In the previous post it was mentioned how some Muslims seem to think that Islam and feminism cannot go hand in hand. Subsequently, this post will discuss those who conflate religion and culture and therefore think of Islam as a misogynistic and oppressive religion.

Many believe in misconceptions and generalise that whatever happens in Islamic countries, like Afghanistan’s practice of forced covering, must be the fault of Islam. They think when a Muslim man commits an act and claims it is in the name of Islam, despite Islam forbidding such behaviours, that it must have a connection to Islam. 

Some common misconceptions about Islam include:

• Islam forces all women to wear burqas.
• Women in Islam are not allowed to work.
• Women have no rights to inheritance in Islam.
• Islam restricts women’s freedom to move and socialise.
• Islam allows men to treat women poorly or violently.
• Women are treated as inferior to men in Islam.
• Honour killings are a part of Islam.
• Islam allows forced marriages.
• Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a part of Islam.

Unfortunately, many are unaware that none of these have a place in Islam and most are punishable by Islamic standards. They stem from cultural practices and historical misinterpretations that have been wrongly associated with Islam. It is crucial to understand that someone who identifies as a Muslim does not represent Islam as a whole.

Islam’s treatment of women has revolutionarily already given the right to have equal opportunities and dignity to women, which are entities of feminism, in the 7th century. 

Unlike the literacy ban for women in the West in the middle ages, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) narrated that “seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim” in the 7th century. This narration shows that there is no discrimination when it comes to education. It includes men, women, nobles, and peasants alike. There are many other narrations that show the importance Islam holds for women to get education that can easily be found through some research.

Through some more research, one can also find out that Islam also forbids any form of physical or emotional abuse. It emphasises the treatment of women with kindness and respect. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) famously said, “The best of you are those who are the best to their women.” This saying should be enough to understand that any oppressive and tyrannical behaviours exhibited by some Muslim men do not represent any of Islam’s values. 

Islam abolished the pre-Islamic practice of female infanticide and declared the birth of a girl as a blessing. It affirmed that women, like men, are created with dignity and are entitled to respect. In the eyes of Allah, men and women are equal in their worship, devotion, and potential for spiritual growth. Both men and women are accountable for their actions in the Hereafter. The only difference in value will be determined based on actions and not sex or race.

While many Muslims may not feel the need to use the modern Western term ‘feminism’ since Islam has consistently advocated for equality in opportunities, respect, and dignity for women for over a millennium, the belief and the principles of equality in value, dignity, and respect for women are deeply embedded in Islam despite all widespread misconceptions.