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Militant Islam Monitor > Satire > ' Imam' Theo Van Gogh : "The right to give (women) a disiplinary slap appeals to me"

' Imam' Theo Van Gogh : "The right to give (women) a disiplinary slap appeals to me"

Allah knows best
by Theo van Gogh translated by Beila Rabinowitz
De Gezonde Roker -The Healthy Smoker
April 29, 2004

PERSBERICHT

Amsterdam, 15 april 2004

'Imam' Theo van Gogh predikt emancipatie Islamitische vrouw

Minister van Financiën Gerrit Zalm pleit voor etnisch ondernemerschap

MIM: Translation

Press Release

'Imam' Theo van Gogh preaches the emancipation of the Muslim woman

Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm pleads for ethnic business initiatives

http://www.theovangogh.nl/indexc.html

'Imam' Theo Van Gogh

Dear Attendees, Mr.Bakas, Allah be with you!

"Yes, you surely think, 'doesn't he look unusual', but since The Prophet has come into my life I've finally found clothes that fit me like they were tailor made. Because Mr.Bakas has something to celebrate I thought that I couldn't pass up this opportunity. How did I come to the true belief? I don't want to cover it up, and seeing that my experience with the weaker sex was dissapointing, I noticed that the Islamic women know their place. Not just to walk at a correct distance behind their husbands, she is supposed to obey and may be beaten as long as it's not on the face. It was this right to give a disiplinary slap which especially appealed to me...

BEFORE


Toen mijn broeder Aboe Jah Jah onlangs opmerkte dat dat ontketende schepsel Hirsi Ali van de VVD haar mond moet houden omdat ze gek is, was mij dat uit het hart gegrepen.

Allah wil niet dat opstandige vrouwen Hem vergelijken met 'een perverse tiran'; Allah wil dat Ayaan haar beentjes spreidt en naar het plafond staart, zoals wij onze vrouwen nu eenmaal 't liefste zien, niet bereden door obscene dromen maar in de wetenschap dat de Profeet (Gods Heil en Vrede zij over hem) gezegd heeft: "De mannen hebben een rang boven de vrouwen."


When my brother Aboe Jah Jah remarked that the wild creature Hirsi Ali of the conservative party should shut her mouth because she was crazy, it spoke straight to my heart "

"Allah doesnt want rebellious women to compare him to a

"perverse tyrant". Allah wills that Ayaan, spreads her legs and stares at the ceiling, as we all want our women to do, and not be saddled with obscene dreams in the knowledge that Allah, (Peace and Blessing be upon him), said : The men are one level above the women ".

MIIM :Ayaan Hirsi Ali is Dutch former Muslim conservative parliamentarian who called Islam "a backward religion'

http://www.time.com/time/europe/magazine/printout/0,13155,901021216-397459,00.html

(Aboe Jah Jah is the leader of the Belgian based Islamo facist Arab European League )

http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/89

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Hirsi Ali: shut anti-woman, anti-gay Dutch mosque

22 April 2004

http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=19&story_id=6851

AMSTERDAM — Somali-born MP Ayaan Hirsi Ali demanded on Thursday the closure of an Amsterdam mosque that sells books supporting female circumcision, beating wives and the murder of gay people.

The Dutch Parliament is to hold an emergency debate about the El Tawheed mosque next week. MPs want Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner and Immigration and Integration Minister Rita Verdonk to explain what they intend to do about the book "De weg van de moslim".


Mosque: girls must be circumcised

France deports imam who incited wife-beating

The publication — translated as The Way of the Muslim in English — is said to advocate violence against women and killing gay people

Gay people should be thrown head first off high buildings. If not killed on hitting the ground, they should then be stoned to death, the book allegedly suggests.

In her column in newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, Hirsi Ali — who was raised as a Muslim — went one step further and called on the government to close the mosque. The MP has been a strident opponent of Islamic teachings on women and gay people.

The Liberal VVD party MP said it was time for the Justice Ministry to indicate whether it intended to go to court to have the mosque banned.

Hirsi Ali said the latest revelations about the book advocating beating women and killing gay people was the last straw. Closure of the mosque was a question of "political will", she wrote.

"This mosque has been warned repeatedly by the authorities that intolerance against non-Muslims and undermining the law is unacceptable in the Netherlands," Hirsi Ali said.

