Rebuttal To Islam Sikhism Blind Equality
Rebuttal To Islam Sikhism Blind Equality
Rebuttal To Islam Sikhism Blind Equality
com
Rebuttal to
“Blind Equality” in
Sikhism
www.SikhingTruth.com
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1 Contents Page
1 Contents Page.............................................................................................................. 2
2 Islam-Sikhism website wrote: Muslim challenge to the rights of Sikh women ......... 4
2.1 SikhingTruth response: Proofs for equality between men and women .............. 4
2.1.1 The Light of God sits equally within everyone .......................................... 4
2.1.2 Both men and women are described as beautiful soul brides of God ......... 4
2.1.3 The cessation of suffering is available to both men and women ................ 5
2.1.4 Both men and women regarded as women of God ..................................... 5
2.1.5 A challenge to men to accept women as equals. This is the direct opposite
view held by the older Indian religions with their focus on asceticism and shunning
of women. ................................................................................................................... 5
2.1.6 A woman is regarded as the one half of man.............................................. 5
2.1.7 A menstruating woman is not considered impure. Only people with God in
their mind are considered pure, which is independent of the condition of ones
clothing or physical body cycles................................................................................. 6
2.1.8 Blessings of a mother.................................................................................. 6
2.1.9 God is described as mother and father........................................................ 6
2.1.10 The nature of a mother is associated with Wisdom .................................... 6
2.1.11 The Guru is associated with the nurturing and caring qualities of a mother
6
2.1.12 God takes the form of both men and women.............................................. 7
2.1.13 The veil as a useless outdated piece of clothing ......................................... 7
2.1.14 Hindu tradition of Sati (burning of alive widow on funeral pyre) redefined
7
2.1.15 Marriage is part of the spiritual journey to realise God. ............................. 7
2.1.16 Examples from the Lives of the Gurus ....................................................... 7
2.1.17 Hereditary rights for Sikh Women.............................................................. 7
2.1.18 Identity of a woman .................................................................................... 8
2.1.19 Opportunity to Pray for a woman ............................................................... 8
2.1.20 Restrictions on clothes for a woman ........................................................... 8
2.1.21 Examples of women leaders through Sikh history ..................................... 8
2.1.22 Modern examples of pioneering Sikh women ............................................ 9
3 SikhingTruth response: Summary regarding Sikhism .............................................. 10
4 Islam’s denial of even basic Women rights .............................................................. 10
4.1 Testimony of 2 women is equal to the testimony of 1 man .............................. 10
4.2 Menstruation is regarded as an illness during which time women should be left
alone 10
4.3 Women are regarded as a piece of land (tilth) .................................................. 11
4.4 Men have a degree over women ....................................................................... 11
4.5 Slave girls are allowed ...................................................................................... 11
4.6 Death is the punishment for an unfaithful woman............................................ 11
4.7 Women who are captured in war can be sexually violated even if they are
married .......................................................................................................................... 11
4.8 Men are in charge of women ............................................................................ 12
4.9 Certain food reserved for a male....................................................................... 12
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4.10 Women that have been won through war do not have the same rights as normal
women........................................................................................................................... 12
4.11 Women assumed to be bad as majority in hell are women............................... 12
4.12 Women are regarded as deficient in intelligence and religion.......................... 13
4.13 Women are likened to dogs and donkeys ......................................................... 13
4.14 Prophet Muhammad struck his wife Aisha on the chest................................... 13
4.15 Muslim Men are allowed to beat / scourge their women.................................. 14
5 Conclusions regarding equality between men and women in Sikhism and Islam.... 14
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The below sample of quotes from Sikh scripture and the life of the Gurus should be
sufficient to highlight the fact that Sikhism promotes complete equality of opportunity
between men and women. The creator indeed considers equality important and has given
an updated message to humanity through the Sikh Gurus.
