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Rebuttal to James Arlandson

"Women are inferior to men in the Quran"

By
Bassam Zawadi & Ibrahim Dagher

This article is in response to James Arlandson’s article "Women are inferior to men in the Quran", which can be accessed here http://www../Authors/Arlandson/women_inferior.htm

Introduction

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, nobody worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

The issue of women’s rights has been one the most discussed subject matters of our time.  Whether in Islam or any other religion, attacks have been made to these rights, or have been simply misinterpreted.  Since Islam (Submission) is the one true religion of God, any law whether it concerns women or any other subject matter cannot be under any circumstance, less than perfect.  However, there are obviously going to be many misinterpretations or misunderstandings of such subject matters.  These concerns could be raised up by people who sincerely want the truth and are seeking true guidance or by people who are completely convinced by what they believe in and reject any other belief even if it is convincing. 

 James M. Arlandson has brought up points regarding women in Islam and by Allah’s will, we would be able to shed light into the subject at hand, and show the truth of the matter. 

James M. Arlandson said:

1. Husbands are a degree above their wives in a legal context.

The Quran in Sura 2:228 says:

. . . Wives have the same rights as the husbands have on them in accordance with the generally known principles. Of course, men are a degree above them in status . . .

At first, this verse appears positive: "Wives have the same rights as the husbands." However, too often a verse has a sting in it, as verse 228 does: "men are a degree above them in status."

This principle of gender inequality reflects Arab culture of the seventh century. If Allah and Muhammad improved on this patriarchy, then they did not go far enough. This verse occurring in the revealed Quran is troubling for those of us on the outside of Islam. The verse indicates that the nature of womankind is being challenged in a way that transcends culture, as we shall see.

Therefore, traditional Muslims, especially legal scholars, are permitted to apply this verse to the world of today and outside of Arabia. These Muslims believe that the entire Quran reflects the values of Allah, the god of this world, so Sura 2:228 should be carried out everywhere—it is universal.

Our Response:

The Quran in Sura 2:228 says

Divorced women shall wait concerning themselves for three monthly periods nor is it lawful for them to hide what Allah hath created in their wombs if they have faith in Allah and the Last Day.  And their husbands have the better right to take them back in that period if they wish for reconciliation.  And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them according to what is equitable; but men have a degree over them and Allah is Exalted in Power Wise.  

Before I begin explaining this verse. I would like to know where James M. Arlandson arrived with the conclusion that men are a degree over women in status.  Reading the verse above, clearly the words status is not included and that, as mentioned above, a clear misinterpretation of the Quranic verses.  If he meant by status as in authority then certainly he is correct.  Men have the responsibility of protecting, providing, supporting, and fulfilling the requirements and needs of women given to him by God.  This certainly doesn’t mean that women can’t exercise this right given to men, however it would give her too much of a burden, simply because she has other responsibilities to do.  

Because even the New Testament teaches that husbands have authority over their wives.

Colossians 3:18

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 11:3

³Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. (This shows a hierarchy of authority, funny notice how Christ is under god. But more importantly notice how the woman is under the man)

So if James wants to use this criteria, then we would also have to use it against his Bible and declare that the Bible teaches that women are inferior!

If he meant by status as in degrading women to men, or that women are less honorable than men then perhaps we can go back to the Quran and see what God has to say about James M. Arlandson’s claims.   

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verse 35:

35    For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise; for them has Allah prepared Forgiveness and a Great Reward.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verse 72:

72        Allah hath promised to believers, men and women, Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss.  But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allah: that is the supreme felicity.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale-Imraan verse 195:

195    And their Lord hath accepted of them and answered them: "Never will I suffer to be lost the work of any of you be he male or female: ye are members one of another; those who have left their homes or been driven out therefrom or suffered harm in My Cause or fought or been slain verily I will blot out from them their iniquities and admit them into Gardens with rivers flowing beneath; a reward from the presence of Allah and from His presence is the best of rewards."

