I think Khalil Al-Anani’s article is sickening. It reminds me of how I felt about the film “300″ after I heard Frank Miller’s interview on NPR where he bashed Islam and called it “6th century barbarism.” How can I enjoy the movie when the creator hates my way of life? In the same respect, I can totally understand how you feel when you say, “how am I going to take any advice seriously when the author states that he feels superior over women?” The rest of Al-Anani’s logic is insulting to BOTH men and women. I don’t buy that whole “inherently sexist” stuff.

Also, I just wanted to share my 2 cents with Tariq and WM:

Rather than looking at the label, like “Muslim feminist,” why don’t you make an effort to understand the MEANING. What many people don’t realize is that feminism is generally defined as believing in the equality of both males and females. The word “feminism” is often associated with negative stereotypes and that may explain your frustration with the terminology.

But just like “Muslim” is merely a word if you treat it like a word, “Feminism” must be understood by it’s MEANING, not by it’s outward label. We don’t call ourselves Muslims just for show — we remind ourselves that a Muslim is a submitter to the Creator of the Universe.

The Qur’an makes it very clear that men and women are equal. If they were not equal, then the pagan Arab practice of female infanticide would not have been abolished by Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Also, observe these verses:

[3:195] Their Lord responded to them: “I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you male or female – you are EQUAL to one another.

[4:124] As for those who lead a righteous life, male or female, while believing, they enter Paradise; without the slightest injustice.

[33:35] The submitting men, the submitting women, the believing men, the believing women, the obedient men, the obedient women, the truthful men, the truthful women, the steadfast men, the steadfast women, the reverent men, the reverent women, the charitable men, the charitable women, the fasting men, the fasting women, the chaste men, the chaste women, and the men who commemorate GOD frequently, and the commemorating women; GOD has prepared for them forgiveness and a great recompense.

There is no original sin in Islam either — there is no blame placed upon Eve. Unlike the Old Testament, the Qur’an doesn’t say that women are punished with labor pain during childbirth or anything like that. Let’s not forget Prophet Muhammad’s final sermon when he said that no one is superior to another human being EXCEPT through piety and goodness of action. Notice, there is nothing said here about gender.

Men typically get offended by the word “feminism” because it intimidates them. They think women want too much control and power, which apparently “only belongs” to men. An independent woman would require too much work, effort, and energy for the husband. It would create more challenges for him. That is why he prefers the traditional stay-at-home wife who will cook, clean, and raise kids, while he can go to work and then come home to just relax. I’m not just making this up either, I’ve heard this come from the mouths of certain Muslim men that I know.

There is nothing wrong, of course, with a woman who chooses to stay at home. What’s important though is HOW she is treated and perceived. If the husband perceives her as inferior, or subordinate, or even a sex object, then that must be changed. My question is: Why do people make our religion so complicated? Did we forget that Prophet Muhammad’s first wife, Khadijah (peace be upon her) was an independent business woman? She proposed to him, and I’m sure many of you already know this story. But why are you so offended when women are simply standing up for their rights. When Muslim men from Muslim countries come to the West, some of them sleep around with Western girls, but then after a few years, they want to go back to their home country and get married to a VIRGIN Muslim girl. What happens to these men? Do they get stoned or beaten up or get death threats?

On Saudi TV, there was a Muslim man who preached some ridiculous nonsense about how men are smarter than women because men THINK before they speak. Women, he said, SPEAK before they think. Now, imagine if a Muslim woman was on Saudi TV and said that woman are smarter. She would get cursed at, insulted, fired, and even threatened. By complaining about the terminology of “Muslim feminists,” you’re completing missing the point. You don’t see the sexism that Al-Anani is reinforcing in this article.

Marriage is not about superiority or inferiority. That is NOT what Islam is about. Marriage in Islam is about COMPANIONSHIP, LOVE, and FRIENDSHIP. Prophet Muhammad even said once that men and women are twin halves of one another. Did he ever hit any of his wives? No, never. Read these verses from the Qur’an:

“He created for you mates from amongst yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them and He put love and mercy between your hearts – for each other” (Quran 30:22).

