STATUS OF WOMEN IN ISLAM COMPARED WITH OTHER RELIGONS

Made by:Suha Mahrukh

WOMEN IN ISLAM In the world Islam is the only religion that

recognizes a women to be a loving daughter of a kind father a polite wife of a loving husband a kind mother of a good son a polite sister of a lovable brother. It recognizes that the position of women to be the same as that of men. It claims that both come from the same essence. Islam honours women greatly.

Economically Woman, on the other hand, is far more secure financially and is far less burdened with any claims on her possessions. The first person to accept Islam was not a man, but it was a woman. Hazrat Khadija the wife of the Prophet. The first person to get martyred was also a woman. The great examples of ideal women in history are Bibi Maryam (Mary), the Pharaoh’s wife and Hazrat Khadtija and many others. Today people think that women are liberated in the west and that the women's liberation movement began in the 20th Century. Actually the women's liberation movement was revealed by God to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the seventh century. It is clear that the Quranic view of women is no different than that of men. They, both, are God's creatures whose sublime goal on earth is to worship their Lord, do righteous deeds, and avoid evil and they, both, will be assessed accordingly.

"Women shall with justice have rights similar to

those exercised against them, although men have a status above women."

Quran 2:228

WOMEN IN OTHER RELIGION

HINDUISMAccording to Hinduism, the female was created by

Brahman as part of the duality in creation, to provide company to men and facilitate

procreation, progeny and continuation of family lineage. The Vedas suggest that a woman's

primary duty is to help her husband in performing obligatory duties and enable him to continue his family tradition. Her primary duty is to give birth to his children and take care of them. Like all the

major religions of the world, Hinduism is a predominantly male dominated religion.

This is evident from the division of duties prescribed by the scriptures between a man and a woman. A husband has wider obligatory duties than his wife. In fact, the Vedic ceremonies and sacrifices revolve around men. They are performed by men for men. If women are involved, it is usually for conception or procreation where again the emphasis is upon male children. But on other hand, Women are also considered aspects of Nature or embodiment of Universal Mothers too.

WOMEN IN HINDUISM

Christianity The status of women in history and modern times has been formed and influenced in whole, or in great part, from the religious beliefs of the times. It is not surprising, considering the almost total gender domination of church leadership by men, that this status is somewhere between property and personal slave, to those men. Also the gender domination of power in all levels of society has virtually assured that this status has remained firmly entrenched even in our "enlightened" modern society. With women possessing no power, this religious prejudice is carried into almost every aspect of most women's lives.

Even a cursory study of the attitude Jesus had for the women in his life will reveal, not condescension or apathy, but respect, love, in equal measure to their male counterparts. Women are not inferior in the sight of God, but in the primitive, ignorant, and oppressive view of a male-dominated world.

BUDDHISIMWomen's position in Buddhism is unique. The Buddha gave women full freedom to participate in a religious life. The Buddha was the first religious Teacher who gave this religious freedom to women. Before the Buddha, women's duties had been restricted to the kitchen; women were not even allowed to enter any temple or to recite any religious scripture. During the Buddha's time, women's position in society was very low. According to Buddha considered position of the wife as a subordinate to her husband While the attitude of the Buddha to the role of women was an enlightened one.

WOMEN IN BUDDHISIM

WOMEN IN JUDAISIMThe role of women in Judaism has been grossly misrepresented and misunderstood. In Judaism, women are for the most part seen as separate but equal. Women's obligations and responsibilities are different from men's, but no less important According to Judaism, women are endowed with a greater degree of "binah" (intuition, understanding, intelligence) than men. However Women do not participate in the idolatry regarding the Golden Calf. The equality of men and women begins at the highest possible level; God. The role of women in Judaism has been grossly misrepresented and misunderstood. In Judaism, women are for the most part seen as separate but equal. Women's obligations and responsibilities are different from men's, but no less important According to Judaism, women are endowed with a greater degree of "binah" (intuition, understanding, intelligence) than men. However Women do not participate in the idolatry regarding the Golden Calf. The equality of men and women begins at the highest possible level; God.

However men do not have the right to beat or mistreat their wives. The primary role of a woman is as wife and mother, keeper of the household. Women also had a role in ritual life. Women (as well as men) were required to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem once a year and offer the Passover sacrifice. Women depended on men economically. Women generally did not own property except in the rare case of inheriting land from a father who didn't bear sons.