2.1.2 Both men and women are described as beautiful soul brides of
God
“Her Husband Lord is Beautiful; His Body is forever fresh and new. The True One does
not die, and shall not go. He continually enjoys His happy soul-bride; He casts His
Gracious Glance of Truth upon her, and she abides in His Will. ||4|| The bride braids her
hair with Truth; her clothes are decorated with His Love. Like the essence of
sandalwood, He permeates her consciousness, and the Temple of the Tenth Gate is
opened. The lamp of the Shabad is lit, and the Name of the Lord is her necklace. ||5|| She
is the most beautiful among women; upon her forehead she wears the Jewel of the Lord's
Love. Her glory and her wisdom are magnificent; her love for the Infinite Lord is True.
Other than her Beloved Lord, she knows no man. She enshrines love for the True Guru.
||6||”
(Guru Granth Sahib page 54)
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“When the clothes are soiled and stained by urine, soap can wash them clean. But when
the intellect is stained and polluted by sin, it can only be cleansed by the Love of the
Name.”
(Guru Granth Sahib page 4)
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“They are not said to be husband and wife who merely sit together. Rather they alone are
husband and wife who have one soul in two bodies.”
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• In, ‘Women’s Property Rights – A Sikh Perspective’, Prof Dalip Singh writes, ‘Since
all children both male and female are equal in all respects, the property of the
father/mother is equally divisible amongst the children.’
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contribution is that she made the concept of langar (community kitchen), a reality.
She helped create a new social consciousness in Sikh women.
• Bibi Bhani has a unique position in Sikh history. She was the daughter of the third
Guru (Guru Amar Das), wife of the fourth Guru (Guru Ram Das), and mother of the
fifth Guru (Guru Arjan Dev). Bibi Bhani was an inspiration during the formative
period of Sikh history and symbolizes responsibility, dedication, humility and
fortitude.
• Sada Kaur described as a first woman commander-in-chief and a leader of
unprecedented qualities. She along with her son in law Ranjit Singh defeated Zaman
Shah, son of Abdali near Amritsar and established the Khalsa Kingdom.
• Rani Jind Kaur married to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, mother of Maharaja Dalip Singh,
first female freedom fighter in the struggle to drive out the British from India. She
tried her best to stop British from annexing her kingdom.
• Mai Bhago Fought side by side with Guru Gobind Singh, was the lone survivor of
the battle in which Fourty Mukte defeated Mughals. She led and fought in many
battles for Guru Gobind Singh, and also served as his bodyguard. She led a battalion
of 40 men in the battle of Muktsar. Mai Bhago kaur survived to remain a member of
the Khalsa army.
• Bibi Khem Kaur A general of Sikh forces that supported a revolt against British in
1849.
• Bibi Sahib Kaur Phulkian A Princess of Patiala. She led armies into many battles and
was the only woman in Indian subcontinent to win a battle over a British General.
• Bibi Rajinder Kaur Princess of Patiala, displayed her chivalry in numerous battles.
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002.282 PICKTHAL: “O ye who believe! When ye contract a debt for a fixed term,
record it in writing. Let a scribe record it in writing between you in (terms of) equity. No
scribe should refuse to write as Allah hath taught him, so let him write, and let him who
incurreth the debt dictate, and let him observe his duty to Allah his Lord, and diminish
naught thereof. But if he who oweth the debt is of low understanding, or weak, or unable
himself to dictate, then let the guardian of his interests dictate in (terms of) equity. And
call to witness, from among your men, two witnesses. And if two men be not (at hand)
then a man and two women, of such as ye approve as witnesses, so that if the one erreth
(through forgetfulness) the other will remember. And the witnesses must not refuse when
they are summoned.”
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002.223 PICKTHAL: “Your women are a tilth for you (to cultivate) so go to your tilth as
ye will, and send (good deeds) before you for your souls, and fear Allah, and know that
ye will (one day) meet Him. Give glad tidings to believers, (O Muhammad).”
002.228 PICKTHAL: “Women who are divorced shall wait, keeping themselves apart,
three (monthly) courses. And it is not lawful for them that they should conceal that which
Allah hath created in their wombs if they are believers in Allah and the Last Day. And
their husbands would do better to take them back in that case if they desire a
reconciliation. And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in
kindness, and men are a degree above them. Allah is Mighty, Wise.”
