Sometimes, when people ask me why God doesn’t let Muslims eat pork I tell them that since men can be such pigs it’s probably just too close to cannibalism. We laugh and move on but I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t appreciate the joke or understand exactly what I’m talking about.

Men have been trying to control women throughout history. God made us different, and differences breed conflict, but Islam is all about conflict resolution. When you study the Qur’an in the context of the Sunnah (Prophetic traditions) it becomes obvious that Allah wants us to live in harmonious peace with everyone. There is no greater place in which to act peaceably than our own homes.  Unfortunately, instead of following God’s plan for us, men have time and again twisted words, ignored commands and done pretty much anything else to stay in control.