Where is Love and Mercy in a marriage when two people are married off just because their financial status and ethnicity matches? What about matching in personality? What about Love and Naseeb? In the Hadith, the Prophet said that if a man has Faith in Allah, but hardly any money, then his Faith is ENOUGH. What does that teach us about marriage? It shows that Love transcends the physical realm and goes BEYOND. Allah can only do so much to express His Love to us with this Universe, and subhan’Allah, it is a very beautiful and magnificent Creation, but there are so many Unseen wonders as well. Something like your Faith in Allah cannot be tangible. Something like Love cannot be tangible.

Men and women who perceive one another as equals are bound to have more successful relationships because superiority tends to corrupt people. It’s like putting a weapon in someone’s hand — you think a human being is SO disciplined that he/she can restrain certain emotions? Knowing that you can control someone, and knowing that your spouse will be OBEDIENT and SUBMISSIVE to you is not only sexist, but very un-Islamic and dangerous. Humans are obedient only to the Divine. No human can declare control over you — you are NOT anyone’s property or slave.

So, I am just advising that before you think about looking certain terms like “Feminism,” please take a moment to reflect on the MEANING and the REASON why Muslims are concerned about gender equality in our community. The Shaytaan likes Separation; Islam is about Unity. Islam is about establishing relations, Friendships, and Companionships. During the Prophet’s time, Islam united people under the banner of One Faith, One God, and One Nation. We are all supposed to be connected in this way, but whenever I see people respond with such disrespect towards fellow Muslims just because their views may be a little bit different, I can only question whether or not other Muslims are really interested in establishing a community. It’s not about who is right or wrong — it’s about UNDERSTANDING. Read the Qur’an and study the Prophet’s Life — it’s filled with Love, Compassion, and Unity. There is no reason why we should believe that one person is superior over another.

And since I’ve been getting called “sister” a lot lately, I just wanted to put it out there that I am a GUY. Insha’Allah, when I get married, I strive to live a life of equality with whoever my Life Partner and Friend will be. Our community tends to take young women out of schools and college just to get them married. Education is so important because it builds a brighter future. Everyone — male and female — have purposes they must carry out, and that purpose has been given to them by Allah.

Salaam/Peace

hahaha…I doubt it was countless. And who says there are not misogynistic women?

As far as being egocentric. By saying it is NOT possible you are speaking in absolutes. By saying it is possible I am saying it is a possibility and not an absolute. There is a difference.

But isn’t this what everyone does, including you- by saying that ‘Islamic feminism is possible’?

Hoor al-`ayn- you really think this belief has no foundation in the Qur’an…? Are all the staff members of Muslimah Media watch like this?

‘The concepts you speak of are not Islam’

Can you give me a compelling reason *not* to believe in Hur al-`ayn (I’m using this example, but I could use others)? It’s in the Qur’an, you know.

‘…but rather the interpretations of some hadith by male scholars with their own misogynistic agendas.’

So I suppose the countless women (and women jurists) who believed in these things hated themselves…?

I’d like to hear from more of your staff- you say you are different, but what ideas (about women/feminism) do you share?

[This comment has been edited to fit within comment moderation policy guidelines.]

The part I took most offence at in that article was his claim that

While men in Egypt suffer from political repression by the authorities, women suffer from familial and societal repression.

Perhaps I’m overreacting, but I feel his statement is not only disrespectful, but undermines the struggle for greater political and civil freedoms in Egypt and the rest of the Middle East. Women are just as victimized by political repression as men are, and I cannot help but feel that his remark downplays the political role of women.

Maybe if he had phrased it differently…that women suffer from political and familial/social repression

Islamic feminism is possible. And it is occurring in many parts of the Muslim world. To make the statement based on your own interpretations of Islam is a bit egocentric. There are others out there who follow different interpretations of Islam thus leading to compatibility between Islam and feminism.

The concepts you speak of are not Islam, but rather the interpretations of some hadith by male scholars with their own misogynistic agendas. Or at least that’s how this Muslim feminist sees them.

Do any of you support the notion that a woman needs the permission of her husband to leave the house, that she cannot refuse his right without valid excuse (or is cursed by angels etc), hoor al-`ayn in Jannah etc?

Interested in your thoughts.

This isn’t the place for your ranting; you can create your own blog for that.