Women in the Quran and the Bible

The Bible says in Exodus 20:12, "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you."

This is the fifth commandment that God gave to Moses. Out of the Ten Commandments, this one shows how much importance God has given to relationship and family life. God institutes family life and God wants our homes to be God-centered, with godly children who fear God. And in this commandment God says to children, "honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you."

The Bible tells us about the sons of priest Eli in 1 Samuel 2:12, "Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the LORD." And further, the Bible says that they used to take the meat that was to be offered to God. They lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. When Eli heard all these things, he tried to tell them that it is not right. But they did not heed to the voice of their father, as we read in 1 Samuel 2:25, "If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him? Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father,
because the LORD desired to kill them."

The sons of Eli did not heed to the voice of their father but they did what they wanted and we see the consequences of their sin. They had no blessing in their
lives and they died a miserable death. The Bible tells us that the Israelites fought with Philistine and could not prevail against them and the ark of God was captured; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died. Also, we read further that when Eli heard all these things and heard that the Ark of God was captured, he fell from his seat and died. Not only that, his daughter-in-law, Phinehas' wife who was with child and due to be delivered, died when she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead.

We see the consequences that came about due to the sin of Eli's sons; how God's judgment came upon the whole family just because they did not obey their father. Yes, my friend, God wants you to raise your children in His fear and in discipline so that they obey their parents. And when it happens, His blessings will come upon you and your children. He will give long life and satisfy with all goodness.

But, when we come to the Quran, we see that the pattern of marriage is changed. Instead of marrying one woman, the Quran says that a man can marry four women and keep as many concubines, as we read in An-Nisa (Women) Sura 4:3, "If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice."

Marriage is no longer a sacred act according to the Quran, as Allah gave permission to marry more than one woman. When marriage is not a sacred act and not between one man and one woman, then how will the children obey their parents?

The God of the Bible gave clear instruction saying, "that you must honor your mother and father so that you may live long in the land which He gives you." But we find that in the Quran there is no instruction of honoring mother and father. We read a few of the commandments in this the Quranic verses, but still, there is no sign of the commandment of honoring our mother and father.

She That Is to be Examined, Examining Her, Sura 60:12, "O Prophet! When believing women come to thee to take the oath of fealty to thee, that they
will not associate in worship any other thing whatever with Allah, that they will not steal, that they will not commit adultery (or fornication), that they will not kill their children, that they will not utter slander, intentionally forging falsehood, and that they will not disobey thee in any just matter,- then do thou receive their fealty, and pray to Allah for the forgiveness (of their sins): for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

If Allah is the same God of the Bible, then the question is: why did Allah not give this commandment which He gave to Moses written by His own finger?" Did He forget what He gave to His people a few centuries later? Why should He change the pattern of marriage? In my opinion, there is no other reason but that Allah is not Elohim/Yahweh God who gave commandments for our benefit and for our blessings. But Allah tried to destroy and tear off our family lives. Allah tried to make division among husband and wife and children. So, Allah is in no way the God of the Bible.

Divorce in the Quran and the Bible
The Bible says, in Malachi 2:16, "For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one's garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts.
Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously."

But the Quran says that a man can divorce twice, as we read in Al-Baqara (The Cow) Sura 2:229, "A divorce is only permissible twice: after that, the parties should either hold Together on equitable terms, or separate with kindness. It is not lawful for you, (Men), to take back any of your gifts (from your wives), except when both parties fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by Allah. If ye (judges) do indeed fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by Allah, there is no blame on either of them if she gives something for her freedom. These are the limits ordained by Allah. So, do not transgress them if any do transgress the limits ordained by Allah, such persons wrong (Themselves as well as others)."

Not only that, but also, there is no blame in Islam to marry more than one wife, as we read in An-Nisa (Women) 4:3, "And if ye fear that ye will not deal fairly
by the orphans, marry of the women, who seem good to you, two or three or four; and if ye fear that ye cannot do justice (to so many) then one (only) or (the captives) that your right hands possess. Thus, it is more likely that ye will not do injustice."

But, contrary to it, the God of the Bible says, in Malachi 2:16, "For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one's garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously."

God of the Bible calls the act of divorce "violence" and "treacherous," as we read in Malachi 2:14, "Yet you say, 'For what reason?' Because the LORD has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant."

This is an act to cheating, betraying and unfaithfulness toward their spouses but Allah has given permission to a man to divorce his wife. If Allah is the same
God of the Bible then why He changed His mind in half way?

Men and Women's Equality

Men have a degree of advantage over women:

The Quran says, in the last part of Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2:228 that, but men have a degree (of advantage) over women.

Today, studies have shown that women are equally intelligent as men. Of course, there are biological differences, but there is no evidence that men have any
superiority over women. The Bible says that there is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:22-23).

So, according to the Bible, men and women have no difference in sinning or in nature. And, there is no difference in getting salvation of God, whether a woman
or man. But Hadith says, "Most of the women will be in hell because they disobey their husband." I will discuss this in detail later.

Husband can beat his wife:

And, we read in An-Nisa (Women) 4:34, "Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath men the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend
of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye
fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High
Exalted, Great."

The Quran talks about a woman so low that her husband can admonish her, banish her to beds apart, and scourge her. Where is the love of God? Can God give this type of commandment? I think not.

Women are crooked:
Volume 7, Book 62, Number 113:

Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "The woman is like a rib; if you try to straighten her, she will break. So if you want to get benefit from her, do so while she still has some
crookedness."

