'Pakistan is failing to live up to one of the tenets of Islam which guarantees rights to all women...' - Sayeeda Warsi
First off I completely applaud Sayeeda Warsi and her work trying to stand up for minorities in nations like Pakistan. I'm only picking on her reference to Islamic women's rights that I feel are inherently in conflict with her work and are ideologically opposed to the Christian and Western understanding of women's rights.
It's interesting though that where-ever you see a majority Islamic state
the rights of women or more accurately the western concept of
women's rights are almost non-existent. I would be surprised to know of many non-Muslims in the west who would understand Islam and more specifically the
Qur'an to be an advocate for women rights.
Perhaps by examining the Qur'an itself we will be able to pick up some tips on how to treat women better? 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, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all). (Yusuf Ali Translation - Surah 4:34)