004.003 PICKTHAL: “And if ye fear that ye will not deal fairly by the orphans, marry of
the women, who seem good to you, two or three or four; and if ye fear that ye cannot do
justice (to so many) then one (only) or (the captives) that your right hands possess. Thus
it is more likely that ye will not do injustice.”
004.015 PICKTHAL: “As for those of your women who are guilty of lewdness, call to
witness four of you against them. And if they testify (to the truth of the allegation) then
confine them to the houses until death take them or (until) Allah appoint for them a way
(through new legislation).”
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004.024 PICKTHAL: “And all married women (are forbidden unto you) save those
(captives) whom your right hands possess. It is a decree of Allah for you. Lawful unto you
are all beyond those mentioned, so that ye seek them with your wealth in honest wedlock,
not debauchery. And those of whom ye seek content (by marrying them), give unto them
their portions as a duty. And there is no sin for you in what ye do by mutual agreement
after the duty (hath been done). Lo! Allah is ever Knower, Wise.”
004.034 PICKTHAL: “Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of
them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of
women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath
guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to
beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo!
Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great.”
006.139 PICKTHAL: “And they say: That which is in the bellies of such cattle is reserved
for our males and is forbidden to our wives; but if it be born dead, then they (all) may be
partakers thereof. He will reward them for their attribution (of such ordinances unto
Him). Lo, He is Wise, Aware.”
4.10 Women that have been won through war do not have the
same rights as normal women.
Scripture: Quran
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/033.qmt.html
033.052 PICKTHAL: It is not allowed thee to take (other) women henceforth, nor that
thou shouldst change them for other wives even though their beauty pleased thee, save
those whom thy right hand possesseth. And Allah is ever Watcher over all things.
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“Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet said: I was shown the Hell-fire and that the majority
of its dwellers were women who were ungrateful." It was asked, "Do they disbelieve in
Allah?" (or are they ungrateful to Allah?) He replied, "They are ungrateful to their
husbands and are ungrateful for the favors and the good (charitable deeds) done to them.
If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them and then she sees something in
you (not of her liking), she will say, 'I have never received any good from you.”
“Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: Once Allah's Apostle went out to the Musalla (to offer
the prayer) o 'Id-al-Adha or Al-Fitr prayer. Then he passed by the women and said, "O
women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you
(women)." They asked, "Why is it so, O Allah's Apostle ?" He replied, "You curse
frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in
intelligence and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some
of you." The women asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What is deficient in our intelligence and
religion?" He said, "Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?"
They replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isn't it
true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?" The women replied in
the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her religion.”
“Narrated 'Aisha: The things which annul the prayers were mentioned before me. They
said, "Prayer is annulled by a dog, a donkey and a woman (if they pass in front of the
praying people)." I said, "You have made us (i.e. women) dogs. I saw the Prophet
praying while I used to lie in my bed between him and the Qibla. Whenever I was in need
of something, I would slip away. for I disliked to face him."
He stood there and he stood for a long time. He then lifted his hands three times, and
then returned and I also returned. He hastened his steps and I also hastened my steps. He
ran and I too ran. He came (to the house) and I also came (to the house). I, however,
preceded him and I entered (the house), and as I lay down in the bed, he (the Holy
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Prophet) entered the (house), and said: Why is it, O 'A'isha, that you are out of breath? I
said: There is nothing. He said: Tell me or the Subtle and the Aware would inform me. I
said: Messenger of Allah, may my father and mother be ransom for you, and then I told
him (the whole story). He said: Was it the darkness (of your shadow) that I saw in front
of me? I said: Yes. He struck me on the chest which caused me pain, and then said: Did
you think that Allah and His Apostle would deal unjustly with you? She said: Whatsoever
the people conceal, Allah will know it. He said: Gabriel came to me when you saw me.
He called me and he concealed it from you. I responded to his call, but I too concealed it
from you (for he did not come to you), as you were not fully dressed. I thought that you
had gone to sleep, and I did not like to awaken you, fearing that you may be frightened.
004.034 PICKTHAL: “Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of
them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of
women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath
guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to
beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo!
Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great.”
Muslims can try as hard as they like to challenge Sikhism but unfortunately for them the
foundations of Sikhism are solid!
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