Women in Islam:

Outline:
• Introduction
• Status Of Women In Islam
i) The spiritual Aspects
ii) The Social Aspect
a) As A Child
b) As A Wife
c) As A Mother
iii) The Economic Aspect
iv) The Political Aspect

Introduction:

In the midst of darkness that engulfed the world, the divine revelation echoed in the wide desert of Arabia with a fresh, noble and universal message to humanity,

“O, Mankind! Keep your duty to your Lord who creates you from a single soul and from it created its mate (Of the same) and from them twain spread the multitude of men.”
(An-Nisa: 1)

The position of Islam regarding the status of women is explained in various term such as politically, socially, spiritually and economically.

Status Of Women In Islam:

I) The Spiritual Aspect:

The Holy Quran gives a clear-cut evidence that woman is completely equated with man in the sight of God in terms of rights and responsibilities. The Quran says:

“Every soul will be held in pledge for its deeds.”
(Al-Muddaththir: 38)

“Whoever works righteousness, man or woman and has faith verily to him. We give a new life good and pure, and we will bestow on such their reward according to the beat of their actions.”
(An-Nahl: 97)

Woman, according to the Quran is not blamed for Adam’s first mistake. Both were jointly wrong in their obedience to God both repented, and both were forgiven.

(Al-Baqara: 36-37, Al-Araf: 20-24)

In terms of religious obligations such as Daily Prayers, fasting, poor-due and pilgrimage, woman is no different from man. In some cases indeed, the woman has certain advantages over man e.g. the woman is exempted of Daily Prayer and fasting during her menstrual periods and 40 days after her child birth and she is also exempted of daily prayers and fasting during her pregnancy when she is nursing he baby, if there is any threat to her health and her baby’s.

The attendance of congregational for women is optional while it is mandatory for men.

ii) The Social Aspect:

a) As A Child And Adolescent:

Despite the acceptance of social custom of female infanticide among some Arabian tribes the Quran forbad tis custom and considered it as crime like another murder.

“And when the female is buried alive-is questioned, for what crime she was killed.”

(At-Takwir: 8-9)

The sayings of Holy Prophet about above customs are following:

“Whoever has a daughter, and does not burry her alive, does not insult her, and does not prefer his son over her, God will enter him into Paradise.”

(Ibn’.Hanbal.No: 1957)

“Whoever supports two daughters till they mature, he and t will come in the Day of Judgement as this (and he pointed with his two fingers).”

The right of females to seek knowledge is not different from that of males. The Holy Prophet said,

“Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim man and woman.”

(Al-Bayhaqi)

b) As A Wife:

Among the most impressive verse in the Quran about marriage is the following:

“And among His signs is this: that He created males for you from yourselves that you may find rest, peace of mind in them, He ordained between you Love and mercy, Lo, herein are signs for people who reflect.”

(Ar-Rum: 21)

According to the Islamic laws women cannot be forced to marry with anyone without their consent.

At the time of marriage besides all other provisions for her protection, it was specifically ordained that the woman has the full right to Mehr, a marriage gift, given to her (by husband) and that such ownership does not transfer to her father or husband.

The rules for married life in Islam are clear and in conformity with upright human nature. In consideration of the physiological and psychological make-up of a man and woman, both have equal rights and claims on one another, except of one responsibility, that is leadership. This is a matter which is natural in any collective life and which is consistent with the nature of man.

“And they (women) have right similar to those (of men) over them, and men are a degree above them.”

(Al-Baqara: 228)

Men’s role of leadership in relation to the family does not mean the husband’s dictatorship over her wife. Islam emphasizes the importance of taking counsel and mutual agreement in family decisions. The Quran says:

“…….If they (husband and wife) desire to wean a child with mutual counsel and consultation, there is no blame on them……”

(Al-Baqara: 233)

Over and above her basic rights as a wife comes the right which is emphasized by the Holy Prophet.

“the most perfect believers are the best in conduct and the best of you are those who are best to their wives.”

