Life on Arabian Island before Islam - Assignment Example

? Islam al affiliation] Concept of equality in Quran and Sunnah: There is undeniably a phenomenal concept of equality existing in both Quran and Sunnah and one which cannot be found in any other book in the world. It is implied that all believers are equal in the eyes of God and nothing but good deeds are potential of elevating one person above another (Quran 4:124, cited in Al-Adl, 2007). The message of equality also stresses the Muslims to think of Non-Muslims as their equals and not unnecessarily participate in activities potential of messing things up as God despises those who wreak havoc on the Earth for their personal satisfaction. As it is implied by both God and Holy Prophet (PBUH) that only righteous deeds can elevate one person over the rest, all Muslims immensely respect those who strive to do good and achieve noble objectives. Islam assigns different kinds of roles to men and women not on grounds of superiority or inferiority but because they have slightly different physical and emotional traits. Men mostly are physically and emotionally stronger than women so they are encouraged to work harder and support their whole family. The burden of work can be hugely stressful so it is reserved for the emotionally and physically stronger group. But that does not mean that Islam strictly prohibits women from becoming educationally accomplished or going out of their homes to earn money. Islam does not see any harm in women striving to make sure both ends are met when situation gets rough. Quran implies that gender equality should be put into practice (Muslim Women’s League, 2012). Life in Arabian Island before Islam reached it: Life in Arabian Island before Islam dawned on it is characterized by scholars as wild, wayward, lawless, undirected, restless, ominous, and demonic. Islam brought with itself the phenomenally relieving messages of peace, discipline, respect, lawfulness, ethics, humanity, and obedience. By emphasizing the presence of a higher being who should be respected and worshipped, Islam erased any possibility of jealousy or discrimination among Muslims. If Quran and Sunnah had implied that anyone among the followers who is virtuous and noble could be worshipped, conflict and discrimination would have resulted and there would have been multiple gods. But Islam put an end to such misery and asked all to observe one being and none else. Life in Arabian Island before Islam reached it was so exceedingly wayward that men and women were made to dance naked in the vicinity of the Ka’bah as part of the rituals and men used to bury their daughters alive out of gross hatred and gender discrimination (Subhani, n.d.). Before the advent of Islam, the Arab people used to treat women as mere sex objects who could be used for pleasure only and were granted no rights or protection. In stark contrast to the ancient teachings of other religions which stress that women are inherently sinful and wicked beings with no sense whatsoever and men are born virtuous and noble, Islam implies in accordance with the revolutionary teachings of Quran and Sunnah that men and women should be considered equal everywhere as they are created from the same soul and both are born innocent (Doi, n.d.). Changes brought by Islam in the Muslim culture: Islam brought multiple revolutionary and commendable changes in the Muslim culture. In fact Islam created the Muslim culture as before this religion dawned, there was no Muslim culture but a disgustful wilderness. General morals and manners of the Arabs before the advent of Islam were very low and fraught with weaknesses so Islam strived to elevate them up to a higher level so that Muslims could be distinguished on grounds of high morals and not on grounds of ignorance and waywardness. Due to lack of proper guidance and prevalence of immorality and ignorance, Arabs before the advent of Islam led a life similar to that of uncontrollable beasts and often breached law. Islam brought the change by creating a strong justice system one which does not spare even the emperors or their families if they be found guilty of a crime so that maximum discipline and order could be established in the society. Quran itself states that “O Arabs! Before accepting Islam you were on the brink of an abyss of fire. He saved you through Islam” (Surah Ale Imran 3:103, cited in Subhani, n.d.). Islam also granted women rights and respect which is something they did not have before Islam got introduced. Islam implies that women be treated as equals of men in terms of spirituality and intellectuality (Doi, n.d.) which is why they began to be recognized as respectful and noble figures in the Muslim culture soon afterwards. Men are repeatedly ordered in the Quran and Sunnah to give women maximum respect and protection. Comparison between Islam and Hinduism in context of equality: Differences on many levels exist between Islam and Hinduism in terms of equality. Even in the present modern age, majority of the Hindus cannot dare to think independently and are constrained in many ways. Women on a large scale are not granted any property or inheritance rights and those who possess these rights now mainly belong to affluent class. Moreover, inequality forms such a huge factor in the Hindu culture that a woman is harassed and condemned by the society in multiple ways if her husband dies as the ritual sati based on burning of the wife alive along with her husband’s body is outlawed. Besides gender inequality, there definitely exists no equality between Hindus themselves. The Brahmin Hindus consider themselves the superior most beings and refrain from relating to or marrying people from lower casts. As part of sharing her experience, a converted Hindu woman reveals that a widow is pressured by the society to always don a white sari and never re-marry. Also, men in the Hindu culture are literally treated as gods who should be obeyed on all grounds. Hindu religion and culture is based on superstitions, myths, and traditions which are not grounded and have no proof either (Noor, cited in missionislam, n.d.). Islam, in contrast, grants women full rights and encourages widows to re-marry as soon as possible as part of reducing the incidence of sexual immorality in the society. As already discussed, there exists no difference of class in the Muslim culture and any differences which may be found presently are only a creation of ignorant Muslim people and cannot be blamed on the religion Islam. References: Al-Adl, A. (2007). Concept of Gender Equality in Islam (part 2 of 2): Substantive Equality of Men and Women. Retrieved from http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/462/ Doi, A.R.I. (n.d.). Women in the Quran and the Sunnah. Retrieved from http://www.islamswomen.com/articles/women_in_quran_and_sunnah.php Missionislam. (n.d.). Status of Hindu Women VS Muslim Women. Retrieved from http://www.missionislam.com/knowledge/statushinduwomen.html Muslim Women’s League. (2012). Gender Equality in Islam. Retrieved from http://www.mwlusa.org/topics/equality/gender.html Subhani, A.J. (n.d.). ARABIA BEFORE ISLAM. Retrieved from http://www.maaref-foundation.com/english/history/01_arabia_before_islam.htm Read More