"The Way of the Muslim" is one of the publications on sale at the El Tawheed mosque. Earlier this month the mosque was at the centre of a storm about another book available at its open day organised to help combat the mosque's negative public image.

That book "Fatwas of Muslim Women" says that women who lie deserve 100 blows and the husband's duty of care for his wife is negated if she refuses him sex or leaves the home without his permission. One of its most controversial aspects is the call for Muslim girls to be circumcised.

A fatwa is an official statement or order from an Islamic religious leader.

MPs in the Dutch Parliament have indicated they want the second book, "The Way of the Muslim", banned if it supports violence towards women and killing gay people.

VVD parliamentarian Geert Wilders has called for the emergency debate next week.

Another MP, Mirjam Sterk of the Christian Democrat CDA, said imams (Islamic religious leaders) must distance themselves from the book's content. If not, the imams must be prosecuted or deported.

An Islamic cleric was deported from France to his native Algeria on Wednesday after he caused uproar by his endorsement of wife-beating and polygamy.

Clerics at El Tawheed feel they have been unfairly singled out in the media as part of a wider campaign against Islamic institutions in Europe.

MPs and media commentators attacked the Amsterdam mosque previously when one of the imams referred to non-Muslims as "firewood for hell". He also forbade Islamic women from leaving the family home without the permission of their husbands.

RTL Television reported on Thursday a cameraman was assaulted when a news team attempted to buy "The Way of the Muslim" at the mosque.

Eventually RTL's female reporter managed to buy the book, albeit while accompanied by police protection.

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The El Tawheed Mosque mentioned in the article above is funded by the Saudi backed Al Haramain foundation which was revealed to be a phony 'charity' which funded Al Qaeda.

5/4/04

http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=19&story_id=8181

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http://www.theovangogh.nl/indexc.html

PERSBERICHT

Amsterdam, 15 april 2004

'Imam' Theo van Gogh predikt emancipatie Islamitische vrouw

Minister van Financiën Gerrit Zalm pleit voor etnisch ondernemerschap

Ter gelegenheid van het vijftienjarig bestaan van het Amsterdamse communicatiebureau Dexter Communicatie BV, trad columnist Theo van Gogh afgelopen woensdag in de voetsporen van een imam. Gehuld in lang gewaad gaf Van Gogh zijn kritische visie op de positie van de vrouw in de Islam.
Aansluitend sprak Minister van Financiën Gerrit Zalm over etnisch ondernemerschap als succesfactor voor geslaagde integratie. De Amsterdamse wethouder van Economische Zaken en Financiën Frits Huffnagel adviseerde belangenbehartigers oor te hebben voor etnische ondernemers, en riep etnische ondernemers op zich aan te sluiten bij bestaande netwerken.


Van Gogh hekelde de achtergestelde positie van de vrouw in de Islam. In dat verband haalde hij AEL-voorzitter Abu JahJah aan, die VVD kamerlid Ayaan Hirsi Ali de mond wilde snoeren. Van Gogh: "Allah wil niet dat opstandige vrouwen hem vergelijken met een 'perverse tiran'. Zoals u in de Koran kunt lezen, heeft de Profeet gezegd: vrouwen mogen niet de aandacht trekken door
met de voeten te stampen."

Aansluitend werd het gerenoveerde pand van Dexter Communicatie BV heropend door VVD Minister van Financiën Gerrit Zalm. In zijn felicitatietoespraak pleitte hij voor etnisch ondernemerschap als succesfactor voor integratie.
Zalm: "Integratie van uiteenlopende culturen op grote schaal is waar de overheid zich hard voor maakt. Ondernemerschap kan hierbij een spilfunctie vervullen en kan één van de belangrijkste succesfactoren zijn voor integratie van immigranten". Het zich eigen maken van de Nederlandse waarden is daartoe van groot belang, aldus Zalm. "Integratie gaat niet vanzelf.
Integreren is participeren. Meedoen, zoals in het motto van dit kabinet staat. Ook hier is arbeidsdeelname dus een groot goed."

