Ibn Warraq

Ibn Warraq, raised as a Muslim, criticizes Islamic beliefs and practices in Why I Am Not a Muslim, from which the following viewpoint is excerpted. Warraq argues that Islam is by definition a misogynous religion, since its holy scriptures explicitly state that women are inferior to men and thus do not deserve the same rights as men. The tenets of Islam are used to justify the oppression of women in Muslim societies, Warraq claims.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What is the woman’s role, as defined by Muslim philosopher al-Ghazali"

2. In what ways are Muslim marriages unequal, according to Warraq"

3. As stated by the author, how do the Zina and Hudud Ordinances in Pakistan discriminate against women"

Islam is deeply anti-woman. Islam is the fundamental cause of the repression of Muslim...