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The True Savior By: Bijla Singh Status and Treatment of Wife Further investigation of Islamic teachings brings forth some disturbing and irrational laws which are degrading to women. Women are not only considered deficient in intelligence but also a property of men so much so that they must present themselves to men to satisfy their sexual needs, which is contrary to the Muslim claim that a woman must be sexually satisfied. The following verse from Quran is more than enough to show how husbands are ought to “honor” and treat their wives. 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 guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, beat them; but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means: For Allah is Most High, great (above you all). (Quran, 4:34) The above sura gives men the right to beat their women. If Islam was all about equality women should have been granted the same right but Islamic marriage gives men superiority over women. This is fully supported by Muslim scholars. "God established the superiority of men over women by the above verse (the Qur'an 4:34) which prevents the equating of men and women. For here man is above the woman due to his intellectual superiority and his ability to administer and spend on the woman." (Tuffaha, Ahmad Zaky, Al-Mar'ah wal- Islam, Dar al-Kitab al-Lubnani, Beirut, first edition, 1985, p.36) Man's sexual needs are considered so urgent that it is better for food to burn in the oven than a man to burn in waiting for his wife to satisfy his desire. If she refuses, the angels of heaven will turn against her. "The prophet of Allah said: When a man calls his wife to satisfy his desire, let her come to him though she is occupied at the oven." (Mishkat al-Masabih, English translation, Book I, Section 'Duties of husband and wife', Hadith No. 61) "The messenger of Allah said: Whenever a man calls his wife to his bed and she refuses, and then he passes the night in an angry mood, the angels curse her till she gets up at dawn." (Ibid., Hadith No. 54) Women are considered a sex toy in Islam. "Your wives are as a tilth (a field to be ploughed) unto you, so approach your tilth when or how ye will." (2:223) Umar [one of the Caliphs] was once talking when his wife interjected, so he said to her: 'You are a toy; if you are needed we will call you.' (Al-Musanaf Vol. 1 Part 2, p. 263) Thus it leaves no doubt that the so-called claim of Islamic scholars about women’s “sex satisfaction” exists nowhere in Islam rather Islamic teachings are all about men’s sex satisfaction and women presenting themselves to fulfill the desires of their husbands to avoid the cursing of the angels. Another contemporary scholar wrote: "The marriage contract is designed by the legislator so that the husband may benefit from the sexual organ of the woman and the rest of her body for the purpose of pleasure. As such the husband owns by the marriage contract, this exclusive benefit." ('Abd ar-Rahman al-Gaziri, al-Fiqh 'ala al-Mazahib al-Arba'a, Dar al-Kutub al- 'Elmeyah, 1990, vol. 4, p. 7)
Any rational person can see how Islam degrades women and equates them to nothing more than a sexual object. On the other hand, Gurmat principles are far more superior and perfectly fit in the modern society. Women are given utmost respect and equal rights by Guru Sahib. "We are born of woman, we are conceived in the womb of woman, and we are engaged and married to woman. We make friendship with woman and the lineage continued because of woman. When one woman dies, we take another one, we are bound with the world through woman. Why should we talk ill of her, who gives birth to kings? The woman is born from woman; there is none without her. Only the One True Lord is without woman" (Ang 473)
Guru Sahib put a high importance in marriage which is not merely a physical and legal contract but a holy union between two souls where physically they appear as two individual bodies but in fact are united as one. Guru Sahib taught that our married life should also be molded on the ideal laid down for our union with Waheguru. The bride and bridegroom then share their life, happiness and sorrow; from two individuals they become 'Ek Jot Doe Murti' meaning one spirit in two bodies. They are not said to be husband and wife, who merely sit together. They alone are called husband and wife, who have one light in two bodies. ||3|| (Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 788)
Unlike Islam, Gurmat teaches that both (husband and wife) are to live a married life, grow spiritually together and work towards achieving salvation. Sikhs are taught to live in their household but at the same time attach themselves to Waheguru. In other words, Sikhs are taught to live in the world but rise above it mentally and spiritually.
Becoming householder, man resides in his innate nature (atman). (Vaar 16)
All the religious rights bestowed upon men are also given to women equally.
"Woman is one half the complete personality of man, and is entitled to share secular and spiritual knowledge equally." (Bhai Gurdas Ji, Var 5, Pauri 16:59) Therefore, it is completely foolish to think that Sikhs let alone Guru Sahib would ever think about forsaking their families and “wonder in wilderness”. Guru Sahib led by example and served as an excellent role model for humanity. He followed the divine message first then taught Sikhs to live up to it. Following the same divine message Guru Sahib not only fulfilled the family needs but also undertook the divine mission that was bestowed upon him by Waheguru Himself. A false self-claimed prophet such as Mohammad accomplished nothing more than what an ordinary human does. We don’t think Mohammad had a slightest bit of clue as to what marriage is all about. The so-called empty claim of Mohammad being a family man made by Muslims goes out the window when we see the reference from Hadith: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "A woman is married for four things, i.e., her wealth, her family status, her beauty and her religion. So you should marry the religious woman (otherwise) you will be a losers. (Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 27) Notice that the prophet never talked of love, companionship, sense of belonging and feelings between a man and a woman. The basis of his relationship is entirely physical. What kind of message did Mohammad leave for the world to follow? That it is okay to have multiple wives for sexual pleasure, marry an adolescent to whom you are of grandfather figure, and take captives as sex slaves. Guru Sahib on the contrary, very well fulfilled His family’s worldly needs, and looked after them. Before going to journeys, he made sure that they were well off financially and would not become a burden on anyone. After each journey he returned home to make sure his family was doing well and then set off to the next journey as commanded by Waheguru. Even after taking long journeys, He never abandoned His family. He settled and spent last 18 years of His life in Kartarpur with His wife and two sons where He established the first Sikh center and set a milestone of morality for the Sikhs to live by. |
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