De Amsterdamse wethouder van Economische Zaken en Financiën Frits Huffnagel sloot in zijn toespraak hierop aan. "Het is een groot gemis voor zowel de ondernemer als voor de bestaande belangenbehartigers dat ze elkaar niet treffen. Daarin schuilt het gevaar dat hun geluid onvoldoende wordt gehoord en vervolgens, bij de ontwikkeling van nieuw beleid, te weinig rekening wordt gehouden met hun ervaringen." Huffnagel riep etnische ondernemers op
zich aan te sluiten bij netwerken en zich goed te laten vertegenwoordigen.
Bestaande belangenvertegenwoordigers die slechts mondjesmaat etnische ondernemers aan zich weten te binden, riep hij op oor te hebben voor de in etnische kringen levende problemen en hun organisatie te verrijken. "De menging van al die verschillende afkomsten maakt Amsterdam immers tot een veelzijdig en veelkleurig palet."

www.dexter.nl

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Ja, U zult wel denken, wat ziet 'ie er merkwaardig uit, maar sinds de Profeet in mijn leven is gekomen, heb ik eindelijk de kleren gevonden die mij zitten als gegoten. Omdat meneer Bakas vandaag iets te vieren heeft, dacht ik, ik laat deze gelegenheid niet voorbijgaan.
Hoe ben ik tot het ware geloof gekomen?
Laat ik er maar geen doekjes om winden; gezien mijn teleurstellende ervaringen met het zwakke geslacht, was me al vaker opgevallen dat de islamitische vrouw haar plaats nog kent. Niet alleen moet zij op gepaste afstand achter haar echtgenoot aanlopen, zij dient allereerst te luisteren en mag geslagen worden, mits niet op het gezicht. Vooral dit recht om een corrigerend tikje te mogen uitvoeren, sprak mij bijzonder aan.
In het ware geloof zoals 't mij gegeven is, heeft de vrouw maar één devies: 'Wat zang, wat dans, stil te dienen!' Echtscheidingen kosten geen geld en kunnen alleen met toestemming van de man tot stand te komen. En natuurlijk is daar ook de verworvenheid om tot meerdere vrouwen tegelijk te mogen ingaan. Mij werd al snel duidelijk dat de pestilente bacil van de zogeheten 'emancipatie' bij Allah geen kans krijgt en als goddeloos moet worden aangemerkt. Als ik het verdriet zie en de verwarring bij de Westerse vrouw, gelijke rechten, alimentatie en andere goddeloosheid, dan weet ik dat alleen Allah vrede brengt.
Toen mijn broeder Aboe Jah Jah onlangs opmerkte dat dat ontketende schepsel Hirsi Ali van de VVD haar mond moet houden omdat ze gek is, was mij dat uit het hart gegrepen. Allah wil niet dat opstandige vrouwen Hem vergelijken met 'een perverse tiran'; Allah wil dat Ayaan haar beentjes spreidt en naar het plafond staart, zoals wij onze vrouwen nu eenmaal 't liefste zien, niet bereden door obscene dromen maar in de wetenschap dat de Profeet (Gods Heil en Vrede zij over hem) gezegd heeft: "De mannen hebben een rang boven de vrouwen."
U kunt deze wijze woorden lezen in de Koran, het boek der boeken, onder het kopje: Sura 2, Vers 228.
In dit verband zou ik ook willen aanhalen Sura 4, Vers 34: "Van wie jullie ongezeggelijkheid vreest, laat haar alleen op haar rustplaatsen en slaat haar." Zoals de Profeet gezegd heeft: "Vrouwen zijn de meerderheid van de bewoners in de Hel." Alsook Soera 24, Vers 31:"Vrouwen mogen niet de aandacht trekken door met hun voeten te stampen."
U merkt wel dat mijn geloof een rotsvaste overtuiging geeft. U begrijpt wel dat een probleempje als Mevrouw Hirsi Ali vanzelf opgelost wordt, zo niet goedschiks, dan maar kwaadschiks. Ik mag meneer Zalm, hier ook aanwezig, er wel op wijzen dat dag en nacht lijfwachten inhuren een hoop centjes kost en dat de Nederkandse belastingbetaler helemaal niet zit te wachten op een Overheid die ketters en afvalligen in leven houdt. Maar, lijfwachten of niet, het geval Ayaan zal zeker worden opgelost. En dat weet U hier aanwezig maar al te goed, al babbelt U liever over 'onze multi-culturele samenleving'.
Allemaal gebakken lucht en als er één is die dat weet, is 't meneer Bakas.
Adjiedj is van het verderfelijke hindoe-geloof, al geloof ik niet dat hij van nature al te religieus is. De firma Dexter draait ook moslims heel graag een poot uit als er weer iets multi-cultureels valt te communiceren, en zoals wij
maar al te goed weten; geld stinkt niet, mits wij namens Allah de armen af en toe ook een aalmoes toewerpen. Ga zo voort, meneer Bakas; als binnenkort de Hoge Heerlijkheid van Allah vrede over onze hele wereld heeft gebracht, zie ik U als eerste Mekka bezoeken. Een twinkeling in de ogen, Uw schoongewassen achterwerk
voor één keer niet naar de verkeerde kant gebogen, en afgezien daarvan; een hele nieuwe klantenkring die maar al te graag wil communiceren. Strenger moet ik zijn in verband over wat de Profeet (God's Heil en Vrede zij
over hem) te melden heeft met betrekking tot Uw geaardheid, meneer Bakas. Ik wil de feeststemming ter ere van het zoveeljarig bestaan van deze firma Dexter natuurlijk niet bederven, maar mag ik U er wèl op wijzen dat Soera 7, Vers 81 meldt: "Jullie komen vol begeerte tot de mannen in plaats van de vrouwen; Ja, jullie gaan te ver."
En het voorschriftenboek At-Tirmidhi tekent uit de mond van de Profeet (God heilen Vrede zij over hem) op: "Doodt degene die sodomie bedrijft, en doodt degene die het zich laat gebeuren."
De Profeet heeft zeker niet gesproken over een hemel waar 77 schandknapen tot het aarsgezwel van meneer Bakas komen; nee, de hemel is voor gezonde moslims die niet bang zijn een corrigerend tikje uit te voeren, echte mannen, zoals ik. In de woorden van mijn collega El Moumni ben jij minder dan een varken, Adjiedj, en zo denkt iedere rechtvaardige moslim erover; wordt toch genezen, zoals ik!
Tot slot zou ik willen melden dat het bureau Dexter allerlei ongezonde gedachten propageert over 'de gelijkwaardigheid van culturen' en andere flauwekul. Wij hier verzameld begrijpen heel goed dat gebakken lucht een profijtelijke business is, vooral als 't er om gaat om onze dolende overheid een lichtje te bezorgen aan het eind van de donkere tunnel die Twijfel heet. Meneer Bakas wens ik daarom nog veel goede zaken, in de wetenschap dat ook hij voor het aanzicht van Allah zal verschrompelen tot een nietig gelovige. Er is hoop op deze wereld en die
klinkt dagelijks uit de moskee. Moge Adjiedj Bakas keren van de dwalingen zijns weegs; een ketter, een ongelovige, een sodomiet en, ergste van al, een zogeheten 'Communicatie-dekundige...' Als bekeerde zeg ik: Vrede zij met hem!

