In observing International Women’s Day; Women’s Status in Islam:

The status of women in Islam is a pertinent topic, due to the divergence of cultural practices in the Muslim world from an Islamic perspective, as well as some people’s incorrect belief that Islam subjugates women. An impartial examination of Islam’s sources, as well as an examination of women’s positions where Islam is adopted, demonstrates that Islam is a special blessing for women.

Before Islam, a woman was seen by her parents as a threat to family honor and so deserving of being buried alive at birth. As an adult, she became a sex object that could be purchased, sold, or inherited. From this position of inferiority and legal inability, Islam elevated women to a position of influence and prestige in family and society.

Women’s rights and responsibilities in Islam are equal to men’s, but they are not always the same. This discrepancy is understandable given that men and women have different physiological and psychological makeups and requirements. It is this difference that is sometimes misunderstood and always used. With this contrast in mind, there is no reason for a Muslim to believe that women are inferior to men. Thus, it is arguably more appropriate to refer to the Islamic approach to gender relations as one of “equity” rather than the generally used word “equality,” which may be misinterpreted to mean equality in every detail of life rather than overall equality.

The sacred text of the Quran and the history of early Muslims demonstrate that women are just as important to life as men. From the start, Islam opposed the notion that Eve persuaded Adam to disobey God resulting in his downfall. The Quran states,

“And they [i.e., Adam and his wife] ate of it (The Tree), and their private parts became apparent to them, and they began to fasten over themselves from the leaves of Paradise. Adam disobeyed his Lord and erred. (121)” [Quran: 20: 121]

The Quran also states that they both disobeyed, refuting the notion that women are a source of evil. In a culture where women were nothing more than objects of sexual enjoyment for males, and at a period when religious circles debated whether women were human or not, Islam declared:

“O mankind! We created you from a male and a female.” [Quran 49:13]

and:

“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) [Quran 4:1]

Men and women are members of the same family and hence have similar rights and duties, as promised by their Lord in the Quran:

“Never will I waste the work of a worker among you, whether male or female, the one of you being from the other.” [Quran 3:195]

Thus, in the Islamic tradition, a woman has an independent identity. She is a responsible being in her own right and carries the burden of her moral and spiritual obligations.

In Islam women have the same entitlement to education as males; about fourteen centuries ago, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said that the pursuit of knowledge is compulsory for all Muslims, male and female. This pronouncement was extremely clear and was widely followed by Muslims throughout history.

Islam elevated women’s place in society and regarded them on an equal level with men, and in some situations, like being a mother, clearly gave them precedence over men. Thus, when a man asked Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) about leaving his mother, he replied, “Stay with your mother, for Paradise lies at her feet.”

As daughters, women have the right to fair and equitable treatment from their parents. The Prophet (pbuh) sent good news of paradise to those who did not disrespect their daughters or prefer sons over daughters.

A woman has the right to accept or reject marriage proposals, and her consent is a prerequisite to the validity of the marriage contract. A marriage is based on mutual peace, love, and compassion. 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 do not mean ‘subservience’ by either party to the other. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) assisted with home duties despite the enormity of his responsibilities and the challenges he encountered in the community, to set an example for his followers of their commitments.

In Islam, women are entitled to the same freedom of expression as males. Women played an active role in public life among the early Muslims, particularly during times of emergency. According to the Quran and history, women not only freely stated their ideas, but also argued and engaged in serious conversations with the Prophet (pbuh) and other Muslim leaders.

Women have equal rights under Islam to contract, engage in business, earn money, and own property. Women’s lives, property, and honor are as sacrosanct as men’s. If she commits an offense, her penalty is no less or greater than that of a male in a similar situation. If she is wronged or hurt, she is entitled to equal compensation as a man in her circumstances.

Women are entitled to a share of the inheritance in Islam. Before Islam, women were not only denied that share but were also seen as property to be inherited by men. Islam created an heir out of that transferable property, embracing women’s innate individuality. Whether the woman is a wife, mother, sister, or daughter, she inherits a portion of the deceased kin’s property based on her degree of relationship to the deceased and the number of heirs. This is her share, and no one may take it or disinherit her. Even if the deceased desires to deprive her by drafting a will for other relatives or any other cause, Islamic principles will not allow him to do so.

Women are immune from all financial liabilities. As a wife, she has the right to demand from her prospective husband a reasonable dowry that is her own. She is entitled to entire sustenance and whole maintenance from her spouse. She is not required to work or share family costs with her spouse. She is free to keep anything she had before marriage, and the husband has no title to any of her possessions. As a daughter or sister, she is entitled to security and provision from her father and brother, respectively.

Women have a high standing in Islam. Islam has offered them privileges that are perfectly aligned with their responsibilities. What Islam has provided for women is that which matches their nature, provides complete security, and shields them from shameful conditions and unclear paths of life. Islam did all of this with the larger picture in mind, including the family and society.

In summary, Islam sees men’s and women’s relationships as cooperative rather than competitive.