Understanding the Status of Women in Islam

A lot has been written about the status of woman in Islam. Books, and articles have been written; speeches have been delivered; talks have been rendered.

 Generally people tend to mistake acquired cultural attributes or geographically conditioned mores or even ex tempore fiats by local mullahs as Islamic diktat. Therefore, it often poses a challenge to understand the status of woman in Islam and to sift the grain from the chaff of dogma.

An in-depth study of the sacred verses of the Holy Quran and the history of early Islam during the times of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) bear witness to the fact that women were honoured and Islam conferred numerous rights upon women centuries ago.

Islam considers men and women as being derived of the same essence i.e. they both are created from a single entity.

"O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female." ~ Qur'an (49:13)

"O Mankind! Reverence your Guardian-Lord, Who created you from a single person, created of like nature his mate, from them scattered countless men and women. Fear Allah, through whom you demand your mutual rights and reverence the wombs (that bore you), for Allah ever watches over you." ~ Qur'an (4:1)

In the ‘The Cultural Atlas of Islam’ book, authors Ismail Al Faruqi and Lamya al-Faruqi state that, “Islam raised women to a position of influence and prestige in family and society."

Nowhere is it written in the Holy Quran that women are inferior to men. In the religion of Islam; a woman is conferred an honoured position. The Hadiths emphasize on the respect and love; a woman deserves. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “I do not think that a man gets better in faith without loving women better.” ~ Al- Kulayni, Al-Kafi, vol. 2.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had a beloved daughter named Fatimah whom he loved deeply and affectionately. He used to say: "Fatimah is a part of me; whoever wrongs her wrongs me and who pleases her pleases me."

Woman as a Mother

There is another parable that further establishes the respectable position of a woman as a mother. The parable has it that one day a man came to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and asked him, "O messenger of God! Whom should I be more dutiful to?" The Prophet (PBUH) replied: "To your mother." The man asked, then to whom? The Prophet (PBUH) said, "To your mother (PBUH)." The man again asked, then to whom? The Prophet (PBUH) repeated, "Your mother." The man asked for the fourth time. Then the Prophet (PBUH) replied: "To your father." Al- Kulayni, Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p.159. Ibn Majah, Sunan, vol. 11.

On another occasion, a man came to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), and expressed his wish to join a military expedition. Hearing that, Holy Prophet (PBUH) enquired if he had a mother. When he answered in the affirmative; the Holy Prophet (PBUH) advised him; "Stay with her, for Paradise is at her feet."

Rights in Religious Matters

The Quran commands equality for both men and women regarding religious obligations and rewards.

"Indeed for Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and the devout women, the truthful men and the truthful women, the patient men and the patient women, the humble men and the humble women, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise - For them all has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward." ~ Holy Quran (33:35)

“And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, should he or she be faithful -such shall enter paradise and they will not be wronged [so much as] the speck on a date-stone.” ~ Holy Quran (4:124)

In fact, Islam even dismisses the theory that Eve tempted Adam to eat the forbidden fruit. In fact the Holy Qur'an says that they both were responsible for the violation of the divine command, and completely rejects the idea that women are susceptible to the blandishments of of evil. 

Rights in Education

Contrary to what many people think; Islam has always been mindful of the rights of women. Almost fourteen centuries ago, the Holy Prophet(PBUH) decreed that the pursuit of knowledge is important for all Muslims regardless of their sex.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) even asked Al-Shifa' bint 'Abdullah; a companion of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), to educate his own wife - Hafsah bint 'Umar to read and write.

The Freedom of Expression

In fact, during the times of the Holy Prophet (PBUH); both men and women used to attend his lectures. Women expressed their opinions and ideas without inhibition. They participated in discourses and posed questions to the Holy Prophet (PBUH). In Islamic history bears the imprint of women scholars.

Rights in Marriage

A woman has the right to either accept or reject marriage proposals as she deems fit. Without her consent, a marriage contract can’t be considered valid.

Dr. Jamal Badawi, an Islamic scholar, aptly explains in his book Gender Equity in Islam that, "The husband is responsible for the maintenance, protection and overall leadership of the family within the framework of consultation and kindness. The mutuality and complementarity of husband and wife does not mean 'subservience' by either party to the other. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) helped with household chores, although the responsibilities he bore and the issues he faced in the community were immense."

Legal Rights

In Islam, a woman may earn a living, buy, sell, possess and manage her own money and property. Penal provisions, by and large, are even handed in the delivery of justice to both sexes.

Share of Inheritance & Economic Rights

Before the birth of Islam in Saudi Arabia; women were deprived of their share in inheritance.

However, the Holy Quran grants the woman a share in the inheritance of the family property, and her percentage of the share depends upon her degree of relationship by way of kinship to the deceased. 

The Holy Quran strongly warns against depriving woman of her inheritance which nobody has the right to take it away.

The Sharia specifies that the dowry (meher) agreed upon at the time of her marriage should belong to the woman alone and the husband has no right to any of her belongings unless presented by the woman herself as a free gift.

As a wife, a woman is provided complete provision, security and maintenance by her husband and as a daughter from her father or brother. Moreover, she is entitled to financial support during marriage and in case of divorce during the waiting period (`Iddat).

Conclusion

The portrayal of Islam as rendering women into submissive, and oppressed beings is an incorrect depiction of this great religion. The fact is that as far back as 1400 years ago, the beautiful religion of Islam elevated the position of women in society and granted women significant rights in all aspects of life. In some scenarios, as a mother for instance, Islam gave women precedence over men.