Violence against women in Latin America has recently been classified as an epidemic in the region, sexual violence is one of the main forms of violence, and the situation of women in the rest of the world is not very different. According to a report by the World Health Organization and data from UN Women, “recent global prevalence figures indicate that one in three women in the world (35%) has suffered physical and/or sexual partner violence or sexual violence” . by third parties at some point in her life.”
As a result of the growing wave of violence against women, protests are organized in different parts of the world, in an unsuccessful effort to stop it, especially after knowing cases that shake the population due to their cruelty and sadism. And in those protests you can read countless posters with phrases rejecting violence and supporting women. One of those phrases that caught my attention and that I have seen repeatedly is: “We live in a world where women are taught to take care not to be raped, instead of teaching men NOT TO RAPE”… He called me care for two reasons:
The first, because I saw a harsh truth in that phrase, since I was born and raised in a macho society where it is accepted as normal for men to harass women in the street, say obscenities to them or shamelessly touch them; where it is common for men to beat their wives because they have “rights” over them – in some regions of my country, women consider that their husbands have the right to beat them, because they are their husbands, and they even get angry if someone tries to defend them !!! It seems like a joke, but it’s not, and I believe that to a large extent the high rate of sexual violence against women in my country and in the rest of the world is machismo.
The second, because I would have liked to explain to the person who wrote that sentence that Islam does teach men not to rape. Furthermore, before addressing the issue of women’s behavior and dress, the Qur’an draws men’s attention to their behavior and gives them a strong warning: {Tell the believers [oh, Muhammad!] that they look the other way and refrain from committing obscenities because that is purer for them. God is well informed of what they do} [Quran 24:30]. Here God is telling men not to even look at women improperly, to that level men are required to respect women, even with their eyes! And they are warned that God knows what they are doing, even if no one else knows, God knows. Then, first of all, God addresses men and commands them to behave well and respect women; then he turns to the women and orders them to behave well and dress modestly, because Islam is fair, and teaches us that both men and women must fulfill our part of responsibility to make this a better world and live in harmony . So Islam teaches men not to rape because if they are even forbidden to look at women improperly, they are much more forbidden to touch them improperly.
Islam has addressed the issue of good treatment of women in a meticulous and meticulous manner, emphasizing the special respect that she deserves in each of the different stages that she goes through throughout her life – when she is a daughter, when she is a wife and when she is a mother-, as we will see below.
I respect the daughters
Before Islam was revealed, the birth of a girl was considered a misfortune among the Arabs. While men were a source of pride for their parents and relatives, women were a source of disappointment and sadness; and for this reason they had the terrible custom of burying newborn girls alive. God categorically condemned this attitude and these crimes, saying: {When one of them is announced [the birth of] a girl, the affliction and anguish is reflected on her face for what has been announced to her, she hides from people in shame and doubts if she will let her live despite her misfortune or bury her alive. What a terrible thing they are doing!} [Quran 16: 58-59]; and warns that there will come a day, Judgment Day, {when the girls are asked to bury them alive for what sin they were killed} [Quran 81: 8-9]. In this way God prohibited this savage practice considering it a very serious sin. But not only that, but he made raising and educating his daughters a reason to earn God’s blessings and free himself from the fires of Hell; Said Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him): “Whoever has three daughters whom he takes care of, provides for them and treats them with mercy, Allah will make him enter Paradise without a doubt.” Then a man in the crowd asked, “What if he only has two daughters?” The Prophet replied, “Even if he has two daughters.”
This is how Islam establishes the value of a woman from birth and gives her a place of honor by making her a source of blessing to her parents in this life and the next.
respect for mother
Islam demands respect and good treatment of our parents, but it elevates the status of the mother over that of the father. It is related that a man appeared before the Prophet (peace and blessings of God be upon him) and asked him: “O Messenger of Allah! Who is the person who deserves my company?” He replied: “Your mother.” The man asked, “Then who?” The Prophet replied: “Your mother.” The man asked a third time: “Then who?” The Prophet said: “Your mother.” And the man asked again: “And then who?” And the Prophet said: “Then your father” (Bukhari and Muslim).
Even the Prophet spoke of the respect we should have towards our aunts. A man went to talk to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and he said: “O Prophet, I have committed a grave sin. Do you think I can make amends for it?” mother lives?” He replied no, then the Prophet asked him: “Do you have a living maternal aunt?” The man said yes, then the Prophet said: “Be good and considerate of her” (Tirmidhi, Al-Hakim , Ibn Hibban); and he also said: “The mother’s sister has a status similar to that of the mother” (Bukhari).
respect for wife
Said Prophet Muhammad: “The best among men is the one who treats his wife best.”
The Qur’an commands: {… treat cohabiting women kindly. And if you liked something about them [be tolerant]it may be that you dislike something in which God has placed a good for you} [Koran 4:19].
During the last sermon delivered by the Prophet Muhammad before his death, he said: “…Treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your companions.”
Conclution
One of the main accusations made against Islam is that it is a macho religion that oppresses women, that it deprives us of all our rights, that we are subject to all kinds of abuse by men and that we must keep silent because that is what our religion demands. . However, the reality is that in Islam, respect and good treatment of women is not an option, it is an obligation! It is a clear and forceful order from God, and whoever does not comply with this order will be committing an act of disobedience for which she will have to render an account before God.
Once again, Islam teaches us the guidelines to live in harmony and security, so that people’s rights are respected, so that the strong do not abuse the weak, and so that no one is treated unfairly. However, many people prefer to follow the path of evil, have no compassion for the suffering of others, and just want to satisfy their desires at all costs. But the day will come when all injustices will be paid and every criminal will pay for his crimes: {… But know that I have prepared for those who commit injustice a fire that will surround them. When suffocated they ask for a drink, a liquid like molten metal is poured on them that will burn their faces. What a terrible drink and what a horrible abode! Instead, those who believe and act righteously, know that I will reward all your works} [Qur’an 18: 29-30].
Islam teaches standards of behavior for both men and women, teaches high moral and spiritual values; but as long as people do not want to follow this guideline, the evil in this world will increase.