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1123996016420&pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam/AskAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE

James M. Arlandson said:

2. Men are superior to women in a domestic context.

The Quran in Sura 4:34 says:

Men are managers of the affairs of women because Allah has made the one superior to the other. (Maududi, vol. 1, p. 329)

For the historical and literary topical contexts of Sura 4, click here. The verse goes on to permit husbands to hit their wives if the husbands merely fear highhandedness. Readers may view that article here. At the end, it has many links to modern interpretations of Sura 4:34 and to arguments for wife beating today.

The essential point to notice here is the Quran’s clear explanation of why men manage the affairs of women: because mankind is superior to womankind. The verse says that Allah made them this way. It strikes at the nature of womankind, beyond just women’s social roles in seventh-century Arabia.

Our Response :

Allah says in the Noble Quran

"Men are (meant to be righteous and kind) guardians of women because God has favored some more than others and because they (i.e. men) spend out of their wealth. (In their turn) righteous women are (meant to be) devoted and to guard what God has (willed to be) guarded even though out of sight (of the husband). As for those (women) on whose part you fear ill-will and nasty conduct, admonish them (first), (next) separate them in beds (and last) beat them (lightly). But if they obey you, then seek nothing against them. Behold, God is most high and great. (4:34)  

“The first reason then why men are “qawwamun” over women is their physical ability to protect women. The second is that "they (i.e. men) spend out of their wealth." Although the Holy Qur'an permits women to earn and own wealth, it expects that men will generally be able to earn more than women because of the natural differences between them. This means that they will generally be responsible for the economic needs of women and this responsibility also makes them “qawwamun”.

Taken from http://www.themodernreligion.com/women/dv-4-34-shafaat.html

In thinking of men as “qawwamun” over women we should not limit their role to mere protectors and providers. Properly taking care of women requires more than ensuring their physical security and providing food and shelter. It also requires looking after their psychological and emotional needs which can be summed up in terms of the need for love (30:21). Thus man's role in the relationship between men and women (as husbands and wives) generally consists of three things: protecting the woman, looking after her economic needs and giving her love.”

Before I give a reply to what James M. Arlandson had said about the “beating”, an important point should be mentioned that is crucial to Islamic understanding.  Muslims receive information from two authenticated sources, which are the Noble Quran and the preserved authentic Sunnah (way of) the Messenger of God.  I say this because as Muslims we believe that no people in this world worshiped Allah and understood His message more than His Messengers and Prophets.  The point regarding the beating of women is yet another point that is clearly misunderstood and misinterpreted.  Since the Quran clearly mentions the word beating, lets take a look at how the messenger of Allah(Peace be upon him) understood this verse and applied it in his day to day life, since he himself received the message first hand and Allah directed us to follow him and to look at him as a perfect example.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 278            Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘The most perfect Muslim in the matter of faith is one who has excellent behavior; and the best among you are those who behave best towards their wives.’

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 3252            Narrated by Aisha; Abdullah ibn Abbas

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "The best of you is he who is best to his family, and I am the best among you to my family."

Sahih Muslim Hadith 3469            Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Allah's Messenger (saws) said: ‘a believing man should not hate a believing woman (his wife); if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 3358            Narrated by AbuBakr as-Siddiq

The Prophet (saws) said, "One who treats badly those under his authority will not enter Paradise."

In the light of the above hadiths by the messenger of Allah, we clearly see that he was the most gentle kind hearted father, husband, brother, leader, to his women.  Never did he beat any of his wives or relatives for that matter.  The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explained what “beating should be” which is a light tap that leaves no mark. He further said that the face must be avoided. Some other scholars are of the view that it is no more than a light touch by siwak, or toothbrush.  Similarly, the last hadith shows how severe the situation would be on the Day of Judgment if one treats badly whoever he has under his authority.   

