Sherry’s Comments (group member since Jan 13, 2010)

Sherry’s comments from the Q & A with Sherry Jones group.

Yes, Muhammad was actually quite respectful to women, according to knowledgeable sources such as Fatima Mernissi. He gave them rights they'd never had before, such as the right to inherit property and to testify in court. I've read that, during his lifetime, women in the Islamic community were the most "liberated" of all women in the area, surpassing those in the Persian and Byzantine empires. The oppression of women is not Islamic, but simply something men wish to do in order to retain power for themselves. The first steps toward this oppression occurred shortly after Muhammad's death, as the sequel, "The Sword of Medina," shows.

Also, Susie, keep in mind that Ali is shown exclusively through A'isha's eyes in "The Jewel of Medina," and it's well known that they didn't get along. He gets his own voice - and emerges as a more complex and sympathetic character -- in "The Sword of Medina."

Thanks for writing!

I agree -- at least where the patriarchal religions are concerned. How can women be anything but second-class when God is male?

Interesting about the foods, but since it's all the same region, that makes sense. They really did eat locally then, something so many of us strive to do today.

Hi Everyone! Thanks for joining this group. I'm hoping you'll ask me some questions, but to get the ball rolling, I'll start with this one: In what ways did "The Jewel of Medina" and/or "The Sword of Medina" enhance your understanding and awareness of the Muslim faith? What surprises did you find in its pages?