We should never argue with Mother 

Islam and Women’s Rights

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. In Islam, men and women are moral equals in God’s sight and are expected to fulfil the same duties of worship, prayer, faith, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ

“O people, We have created you male and female and made you into tribes and nations that you might know one another. Verily, the most honoured of you to Allah is the most righteous of you.” (Sarah-Hujurat 49:13)

Islam has guaranteed rights of men and women in an equal degree and there is no discrimination between men and women. Women have equal rights in the Islamic world. Islam highly encourages giving women equal rights. This includes all types of rights, spiritual, economic, social, education, legal, and political rights. According to the Islamic concept, men and women are created equal. They have spirits given by God. Allah says:

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْأَزْوَاجَ كُلَّهَا مِمَّا تُنبِتُ الْأَرْضُ وَمِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَمِمَّا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

“Glory to He who created all pairs, from what the earth grows and from themselves and from that which they do not know.” (Surah Yasin 36:36)

In Islam, there is no concept that women cannot work. The only concept in Islam is that women and men should work separately which leads to the misconception that women are forced to stay home and their only place is home. Islam encourages women to choose professions. There has been much progress in increasing access to education, but progress has been slow in improving the gender sensitivity of the education system. Allah says:

وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَمَسَاكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِي جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ

“Allah has promised to the believers, men, and women, gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss.” (Surah At-Taubah 9:72)

In Islam, a woman is a completely independent personality. She can make any contract or bequest in her own name. She is entitled to inherit her position as a mother, as a wife, a sister, and a daughter. She has the perfect liberty to choose her husband. We need to give girls images and role models that expand their dreams.

Here are some basic Women’s Rights in Islam:

  1. A woman is an esteemed member of society
  2. A woman has the right to choose a spouse
  3. A woman has the right to seek knowledge
  4. A woman has the right to raise children
  5. A woman has the right to health care 
  6. A woman has the right to freedom
  7. A woman has the right to security
  8. A woman can take part in politics
  9. A woman utilize natural resources
  10. A woman has the right to employment
  11. A woman has the right to live and exist
  12. A woman has all necessary for social life
  13. A woman has the right to have a property
  14. A female worker might work as a male worker
  15. A woman has the right to opinions and beliefs

While men and women have equal rights as a general principle, the specific rights and responsibilities granted to them are not identical. Men and women have complementary rights and responsibilities. When mothers are educated and empowered to make choices in their lives, they enable their daughters to go to school. Allah says:

تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ

“Descend the Angels and the Spirit therein, by (the) permission (of) their Lord, for every affair.” (Surat Al-Qadr 97:4)

Islam honors and protects women, and grants them full rights” but without having access to solid religious foundations and scholarship. Aside from external and internal anatomical differences, scientists know there are many other subtle differences in the way the brains of men and women process language, information and emotion, just to mention a few. Allah says:

وَلَا تُؤْتُوا السُّفَهَاءَ أَمْوَالَكُمُ الَّتِي جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ قِيَامًا وَارْزُقُوهُمْ فِيهَا وَاكْسُوهُمْ وَقُولُوا لَهُمْ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا

“And (do) not give the foolish your wealth which Allah made for you a means of support (but) provide (for) them with it and clothe them and speak to them words (of) kindness.” (Surah An-Nisa` 4:5)

Educated women are more likely to have greater decision-making power within their households. A mother has the greatest influence on a child especially in the earlier years through her affection, care, and love. Undoubtedly, the success of a society is due to mothers. Therefore, it is only right for Islam to honour and raise their status.

  • Equal Reward & Equal Accountability
  • Equal Right to Choose a Spouse
  • Equal Right to Knowledge
  • Equal yet Different
  • The Family Unit
  • Women Rights in the Quran
  • Love & Mercy in Spousal Relations
  • Lofty Positions of Mothers & Daughters

Allah (SWT) has created both men and women without subordination of one another. If we compare Islam to other religions, we see that it offers justice between the sexes. For example, Islam dismisses the idea that Eve is more to blame than Adam for eating from the forbidden tree. According to Islam, Adam and Eve both sinned, they both repented and God forgave them both.

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:

  • “And the male is not like the female.” (Qur’an 3:36)
  • “We commanded mankind to be kind to his parents.” ( Quran 31:14)
  • “Enter into Paradise, you and your wives, with delight.” (Quran 43:70)
  • “They (your wives) are your garment and you are a garment for them.” (Quran 2:187)
  • “And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women.” (Quran 2:228)
  • “…And their Lord responded to them, ‘Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another.” (Quran 3:195)
  • “Never will I allow the loss of the work of any worker amongst you, male or female; you are of one another.” (Quran 3:195)
  • “Breathed some of My spirits into divine touch. When God created him”(or her in this sense).” (Quran 15:29 ,32:9)
  • “Does not the One who created, know? And He is the Most Kind, the All-Aware.” (Quran 67:14)
  • “…Indeed, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you…” (Quran 49:13)

Islam has ensured gender equality and women’s rights in every sphere of their life. A mother has the greatest influence on a child especially in the earlier years through her affection, care, and love. Undoubtedly, the success of a society is due to mothers. Therefore, it is only right for Islam to honour and raise their status. Allah says:

قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ‌ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُوْلُواْ ٱلْأَلْبَــــٰـــبِ

“Can those who have the knowledge and those who do not be alike? So only the wise do receive the admonition.” (Surah Al-Zumar, 39:9)

Women spend at least twice as much time as men on domestic work, and when all work. Woman as mother commands great respect in Islam. The Noble Quran speaks of the rights of the mother in a number of verses. It enjoins Muslims to show respect to their mothers and serve them well even if they are still unbelievers. 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 has granted individual identities to men and women, a constant comparison between the two is futile. Each plays a unique role in mutually upholding social morality and societal balance. Islam has an extensive tradition of protecting the civil liberties of women based on the guidelines set forth by God and His Prophet. Women are empowered with many rights and protections under Islamic law and are honoured with a dignified stature in society.