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‘Breaking the Chains of Indoctrinated Misogyny’

Written by Ahmed Sheikh for Questioning Creeds

Published on March 17th 2024

Throughout history, women have been relegated to the status of second-class citizens, considered inferior to men and confined to roles that limit their potential to household tasks and childbearing. This systemic oppression has deeply entrenched roots in the misogynistic ideologies propagated by religions, most prominently Islam. The time for change is not just overdue – it is imperative, and it requires an aggressive confrontation of these beliefs.

In societies where religion plays a pivotal role in shaping laws and social norms, the impact on women’s rights is profound and often devastating. Take, for instance, the law in Pakistan that requires rape victims to produce four male witnesses to prove their case – a law inspired by the Islamization policies of General Zia-ul-Haq. This is not an isolated instance of religious dogma directly contributing to the subjugation of women; it is a symptom of a deeply ingrained culture of misogyny that pervades many aspects of life in all Islamic societies.

In Islam, oppression of women is not a misinterpretation of any text, but a deliberate act of control. From the dehumanizing notion that women are mere “fields” for men to sow their seed, as stated in Surat al-Baqarah, to the horrifying sanction of physical abuse in Surat al-Nisa, where men are advised to beat their wives for disobedience, the message is clear: women are inferior and their subjugation is divinely sanctioned. The hadith that describes women as lacking in intelligence is used to restrict women’s rights and further entrenches sexist attitudes. This narration, found in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, highlights the perceived inferiority of women, influencing everything from inheritance laws to their roles within the family and society at large.

Furthermore, the practice of child marriage, exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad’s marriage to Ayesha at the tender age of seven, not only highlights the sexual exploitation of young girls, but also cements the institutionalized degradation of women from a very young age. Such practices are not relics of the past; they continue to affect millions of women and girls who are forced into marriages and deprived of their fundamental rights to education, autonomy, and safety.

These references and interpretations are not merely theological debates; they have tangible impacts on women’s lives, influencing laws, social policies, and daily interactions in Muslim countries. The sexual objectification of women is rampant, with promises of virginal ‘houris’ for men in the afterlife, as mentioned in various hadiths. This not only objectifies women as rewards for men, but also feeds into the toxic masculinity that fuels gender-based violence and discrimination in the present world.

The indoctrination of society with such chauvinistic ideals has led to a culture where women’s freedoms, liberties, and rights are systematically undermined. The sanctioning of sexual slavery and wife-beating in the Qur’an, the punishment of rape victims instead of perpetrators, and the glorification of male sexual prowess at the expense of women’s dignity are all manifestations of Islamic misogyny.

This is a clarion call to challenge and dismantle the structures of misogyny embedded within Islam in all its forms. The fight for women’s rights is not just a fight for equality; it is a battle against the indoctrination that seeks to perpetuate their oppression. It requires boldness, courage, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Silence and complacency are no longer options. It is time to confront these injustices head-on and to demand a world where women are recognised not as property or vessels of sin, but as equal, autonomous beings deserving of respect, dignity, and freedom.

Exposing the dark underbelly of Islam-sanctioned misogyny is the only way forward.

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‘Battling for Existence Against the Iron Grip of Islam’

Written by Ahmed Sheikh for Questioning Creeds

Published on March 26th 2024

Developing an identity of one’s own within the confines of a Muslim society is not only a journey of self-acceptance, but also a struggle to reconcile one’s true nature with the religious and cultural expectations that define one’s world. This path is rendered even more complex for LGBT people, given the explicit references within Islamic teachings that challenge the acceptance of homosexuality. The struggle is thus not only personal and societal, but deeply spiritual, touching the very core of one’s faith and beliefs. A faith that explicitly wants them dead!

Islamic texts, including the Qur’an and hadith, serve as the fundamental teachings for Muslims around the world. Within these texts are passages that explicitly prohibit homosexuality, adding a profound layer of difficulty for those trying to reconcile their faith with their sexual orientation. The Qur’an recounts the story of the so-called prophet Lot (Lut) and his people, who were punished by God for their actions, including homosexuality (7:80-84, 26:165-166). These verses capture the poisonous hate that Islam has for LGBT people, shaping the beliefs and attitudes of countless Muslim communities around the world.

The hadith – the traditions and sayings attributed to Muhammad – spell out the consequences of engaging in homosexual acts (death), reinforcing the prohibition and societal stigma associated with them. These references form the theological foundation upon which all Muslim societies base their rejection of homosexuality, creating an environment where gay individuals struggle with feelings of guilt, shame, and fear of being lynched by self-righteous Muslim mobs.

In the vast expanse of the Muslim world, where tradition casts long shadows and religious doctrines carve the boundaries of existence, lies a battleground far removed from the eyes of the mainstream. It is here, in this contested space, that LGBT people wage a silent, yet ferocious war not just for acceptance, but for the very right to exist. The struggle is not merely against societal norms, but a religious culture that denies their right to life.

The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but the ongoing fight for recognition, acceptance, and the right to exist on one’s own terms is a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who dare to defy the iron chains of Islam and its false prophet Muhammad.