Volume 7, Book 62, Number 114:

Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not hurt (trouble) his neighbor. And I advise you to take care of the women, for they are
created from a rib and the most crooked portion of the rib is its upper part; if you try to straighten it, it will break, and if you leave it, it will remain crooked, so I
urge you to take care of the women."

In other words, women are so crooked that you cannot correct them, and if you try to straighten them, it won't work, and if you leave them that way, they will
remain crooked. This statement of Allah brings so many questions in our minds, like if Allah created women, then why would he create women so crooked that
no one can make her straight? And the result of her crookedness is that she has to bear the eternal punishment. Why should women go to hell for Allah's
mistake?

Contrary to the Quran, the Bible says, in 1 Peter 3:7, "Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker
vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered."

Husbands were instructed to not only honor their wives, but also to love them, as we read in Colossians 3:19, "Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them." And in Ephesians 5:25, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her." And in Ephesians 5:28-29, "So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church."

God wants a husband to be like Christ who gave His life for His bride -- the Church.

Wife's rights can be given to other women:

An-Nisa (Women) 4:3, "And if ye fear that ye will not deal fairly by the orphans, marry of the women, who seem good to you, two or three or four; and if ye
fear that ye cannot do justice (to so many) then one (only) or (the captives) that your right hands possess. Thus, it is more likely that ye will not do injustice."

A man can marry more than one wife and keep many as concubines. A wife does not have any voice in Islam. Allah has commanded to give the wife's rights to
other women while the Bible considers it as sin.

Women are going to hell:
Mohammed said women are going to hell because they are ungrateful to their husband, as we read in:

Volume 1, Book 2, Number 28:

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
The Prophet said: "I was shown the Hell-fire and that the majority of its dwellers were women who were ungrateful." It was asked, "Do they disbelieve in Allah?" (or are they ungrateful to Allah?) He replied, "They are ungrateful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors and the good (charitable deeds) done to them. If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them and then she sees something in you (not of her liking), she will say, 'I have never received any good from you."

A man can marry as many women as he wants, but Allah expects a woman to be faithful to her unfaithful and betraying husband, otherwise hell is waiting for
her. But contrary to the Quran, the Bible says that men and women have equal access to heaven. The only condition to go to heaven is to accept Jesus as their
Lord and Savior and to be washed by the blood of Jesus.

Women are deficient:

Not only Hadith, but the Quran also talks ill about women's intelligence. We read in Hadith Volume 1, Book 6, Number 301:

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:

Once Allah's Apostle went out to the Musalla (to offer the prayer) o 'Id-al-Adha or Al-Fitr prayer. Then he passed by the women and said, "O women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you (women)." They asked, "Why is it so, O Allah's Apostle ?" He replied, "You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you." The women asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What is deficient in our intelligence and religion?" He said, "Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?" They replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isn't it true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?" The women replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her religion."

The above Hadith says that, "I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some
of you." Then women asked to Mohammed, "What is deficient in our intelligence and religion?" He said, "Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?" And because a woman cannot pray or fast during her menses, she is considered deficient in her religion.

The Quran also says the same thing in Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2:282, "But if the debtor is of poor understanding, or weak, or is unable himself to dictate, then let his guardian dictate in justice. And get two witnesses out of your own men. And if there are not two men (available), then a man and two women, such as you agree for witnesses, so that if one of them (two women) errs, the other can remind her."

Can the God who created women speak like this? Of course not! And today science has proved that women are not deficient in intelligence or in any other
fields. Women have the same mental power that men possess. The Quran and Hadith were written by the people who really hated women. But contrary to it we will never find these types of statements in the Bible.

Women ruler cannot succeed:

Mohammed who was called the prophet of Allah is saying, "Never will succeed such a nation as makes a woman their ruler," as we read in

Volume 9, Book 88, Number 21

Narrated Abu Bakra:

During the battle of Al-Jamal, Allah benefited me with a Word (I heard from the Prophet). When the Prophet heard the news that the people of the Persia had
made the daughter of Khosrau their Queen (ruler), he said, "Never will succeed such a nation as makes a woman their ruler."

But is this a true statement? India and many countries had women rulers in their land, and in the leadership of women the country flourished. Even the Bible tells
us about women rulers and prophetess of God, even in Old Testament. We read in Judges 4:4, "Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time." Further, we read that Deborah went with the army and they got great victory.

If Mohammed was the true prophet and Allah is one true God, then why they hated women whole-heartedly?

The Bible gives equal status to women:

When God created Eve, He did not have in His mind to give Adam a servant. He gave Eve as Adam's companion. And we read that God blessed both equally
in Genesis 1:27-28, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

Notice that God gave a WIFE to Adam NOT WIVES. Yes, God has made one man for one woman or one woman for one man, but the Quran says a man can marry more than one wife. If you read the Quran, you can see that most of the time, Allah gave instruction by calling "wives" about one man. The God of the Bible never gave a commandment of marrying more than one wife. Abraham took Hagar as his wife, but God did not like it, as we read in Genesis 16:17, "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless."

The Bible also says, in Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Moses' sister Miriam was called a prophetess in Exodus 15:20, "Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances." And Micah gave her the rank of a leader as Moses and Aaron in Micah 6:4, "For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, I redeemed you from the house of bondage; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam."

The God of the Bible did not show any partiality toward women as Allah and Mohammed showed in the Quran and Hadith.