Islam does not show impartiality between men and women it does, however, recognize that are not identical both psychologically and physiologically. There has been many a misconception about the real role of women in Islam. Many view Islam as a religion that oppresses and stifles women but they couldn’t be more wrong. Most non-Muslims who are completely oblivious and ignorant about the teachings and doctrines of Islam tend to paint Islam with an oppressive brush.  Allah says:

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

“Whoever does righteous deeds whether male or female while he (is) a believer, then surely We will give him l a life good, and We will pay them their reward to (the) best of what they used (to) do.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:97)

Islam, the mercy of Allah, is for all of mankind and does not refer to sex. Men and women have a calling and a place in nature. Neither has a greater value nor is one of greater importance. Both are subject to Divine Retribution which is equal for the capacity of each. Islam’s true stance on the status of the woman is what this small treatise seeks to make clear. The Quran expounds upon this in multiple verses and exists as an illuminating miracle for those who reflect. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاءً وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ وَالْأَرْحَامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا

“O mankind! Consciously revere your Lord the One Who created you from a soul single and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And consciously revere Allah (through) Whom you ask [with it] and the wombs. Indeed, Allah is over you Ever-Watchful.” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:1)

Islam was revealed at a time when a lot of people denied the humanity of the woman; some were sceptical about it, and still, others admitted it, yet considered the woman a thing created for the humble service of the man. As a rule, Islam acknowledges the woman’s rights to all kinds of ownership, spending and channelling of her money. Allah says:

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

“To whomever, male or female does good deeds and has faith, We shall give a good life and reward them according to the best of their actions.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:97)

There are two reasons for this, one has to do with a natural quality and the other relates to something acquired. First, Allah has provided the man with the quality of greater strength whereas he has equipped the woman with a lighter and usually more delicate physique. Secondly, Allah has delegated the man to be the family provider. If the family collapses, he must bear the brunt of the collapse. This responsibility naturally entails deference and support. Allah says:

وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِنَ الصَّالِحَاتِ مِن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُولَٰئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ نَقِيرًا

“And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer – those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:124)

Islam has always appreciated the femininity of the woman and regarded her as playing a role integral to that of the man, and similarly regarded the man as playing a role integral to that of the woman. Neither is a foe, adversary or a competitor to the other. Rather, each is a help to the other in attaining the relative perfection of his or her person and each’s whole sex. Allah’s ordering of the universe makes binary existence one of its Allah says: characteristics. 

Allah Almighty says about women in the Holy Quran:

• “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to parents. When one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor repel them but address them in terms of honour.” (Quran 17:23)
• “And among His signs is this, that He created wives from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity, with them, and He put love and mercy between your (hearts).” (Quran 30:21)
• “….Live with them (wives) honourably (kindness). If you hate them, it may be that you hate a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of Good.” (Quran 4:19)
• “Should they (husband and wife) wish to separate from each other in agreement and upon consultation then they can do so blamelessly.” (Quran 2:232)
• “O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly] and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” (Quran 2:208)
• ‘It is He who created you from one soul and created from it its mate that he might dwell in security with her.’ (Al-A’raf, 7:189)
• ‘He created you from one soul. Then He made from it its mate …’ (Az-Zumar, 39:6)
• ‘O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.’ (Al-Hujurat, 49:13)
• ‘There is no one in the heavens and earth but that he comes to the Most Merciful as a servant.’ (Maryam, 19:93)
• ‘…Then, either keep [her] in an acceptable manner or release [her] with good treatment.’ (Al-Baqarah, 2:229)

Islam considered giving women an equal entity and declared their status as a beneficial and important part of the society and did whatever possible to ensure that women experienced and enjoyed the same respect in the society as men. Women make up half of society and they are responsible for the nurturing, guidance and transformation of successive generations. It is the woman who pervades principles and faith into the souls of the nation. Allah says:

لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ

“Indeed, We created man in (the) best mould.” (Surah At-Tin 95:4)

The Status of Women as defined by Islam The woman is a mother and it is said that “Paradise lies under her feet”. A woman is also a daughter and sister and like their male brothers, are born of the same lineage. Allah created man and woman with distinctive features, none superior to the other. Allah created man and woman with distinctive features, none superior to the other.  Allah says:

وَمِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقْنَا زَوْجَيْنِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

“And of everything, We have created pairs, that you may remember.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:49)

A woman is also a wife who is a source of comfort for her husband as he is to her. Women make up half of society and they are responsible for the nurturing, guidance and reformation of the subsequent generations of men and women. It is the female who imbues principles and faith into the souls of the nation. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ

:O you who believe! (Let) not divert you your wealth and not your children from (the) remembrance (of) Allah. And whoever does that, then those [they] (are) the losers.” (Surah Al-Munafiqun 63:9 )

Muslim women should understand the rights and roles that Islam has given to them and then in light of those rights and roles, they must perform all the social and Islamic roles with absolute dedication and commitment. Islam is the complete way of life and a divine religion that is not lacking in any sense, let alone upholding women’s rights. Allah says:

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ

“And when proclaimed your Lord, “If you are thankful, surely I will increase you; but if you are ungrateful indeed, My punishment (is) surely severe.” (Surah Ibrahim 14:7)

Thus, if today’s societies have different social circumstances and traditions it is acceptable that the exercise of these rights should be gradually introduced for the society to adjust to these circumstances. More importantly, such an exercise should not lead to the violation of ethical rules laid down by the Shari’a and made binding by it. Allah says:

لِّلَّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ يَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ إِنَاثًا وَيَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ الذُّكُورَ

“To Allah (belongs the) dominion (of) the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He grants to whom He wills females, and He grants to whom He wills [the] males.” (Surah Ash-Shura 42:49)

We completely reject the way that western society has almost completely stripped women of their morality and chastity. It is important in our Islamic Society, that the Islamic principles, morals and values are upheld with the fullest conviction, honour and austerity, in obedience to Allah, exalted be He. And all praise is due to Allah, at the beginning, and the end. May the blessings of Allah be upon His Messenger and his companions and his family.