Assim Alhakeem, a Jeddah-based cleric, decided to enlighten his 94,400 Twitter fans by sharing his views on feminism and Islam.
In his opinion, these two things are mutually exclusive.
Alhakeem shared his thoughts in response to a question he received on Twitter which asked him whether he believes in equality between men and women.
Alhakeem - who describes himself as "a Muslim from the land of Islam, trying my best to enlighten people about Islam" - thought it would be a good idea to resort to sarcasm when offering perspective on a serious matter.
People actually nodded in agreement
Referring to his response as "savage"
Calling him a "legend"
We may have believed it to be pure sarcasm, except the sheikh went on to emphasize that "feminism goes against Islam"
To which people responded with valid points
The sheikh did not let down. He then recited a verse from the Quran to justify his point
But, here's what he (and everyone else) should know about feminism and Islam:
1. Islam gave women their basic rights centuries before the West did
When Islam was introduced in the sixth century, women's status improved substantially. Islamic law made the education of girls a sacred duty and gave women the right to own and inherit property.
In fact, Islam was actually the first religion to give women rights of inheritance.
The religion also imposed women's consent as a condition for legitimate marriage contracts.
Meanwhile, women in America and Europe were denied the right to own and manage property until the 18th century.
2. "For his day, the Prophet Muhammad was a feminist"
"For his day, the Prophet Muhammad was a feminist," writes Lisa Beyer in an article for Time magazine. By laying down the Islamic doctrine that dictates women's rights, the prophet was arguably the first feminist in history.
Countering the widespread exploitation of women, he ordered men to honor and respect them. In one of his last commands before his death, he kept repeating, "I command you to be kind and considerate to women."
The prophet even decreed that women have a right to sexual satisfaction.
3. Men and women are equal in Islamic duties
Islamic law generally does not discriminate between genders in the regulations pertaining to prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimage and doing good deeds.
It also promises all Muslims, despite their gender, similar rewards and punishments.
Not the first time Alhakeem sends out a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam
On plucking eyebrows
On magic in video games
