I’d like to preface this by saying I was an utterly devout Muslim. I prayed every day on time and fasted. I never swore, I read the Quran in Arabic and english. I went to Muslim study groups and worse the hijab and never touched alcohol. But I still feel this way. I tried learning more about Islam but my doubts only grew.
Regardless, I think I have lost my faith since there are parts of the Quran I disagree with, particularly within its treatment of women.
Things in the Quran I disagree with:
- Men gain more inheritance. Yes, men are supposed to financially support the family but that is no longer the case in many situations in this day and age. It doesn’t seem as if the Quran is universal and timeless.
- Women’s sexual obedience in the bedroom.
- The testimony of two women is equal to one of a man’s.
- A women who commits ‘lewdness’ is confined to her home until ‘death claims them’ but a man is left alone if he repents and reforms. Double standards.
- Women being forced to cover up once they begin menstruating. It is the duty of men to not act on their sexual desires, especially if it’s towards a 9 year old. Yes, wearing a hijab and covering up might make it easier for men, but if they are unable to control their sexual desires and sin, that fault lies on them. Women should be considered sinful for showing their shoulders in public.
- Owning slaves is allowed. Yes, freeing them is praised. But why did the prophet, not simply ban it since surely he realised how inhumane it was? Why did God not forbid it? Why did God allow slave owners to go to heaven. Saying it is a ‘sin to own slaves’ is NOT the same as saying ‘it is a good thing to free slaves’. Why did God never make that distinction? Because people would refuse to become muslim? Do those people deserve To go to heaven when they only follow the rules of islam when it is easy for them?
- Virgin women are more valued than those who have had sex. I can understand if the woman has an STD but otherwise I see no reason why this should be the case.
I also have no desire to have an arranged marriage and raise a child. I think arranged marriages can be quite dangerous. Of course people can entrust their families to vet candidates but at the end of the day, you are marrying a stranger. You can't truly get to know and understand someone without knowing them for a couple years. Becoming financially dependent on such a man is dangerous. This is less so about the Quran but since arranged marriages are one of the main ways for Muslims to get married, I'm still going to mention it.
I have more criticisms but just one would be enough because if Allah is wrong about a single thing, I will never be able to believe in him.
How do you consolidate/justify these criticisms with your beliefs? Or am I simply incompatible with Islam?