“And women and men’s fair rights over each other are equivalent…”
Holy Qur’an 2:229
True Islam teaches that men and women are spiritually equal, and hold equal human rights. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that the best man was he who treated women best. He elevated the station of women in Arabia by granting them the right to education, the right to consent in marriage, the right to divorce and the right of inheritance, over a thousand years before the European West granted the same equality. It is indeed a great shame that many so-called Muslim governments today deny women the rights that the Founder of Islam championed.
Who better to discuss the role of women in Islam, than Muslim women themselves? The following is an extract from a book published by the women’s branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, Pathway to Peace. This chapter gives a brief summary of Islam’s teachings on women.
SPIRITUAL STATUS TO WOMEN AND MEN
Treatment of Women in Islam
Before discussing the position of women in Islam, it is important to understand what the condition of women was before the advent of Islam. In pre-Islamic Arabia, and in the rest of the world, their condition was equal to that of slaves and chattels with no rights. Women could neither own nor inherit property. In domestic affairs, they had no rights over their children or themselves; in fact, they could be sold or abandoned by their husbands at will. If they were abused by their husbands, they had no recourse to divorce. They had no real status in the society, not being respected as wife, mother or daughter. In fact, daughters were considered worthless and were often killed at birth. Women were given little or no education, and had no say in religious matters, being regarded as limited in spirituality and intellect.
These abusive conditions existed well into the 19th century in most parts of the world, even in the United States, where some basic rights were given to women only in the beginning of the 20th century. But in Arabia, in the 6th century, with the advent of Islam the condition of women changed dramatically. Almost overnight, women were endowed with equal rights and put on the same level with men. In the Holy Qur’an, Allah makes it clear that He created men and women as equal beings. He says:
“He has created you from a single being; then of the same kind made its mate.”
Holy Quran 39:7
This single verse removes any taint of inferiority leveled at womankind by men, as in some other scriptures. The Holy Qur’an further ensures woman’s equality on the spiritual, intellectual, social and economic level. In addition, women’s rights were safeguarded by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), as he himself carried out the commands of Allah and treated women with great honour, kindness and dignity.
Spiritual Status of Women in Islam
The most important change that Islam brought for women was to raise their spiritual status. Allah has clearly declared in the Holy Qur’an that woman has a soul, that she has the same spiritual capacity as man, and that she can attain equal spiritual rewards by her own efforts. The Holy Qur’an says:
“But whoso does good works, whether male or female, and is a believer, such shall enter heaven…”
Holy Quran 4:125
The Holy Qur’an is unique amongst all scriptures in that it repeatedly emphasizes this equality by addressing both men and women in many verses. It leaves no doubt as to the spiritual level of women. It says:
“Surely the men who submit and the women who submit, and the believing men and the believing women, and the obedient men and the obedient women, and the truthful men and the truthful women, and the humble men and the humble women, and the almsgiving men and the almsgiving women, and the fasting men and the fasting women, and the men who guard their chastity and the women who guard their chastity, and the men who praise God and the women who praise God, Allah has prepared for all of them forgiveness and a mighty reward.”
Holy Quran 33:36
Intellectual Status of Women
Another area where you will find that Muslim women have the lead over other women is in the field of education. Islam stresses that education for men and women is of equal importance, and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) laid down that education is compulsory for both. He said:
“It is the duty of every Muslim man and every Muslim woman to acquire knowledge.”
Ibn’e Majah
He also exhorted both to “seek knowledge even if you have to go to China,” and to “seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.”
The Holy Qur’an says:
“He grants wisdom to whom He pleases, and whoever is granted wisdom has indeed been granted abundant good; and none would take heed except those endowed with understanding.”
Holy Quran 2:270
In other words, only those who ponder can understand the signs of God and come closest to him. The Qur’an further teaches us a short prayer which simply says:
“O my Lord, increase me in knowledge.”
Holy Quran 20:115
In keeping with these commands, you will find that Muslim women, and especially Ahmadi Muslim women are well-educated. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) encouraged his wives to seek knowledge and once stated that “half the religion of Islam should be learned from Ayesha (his wife).” Indeed, after his death, the advice of his wives was sought by the entire Muslim community. Nowadays you will see Muslim women active in many professions, such as medicine, nursing and teaching.