For a more in depth look regarding Surah 4:34, please visit https://www.answering-christianity.com/karim/noble_quran_4_34.htm

http://www.islamhelpline.com/view_answers.asp?QAID=10805 (A clearer picture)

http://www.islamonline.net/english/In_Depth/IslamWifeBeating/index.shtml

If one looks at the statistics of where a women gets beaten more often:  whether in an Islamic society or by those who champion the cause of ‘women’s rights’, he will realize that the women is most abused, humiliated, assaulted, beaten, hurt, raped and killed in these very western, un-godly societies!  May Allah protect our mothers and our daughters and our wives from this humiliation, and honor them to live under the Mercy and Grace of Allah in Islam.  

Taken from http://www.frontpagemag.com/articles/readarticle.asp?ID=16442&p=1

WHO ARE THE ABUSERS

In 29% of all violence against women by a lone offender, the perpetrator was an intimate (husband,ex-husband, boyfriend or ex-boyfriend).

HONOR KILLINGS IN AMERICA?

Of the 5328 women murdered in 1990, FBI data indicate that about half or more of them by a husband or boyfriend.

A 1993 national poll found that 34% of adults in the United States report having witnessed a man beating his wife or girlfriend and that 14% of women report that a husband or boyfriend has been violent with them.

THE ECONOMIC FACTOR IN WOMEN'S ABUSE

*Women aged 19 to 29 and women in families with incomes below $10,000 were more likely than other women to be victims of violence by an intimate.

So the above statistics reflects how women are treated in a so called “Christian Country”. Should we still blame Islam for that?

According to the Qur'an the relationship between the husband and wife should be based on mutual love and kindness. Allah says: "And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect." (Ar-Rum: 21)

The Qur'an urges husbands to treat their wives with kindness. [In the event of a family dispute, the Qur'an exhorts the husband to treat his wife kindly and not to overlook her positive aspects]. Allah Almighty says: “Live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good.” (An-Nisa’: 19)

James M. Arlandson said:

This hadith shows that the majority of inhabitants of hell are women.

Narrated 'Imran bin Husain:

The Prophet said, "I looked at Paradise and found poor people forming the majority of its inhabitants; and I looked at Hell and saw that the majority of its inhabitants were women." (Bukhari, emphasis added; see also these parallel traditions here and here)

See this article for details on women in Islamic hell

Our Response :  

If the ratio of women to men here on planet earth is larger, then it is only logical that the ratio of women to men in hell would also be larger.

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/implications.asp

http://www.census.gov/population/pop-profile/2000/chap20.pdf

Go to this site and check out the ratio of women to men in every country. You will see that most of them are larger. http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/  

This hadith shows that there are more women in Paradise

Sahih Bukhari

Book 040, Hadith Number 6793.
------------------------------
Chapter : The first group that would be admitted to Paradise would be like the face of the full moon and the description of their qualities and their spouses.

Muhammad reported that some (persons) stated with a sense of pride and some discussed whether there would be more men in Paradise or more women. It was upon this that Abu Huraira reported that Abu'l Qasim (the Holy Prophet) (may peace be upon him) said: The (members) of the first group to get into Paradise would have their faces as bright as full moon during the night, and the next to this group would have their faces as bright as the shining stars in the sky, and every person would have two wives and the marrow of their shanks would glimmer beneath the flesh and there would be none without a wife in Paradise.

If the ratio of women to men here on planet earth is larger, then it is only logical that the ratio of women to men in hell would also be larger.

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/implications.asp

http://www.census.gov/population/pop-profile/2000/chap20.pdf

Go to this site and check out the ratio of women to men in every country. You will see that most of them are larger. http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/

The Prophet is simply stating the crime of most of the women in hell.  

Read 

http://www.islamhelpline.com/view_answers.asp?QAID=1610

http://www.islamhelpline.com/view_answers.asp?QAID=11819

James M. Arlandson said:  

There is no word about the husbands’ ingratitude and harshness.

Our Response :  

The religion of Islam is fair and just and God Almighty has put a fair test and trail for both males and females in this world.  As mentioned in the above article and reply, God never judges according to sex but according to works and deeds. 

