Islam is the eternal divine message of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) to all men delivered by Allah's Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). A group of mankind believed in the Message of Islam and followed it, while others disbelieved in it. The Message of Islam declared at the beginning of the revelation that the human being is dignified and honored more than all other creatures.
Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala), stated in the Glorious Quran (17:70) which the meaning of is translated as: �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.�
Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) also declared another major principle of man's life on Earth, after the first principle was declared: �All men are created equal in terms of original creation.�
Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) stated in the Glorious Quran (4:1) which the meaning of is translated as: �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 (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All Watcher over you.�
Based on the previous principles, all men are equal in terms of human values. All men and women are equal in terms of expressing their opinion and utilizing all that has been established on Earth for them by Their Creator, Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala). All men and women are created equal in the sight of Allah. If there are differences between the various members of mankind, it is truly not on the basis of honor and lineage. If there are different levels of people in terms of living standards, income, etc., this does not reflect, by any means, a difference in the human nature of these classes of people. Distinction between the levels of mankind is based on their true commitment to Islam and their level of practice and application of its principles in their own lives. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala), stated this principle in the Glorious Quran (49:13) which the meaning of is translated as: �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 that who is most pious and righteous. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.�
Honoring a person, in the Sight of Allah is not on the basis of color, social status, sex, race, strength, health, dignity or wealth. All men are created equal. The only measure of distinction and differentiation in the Sight of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) is strictly on the basis of piety and performance of good deeds.
Similarly, Allah's Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was also reported as saying: �An Arab has no virtue over a non-Arab. A white has no virtue over a black except with the amount of piety.�[99]
Islamic teachings remove all differences between men and places them all on equal footing. One of the essential and integral teachings of Islam, which is really misunderstood, misconstrued and not well explained, is that "a female is equal to a male in everything except where there is a clear and distinct call for exception". These exceptions were the subject of our booklet. We have attempted to clarify all these misconceptions about women that many people have, including Arabs, Muslims and non-Muslims, about the reality of Islam.
Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala), stated in the Glorious Quran (9:71) which the meaning of is translated as: �The believers, men and women, are helpers, supporters, friends and protectors of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Islamic Monotheism and that Islam orders one to do, and forbid (people) from all forms of evil (i.e. polytheism 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.�
Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala), stated in the Glorious Quran (3:195) which the meaning of is translated as: �So their Lord accepted (their supplication 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...�
Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala), stated in the Glorious Quran (4:7) which the meaning of is translated as: �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.�
Based upon what has been said and elaborated upon in this entire booklet, one can comfortably and confidently say that women never have, and will never ever enjoy full rights, natural freedom and complete personal rights except in the SHADE of ISLAM. Islam has established and set forth a set of rights for women. It sets and names certain duties that she must maintain, be committed to and perform. All this is due to the fact that Islam is a divine religion, as opposed to man-made laws. It is for the entire mankind, male and female, rich and poor, king and peasant, healthy and ill, rich and poor, strong and weak, white, black, red or yellow. They are all alike and equal in the Sight of Their Creator, Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala). Allah, the Creator, knows best what benefits and improves the situations of all His creation both in this world and in the hereafter.
I would like to request the reader not to pass judgment on Islam on the basis of what he/she may see, observe or notice in the behavior, attitude and bad-practices of a group of Muslim individuals who claim close ties to Islam. In fact, there are some people who use Islam as a blanket to cover up their personal crimes, sins and shameful deeds. Similarly, there are many individuals who are counted as Muslims, as they declare by their lips and tongues that "There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is the slave servant, and Messenger of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala)". However, these individuals stop at this point only and do not perform their Islamic duties, practice their commitment to Islam in terms of the good morals that Islam calls for. They may lie, deceive, cheat, and commit various kinds of sins and crimes, which are neither condoned nor accepted by Islam, of which they claim to be a part.
Islam is a wholesome religion. It is so vast, yet simple to apply. There are individuals who strive throughout their entire lifetime to be good Muslims, to attain the best and most perfect level of practice, seeking the pleasure of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala), in all that they do. On the other hand, there are individuals who have shortcomings, commissions and omissions which they deserve to be punished for in this world and in the hereafter. However, no one can accuse such sinners and label them "condemned and outside the fold of Islam, because of the sins they have committed." Such individuals are called, in accordance with Islamic teachings and terminology "'Asee", a sinning disobedient person who is neglecting the commands of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala), the instructions and beautiful teachings of Allah's Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and the general Islamic teachings.
It is understood that "lacking something, such as wealth, happiness or morals, will not enable the lacking person to share with others what he does not own." This principle applies to Islam as well.
For those who are keen to learn more about Islam, our advice to them is to seek knowledge from those who are well-known for their knowledge, understanding and practice of Islam onto their own lives. Our advice is "not to ask a non-practicing Muslim anything about Islam." Such a person, definitely, will mislead you.
Surface knowledge of Islam is also very dangerous, harmful and detrimental. Reading a few books about Islam, regardless of whether they are reliable sources or not, will not qualify a person to pass verdicts and disseminate sound knowledge about Islam and its practices. Following the opinions of others blindly is also very dangerous and harmful. It is compulsory to seek unbiased opinions about Islam.
Finally, I request every non-Muslim with a sound mind and heart to read a bit of information about Islam from reliable sources that are knowledgeable, God-fearing and well known as honest Muslim writers. It is good and beneficial knowledge to those who do not know anything about Islam. For those who already know something about Islam, it can only increase their knowledge and Islamic education. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala), stated in the Glorious Quran (2:256) which the meaning of is translated as: �There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in the 'Taghut' (anything worshipped other than Allah and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the trustworthiest handhold that will never break. Allah is the All-Hearer, All-Knowing.�
[99] This Hadith was reported by Ahmad.