It is interesting to note that at the time Islam brought enlightenment for women, in Europe a woman displaying any kind of knowledge was in danger of being burnt at the stake for being a witch! Furthermore, most universities, even in the United States, did not admit women to higher learning until this century, while the earliest university in the world was founded by a Muslim woman: Qarawiyyin university in Morocco.
Economic Status of Muslim Women
Never before was woman given the economic freedom such as given her by Islam. Islam makes it clear that she is entitled to possess wealth and property of her own, whether it is inherited or earned, and has full rights over it. The Holy Qur’an states:
“…Men shall have the share of what they have earned, and women shall have the share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of His bounty. Surely, Allah has perfect knowledge of all things.”
Holy Quran 4:33
This verse established the equality of men and women in so far as their works are concerned. Woman has the right to manage her own wealth. A married woman is not even required to spend out of her own wealth, as it is the duty of her husband to provide for her.
The Holy Qur’an also states that:
“…men are guardians over women, because Allah made some of them excel others and because they spend of their wealth”
Holy Quran 4:35
This means that the husband is responsible for his wife’s needs and her protection, and he is to supply the money for the maintenance of his wife and their home.
Islam further protected the economic status of woman by requiring a husband to give her a dowry at the time of marriage. This becomes part of her exclusive wealth, and her husband has no right over it, unless she wishes to share it with him. The Holy Qur’an states:
“And give the women their dowries willingly. But if they, of their own pleasure remit to you a part thereof, then enjoy it as something wholesome and pleasant.”
Holy Quran 4:5
Interestingly, this is addressed not only to the husband but also the woman’s relatives. They have no right over it. The common practice found in some Islamic countries today where the groom demands that his bride bring a dowry of gold and household items to the marriage is totally un-Islamic.
Finally, Islam gave woman the right to inherit. She is entitled to inherit from the deceased in her role of mother, wife, daughter or sister. The Holy Qur’an makes clear that:
“For men there is a share of that which parents and near relatives leave, and for women there is a share of that which parents and near relatives leave, whether it be a little or much — a determined share.”
Holy Quran 4:8
Full and specific details of division of property are found in the Holy Qur’an (4:12-13).
Social Status of Muslim Women
The social status of women changed dramatically with the advent of Islam. Great changes took place in the lives of women. Society was given clear guidance by the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) for the treatment of women in their roles as daughter, wife and mother.
Daughter
The pre-Islamic practice of killing infant girls at birth for fear of humiliation or poverty was totally abolished by Islam. In the Holy Qur’an, Allah says:
“…Slay not your children for fear of poverty, it is We who provide for you and for them, and approach not foul deeds, whether open or secret…”
Holy Quran 6:152
And
“… He creates what He pleases, He bestows daughters upon whom He pleases, and He bestows sons on whom He pleases.”
Holy Quran 42:50
After forbidding the killing of children, Islam goes on to teach a father that he must raise his daughters in the same way as his sons. In fact, taking good care of a daughter opens the door to Paradise for a Muslim. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said:
“He who brings up two girls through their childhood will appear on the Day of Judgement attached to me like two fingers of a hand.”
Sahih Muslim
Thus it is clear that Islam raised the status of a daughter from that of being despised and unwanted to being loved and cherished.
Wife
Islam changed the role of wife from being little more than a servant to being an equal with her husband on all levels. The Holy Qur’an makes it clear that in marriage women have rights similar to men. It says:
“Of His signs is that He created mates for you of your own kind that you may find peace of mind through them, and He has put love and tenderness between you. In that surely are signs for a people that reflect.”
Holy Quran 30:22
Marriage is a harmonious union of two souls, with the object of marriage to seek comfort from each other. The Holy Qur’an beautifully defines the equality of the relationship with this verse:
“..They are a garment for you and you are a garment for them.”
Holy Quran 2:188
This shows that Islam regards husband and wife equal in providing support, comfort and protection for one another, fitting each other like a garment fits the body. Islam further teaches that the woman be treated with kindness and generosity and be given equal rights in marriage and divorce. Before Islam a woman could not initiate the divorce process even if she was seriously mistreated. Islam permits her to seek divorce if absolutely necessary. (The Islamic Marriage system is discussed in more detail in Chapter 3).
Mother
In her role as mother, Muslim woman achieves her highest social status, because the mother is revered in Islam unlike any other individual. The Holy Qur’an repeatedly directs Muslims to care for their parents, especially the mother. Allah says:
“And We have enjoined man to be good to his parents; his mother bears him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning takes two years….”
Holy Quran 31:15
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) emphasized the love and respect due to the mother by saying:
“Paradise lies at the feet of the mother.”
In another hadith, he is reported to have stated when asked to whom a man should be kind: “to your mother.” When asked a second time, again said: “to your mother.” He was asked a third time, again the reply was: “your mother.” Only upon being asked a fourth time did he reply: “your father.” Thus he emphasized three times how important it is for a Muslim to take of his/her mother and to give full consideration and respect to her needs and wishes.
Hijab (The Veil)
The teachings of Islam concerning hijab (the veil) and segregation of the sexes is probably the most confusing and difficult to accept for Western society. This is because of the widespread and erroneous notion that observing hijab is a heavy restriction imposed on Muslim women. In fact, the very opposite is true. You will find that hijab is a means of protecting women, and providing them with freedom from many social ills. The word “purdah” is also used to describe the concept and the practice of hijab.
Islam provides guidance not only for individuals, but also lays down rules for the good of all society. In this case, the institution of hijab/purdah guards the moral condition of society. Muslim women not only have responsibilities as wife, mother and daughter, they also share with men the responsibility of upholding the moral standard of society. The Holy Qur’an has laid down that one of the methods that men and women are to use to achieve that goal is hijab. It says:
“Say to the believing men that they restrain their eyes and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Surely, Allah is well aware of what they do.”
Holy Quran 24:31
“Say to the believing women that they restrain their looks and guard their private parts, and that they display not their beauty or their embellishment except that which is apparent thereof, and that they draw their head coverings over their bosoms…..”
Holy Quran 24:32
The verse goes on to list close relatives from whom observing hijab/purdah is not necessary.
From these verses it is made clear that both men and women are to conduct themselves with modesty and propriety at all times, and especially when in each other’s presence. This teaching is based on the fact that Islam recognizes that “prevention is the better part of a cure.” So segregation of the sexes is prescribed so that situations which cannot be controlled afterwards, are not allowed to develop in the first place. In this way, erosion of moral values can be prevented, and society is safeguarded from problems such as adultery, teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
The Holy Qur’an requires that Muslim women dress modestly, cover their heads and wear an outer garment to conceal their beauty from strangers. However, you must understand that this physical covering is the only first step to developing hijab. The true and full observance of hijab/purdah is achieved when “veiling” extends to a man or woman’s mind and heart. This means that one should veil or shield his/her mind and heart from impure and immoral thoughts when in contact with the opposite sex. One’s thoughts, words and actions should reflect a sisterly love and respect towards fellow beings. This behavior leads to one’s own moral upliftment, and also creates an atmosphere where men and women, instead of resenting and degrading each other, treat each other with respect and understanding.
Another verse of the Holy Qur’an states:
“O Prophet! tell thy wives and thy daughters, and the women of the believers, that they should pull down upon them of their outer cloaks from their heads over their faces. That is more likely that they may thus be recognized and not molested. And Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful.”
Holy Quran 33:60
A woman who is following the rules of hijab in her dress and actions is not likely to be treated in a disrespectful way by men. Thus hijab/purdah provides Muslim women with freedom from some of the problems that women in Western society are facing today. In Islam woman is not regarded as a “sex object,” nor is she exploited or harassed in this demeaning manner. As you are probably aware, various feminist movements are trying to deal with these issues today, sometimes with little success.
Islam has undoubtedly given woman dignity and honor through hijab/purdah, and has provided a protection for her so that she can pursue her activities more freely. This gives Muslim women peace of mind. You may have noticed that most Muslim women who follow the practice of hijab/purdah appear to be more relaxed and at ease with themselves. This is because Islam has reduced the importance of physical appearance as a mark of self-esteem. A Muslim woman is free to develop in herself other talents, and does not have to rely on her physical beauty to achieve what she wants. At the same time when a woman practices hijab/purdah in the true manner, she fulfills her responsibility to society and gains satisfaction in the knowledge that she is able to gain nearness to Allah.