(Ibn Hanbal No. 7396)

The women’s right to seek an end for unsuccessful marriage is recognized. Marriage may be dissolved if she proves before the court that she has been ill-treated by her husband and he has failed to give her sustenance allowance agreed upon between them.

c) As A Mother:

Islam considered kindness to parents next to the worship of God.

“Your Lord has decreed that you worship none save Him, and that you be kind to your parents.’
(Al-Isra: 23)

Moreover, Quran has a special recommendation for good treatment of mothers.

“And we have enjoined upon man (to be good) to his parents, His mother bears him in weakness upon weakness.”
(Luqman: 14)

A man came to Muhammad (PBUH) asking:

“O, Messenger of God! Who among the people is worthy of my good company?” The Prophet said, “Your mother” The man said, “Then who else?” The Prophet said, “Your mother.” The man said, “Then who else?” The Prophet said, “Your mother.” The man said, “Then who else?” Only then did the Prophet say. “Your Father.”

(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

A famous saying of the Prophet is:

“Paradise is at the feet of Mother.”

(An-Nisa, Ibn Hanbal, Ibn Majah)

iii)The Economic Aspect:

According to Islamic law, women’s right to her money, real estate and other such properties is fully acknowledged. This right undergoes no change whether is single or married. Before Islam, she was deprived of her right of independent ownership. But in Islam, she retains her full rights to buy, sell, mortgage or lease any or all property.

With regards to women’s right to seek employment, it should be stated first that Islam regards her role in society as a mother and a wife as the most sacred and essential one. However, there is no decree in Islam which forbids woman from seeking employment. Whenever, there is necessity for it, especially in positions which fit her nature and in which society needs her most, e.g. the professions such as nursing, teaching (especially for children) and medicine. Moreover, there is no restriction on befitting from her exceptional talent in any field.

In addition Islam is restored to women the right of inheritance in some cultures. Her share is completely hers and no one can make claim on it, including her father or husband. Her share in most cases is one-half of the man’s share. With no implication that she is worth half of man. This variation in inheritance rights is only consistent with the variations in the financial responsibilities of man and woman-according to the Islamic Law. Man in the Islam is responsible for the maintenance of his wife, his children and in some cases of his needy relatives esp. of females. Woman on the other hand, is far more secure financially, and far less burdened with any claims on her possession. (She has no obligation to spend on her family out of such properties or out of her income after her marriage). She is entitled to the Mehr which she takes from her husband at time of marriage. If she is divorced, she may get an alimony from her ex-husband.

v) The Political Aspect

Fair investigations in the teachings of Islam and into the history of Islamic civilization give a clear evidence of women’s equality with men what we call today “political rights”.

This right include the right of election as well as nomination in the political offices. This also includes the right to participate in public affairs. Both in the Quran in the Islamic history we find many examples of women participating in serious discussion and even argue with the Holy Prophet himself.

During the Caliphate of Umar Ibn-e-Khattab, a woman argued with him in the mosque, proved her point, and caused him to declare in the presence of the people, “A woman is right and Umar is wrong.”

Although not mentioned in the Quran, one Hadith of the Holy Prophet is interpreted to make woman ineligible for the position of head of the State. It is Translated as:

“A people will not proper if they let a woman be their leader.”

This limitation, however, has nothing to do with the dignity of women or with her rights. It is rather, related to the natural difference in the biological and Psychological make-up of men and women.

According the to the Islamic law, the Head of the State is not mere a figure-head. He leads people in the prayers, especially on Fridays and Festivities; he is continuously engaged in the process of decision making pertaining to the security and welfare of the people. This demanding position, or any similar one, such as commander of the Army, is inconsistent with the Physiological and Psychological make-up of women in general.

It is a medical fact that during their monthly periods and during their pregnancies, women undergo various physiological and psychological changes. Such changes may occur during an emergency situation, thus affecting her decision.

It is more logical to explain the present situation in terms of the natural and indisputable differences between man and woman, a difference which does not imply any supremacy of one over the other. The difference implies rather the complementary roles of both the sexes in life.