Page 157 - Islam and Far Eastern Religions

155

Another Western expert on the Islamic faith, Karen Armstrong,
wrote the following on the same issue:

“We must remind ourselves of the situation women were in the pre-Islamic era
where the killing of baby girls was common practice and women had no rights
whatsoever. Women were ill-treated, like a lower species, as were slaves who
had no rights at all. What Muhammad did (on revelation from Allah) for
women in such a primitive world was simply extraordinary. It is surprising
for that time that woman could inherit or be witnesses.” 67
Karen Armstrong writes that in Islam’s first few centuries, women
in Muslim societies were freer and more respected than anywhere else
on earth. “Muslims were shocked to see how western Christians treated
their own women in the crusader states. Christian priests, on the other
hand, criticized Islam for giving women and slaves too many rights.” 68
In short, Islam brings freedom, respectability, protection, and hap-
piness to women. Hinduism on the other hand, forces them into a cruel,

miserable, fearful and oppressed life, but their loss in the hereafter is
even greater.
Allah reveals the situation of deniers in the hell as follows:
“You have come to Us all alone just as We created you at first, leav-
ing behind you everything We bestowed on you. We do not see your
intercessors accompanying you, those you claimed were your part-
ners with Allah. The link between you is cut. Those you made such
claims for have forsaken you.” (Surat al-An‘am: 94)
We will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve because
they have associated others with Allah for which He has not sent
down any authority. Their shelter will be the Fire. How evil is the
abode of the wrongdoers! (Surah Al ‘Imran: 151)

Harun Yahya (Adnan Oktar)