For the first time, I had posted my own writing without plagiarism..huhu..this writing was taken from my group term paper UNGS 2040 entitled Common Misconceptions About Islam. Thanks to Allah for His blessings, Sir Munawar, my beloved lecturer for his guidances and also to all my group members, Anis, Farisya and Farhana for your full coorperations. May Allah bless you..Enjoy it....

MISCONCEPTION ABOUT WOMEN ISSUES

First Issue: The position of women in the society

            Muslims and Non-Muslims nowadays have been exposed to wrong facts about Islam including the issue of gender. They argue that Islam puts position of women after men, which means that women have lower rank in the society compared to men. This statement is very irrelevant due to the fact that Islam elevates women in various ways.

Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, Verily, to him will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions (16:97).[1]

            The above verse shows that both men and women are indifferent in front of Allah and the only thing that differentiates us is 'taqwa', the consciousness of God. Both men and women will be rewarded equally if they perform good deeds.[2] The prophet had once said that the paradise lies underneath the mother's feet. Islam also put mothers at the highest position based on a hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim, which reflects the elevation of women status in the society.

A man came to the Prophet and said, 'O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet said: Your mother. The man said, 'Then who?' The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man further asked, 'Then who?' The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man asked again, 'Then who?' The Prophet said: Then your father (Bukhari, Muslim).[3]

            Men and women both have their own unique responsibilities which had been determined by God. They depend on each other and complete each other's life.[4] Allah says in the Quran:

Husbands are the protectors and maintainers of their wives, 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… (4:34).[5]

            Thus, women should not be treated as just a sheer shadow of men. Islam also emphasizes the need to be kind towards wives and families. The prophet had said in one hadith, "The best among you are those who are kindest to their wives".