Ask a Muslim anything

[Lesschubtolove]

Another thread on a Quran being kicked about has brought up some pretty ugly stereotypes on Muslims and a perception that we all want blasphemy laws and death threats are part of our religion and that a Quran only matters in Arabic. None are true but it dawned on me actually that there are a lot of mistruths and Misconceptions about what Muslims believe, think or do.

Well ask away… the questions you maybe wanted to know but thought you might get in trouble for or would be frowned upon

Can you understand why a Muslim by birth though not practicing as was born under the shah of Iran has become totally disillusioned by it due to the affect it’s had on their country and the hypocrisy from the mullahs in power ? Many many Iranians feel this way

Islam isn’t about equality as such it’s about equity. men and women are equal in status in the sight of god but equal doesn’t mean same. Islamically men and women have distinct social roles (needs To be viewed in historical context)

there are a few imams globally that will marry Muslim women to non Muslim men but they are the minority.

in truth the permissibility of Muslim men marrying Jews and Christians is a disliked action and it is with the hope that they become Muslim.

honestly if you’re a practicing person of faith I don’t get why you’d marry someone of another faith, you’re clearly not that compatible.

I’m not too au fait with Iranian politics but the shah was relatively secular wasnt he? But of course I understand that there is nothing like behind forced to do something to make you resent it.

I just want to say - as a non believer of any kind - you’re doing a massive public service here and I’m super grateful for you answering so honestly, and at times with humour. Honestly, most phobias come from people just having no exposure at all to people who sound like them from other background. So you’re great, and thanks.

As a Muslim, I have to say I agree. I have many issues with how women have suffered because of their faith, but I really like OPs approach. I’ve learned a lot. I probably needed a friend like her in my life.

Why are Muslim ‘Community Leaders’ always male?
Do you not find the misogyny offensive?

Ok so womens rights in Islam are not equal to that of men. They have lesser rights going by the examples you have given.

If its about equity and their role would that mean Islam itself is misogynistic

@GreekDogRescue there are Muslim women’s organisations doing good work, but I don’t believe they have a voice. Mosques led by South Asians are invariably led by men and are not fit for purpose for helping women. I contacted the London Central Mosque for advice and specifically asked for a woman. None was present. Some mosques are better than others in supporting women/families eg the Moroccan Mosque (Al Manar) in London, but on the whole they are not welcoming spaces if you are a woman in trouble.

examples? You’re taking Muslim women marrying Muslim men only as a bad thing? But that’s pretty common place? A lot of Jews tend to only marry Jews etc. I don’t see this a lack of rights.

equity meaning fairness for both =misogyny? You’ve lost me

there are different rules to inheritance as well that can be open to exploiting by men with less than stellar motivations

Same reason why most religious leaders in Christianity are men… for so long they’ve been the gatekeepers of faith then you throw into the fact that the vast majority of Muslims here are from the Indian subcontinent how how deeply misogynistic some aspects of those cultures are and it’s a real shit show sometimes, it’s actually sometimes quite embarrassing. So yes I find misogyny annoying, angering and actually embarrassing

Yes… Jesus is the messiah in Islam too. Something not many non-Muslims knows!

My husband converted to Islam and it was finding that out that made him more curious about Islam.

(Sorry OP! Don’t want to hijack your thread, but I love the shock and surprise people have when they find out Jesus is a key figure in Islam as well!)

I get that fair doesn't always mean the same but I think women in general are not treated so well by religions especially if they don't fit the mold. It is true that most people in a religion do not want to marry people from outside of a religion but permitting it for men and not for women does not feel equal or equitable to me. Just my opinion though. thank you for giving your side.

One thing I've always heard is that women must ask for a divorce 5 times and man are allowed to "tap" their wives to discipline them. Is any of this actually true?

Depends on the religion and its teachings where it is very clear that men and women are equal

Men have to ask for a divorce 3 times for it to be considered valid, i think it’s 3 times for a woman too? I’m not 100% here though

i Don’t think discipline is the right word, but in matters of severe disagreement where the wife is going against Islam or doing something really bad, first he’s to verbally tell her, then refuse to share a bed with her and then as a last resort he can tap her, except it’s not like a sharp tap on the wrist it’s been interpreted as with a blade of grass or a miswak (small twig for brushing teeth) or the edge of a scarf and it’s symbolic but it’s like the absolute last resort and it’s in light of historic awful violence against women. So it’s forbidden to assault your wife

Haha no worries i missed the comment so I’m glad you spotted it!

but yes, Jesus is very highly thought of in Islam as is Mary, and Jesus is the messiah. Muslims also believe in the anti christ at the end of times, gog and magog and lots more. End of days it’s quite similar. Doctrinally Muslims believe in all the Christian and Jewish prophets, Noah, Jonah, king David, John the Baptist etc I could go on

Jesus is very highly thought of in Islam as is Mary, and Jesus is the messiah

The Virgin Mary is so highly revered that there is an entire chapter about her in the Quran…the only woman who has that privilege.

True!

zahra is for Fatima too is it not? Zahra being her nickname?

Gosh, I had no idea about all those prophets we have in common (I'm not a practicing Catholic any more, but it's easier to say 'we' here).

Re the equity question, is the wife allowed to tap her husband if she thinks he's going against Islam?

I’ve never seen that mentioned, but she can definitely admonish him and seek intervention and potentially divorce.

ive always understood that ruling in the context of men having responsibility for their wives, not just in this life but the next too.

Some one asked to summarise Islam, i totally forgot about one of my favourite things when I feel a little low in the faith department.

it’s about 7 mins on YT, I’ll put the link below if anyone is interested. Personally it makes me feel quite emotional.

Why didn’t that post, Dang. Just type meaning of life islam into YT lol

Women need to go to a shariah council if they wish for a divorce and justify why. Men just need to say it 3 times. A man can continue to live with his divorced wife for upto 3 months after he has divorced her (in case she is preggo I think). No fairness there.

And from my Muslim friends they have told me how those council prevent women from divorcing. One who wanted to divorce is still married becuade he won't say those three words nor will her local council help.

Back to what OP says these leaders are not following through on Islamic teachings correctly.

So to me it appears that Islam is misogynistic because women do not have equal rights.

No question here. Just wanted to thank you for this. I guess I’m just nosey but I love love love knowing about other people and you’re just answering all these questions I’d love to ask!

thank you! Im bookmarking this to look back at later 🥰

Worth trying to get hold of this brilliant documentary.

www.ainakhanlaw.com/catch-islamic-law-specialist-aina-khan-on-channel-4-documentary-the-truth-about-muslim-marriage-tonight/

Correct - women are not automatically granted a divorce through the council. Jewish women face similar from my understanding.