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 103 Surah Al-Qariah verses 6-11:

6        Then he whose balance (of good deeds) will be (found) heavy

7        Will be in a life of good pleasure and satisfaction.

8        But he whose balance (of good deeds) will be (found) light

9        Will have his home in a (bottomless) pit.

10      And what will explain to thee what this is?

11      (It is) a Fire Blazing fiercely!

Chapter 49, verse 3

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

Most Hadiths are for both sexes however as you have clearly put down for us, some hadiths are for women and some are for men.  If you have continued your extensive research then maybe you will come across several hadiths regarding men.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 3358            Narrated by AbuBakr as-Siddiq

The Prophet (saws) said, "One who treats badly those under his authority will not enter Paradise."

Or this

. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) cursed those men who ape women. He also cursed the hermaphrodite of men

Or this

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "There are two types of people who will be punished in Hell and whom I have not seen: men having whips like the tails of cows and they will be beating people with them, and, women who will be dressed but appear to be naked, inviting to evil; and they themselves will be inclined to it. Their heads will appear like the humps of the Bactrian camel inclined to one side. They will not enter Jannah and they will not smell its fragrance which is perceptible from such and such a distance.''

[Muslim].      

Or this

One of the seven deadly sins in Islam, which is considered to be one of the most horrendous crimes in Islam, is the Slandering of chaste women. 

It is reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah (ra ) that the Messenger of Allah (saas ) said:

"Avoid the seven destroyers." They (the Companions) asked: "Oh, Messenger of Allah (saas )! What are they?" He (saas ) replied: "Shirk (associating partners) with Allah (swt ), sorcery, taking the life which has been prohibited by Allah (swt ), except in truth (i.e. in accordance with Islamic Law), devouring usury, consuming the property of the orphans, running away on the day of battle and making false charges against the chaste, unmindful³(innocent, naïve)women." (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)  

Look at the honor that Allah has given women. How come Allah did not make slandering men a deadly sin? He chose women! This is one of the privileges that Allah has given them.

James M. Arlandson said:

Muhammad was also superstitious. This hadith says that women are part of an evil omen.

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar:

I heard the Prophet saying. "Evil omen is in three things: The horse, the woman and the house." (Bukhari)

It is one thing if a culture perpetuates this inequality from time immemorial, but it is quite another if it gets enshrined in the sacred texts of a worldwide religion. The Quran and the hadith attack women simply because they are women. Surely it is this patriarchal and misogynistic attitude that permeates too much of the Islamic world.

Our Response :

What is proven in the Sunnah is that it is forbidden to believe in bad omens (tatayyur) or warn others about them, and that this is a kind of shirk (associating others with Allah). For example,

 al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There is no `adwa (transmission of infectious disease without the permission of Allah) and no tiyarah (superstitious belief in bird omens), but I like optimism.” They said, “What is optimism?” He said, “A good word.”

Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah narrated that `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Tiyarah (belief in evil omens) is shirk.(association with Allah)”

A clear explanation is given in the links below regarding the previous hadith

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503547194

http://www.allaahuakbar.net/womens/commentary_on_the_hadeeth_women_house_horse.htm

James M. Arlandson said:

In dividing the inheritance, a female gets half of a male’s share.:

Our Response :  

http://www.drzakirnaik.com/pages/qanda/14.php  

James M. Arlandson said:

Maududi explains the rationale behind the verse:

The guiding principle about the division of inheritance is that the share of the male shall be double that of the female, and this is very sound and just. As the Muslim law lays the major burden of the economic responsibility of the family on the male and keeps the female almost free from it, justice demands that her share of inheritance should be less than that of the male. (vol. 1, p. 312, note 15).

The problem with Maududi’s explanation (and what is implied in Malik’s and Ibn Rushd’s assessment) is that it is too culture-bound; paradoxically, however, it is intended to be universal. It may be true that in seventh-century Arabia a male had most or all of the responsibilities over the household. This may be true even today in traditional Muslim countries or regions. However, it is troubling that Muhammad did not receive verses from on high that clearly and unambiguously spell out the equality of mankind and womankind—verses without stings in them or near them.