Theo van Gogh

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MIM: Below an actual article recently published on Islamonline detailing the Koranic guidelines for wife beating.

Among the scholars consulted were Muzzamil Siddiqui the ex president of the ISNA , The Islamic Society of North America the largest umbrella organisation of Muslims in the United States and Canada consisting of 'militant moderates'.

Dr. Jamal Badawi is a professor and an active member of several Islamist organisations which promote replacing the Constitution with the Koran under the pretext of pluralism and diversity.

Below Badawi explains that a husband's giving a slap to a disobedient wife 'never hurt anybody'

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In another hadith the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: "How does anyone of you beat his wife as he beats the stallion camel and then he may embrace (sleep with) her?"

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You can also read:

Islamic Guidance on Treating Wives

Read also:

Islam & Wife Beating (Special Folder)

Allah Almighty knows best.

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Commenting on this issue, Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, former President of the Islamic Society of North America, states:

http://www.islamonline.net/fatwa/english/FatwaDisplay.asp?hFatwaID=41775

However, in some cases a husband may use some light disciplinary action in order to correct the moral infraction of his wife, but this is only applicable in extreme cases and it should be resorted to if one is sure it would improve the situation. However, if there is a fear that it might worsen the relationship or may wreak havoc on him or the family, then he should avoid it completely.

MIM : Only hit your wife in such a way that she won't have you arrested .

