See Discover Islam poster here.

This poster makes a blunt claim:

According to the Qur'an, men and women are equal before God; both created for the sole purpose of worshipping god through faith and good deeds.

Further down, the poster lists some "specific rights" granted to women by Islam, including:

the right to be treated equally; and the right to inherit.

How ironic that the poster lists these two "rights" side by side. Verse 4.11 of the Qur'an states clearly that a daughter has the "right to inherit" exactly half the amount inherited by her brother:

Allah (thus) directs you as regards your Children's (Inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that of two females...

The poster also implies that poor treatment of women in some Muslim countries is a cultural phenomenon rather than based on Islamic teachings:

Some traditions of dress, and more generally, the treatment of women in some Muslim countries and societies, are often a reflection of culture. This is very often inconsistent and even contrary to Islamic teachings. Prophet Muhammad said: "The most perfect in faith among you believers is he who is best in manner and kindest to his wife."

Yet the Qur'an—the ultimate authority in Islam—dictates that men are superior to women and literally have the right to beat disloyal women:

Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them... (4.34)

Perhaps modern-day mainstream Muslim scholars have found a theological basis to condemn—rather than condone—any level of domestic violence? Liyakatali Takim, a Muslim Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Denver, answered this question on an Internet mailing list "consisting of scholars who answer questions about Islam" in 1995. As Takim writes, the Qur'an advocates that a man first try two non-violent approaches for preserving "marital harmony": verbal admonishment followed by withholding of sex. Then,

as a last resort, very light form of physical correction is to be undertaken...Indeed, all commentators are in agreement that the third form of corrective measure should be undertaken only as a last resort and should be very mild.

Feel better?

In the Muslim nation of Pakistan, a shocking study of Pakistani married women from the year 2000 found that 96.8% of the 216 women surveyed had endured domestic violence (including shouting or yelling): 40% of the women reported being punched, 40% kicked, 47% raped, and 56% slapped by their husbands.

On to the conclusion.
Back to the previous poster.