Regardless of Muhammad’s failure to receive these verses, this law of inheritance should in no way be applied to the western world or in other regions that are not burdened with Islam but that want to grow economically.

Here in the US, for example, the inheritance can be divided equally among all siblings, regardless of their gender. No religious law prohibits this from happening in advance. American secular law fits into a modern context better.

Thus, today’s American secular law surpasses seventh-century Islamic law found in the allegedly universal Quran, inspired by Allah.

Our Response :

James' has an erroneous belief that God's laws should adjust and change in order to fit our culture and societies. However, it is our culture and societies that should change in order to adapt to God's laws. Lets make a comparison about inheritance of women in the Quran and Bible.

Women's Inheritance

Bible says:

Numbers 27:8-11

⁸ "Say to the Israelites, 'If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his daughter. ⁹ If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. ¹⁰ If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father's brothers. ¹¹ If his father had no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan, that he may possess it. This is to be a legal requirement for the Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses.' "

This shows that the daughters would not get anything if the sons were alive unlike Islam, which would give her half of the son’s.

Numbers 36:6-9

⁶ This is what the LORD commands for Zelophehad's daughters: They may marry anyone they please as long as they marry within the tribal clan of their father. ⁷ No inheritance in Israel is to pass from tribe to tribe, for every Israelite shall keep the tribal land inherited from his forefathers. ⁸ Every daughter who inherits land in any Israelite tribe must marry someone in her father's tribal clan, so that every Israelite will possess the inheritance of his fathers. ⁹ No inheritance may pass from tribe to tribe, for each Israelite tribe is to keep the land it inherits."

This shows that if a woman did inherit and wanted to get married she had to marry someone from with in the tribe in order not to transfer that inherited money to another tribe. The money must stay in the tribe, unlike Muslim women who can marry whom ever they please.

Quran says:

Surah 4:7

Unto the men (of a family) belongeth a share of that which parents and near kindred leave, and unto the women a share of that which parents and near kindred leave, whether it be little or much - a legal share.

Surah 4:11

Allah chargeth you concerning (the provision for) your children: to the male the equivalent of the portion of two females, and if there be women more than two, then theirs is two-thirds of the inheritance, and if there be one (only) then the half. And to each of his parents a sixth of the inheritance, if he have a son; and if he have no son and his parents are his heirs, then to his mother appertaineth the third; and if he have brethren, then to his mother appertaineth the sixth, after any legacy he may have bequeathed, or debt (hath been paid). Your parents and your children: Ye know not which of them is nearer unto you in usefulness. It is an injunction from Allah. Lo! Allah is Knower, Wise.

The woman in Islam has a share of inheritance. The daughter's portion is half that of the son. This share is very generous given that, in Islam, the man's financial obligations are by far more than those of the woman. The man gives the dowry to his wife. He pays for all the necessities of life such as accommodation, food and clothes. He supports his parents in addition to his wife and children. On the other hand, the wife does not have to support anyone even herself because her husband is responsible for maintaining her, no matter how rich she is. It is worth noting that in some cases the woman's share of inheritance is equal to that of the man. 

Recommended reading 

http://www.islam101.com/sociology/inheritance.htm

James M. Arlandson said:

4. A woman’s testimony often counts half of a man’s testimony.

The Quran in Sura 2:282 says:

And let two men from among you bear witness to all such documents [contracts of loans without interest]. But if two men be not available, there should be one man and two women to bear witness so that if one of the women forgets (anything), the other may remind her. (Maududi, vol. 1, p. 205).

