American Muslim

What I Think About Women in Islam, Jizya

OK Matt, here you go. I think the first distinction to make is between what the Qu'ran and the Hadith (sayings of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)) versus what Muslims actually do. i.e. The difference between the religion and culture. While many Islamic countries or Islamic groups make rules that demean women or take away their rights and dignity (like the Taliban in Afghanistan), this is not the Islamic way - it is a manifestation of Islamic extremism in specific countries.

Contrary to popular belief, I believe Islam is a very egalitarian in its treatment of men and women - both sexes are expected to maintain the same beliefs and the same ideals when it comes to accepting the word of Allah (subbana ho wa t'ala) and the belief that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was the last of Prophets. I have read a lot about the role of women in Islam and there are just so many issues that the non-Muslim world does not understand. For example, why do women wear 'hijab'? It is NOT because Muslim women are considered shameful and we want them to be covered up. On the contrary, women have a very special role in Islam and we must do all we can to protect their honor and their dignity. Women are asked to wear 'hijab' to protect their modesty. This is based on two ayat in the Qu'ran:

Taken from SunniPath.com

"Our understanding of hijab comes from two verses of the Qur'an. The first, in Surat al-Nur, reads, “And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; 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, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, or their brothers' sons or their sisters' sons, or their women or the servants whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex, and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O you Believers, turn you all together towards Allah, that you may attain Bliss.” (Quran 24:31).
The other verse in Surat al-Ahzab says, “O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.” (Quran 33:59)."
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About jizya - there is not a single true caliphate in the world today and as such, I do not believe the jizya is enforced anywhere today. However, do I think it is right? Two points. First, as a serious Muslim, I believe that the Qu'ran is the word of Allah (subbana ho wa t'ala) and as such, is at a level of erudition that mere mortals and believers like myself cannot comprehend. If Allah (subbana ho wa t'ala) said there should be a jizya, then there is some reasoning behind it and I cannot make any remark on the word of God.

Secondly, I believe that if you are willing to live in a country you must respect that country's rules, its constitution, sovereignty, etc. If you choose to live in a caliphate or a country that enforces the Shariah, then you must respect the rules of that country - even if the penalty for stealing is cutting off a hand or caning.

Thirdly, I take umbrage with your statement that the U.S. is a "Christian nation." The founders of the nation were Christian yes, but does that make this a Christian country? Are we not secular? However, suppose that this was a Christian nation and furthermore, there was a tax on non-Christians. If I chose to live here, then I would pay that tax - just as I would live by any other rules.