MUSLIM ASSOCIATION OF PUGET SOUND

Welcomes you to …..

“O mankind, WE have created you from a male and a female; And WE have made you tribes and sub-tribes that

you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable among you, in the sight of ALLAH, is he who is the most righteous among you. Surely, ALLAH is All-Knowing, All-

Aware”

Quran (49:13)

Seeking to build strong connections and opportunities for collaboration between the

Muslim community and the larger community in the Puget Sound area

“Many Cultures, One Community” highlights aspects of the Islamic culture that would be of interest to people from different cultures

and backgrounds.

CONTACT US

maps.mcoc@gmail.com

Facebook/MCOCprogram

MANY CULTURES, ONE COMMUNITY

PRESENTS

WOMEN IN ISLAM

8

14 CENTURIES AGO, ISLAM REVOLUTIONIZED THE WORLD WHEN IT GAVE WOMEN FULL ACCESS TO

THEIR RIGHTS

This included……..

9

EQUALITY ….

"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 believer who has Taqwa (piety and righteousness). Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” [49:13]

10

ECONOMIC RIGHTS

• A Muslim woman (single or married) can own, dispose, or sell any of her property without anyone’s permission.

• Muslim women received inheritance rights 14 centuries ago.

• Muslim women can work, run her own business and no one has any claim on her earnings including her husband.

"And in no wise covet those things in which Allah hath bestowed His gifts more freely on some of you than on others; to men is allotted what they earn, and to women, what they earn; but ask Allah of His bounty, for Allah hath full knowledge of all things." (4:32)

12

EDUCATION

• “Seeking Knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim” ---- Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

• “God will exalt those of you who believe and those who are given knowledge to high degrees” Quran [58:11]

• Gallup 2009 release showed*:• American Muslim women are more likely than

American Muslim men to have college and post-graduate degrees.

• They are more highly educated than women in other religious groups

• 43% of Muslim American women hold a college or postgraduate degree

• 30% in professional work and 25% self employed

*HTTP://WWW.OISMIDWEST.ORG/STATEMENT-ON-GALLUPPOLL.HTM

13

WIFE’S RIGHTS ….• Women can NOT be forced into marriage.

No “Arranged Marriages” in Islam.

• The husband has a duty to generously support and maintain his wife, even if she is rich. He’s not forced, however, to spend beyond his means and the wife is not entitled to make unreasonable demands.

The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and the best of you are those who are best to their wives” ----- Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)

"Let the man of means spend according to his means, and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him. Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him." Quran (65:7)

14

EVERYDAY IS A MOTHER’S DAY . ….

• The right of mother upon the children is three times more than the rights of father as far as kindness, compassion and sympathy are concerned.

• The mother has rights throughout her life and also when she dies

“And Allah have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years – give thanks to ME and to your parents, …….” Quran [31:14]

15

EVERYDAY IS A MOTHER’S DAY . ….

• The right of mother upon the children is three times more than the rights of father as far as kindness, compassion and sympathy are concerned.

• The mother has rights throughout her life and also when she dies

“"Your Lord has decreed that you shall not worship (anyone) but Allah and that you be kind and good to the parents. If either or both of them reach old age while they are with you, say not to them a word of contempt, (so much as) 'Ugh' nor chide them, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor and generous words. And, out of kindness and mercy, lower for them 'the wings of humility' out of mercy; and pray; and say 'O my Lord! Bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood. “ Quran (17:23-24).

16

LAST BUT NOT LEAST………..

Being judged on substance not on looks

ISLAMIC DRESS CODE • Islam requires that both men and women observe a modest

attire and behavior:• “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze

and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands…. (Al-Nour, 24:30-31)

Modesty in Islam is required for both men and women

Women wear hijab as an act of worship

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

19

• In Islam, life is a partnership between men and women thus their roles are complementary not conflicting nor contradictory.

• Islam gave women their due rights and dignified status over 1400 years ago. Women didn’t have to fight, sacrifice, or struggle to earn those rights.

• The Islamic history is very rich with women of great influence and achievements in all walks of life.

For more information, visit

www.beconvinced.com

www.whyislam.org