Islam honors and respects women

The common belief and misconception of Islam oppressing women is totally out of this world. Sure some Muslim by name countries look down on women, but it has nothing to do with the Islamic faith itself. Furthermore all of these hate/evangelical sites (that can be easily found) purposely try to attach Islam to anything and it is sad most go to them for info about the Muslim religion. I'll start off by telling this- The first convert to Islam was a woman, the first scholar in Islam was a woman, and the first martyr in Islam was a woman. Muslim women have been leaders thoughout history (such as establishing the world's first university, and being calipha's (femminin version of the word "caliph")). Women in Islam are given rights to work, inheritance, choose who they marry, divorce. Also husbands are told to make sure women are protected and kept happy. Now let's analyze the scriptures: "O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower [money given by the husband to the wife for the marriage contract] ye have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and God brings about through it a great deal of good. ( Quran, 4:19)" The verse explains how a man has to be obedient to his wife. He has to live with her in kindness and honor. "Do not retain them to harm them so that you transgress limits. He who does this has wronged himself (Quran, 2:231)" This is saying men can't marry women if they're going to be harmed or hurt in any way or else they'll be sinful. "If a wife fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part, there is no blame on them if they arrange an amicable settlement between themselves; and such settlement is best; even though men's souls are swayed by greed. But if ye do good and practise self-restraint, God is well-acquainted with all that ye do." (Quran, 4:128) "O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other. Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well-acquainted." (Quran, 49:13) "Whoever works righteousness — whether male or female — while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)." (Quran 16:97) "Lo! men who surrender unto Allah, and women who surrender, and men who believe and women who believe, and men who obey and women who obey, and men who speak the truth and women who speak the truth, and men who persevere (in righteousness) and women who persevere, and men who are humble and women who are humble, and men who give alms and women who give alms, and men who fast and women who fast, and men who guard their modesty and women who guard (their modesty), and men who remember Allah much and women who remember - Allah hath prepared for them forgiveness and a vast reward." (Quran 33:35) The 3 above verses talks about equality between a man and a woman. "O prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and the wives of the believers that they shall lengthen their garments. Thus, they will be recognized (as righteous women) and avoid being insulted. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful". (Quran 33:59) Notice the "avoid being insulted" part? The Quran tells a woman to cover up and not show off her beauty. This is not oppression, but modesty, what women deserve. Muhammed, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Paradise lies at the feet of the mother. " Narrated Abu Huraira: A man came to Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) and asked, "O Allahs Apostle! Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?" The Prophet(PBUH) said, "Your mother." The man said. "Who is next?" The Prophet(PBUH) said, "Your mother." The man further said, "Who is next?" The Prophet(PBUH) said, "Your mother." The man asked for the fourth time, "Who is next?" The Prophet(PBUH) said, "Your father." Obedience to a mother is obedience to God. "The most perfect believer in the matter of faith is one who has excellent behaviour; and the best among you are those who behave best towards their wives." "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim, male and female" "Assuredly, women are the twin halves of men."