I will not reply in the manner of your culture because:
O ye who believe! Let not a folk deride a folk who may be better than they (are), not let women (deride) women who may be better than they are; neither defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. Bad is the name of lewdness after faith. And whoso turneth not in repentance, such are evil-doers. (11) Quran 49:11


Islam is a way of life, "way" here meaning method or path, when you follow a straight path to get to a certain destination, you do not leave it or follow a different windier path. We believe that God created us, and who else would know what's best for us other than God himself? (Whoever is reading this may not agree with this but bare with it as I'm trying to make a point.) That is why we follow God's rules and obey his commands, for there is signifcance to what He has commanded.
In this case, women have the right to be safe, and the husband's duty to protect the wife. If a women leaves the house alone, she is at risk to potential danger, having the consent of her husband would be a lot safer for herself. This is a signifcance behind it, and knowing that she has obeyed God as she pleases her husband, she gains inner-peace and happiness. On the other hand, men should go to a level of cruelty by never allowing a women to leave the house.

"O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dowry you have given them - except when they have become guilty of open lewdness. On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take a dislike to them, it may be that you dislike something and Allah will bring about through it a great deal of good." Quran 4:19

The Prophet has also said:
“None but a noble man treats women in an honourable manner. And none but an ignoble treats women disgracefully.”


Secondly, women not being allowed to drive is only a law in Saudi Arabia alone, no other country applies that law, it's not even a sharia law. Yes, it is kind of a lame law.

Muslim women clothing aren't heavy at all.
And it also goes back to what I said earlier, the primary reason to obey the command of God:

"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." Quran 33:59

And the signifcance behind it is vaste. The first being modesty:

"Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..." Quran 24:30

Islam shows that women should not be judged on her appearance but rather her virtue.





Lastly, let's look at the famous word of this thread, "oppression".

Or, it is not oppression, as Ele said, there is something called uninstutionalised oppression, which means even though the "victims" are happy with their current lifestyle, they are actually oppressed.

As I mentioned earlier, when you are subject to speed limits when driving, are you being oppressed? Why don't they call it speed oppression? Instead of speed limit?

Islam also has these limits, which you guys are interpreting it as "oppression", as I said in the beginning, Islam is a way of life, you can't say, "Ok, here is how you guys maintain peace: Do whatever you want." No, and these limits were made by God who created and knows what's best for us.

Yes, there are a lot of cases where women are oppressed, abused and rights taken away from them. As I said a few times, this is a result of human nature and not teachings of Islam.

Now I have a question, let's say the west somehow got rid of sharia and imposes their cultures and influences all muslims that Islam is oppression etc etc, isn't it oppression to stop muslims from following their beliefs? Ok, but they are happy with it. But then it is uninstitutionalised oppression.

In other words, I could say that, "Oh! That country allows alchoholism! Alcohol is bad for your health, family and social life! That country is oppressing them! Ok no! They are being uninstitutionally oppressed because there are other options like Islam which do not allow these barbaric acts! They should follow Islam!".

I'm not the best i putting words together so any erros you see just point it out. Thanks.

Oh and avoid insults as it's not professional.

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Some links to articles written by women about "oppression", oh, and a video.
http://www.islam-australia.net/pages/oppress.html
http://www.islamreligion.com/article...Wb11I.facebook
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laila-...b_3052001.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZNyTDTElU8