Islam celebrates its women and talks openly about equal rights for women, as it pays importance to the ways and levels of contribution that women make towards their family, household, and society as a whole. The importance of women in Islam can be explained by the simple fact that it was women only who laid the most crucial firsts of the Islamic culture. Moving further, the important women in Islam were also the first to have the greatest achievements. From Fatima (RA) being the first woman to love the Prophet (SAWS) the most to Khadija (Ra) being the first person to embrace Islam, women have been an integral part of Islamic culture and its development.
The Holy Quran. itself denies any inherent supremacy of one gender over the other. In Quranic chapter An-Nisaa’, verse 1, God said:
“O people! Fear your Lord who created you from a single soul, and created from it is a mate, and dispersed from both of them many men and women”.
In this post, we shall discuss the role of women in Islam and their rights as true Muslims. We shall also learn about different aspects of a woman in Islam including women’s education, the importance of the hijab in Islam, and more.
Women’s importance in Islam can be understood by how the Prophet (SAWS) showed greatness towards them. He advises Muslim men to “Fear Allah in respect of women.” And: “The best of you are them who behave best to their wives.” And: “A Muslim must not hate his wife, and if he is displeased with one bad quality in her, let him be pleased with one that is good.” And: “The more civil and kinder a Muslim is to his wife, the more perfect in faith he is” (Doi, 1992).
Further, in his Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjatul-Wada), the Prophet (SAWS) said “Fear Allah regarding women. Verily you have married them with the trust of Allah and made their bodies lawful with the word of Allah. You have got (rights) over them, and they have got (rights) over you in respect of their food and clothing according to your means” (Doi, 1992).
Islam also offers spiritual equality to men and women. Allah says, “Whoso does good whatever male or female, and is a believer, shall enter Paradise and they shall not be wronged a whit.” (4:125)
What is the role of a woman in Islam?
The role and importance of women in Islam are beautifully explained in the Quran, the Hadith, and in Islamic law. The Holy Quran weighs both men and women as equal and just like men, and has defined roles and responsibilities for women as well. As women play different roles in their life, their roles and responsibilities take different shapes. She first has to be a dutiful daughter, a loving and caring sister, then a doting wife and a dedicated mother of her children. In every aspect, women are kept in the center of the entire framework of society, family, or even bigger aspects.
Islam places the women in a supreme power as it claims a woman to be a legal entity with self-regulating powers that makes her able to enter into a contract or can make a bequest in her name.
What does Quran say about Women?
Quran counts men and women as equals. A verse in the Qur’an reads, “The men believers and the women believers are responsible for each other. They enjoin the good and forbid the evil, they observe prayers and give charitable alms and obey God and his Prophet.” (Qur’an, 9:71).
“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.” (16:97)
An entire chapter of the Holy Quran is devoted to women and the importance of women in Islam. Even several verses of the holy book are directed to women only as Allah speaks to them directly making them aware of women’s importance in Islam.
However, as much as Quran talks about equality between men and women, it does not claim them to be identical. Allah made a key physiological and psychological difference in men and women to ensure they live and perform their key roles in society and nature in general.
In Quran, Allah also commands women to perform certain duties and be devoted to Islam. The importance of the hijab in Islam is a crucial aspect that women have to prove. Women must cover certain parts of their body including hair and preserve their modesty at all times. The importance of modesty in Islam must be valued by both men and women as both must follow the rules of dressing and behaviour.
What are the rights of Women in Islam?
Islam upholds the rights, dignity, honour, and status of women by ensuring gender equality. Here are the rights of women in Islam
Inheritance:
In Islamic law of inheritance, there are six classes of persons never deprived of inheritance out of which three are women- mother, wife, and daughter. Further, there are twelve Quranic sharers out of which eight are females- wife, mother, daughter, son’s daughter, true grandmother, full sister, consanguine sister, and uterine sister.
Marriage
“And among His signs is this that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts. Undoubtedly these are signs for those who reflect.” (30:21)
Marriage in Islam forms the basis for life and social sanity. The women have the right to choose her Husband and give her acceptance for the nuptials.
Dower
As per Islam, women must receive a dower to become a wife and unlike the ancient times when the dower was paid to the bride’s father or any other guardian, it is now paid to the wife. “Pay dower (Mahr) to your wife even if it is a ring made of iron” (Faiz-ud-din, 2008).
Maintenance
The wife holds the right to get the maintenance and Muslim men must pay it. “Let him provide her (wife) maintenance according to his ability”. (65:7). It is the duty of the husband to provide proper food, cloth, and accommodation if she surrenders herself to him although she is Muslim or infidel or poor or rich, grown-up or young (Rashid, 2004).
Divorce:
“Of all things that Islam has permitted, divorce is the most hated by Allah.” (Abu Da’ud). However, if there are gruesome conditions that demand dissolving the marriage, the women have a say on it.
Profession
Women in Islam have the right to choose their profession. However, the choice must be aligned with the Quran, and also as a wife must not devoid her husband from enjoying his conjugal rights or as a mother deprives her children of maternal love, care, affection, and proper education and training.
What does Quran say about Women’s Education?
Quran dictates that women must be well-educated to ensure that she imparts great teaching to their family and children. She is the mother who up brings her child and offers him. Herinitial education, not only women must be well versed in the teaching of Qurans, but they must also be aware of the issues surrounding the current society and topics necessary for the overall development of the next generation of Muslims.
Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) himself fought for the equality of both genders, especially when it comes to the education of Muslim women. “The pursuit of knowledge is a duty of every Muslim, man, and woman.” His daughter Fatima (RA), was highly educated and respected and was offered great felicitation everywhere she went.
In the 7th century, education was made a must to havepursuit for both Muslim men and women.
Conclusion:
Unlike the common belief, Islam does not oppress its women but rather offers them the same rights and importance as men. The most important women in Islam are revered by the followers as they respect the newer women’s contribution to the religion. The importance of women in Islamic history is clear and so is the importance of women in the Islamic society that we live in today, those who practice ill towards women are not true Muslims and must be condemned as per Allah.
