What is the truth of the rights of women in some Muslim Countries?

NIKAH - HUSBAND'S OBLIGATIONS%0D%0A%0D%0AHave you ever pondered over the Khutbah which the Imaam recited to you%0D%0Abefore you enthusiastically uttered 'Nakahtuhaa Wa Qabiltuhaa Wa%0D%0ATazawwajtuhaa?'%0D%0A%0D%0ALet me help you and shed some light over this contract which you have made%0D%0Ayourself party to, that is 'The Nikah Contract'. The Imaam recited to you%0D%0Athree verses from the Noble Qur%E3n:%0D%0A%0D%0ASurah Nissa (4) verse 1%0D%0AO Mankind Fear your guardian Lord who created you from a single soul, and He%0D%0Acreated from it its mate and from them He scattered many men and women.%0D%0ASurah Aale Imraan (3) verse 102%0D%0AO Ye who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared and die not except in a%0D%0Astate of Islam.%0D%0ASurah Ahzaab (33) verse 70%0D%0AO Ye who believe. Fear Allah and make your utterances straight.%0D%0ATAQWA%0D%0AThe common element in each of these verses is the Arabic word 'Taqwa' (God%0D%0AConsciousness). In these verses you are reminded to fear Allah Ta%E3la in the%0D%0Amanner you treat the lady you are taking as your wife. There is no one to%0D%0Asee the way you conduct yourself within your home. Let the fact and belief%0D%0Athat Allah is watching guide you in your treatment of the woman you have%0D%0Amade your wife by granting her the respect and dignity she deserves.%0D%0A%0D%0AYou have brought somebody's daughter into your own home. She left her%0D%0Afamily, her friends, close associates and in many cases even the town that%0D%0Ashe grew up in and she came to a strange environment just to share the rest%0D%0Aof her life with you. Was she handed over to you to be a target of your%0D%0Aphysical and verbal abuse?%0D%0A%0D%0AThe Prophet (Sallallaahu %C1layhi Wasallam) is reported to have said in%0D%0Aconnection with the treatment of animals: 'Fear Allah in your treatment of%0D%0Athese animals who cannot speak.' If this was his concern for the animals,%0D%0Ahow tremendously greater would his concern have been for humans; therefore,%0D%0Acan you imagine what his reaction would have been to the wife battering that%0D%0Atakes place nowadays?%0D%0A%0D%0AWhat then are the most important ingredients of a happy marriage? Allah%0D%0ATa%E3la says in Surah Roum (30) verse 21.%0D%0A'And from amongst His signs is that He created for you from amongst%0D%0Ayourselves partners, that you may live in tranquility with them, and He has%0D%0Acreated love and mercy between you. Verily in that are signs for those who%0D%0Areflect.'%0D%0A%0D%0AIt is this love and mercy that strengthens the bond of marriage. The ability%0D%0Ato overlook each other's faults goes a long way in cementing the%0D%0Arelationship. Once a man came to Rasulullah (Sallallaahu %C1layhi Wasallam)%0D%0Aand said, 'O Allah's messenger, how many times should I forgive the wrongs%0D%0Aof my slaves.' The Prophet (Sallallaahu %C1layhi Wasallam) replied, 'Forgive%0D%0Athem seventy times a day.' If a worker is entitled to so much of compassion%0D%0Awhat about your lifelong companion?%0D%0A%0D%0ABEST OF YOU%0D%0AToday, we are very courteous to our clients, appreciative to our colleagues%0D%0Aand cheerful to our friends. Unfortunately this warmth is not extended to%0D%0Athe poor wife who is most deserving of this courtesy and charm. The Prophet%0D%0A(Sallallaahu %C1layhi Wasallam) is reported to have said, 'The most complete%0D%0Aof believers in faith are those who are best in character. The best of you%0D%0Aare those who are best to their wives.' (Mishkat)%0D%0A%0D%0AEvery person has shortcomings. It is therefore quite natural to find this in%0D%0Ayour partner. The Prophet (Sallallaahu %C1layhi Wasallam) has advised us to%0D%0Atake pleasure in the good and overlook the bad. Have you ever spared the%0D%0Athought that there may be so many habits which you possess that may be%0D%0Abringing grief to your wife? She may have been patiently bearing it not%0D%0Awanting to hurt your feelings.%0D%0ALet us go back and fulfil the demands of this contract.%0D%0A%0D%0ATREAT YOUR WIFE AS YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SON-IN-LAW TO TREAT YOUR DAUGHTER.%0D%0A%0D%0ABy: Ml. I Khamissa%0D%0A%0D%0A