsibilities. Since responsibilities are different, so the rights may be different.
Those who talk about inheritance in Islam and try to make it an issue of gender equality are mostly those who have no knowledge of this subject.
Inheritance is a complex legal issue and a cursory knowledge is not sufficient for discussion.
Few basics should always be kept in mind. The most important principal underlying Sharia and its rules is justice. Like any other legal issue, there are general principals of inheritance and then there are exceptions to these rules. These exceptions have their solutions too.
So in the overall picture the law of inheritance follows the principal of justice and any aggrieved party has the right to legal recourse. There are examples in Islamic history where women or those relatives who had no share in inheritance were awarded a share because of violation of the basic principal of justice.
So those who want to blame Islam for inequality between men and women should first define equality and then compare the Islamic teachings with any other law even secular law. Then they should also compare the outcomes in practice.
Mere rhetorical stuff smells of prejudice and not scholarship.