Details of Fatwa
Title of Fatwa Wife Beating in Islamic Perspective
Date of Fatwa 21/ April/ 2004
Date of Reply 21/ April/ 2004
Topic Of Fatwa Muslim Family Law
Question of Fatwa Respected scholars! Does Islam allow wife beating? Some husbands are violent and they say that the Qur'an allows them to beat their wives. Is there any logical explanation given regarding men being allowed to beat their wives, as stated in surat An-Nisa', verse 34?
Name of Mufti Group of Muftis
Content of Reply

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear questioner, we would like to thank you for the great confidence you place in us, and we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His cause and render our work for His Sake.

The verse you mention has been greatly misconceived by many people who focus merely on its surface meaning, taking it to allow wife beating. When the setting is not taken into account, it isolates the words in a way that distorts or falsifies the original meaning. Before dealing with the issue of wife-battering in the perspective of Islam, we should keep in mind that the original Arabic wording of the Qur'an is the only authentic source of meaning. If one relies on the translation alone, one is likely to misunderstand it.

Commenting on this issue, Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, former President of the Islamic Society of North America, states:

"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)

It is important that a wife recognizes the authority of her husband in the house. He is the head of the household, and she is supposed to listen to him. But the husband should also use his authority with respect and kindness towards his wife. If there arises any disagreement or dispute among them, then it should be resolved in a peaceful manner. Spouses should seek the counsel of their elders and other respectable family members and friends to batch up the rift and solve the differences.

However, in some cases a husband may use some light disciplinary action in order to correct the moral infraction of his wife, but this is only applicable in extreme cases and it should be resorted to if one is sure it would improve the situation. However, if there is a fear that it might worsen the relationship or may wreak havoc on him or the family, then he should avoid it completely.

The Qur'an is very clear on this issue. Almighty Allah says: "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more strength than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient and guard in the husband's absence what Allah would have them to guard. As to those women on whose part you fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance); for Allah is most High and Great (above you all). If you fear a breach between them twain, appoint (two) arbiters, one from his family and the other from hers. If they wish for peace, Allah will cause their reconciliation; for Allah has full knowledge and is acquainted with all things." (An-Nisa': 34-35)

It is important to read the section fully. One should not take part of the verse and use it to justify one's own misconduct. This verse neither permits violence nor condones it. It guides us to ways to handle delicate family situation with care and wisdom. The word "beating" is used in the verse, but it does not mean "physical abuse". The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explained it "dharban ghayra mubarrih" which means "a light tap that leaves no mark". He further said that face must be avoided. Some other scholars are of the view that it is no more than a light touch by siwak, or toothbrush.

Generally, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to discourage his followers from taking even this measure. He never hit any female, and he used to say that the best of men are those who do not hit their wives. In one hadith he expressed his extreme repulsion from this behavior and said, "How does anyone of you beat his wife as he beats the stallion camel and then embrace (sleep with) her?" (Al-Bukhari, English Translation, vol. 8, Hadith 68, pp. 42-43)

It is also important to note that even this "light strike" mentioned in the verse is not to be used to correct some minor problem, but it is permissible to resort to only in a situation of some serious moral misconduct when admonishing the wife fails, and avoiding from sleeping with her would not help. If this disciplinary action can correct a situation and save the marriage, then one should use it."

Dr. Jamal Badawi, professor at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and a cross-appointed faculty member in the Departments of Religious Studies and Management, adds:

"If the problem relates to the wife's behavior, the husband may exhort her and appeal for reason. In most cases, this measure is likely to be sufficient. In cases where the problem persists, the husband may express his displeasure in another peaceful manner, by sleeping in a separate bed from hers. There are cases, however, in which a wife persists in bad habits and showing contempt of her husband and disregard for her marital obligations. Instead of divorce, the husband may resort to another measure that may save the marriage, at least in some cases. Such a measure is more accurately described as a gentle tap on the body, but never on the face, making it more of a symbolic measure than a punitive one.

Even here, that maximum measure is limited by the following:

a. It must be seen as a rare exception to the repeated exhortation of mutual respect, kindness and good treatment. Based on the Qur'an and Hadith, this measure may be used in the cases of lewdness on the part of the wife or extreme refraction and rejection of the husband's reasonable requests on a consistent basis (nushuz). Even then, other measures, such as exhortation, should be tried first.