This hadith removes any ambiguity about women in Sura 2:282:

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:

The Prophet said, "Isn’t the witness of a woman equal to half of that of a man?" The women said, "Yes." He said, "This is because of the deficiency of a woman’s mind." (Bukhari, emphasis added)

Our Response :  

I recommend reading the following articles

https://www.answering-christianity.com/bassam_zawadi/testimonyofwomen.htm

http://www.drzakirnaik.com/pages/qanda/13.php

Lets compare the testimony of women in the Quran to those of the women in the Bible

Women's Testimony

Bible says:

Numbers 5:11-31

The Test for an Unfaithful Wife

¹¹ Then the LORD said to Moses, ¹² "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'If a man's wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him ¹³ by sleeping with another man, and this is hidden from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she has not been caught in the act), ¹⁴ and if feelings of jealousy come over her husband and he suspects his wife and she is impure—or if he is jealous and suspects her even though she is not impure- ¹⁵ then he is to take his wife to the priest. He must also take an offering of a tenth of an ephah ^[a] of barley flour on her behalf. He must not pour oil on it or put incense on it, because it is a grain offering for jealousy, a reminder offering to draw attention to guilt. ¹⁶ " 'The priest shall bring her and have her stand before the LORD. ¹⁷ Then he shall take some holy water in a clay jar and put some dust from the tabernacle floor into the water. ¹⁸ After the priest has had the woman stand before the LORD, he shall loosen her hair and place in her hands the reminder offering, the grain offering for jealousy, while he himself holds the bitter water that brings a curse. ¹⁹ Then the priest shall put the woman under oath and say to her, "If no other man has slept with you and you have not gone astray and become impure while married to your husband, may this bitter water that brings a curse not harm you. ²⁰ But if you have gone astray while married to your husband and you have defiled yourself by sleeping with a man other than your husband"- ²¹ here the priest is to put the woman under this curse of the oath-"may the LORD cause your people to curse and denounce you when he causes your thigh to waste away and your abdomen to swell. ^{[b] 22} May this water that brings a curse enter your body so that your abdomen swells and your thigh wastes away. ^[c] "
 " 'Then the woman is to say, "Amen. So be it." ²³ " 'The priest is to write these curses on a scroll and then wash them off into the bitter water. ²⁴ He shall have the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and this water will enter her and cause bitter suffering. ²⁵ The priest is to take from her hands the grain offering for jealousy, wave it before the LORD and bring it to the altar. ²⁶ The priest is then to take a handful of the grain offering as a memorial offering and burn it on the altar; after that, he is to have the woman drink the water. ²⁷ If she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, then when she is made to drink the water that brings a curse, it will go into her and cause bitter suffering; her abdomen will swell and her thigh waste away, ^[d] and she will become accursed among her people. ²⁸ If, however, the woman has not defiled herself and is free from impurity, she will be cleared of guilt and will be able to have children. ²⁹ " 'This, then, is the law of jealousy when a woman goes astray and defiles herself while married to her husband, ³⁰ or when feelings of jealousy come over a man because he suspects his wife. The priest is to have her stand before the LORD and is to apply this entire law to her. ³¹ The husband will be innocent of any wrongdoing, but the woman will bear the consequences of her sin.'

This just shows that the woman is guilty unless proven innocent.

Deuteronomy 22:11-21

Marriage Violations

¹³ If a man takes a wife and, after lying with her, dislikes her ¹⁴ and slanders her and gives her a bad name, saying, "I married this woman, but when I approached her, I did not find proof of her virginity," ¹⁵ then the girl's father and mother shall bring proof that she was a virgin to the town elders at the gate. ¹⁶ The girl's father will say to the elders, "I gave my daughter in marriage to this man, but he dislikes her. ¹⁷ Now he has slandered her and said, 'I did not find your daughter to be a virgin.' But here is the proof of my daughter's virginity." Then her parents shall display the cloth before the elders of the town, ¹⁸ and the elders shall take the man and punish him. ¹⁹ They shall fine him a hundred shekels of silver ^[a] and give them to the girl's father, because this man has given an Israelite virgin a bad name. She shall continue to be his wife; he must not divorce her as long as he lives.

 ²⁰ If, however, the charge is true and no proof of the girl's virginity can be found, ²¹ she shall be brought to the door of her father's house and there the men of her town shall stone her to death. She has done a disgraceful thing in Israel by being promiscuous while still in her father's house. You must purge the evil from among you.

