:salam2: sis ,
I will give it a go.
Well, the 'haters/attackers' of Islam love this topic about 'women in Islam', that's why he only hears about it. In his list of questions, he only asked you about women, so lol.. how are you supposed to tell him about the men ! ?
Men in Islam have far superior responsibilities than men in the west also, it's just that isn't brought up in the media as it can't be used to attack Islam.
Men and women both have to lower their gazes and not stare at the non-permissible things. Islam goes a step further and even you can't stare at the private parts of the same gender as some desires can arise.
(what a genius he is.. he really wants a 1+2 = 2+1
)
Well, it is a known fact that women are more beautified and more attractive than men. They have been created this way.
Even if you observe the animal kingdom, the male is always attracted to the female far more than vice versa (because the female creation is beautified and more adorned).
It is a well documented fact that men's desires are far greater than women's desires. An example :-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9x5wY6hbX8
The answer has already been given. In business dealings, man is the head of the family who deals in it and that's the reason for it.
In other instance of women's expertise, one woman's testimony is sufficient.
This is not emotion, this is logic. eh !
Why does the *women* always have to acquire the characteristic of a man to show that they are equal ?
If he is truthful, then men should also acquire the characteristic of a woman and tend to the children 24/7, feed them and look after them and do all the women chores of the house.
No, but most of the men wont agree about the above mentioned .. would they ? ^
Getting the point ? See how what he is saying that women have to *ape* men in every field and act like them. It isn't about the same characteristic.
Men and women are created different and hence Almighty god have given them different duties and responsibilities. If he look down on the woman's responsibilities and duties, that's his problem in comprehending the role of a woman.
He only feels this way because the *women of the west* are a lot more different to *women of Islam*. He is quantifying the difference in women and men between the 2 cultures and that's how he is reaching his conclusion.
If he were living a good 50-60 years ago, when majority of church-going-women going to churches would dress modestly and cover their heads, he wouldn't have found it as a *special responsibility for muslim women*.
And as I have mentioned before, men also have a lot of responsibilities too which non-muslim aren't aware of as it isn't publicized in the media.
As a matter of fact, muslims in general have more restrictions like prohibition of pre-martial relations, not consuming intoxicants, not indulging in usury, eating only zabeeha and halaal etc etc.
(sister, you can put articles/fatwas about niqaab and hijaab that you think are informative)
So he is personally at a war with women being modest ? Because he understands that hijaab is modest, but he doesnt think women need to modest. Umm.. we follow what our creator tells us Alhumdulillah
.
(grasping at straws here)
If you are pure in your heart, then you have to show it with actions too !
You can't go on "I really love to help the poor" in your heart and then contribute 0$ to charity and never put any time or effort in any charitable activity.
It's hypocritical !
Already been answered. Women are more beautified & adorned creation than man.