b. As defined by Hadith, it is not permissible to strike anyone's face, cause any bodily harm or even be harsh. What the Hadith qualifies as "dharban ghayra mubarrih", or light striking, was interpreted by early jurists as a (symbolic) use of siwak! They further qualified permissible "striking" as that which leaves no mark on the body. It is interesting that this latter fourteen-centuries-old qualifier is the criterion used in contemporary American law to separate a light and harmless tap or strike from "abuse" in the legal sense. This makes it clear that even this extreme, last resort, and "lesser of the two evils" measure that may save a marriage does not meet the definitions of "physical abuse," "family violence, " or "wife battering" in the 20th century law in liberal democracies, where such extremes are so commonplace that they are seen as national concerns.

c. The permissibility of such symbolic expression of the seriousness of continued refraction does not imply its desirability. In several hadiths, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) discouraged this measure. Here are some of his sayings in this regard:

"Do not beat the female servants of Allah";

"Some (women) visited my family complaining about their husbands (beating them). These (husbands) are not the best of you."

In another hadith the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: "How does anyone of you beat his wife as he beats the stallion camel and then he may embrace (sleep with) her?"

d. True following of the Sunnah is to follow the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) who never resorted to that measure, regardless of the circumstances.

e. Islamic teachings are universal in nature. They respond to the needs and circumstances of diverse times, cultures and circumstances. Some measures may work in some cases and cultures or with certain persons but may not be effective in others. By definition, a "permissible" act is neither required, encouraged or forbidden. In fact it may be to spell out the extent of permissibility, such as in the issue at hand, rather than leaving it unrestricted or unqualified, or ignoring it all together. In the absence of strict qualifiers, persons may interpret the matter in their own way, which can lead to excesses and real abuse.

f. Any excess, cruelty, family violence, or abuse committed by any "Muslim" can never be traced, honestly, to any revelatory text (Qur'an or Hadith). Such excesses and violations are to be blamed on the person(s) himself, as it shows that they are paying lip service to Islamic teachings and injunctions and failing to follow the true Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)."

You can also read:

Islamic Guidance on Treating Wives

Read also:

Islam & Wife Beating (Special Folder)

Allah Almighty knows best.
----------------------------------------

Tract on Polygamy is by the Imam of the Islamic Association of Carrollton in Texas

Why Islam allows polygamy

Historical Facts:

1- Islam did not invent polygamy, it was known before Islam in Arabia , in the Roman and Persian empires and everywhere else.

2- Christianity allows unlimited number of wives, which is a surprise to some Christians. Some books of the Bible limit the number of wives for religious clergy, but not for normal people.

3- Some Christian kings in Africa had 70 wives; Solomon has 200 wives, and 700 concubines. Other prophets and messengers in the Bible had more than one wife like Abraham, Jacob, etc.

4- Judaism has no limits on the number of wives, either.

Facts of Life:

1- World today has more females than males. The ratio disparity can be very acute in countries that lose people for immigration and less in countries that receive immigrants like U.S.A.

2- Infant mortality takes the lives of more boys than girls. This is a known fact.

3- Women live longer than men; this is why some life insurance companies have two policies, one for men and one for women.

4- Wars take lives of men in the age of marriage.

Facts from the Islamic Family law:

1- The statement in the Quran links polygamy to fear that orphans and widows may not receive enough care, but polygamy in Islam is not limited to those situations.

2- First condition is financial ability. The man should be able to support his wife or wives. In Islam one of the obligations of the husband is to support his wife and children. The woman is not obliged to spend on herself even if she is rich. Nor is she obliged to work to share in the family expenses.

3- Second condition is equal treatment to the wives. If you give one a house you have to give the second a house. Even the way you dress in the house of one wife should be on the same level as the others.

4- Third condition is numeric. You are limited to four wives at any time. This contrasts with Christianity and Judaism that have no limitation on polygamy. It also contrasts with Western culture that reduced the number of wives to one, but allowed mistresses or long or short term dating.

5- Full consent is one of the three corners of the marriage contract, in Islam. This means that the second wife has full right to refuse this polygamous marriage, but she entered in it, willingly.

6- The husband and the wife have full right to initiate or request divorce in Islam. Consequently, the first wife has the full right to leave the polygamous marriage, but she preferred to stay in it, willingly.

Logical Question:

Which is better for the woman to be a second wife in public, legal marriage or to be a mistress in secret.

1- Marriage gives her full equal rights as the other wife including housing, food, dresses, time and ttention.

2- Her children will grow up in a healthy family (with a father and a mother).

3- Her children will carry the name of their father and will know their lineage.

4- She and her children are covered with medical insurance, and other legal rights.