This just shows that the woman is guilty unless proven innocent. This also shows that the man who falsely accused his wife only pays a hundred shekels and must be married to her forever. Look at this from the woman’s point of view, her honor is taken away and she is forced to stay with her rapist.

Deuteronomy 22:28

²⁸ If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, ²⁹ he shall pay the girl's father fifty shekels of silver. ^[c] He must marry the girl, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives.

So now she is forced to marry him! She did nothing wrong! Why would she marry the rapist? The 50 shekels also don’t go to her, they go to the father. Because at that time the woman was considered her father’s property and if the man damaged that property he is to go and pay the owner the fine. Unlike in Islam when the woman gets the dowry she keeps it for herself and it is her property.

Numbers 30: 4-8,16

⁴ and her father hears about her vow or pledge but says nothing to her, then all her vows and every pledge by which she obligated herself will stand. ⁵ But if her father forbids her when he hears about it, none of her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand; the LORD will release her because her father has forbidden her.

This shows that the father can cancel his daughter’s oath.

⁶ "If she marries after she makes a vow or after her lips utter a rash promise by which she obligates herself ⁷ and her husband hears about it but says nothing to her, then her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand. ⁸ But if her husband forbids her when he hears about it, he nullifies the vow that obligates her or the rash promise by which she obligates herself, and the LORD will release her.

This shows the husband can cancel his wife’s oath.

This also means that it is difficult for a woman to conduct business, because no one would trust her. Because if she made an agreement, then her father or husband can just easily come and annul it for you.

In Surah 24, we read that if a man wants to accuse his wife of adultery then he has to bring 4 witnesses forward and if he cannot provide those 4 witnesses than he has to take 5 oaths. Then if the wife wants to negate that evidence of his then she does the same. That shows that the woman’s testimony is equal to that of a man. If a man also wants to accuse a chaste woman of being adulterous then he must provide witnesses, they wont just take his testimony because he is a man. If he doesn’t provide that testimony then he is to be lashed 80 times. Look how Islam protects the women from being falsely accused. If both of them testify then the judge will declare that they should separate and not be married together anymore because of the tension between them.

Quran says:

Surah 24:6-9

As for those who accuse their wives but have no witnesses except themselves; let the testimony of one of them be four testimonies, (swearing) by Allah that he is of those who speak the truth; And yet a fifth, invoking the curse of Allah on him if he is of those who lie. And it shall avert the punishment from her if she bear witness before Allah four times that the thing he saith is indeed false, And a fifth (time) that the wrath of Allah be upon her if he speaketh truth.

Surah 24:4

And those who accuse honourable women but bring not four witnesses, scourge them (with) eighty stripes and never (afterward) accept their testimony - They indeed are evil-doers -

Surah 24:23

Lo! as for those who traduce virtuous, believing women (who are) careless, cursed are they in the world and the Hereafter. Theirs will be an awful doom.

According to the judgment of the Bible, if a man accuses his wife of not being a virgin, the wife's father and mother have to bring porrf that she was a virgin, otherwise, the wife will be stoned to death! The wife's testimony carries no weight!

According to the judgment of the Glorious Quran, if a man accuses his wife of committing adultery, the wife can nullify the accusation as her testimony is accepted, consequently, the wife will not be punished. However, if the accuser is not her husband, then he has to bring four witnesses. If not, he will receive eighty lashes and his testimony will be rejected forever. 

Look how the Quran uplifts the woman!

Back to My Rebuttals, and exposing the lies of the Answering Islam team section.

Rebuttals to James Arlandson's articles.

Rebuttals by Bassam Zawadi.

The Dumpster section.

Refutation to the preposterous LIES of Jochen Katz about his Bible not containing inhumane murders from its Prophets!

X-Rated Pornography in the Bible.

Aisha was 9 when she married our Prophet, and PROOFS that 9-year old girls were married to men who were their fathers' age also in the BIBLE, AND EVEN UNTIL TODAY IN OUR CULTURES.

Pedophilia against 3-year old slave girls in the Bible.

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