Since women are regarded to be junub in the periods of menstruation and puerperum, it is not regarded permissible for them to touch the Quran, to read the Quran by heart or by looking at it in Hanafi and Shafii sects. However, they can read basmala, and the verses that have the meaning of dhikr and supplication with the intention of dhikr and supplication without having the intention of reading the Quran. If it is necessary, they can teach it to others by reading it letter by letter or syllable by syllable.

* And give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts graciously. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease. An-nisa\4

* For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much - an obligatory share. An-nisa\7

We turn now to the procedures of marriage in Islam. When a girl reaches the age of marriage it is customary for the Muslim parents to play a major role in the choice of the husband, but she must be consulted. It is reported that when a girl came to the Prophet complaining that she had been married without being consulted, the Prophet directed that she was free to have the marriage dissolved if she wished.

Nowadays educated Muslim girls are having a greater say in the choice of husband, but it is still considered that the parents' opinion of the boy is of great importance, and it is rare part of the Muslim tradition for either to be married with the consent of their parents or guardians.

A widow or a divorcee however may marry whoever she wishes, presumably because she is considered to have enough maturity and experience to decide for herself.

Evidence from the Holy Quran: Believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another: then enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil.(Surah at-Tawba:71) Quran: And say to the believing women that then should lower their gaze and guard their modesty, and not display their ornaments except to their husbands or their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands of their sons, or the sons of their husbands or their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons or their women or those whom their right hands possess, or the male servants not having need (of women), or the children who have not attained knowledge of what is hidden of women; and let them not strike their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may be known... (Surah an-Noor:31)

In Islam there is absolutely no difference between men and women as far as their relationship to God is concerned, as both are promised the same reward for good conduct and the same punishment for evil conduct.

The Qur'an, in addressing the believers, often uses the expression, 'believing men and women' to emphasize the equality of men and women in regard to their respective duties, rights, virtues and merits. It says:

For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in God's praise, for them has God prepared forgiveness and great reward. (33:35)

Prof. Winood Reacle says: “The events make us wonder whether there is a world other than the one we are living in and whether we will be rewarded for our good deeds and punished for the bad ones.

Seeking eternity has been an innate tendency of men affirmed by most of the scholars. Desire to live eternally is a psychological proof that there are other spheres. Just like hunger and thirst… Thirst signifies the presence of water. This is a sincere relation between water and men. Similarly, that human feels the existence of the Hereafter is the sign that it exists. Or such a sphere must have been created. Now that the creator can run the suns and atoms equally easily; why should we be concerned?

A woman is usually described as a man’s better half. Is she the better half or is she the only half that matters? Is she a half at all? A man is usually measured by the success he achieves in life, by his material possessions, and by how “high” he has climbed the social ladder. Part of this self-proclaimed success in this “man’s world” is a nice car, nice house, nice business, nice children, nice wife, nice friends, nice holidays, nice toys, etc., etc. (Note that the wife is listed under possessions.) Very rarely is the wife acknowledged or given credit for the man’s success. What is the reason for this malady?

Perceptions of Women

Why do some men treat women in total fairness and give them the respect that they deserve, while other men treat their wife as a mere possession? Islam very firmly and clearly granted all women the God–given right of equality and fair treatment. Before this era, women were treated as inferior citizens. In Europe, the theory was that women were a sub-species between ape and human, and others propagated the notion that women do not have souls. A female child was treated with total disdain and was even buried alive to hide the “humiliation” of the parents.

In her bedroom, Saleema was sitting on her bed, staring at the beautiful red sari with rich jardosi embroidery on the borders.

“Saleema baaji … Saleema baaji!” Sabeera sounded excited as she entered Saleema’s room.

“Baaji, guess what?!” The excitement in her tone was increasing.

“Papa has agreed to take me on Hajj after your wedding.”

Saleema forced a light smile and said in a low voice, “Oh, that’d be good, Sabeera. I’m happy for you.”

I am confronted on a regular basis with the growing phenomenon of pornography in the lives of Muslim husbands. Though it may come as a shock to many, according to concerned wives, pornography is becoming an increasing phenomenon for some Muslim men. It raises many questions, beginning with the most basic one: What is pornography an outlet for, specifically? Why are so many men turning to the "lesser adultery" or the adultery of the eyes despite their knowing - and not seeming to care - that both Allah and their wives are aware of their pastime? How can we better understand a Muslim adult male's desire to indulge in viewing pornographic material despite its illicit nature?