5- She and her children will inherit if the father dies.

Conclusions:

1- Islam deals with the problem of unbalanced numbers of men and women, instead of sweeping it under the rug.

2- Marriage, polygamous or monogamous is more protection for the women and the children. The Western culture gives men enjoyment without paying the price and without any responsibilities toward children.

3- The question is how the educated Western women accepted the unfair situation of dating. Moreover, if they get pregnant, the women were told, "it is inside of you, it is your problem".

4- Prophet Mohammad said "near the day of judgment, one man has to care for 50 women". Care for them does not mean marry them. Some of those women are sisters, daughters, mother and 4 wives. We are seeing the beginning of the fulfillment of this prophecy in some African and European countries.

http://www.carrolltonmasjid.org/default.asp?fcontent=Why_Islam_allows_polygamy

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Why did the Prophet marry Aishah?
Author: Shaykh Muhammad Al-Munajjid

A Christian colleague of mine asked me why the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) married ‘Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) when she was nine years old and he was nearly sixty, and was he intimate with her at that age or what? In fact I do not know how to respond to that.

Answer :
Praise be to Allaah.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) married ‘Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) after he married Sawdah bint Zam'ah (may Allaah be pleased with her). She – ‘Aa'ishah – was the only virgin whom he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) married. And he consummated the marriage with her when she was nine years old.

Among her virtues was the fact that the Revelation did not descend when he under one cover with any of his wives other than her. She was one of the dearest of all people to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and news of her innocence was revealed from above the seven heavens. She was one of the most knowledgeable of his wives, and one of the most knowledgeable women of the ummah as a whole. The senior companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to refer to her opinion and consult her.

With regard to the story of her marriage, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had grieved over the death of the Mother of the Believers Khadeejah, who had supported him and stood by his side, and he called the year in which she died The Year of Sorrow. Then he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) married Sawdah, who was an older woman and was not very beautiful; rather he married her to console her after her husband had died and she stayed among mushrik people. Four years later the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) married ‘Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), and he was over fifty. Perhaps the reasons for the marriage were as follows:

1 – He saw a dream about marrying her. It is proven in al-Bukhaari from the hadeeth of ‘Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to her: "You were shown to me twice in a dream. I saw that you were wrapped in a piece of silk, and it was said, ‘This is your wife.' I uncovered her and saw that it was you. I said, ‘If this is from Allaah then it will come to pass.'" (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 3682). As to whether this is a prophetic vision as it appears to be, or a regular dream that may be subject to interpretation, there was a difference of opinion among the scholars, as mentioned by al-Haafiz in Fath al-Baari, 9/181.

2 – The characteristics of intelligence and smartness that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had noticed in ‘Aa'ishah even as a small child, so he wanted to marry her so that she would be more able than others to transmit reports of what he did and said. In fact, as stated above, she was a reference point for the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) with regard to their affairs and rulings.

3 – The love of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) for her father Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him), and the persecution that Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) had suffered for the sake of the call of truth, which he bore with patience. He was the strongest of people in faith and the most sincere in certain faith, after the Prophets.

It may be noted that among his wives were those who were young and old, the daughter of his sworn enemy, the daughter of his closest friend. One of them occupied herself with raising orphans, another distinguished herself from others by fasting and praying qiyaam a great deal… They represented all kinds of people, through whom the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was able to set out a way for the Muslims showing how to deal properly with all kinds of people. [See al-Seerah al-Nabawiyyah fi Daw' al-Masaadir al-Asliyyah, p. 711].

With regard to the issue of her being young and your being confused about that, you should note that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) grew up in a hot country, the Arabian Peninsula. Usually in hot countries adolescence comes early and people marry early. This is how the people of Arabia were until recently. Moreover, women vary greatly in their development and their physical readiness for marriage.

If you think – may Allaah guide you – that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not marry any virgin other than ‘Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), and that all his other wives had been previously married, this will refute the notion spread by many hostile sources, that the basic motive behind the Prophet's marriages was physical desire and enjoyment of women, because if that was his intention he would have chosen only those who were virgins and beautiful etc.

Such slanders against the Prophet of Mercy (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) by kaafirs and others of their ilk, are indicative of their inability to find fault with the law and religion that he brought from Allaah, so they try to find ways to criticize Islam with regard to issues that are not related to sharee'ah.

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.

For more information see Zaad al-Ma'aad, 1/106.


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