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Islam is the eternal divine message of Allah, the Almighty and Exalted, to all mankind, delivered by the Prophet and Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon Him). Some have believed in the Message of Islam and followed it, while others disbelieved in it or refuse to follow. Allah (The Almighty) declared that all human beings are dignified and honored more than other creatures of Allah, as He stated in the Glorious Qur'an:
(And indeed We have honored the children of Adam, and We have carried them on land and sea, and have provided them with lawful good things, and have preferred them above many of those whom We have created with a marked preference.)
[17:70]
Allah (The Almighty) also declared another major principle: that all men are created equal in terms of original creation. He stated in the Glorious Qur'an:
(O mankind! Be dutiful to Your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created many men and women; and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (i.e. kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you.)
[4:1]
Based on the previous principles, all men and women are equal in terms of humanity and basic values, obligations and responsibilities. All men and women are created equal in the sight of Allah. Their differences in race, language, livelihood and geography etc have no relationship to increase or decrease this honor. True distinction among them is based on their God-consciousness, commitment to Islam, the revealed religion of Allah, and their level of practice and application of its principles in their own daily lives. Allah (The Almighty) stated this in the Glorious Qur'an when He said:
(O Mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you in the Sight of Allah is the one who is most pious and righteous. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.)
[49:13]
Therefore true honor of any person in the Sight of Allah is not on the basis of color, social status, sex, race, strength, health, dignity or wealth. The only measure of distinction in the Sight of Allah is strictly on the basis of piety, faith and the performance of good deeds.
Similarly, Allah's Prophet (Peace be upon Him) was also reported as saying:
"O people, your Lord is one and your father is one. There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, or non-Arab over an Arab, nor of a red person over a black, or a black person over a red, except by piety."
[Ahmad #23536 and verified]
The teachings of Islam remove all artificial differences between men, and place them all on equal footing. One of the essential teachings of Islam, often misconstrued, abused or poorly explained, is that "a female is equal to a male in everything except where there is a distinct reality and exception." The equalities and exceptions were the subject of this book attempted to clarify some of these misconceptions about the reality of women in Islam.
Allah (The Almighty) stated in the Glorious Qur'an:
(The believers, men and women, are helpers, supporters, friends and protectors of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do; and they forbid (people) from all forms of evil (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they offer their prayers perfectly, and give their charity and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will shower His Mercy upon them. Surely Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.)
[9:71]
(So their Lord accepted (their supplications and answered them), Never will I allow to be lost the work of any one of you, be he male or female. You are (members) one of another...)
[3:195]
(There is a share for men and a share for women from what is left by parents and those closely related, whether the property be small or large, a legal share.)
[4:7]
Based upon what has been said and elaborated upon throughout this book, one can comfortably and confidently say that a woman will never enjoy her natural honor and full rights and freedoms except under the protection of the divine and just laws of Islam. Islam designates certain duties and obligations that necessarily go hand in hand with the rights. Islam is a divine religion revealed by the Beneficent and Omniscient, as opposed to man-made laws that dictate artificial boundaries, privileges, and monopolies. Islam is everlasting and universal, for the whole of mankind, male and female, rich and poor, the ruler and ruled, and strong and weak, whether white, black, red or yellow. They are all equal in the Sight of their Creator, Allah (The Almighty), who knows best what is of benefit in both this world and the hereafter.
I beseech the reader not to pass hasty judgment on Islam on the basis of what is observed in the behavior and attitude of some groups of Muslims who, unfortunately, use Islam to cover up their personal or party crimes. There are many individuals who are Muslims since they declare by their lips that "There is no god worthy of worship except Allah Alone, and Muhammad is the slave and Messenger of Allah" but, regretfully, do not perform their Islamic duties or demonstrate sincere commitment to Islam by good moral conduct. Islam is a complete, pure religion, simple to apply in all the various circumstances. Many Muslims strive throughout their lifetime to be good and upright, seeking the pleasure of Allah in all that they do or refrain from doing. On the other hand, there are individuals who deserve to be punished in this world and in the hereafter, for their crimes. These crimes may be so heinous that they are of the level of disbelief and apostasy from Islam, or they may be of a lesser level of disobedience and neglectfulness of the wise commands and beneficial teachings of Allah (The Almighty), and His Prophet (Peace be upon Him).
It is understood that if someone lacks something himself, whether it is wealth or morals, he will not enable someone else to have it. This principle applies to Islam as well. For those who are keen to learn more about Islam, our advice is that they seek knowledge from those who are well known for their knowledge, understanding and practice of Islam in their own lives, whereas "non-practicing" Muslims will definitely mislead them.
Superficial knowledge of Islam is dangerous, harmful and detrimental since merely reading a few books about Islam, very possibly with unreliable sources, will not qualify a person to pass verdicts and disseminate sound knowledge about Islam. Following opinions blindly is also very dangerous and harmful. It is compulsory to seek sound knowledge about Islam, and not be tricked by those who spread false worship and practice. Allah stated in the Glorious Qur'an:
(There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in the 'Taghoot' (what is worshipped other than Allah and pleased with the false worship) and believes in Allah, has grasped the trustworthy handhold that will never break; Allah is the All-Hearer, All-Knower.)
[2:256]