This article aims to explore some of these questions. Although no scientific data is available to make any formal claims about the topic at hand, I will attempt to provide some possible key underlying factors that contribute to the use of pornography by some Muslim husbands. To begin, I will frame my approach to understanding this issue in the context of the marital relationship.

It is narrated by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "When a man marries, he has fulfilled half of his religion, so let him fear Allah regarding the remaining half." (At-Tirmidhi)

The launch of Playboy magazine, Indonesia, has sparked a heated reaction in the world's most populus Muslim nation.Muslim leaders condemned the publication as "moral terrorism" that destroys the nation's way of life.A group of 150 Muslims from the Islamic Defenders' Front made a peaceful protest in April this year.

The first edition went on sale April 12, featuring scantily dressed women, with no nudity, and seemed milder than other hot magazines already on sale in the country.Yet many Islamic preachers were against the publication of Playboy due to the reputation of the name alone, which provided sufficient grounds for it being banned by the government.

The chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, the country's largest Muslim organization, said, "Indonesia is different from Europe or America, where the culture and attitudes towards nudity are totally different from ours. [Playboy] simply has no place within our social norms."

Changing the Character of Society

At the core of understandingis the relationship between television and consumerism. TV has provided a way for people to consume images and ideas that the average person would not have access to in the course of a typical life.

However, while this might sound like a benefit (we are constantly reminded of this alleged benefit bythemselves), TV is not simply about seeing new things. It is primarily about selling.

TV evolved hand in hand with consumerism, with its birthplace in America in the mid 20th century. As such, TV has spread the ethos of consumerism around the globe.

It has also spread a more insidious form of consumerism, namely voyeurism, in the way it reveals for public view what used to be private aspects of human life. However, the public nature of this voyeurism is obscured by the illusion of individuality when we watch TV alone or in small groups of people in our homes.

The husband got the news that he was being laid off from work today. He went home and went to his room. His wife went after him, trying to get him to talk, but when he would not talk she picked up the phone and called a close friend to share the problem with her.

Does that sound familiar? Is that how your husband handles stress? Your answer might be "Everybody knows women always want to talk; they are completely different from men."

Well, unlike what is being advocated — that we males and females are entirely different in almost all aspects of life —, the fact is that we are very similar in most cases, psychologically speaking, but with only a few differences. However, acknowledging this does not automatically lead us to conclude that these differences are unchangeable, inevitable, or even have a biological base. Also, we need to know that these differences refer to the average person and not necessarily all men and women.

The topic of sex has universal appeal.Sex is portrayed daily in various forms—directly or indirectly—in newspapers, magazines, cinemas, and in conversations between people.The topic of sex conjures images of sexuality, promiscuity, lewdness, adultery, fornication, pornography, rape, teenage pregnancies, pedophilia, gays, sexually transmitted diseases, contraceptives, abortions, and HIV/AIDS.

Yet somehow, despite the fact that “everyone” is influenced by this topic, it seems that most parents find this topic somewhat “delicate” to discuss with their children.Children of today seem to be maturing at a faster rate than a generation ago and often ask intelligent questions of their parents.Some parents do their level best to satisfy their children’s natural curiosity.Other parents simply don’t know how to handle their fast–growing kids and often assume that the less said about the subject of sex, the better.In some homes the word “sex” is taboo, and children are often reprimanded for asking innocent questions.Parents assume that children will grow up and “they will learn,” or that the school or friends are “responsible” for sharing this knowledge.The reality is that parents who have this view are overlooking a major and significant source of correct information regarding this topic—themselves!Our children have the right to be given an unbiased view of sex, based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

For centuries, Muslim women in all corners of the world have been aware of the liberation that is achieved by wearing a scarf or hijab. Current world events have once again brought the issue of women's liberation in Islam to the forefront of people's minds.

Can a Woman Wearing a Scarf Be Liberated?

Can a religion that considers morality to be a part of faith clearly define the equality of men and women and their rights and responsibilities?

The answer is yes. In a day and age when the basic tenants of Islam are being questioned by Muslim and non-Muslim alike, we must be cautious when evaluating Islam.