Islam Muslim Religion: Women of the Religion
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The word Islam means “submission”, in the religion itself it is the total surrender to God. Islam and Muslim are of the same religion, practicing the same and worshipping the same. At times many think that they are different religions. The word Muslim means “ one who submits to God”. There is 1.1 to 1.8 Billion Muslims, making this religion the second largest religion in the world after Christianity. (Wikipedia, 2007) The Islam religion has originated from the teachings of Muhammad who is a 7th century Arab religions and political figure. Muslims believe that God came to Muhammad as his final prophet, and revealed the words and deeds of the Qur’an (God’s revelation) and the Sunnah. In this essay the way of the Islam religion will be explained, the journey of this religion is expressed in everyday life. Not only have many people followed this religion; there are also many new converted followers that submit themselves to this religion.
Women of the Islam religion have fought with the misconception that they are slaves of the religion. It has been said that they are not treated equally and cruelly; this of course is stereotypical. The Qur’an states that a marriage is the sharing of two halves of society. The objective of this connection between two people is not only to create life but to also to create spiritual harmony. According to the Islamic Law, women cannot be forced to marry without their consent. The rules for married life is very clear as so in many of religions. Both persons in the marriage have equal rights as one another. With one exception, leadership, as in many of religions and society today men are leaders in their households. As stated in the Qur’an: “And they (women) have similar rights to those (men) over them, and men are a degree above them.” (Qur’an 2:228) This is referring to the natural difference between men and women. The man is responsible for the protection, due to the weakness of the opposite sex, and maintenance. Women are also able to be responsible for their own money and real estate according to the Islamic Law. She also has all rights to sell, buy or rent any of her properties. This doesn’t change if she is married or single. Although a Muslim women has every right to employment it is important for those with families to consider that more scared and essential more so then employment. Also, Muslim women are encouraged to obtain employment where needed most. Such places include nursing, teaching (especially children) and medicine. As a man’s responsibility for the maintenance of his family it is important for him to fulfill those needs regardless his wife wealth. This can include all family, especially the women in his family. Many of the stereotypes that have developed through out time have been misconception for the Qur’an by the Muslim people or the fact that the education to people about this religion did not exist. It is very important to educate and spread this education throughout society to reverse the affect of these stereotypes.
As American women we understand the importance of rights and freedom just as much as a man. Today for every man that converts four women will convert to the Muslim religion. It is important to realize that women in the Islam religion have many rights and as stated in many reports have more then Christian women. It seems that many women are comparing the religions and making the choice to convert by this comparison. A lot of research and time is taken when making this choice. Some of these issues are the comparison of Adam and Eve. As stated in the Bible, Eve picked the apple, yet in the Qur’an Adam had done it. Women speaking in church in the Christian religion is prohibited {I Corinthians 14:34-35} yet in the Qur’an women can argue with the prophet {Al-Mujadiah 58:1}. As these are only a few of the reasons women are converting it seems that many believe that the Islam religion empowers women. The growing populations of American women that have converted are of these reasons and of personal reasons. Many have converted because of marriage yet they are not forced to. But those women that do convert learn of the religion before hand and educate themselves before becoming a Muslim. Converted Muslim women band together and form a friendship that in turn provided an extended family that have similar problems and issues. This is turn creates a society within a society that provide support and common knowledge for these women. This is very important for the people today; many of those deal with very hard issues in society.
Many people wonder but are afraid to ask how one goes about converting to another religion. As you drive to work or to the store there are many signs outside different churches that read: “All is welcome!!” It is important to remember that with education and mentor it is possible to choose your own religion. Many people are born into a religion and believe that they do not have the choice in the matter, but in reality as long as the understanding and belief is there a person can convert. For instance, becoming a Muslim consists of one simple testimony as long as the full understanding of the religion has been met. The word Muslim has been said to mean, “one who submits to the will of God”, this is for everyone regardless of race, ethnicity or nationality (Islam Religion, 2006). For anyone that has a desire to be a Muslim, while strongly believing that Islam is the religion of a true God, all that is needed is to pronounce the testimony of faith, “Shahada”. Shahada is the first and most important of the Five Pillars. What is interesting about converting to Islam is that when one accepts Islam they repent from the previous ways and beliefs of their lives. All sins are forgiven and the person is to start a new life of piety and righteousness. “ Do you not know that accepting Islam destroys all sins which come before it?”(Saheeh Muslim). The key to converting to the Islam religion is to be able to pronounce the testimony of Shahada and fully understand its meaning.
The testimony is: “ La llah illa Allah, Muhammad rasoolu Allah.” This means, “I testify that there is no true god (deity) but God (Allah), and that Muhammad is a Messenger (Prophet) of God.” This can be done alone or with a mentor, but both provide the same results once truly said with conviction. The most important thing is to always remember about the Islam religion is that there is nothng more divine or worthy then the Almighty God. “We did not send the Messenger before without revealing to him: none has the right to be worshipped except I, therefore worship