The Status of Women in Islam
Outlines
1- Introduction
2- In other religions:
a- In Hinduism
b- In Christianity
c- In Judaism
3- In Islam
a- As a daughter
b- As a wife
c- As a mother
4- Other Islamic doctrines:
a- Veil a blessing not a barrier
b- Her share in property
c- Equal in duties, responsibilities and rights
d- Equal in pursuit of education
5- Economical aspect
6- Social aspect
7- Political aspect
8- Conclusion


Can you imagine a community or society with woman, of course not: because she is as important, as respectful and as vital for the survival of humanity as a man himself. And the one who years ago recognized and acknowledged her as an equal being is Islam. Islam gives her equal rights, status and importance in every aspect. Islam has conserved her rights and privileges in the Holy Quran. Nowhere in the Quran can one find even the slight hint that she is lower species or inferior to man. Islam gives the woman a proper, perfect and plausible code of life and status of society. Socially, economically and politically she is well established in Islam. While either both these points or one is missing in other traditions and religions. Whether it is Christianity, Judaism or Hinduism, at some point these religions have discrepancy regarding women in their own doctrines. Women followers of these religions get their right position by force or law not through natural process or mutual consent or divine teachings.
While Muslim women are granted these rights forty thousand years ago and conserved in the Quran. But in order to prove it that Islam is more ample regarding women than other religions we have to carefully look at all the facts not on some rare practices.
In Hinduism widows were forced to burn themselves with cremates of their husbands. A Hindu widow had no right of remarriage, no matter how young she was. Even they were forced to wear a white dress as a sign of lamentation over the death of their husbands till her own death. The law of inheritance was agnatic, so only sons were the exclusive heirs to their father’s or deceased kin’s property . In Christianity it is common notion that only Eve was responsible for the first sin and Adam was pure and exonerated from sin. For this reason woman has been considered as a sign of depravity and moral frailty. As it is affirmed by the Church that woman is inferior to man so it deprives her from her legal rights.
The Jewish tradition regarding the husband’s role towards his wife sterns from the conception that he owns her as he owns his slave. Being property of man she has no right even on her own property, after marriage all her property goes to her husband: ‘Since he has acquired the women should he not acquired also her property,’ The Talmud. Thus the marriage caused the richest woman to become practically penniless according to the Jewish traditions. The Jewish law gives the husband the right to divorce his wife even if he just dislikes her.
While Islam gives rights to her as equal and independent being. It is not the tone of Islam that brands women as the product of the devil or the seed of evil. Nowhere in Quran it appears that Eve tempted Adam to eat from the tree or even that she had eaten before him’ In the sight of Allah both were equally responsible for the sin. In fact the Quran gives the impression that Adam was more to blame for the first sin from which emerged prejudice against woman and suspicion of her deeds. But Islam does not justify such prejudices because both Adam and Eve were equally in error, and if we are to blame Eve we should blame Adam as much or even more.
Islam grants rights to women in her all relations and status. For daughter Quran forbids every Muslim not to deplore at the birth of baby girl:
`And when they hear the news of birth of female child their faces become dark with shame`. And at another place: `Do not bury your child with the fear of food We will provide them as We had provided to you`.
According to the Islamic traditions daughters are tidings of paradise for parents. Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said:
`The one who brought up two daughters in the most humble way till they mature, he and I will come in the day of Judgment as this (and pointed two fingers)`.
And: ` Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her, does not insult her and does not favor his son over her, then at the day of Judgment Allah will enter him into paradise`. Hence it duty of parents to support and guide their daughters. They should be kind enough to their daughters so that they may receive reward of their kindness at the Day of Judgment.
In Islam marriage is a union of two families, mutual love and a reliable relation not just the mere satisfaction of human desires. Islam has prescribed the rights of wife. Her consent over marriage is absolutely necessary and no one can force her for marriage not even her parents. The well known saying of Muhammad (P.B.U.H) regarding wife: `The best among you is the one who is the best towards his wife`, is enough to prove the Islam’s claim that women is equal being. Islam gives her right of Khula, as it is given to husbands in other religions. Islam urges husbands that if they divorce their wives then even at that time he should be kind enough to them:` And give the women(on their divorce) their dower as a free gift, but if they, of their own good pleasure remint any part of it to you, take it and enjoy it with good cheer.` So it is duty of husbands to take care and protect their wives in every circumstances.
The position of a mother is very exalted in the Quran. Holy Quran admires her in the following words:
`And We have enjoined upon man (to be good) to his parents. His mother bears him weakness upon weaknesses. Islam reminds man that it was his mothers who bore him into her womb for nine months and bear all kind of sufferings and give many sacrifices to bring him in this world. When Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said:` Paradise lies under the feet of your mother`, then there is nothing to say anything further.
With regards to women there are also other doctrines in Islam. Some people have misconception over veil, they generally think it a barrier for women. But Islam insist on the veil in order to keep her save from lustful looks, her soul from frailty and personality from depravity. Through veil a woman should beautify herself with dignity, chastity, purity and integrity. She should refrain from all deeds and gestures that might incite the passions of strangers. She is warned not to display her charm before strangers. Thus it is for her own betterment to put on veil so that no one could harass her.
Islam determines her equal share in inheritance as an independent being. Whether she is a daughter or a wife or a mother or a widow or a sister she receives a certain share in deceased kin’s property. It depends on her relation with deceased kin and number of heirs. Though both men and women are equally heirs of property but the share may vary. For instance men receives twice than that of women’s share but it does not mean that she is inferior to the men but it is due to many reasons. As women are deprived from financial liabilities and men is the person solely responsible for the complete maintenance of his wife, his family and other needy relatives, on these grounds men receive more share in deceased kin’s property. This property is some sort of aid and this aid has to be distributed according to the needs and responsibilities of person. However the share she receive is completely her own property and no one can even touch her property even if it is her husband.
Woman is recognized by Islam as an independent and equal partner of man in the procreation of humankind. If he is a father then she is a mother and both are essential for life. Her role is not less vital than his. She has an equal share in every aspect: she is entitle to equal rights: she undertakes equal responsibilities, and in her there are as many qualities and as much ability all there are in her partner. She is equal to man in bearing personal and general responsibilities and receiving rewards for her deeds. She is acknowledged as an independent being, in possession of human qualities and worthy of spiritual aspiration. Her human nature is neither inferior nor not deviate from that of man.
The rights and responsibilities of a woman are equal to those of a man but they are not necessarily identical with them. Equality and sameness are two quite different things. This difference is understandable because man and woman are not identical but they are created equal. The fact that Islam gives her equal rights----but not identical shows that Islam acknowledges her, recognized her as independent personality.
In Islam education is not a basic right but also a responsibility of every Muslim. The importance of education in Islam can be estimated from the fact that the first word which Allah revealed on Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was `READ`. Muhammad ( P.B.U.H) said:
`Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim`. The word `Muslim` includes both male and female. Islam makes no diction between male and female when enjoins the seeking of knowledge and education. This declaration was very clear and was implemented by Muslim throughout history.
In the Islamic traditions, women’s right to her money real estate or other properties is fully acknowledged and this law does not change after marriage. It is over her wish, either to spent it on her noumenon or give it to her or give it to her parents or husband or any other needy relatives. No one force or touch her property not even her husband. She retains her right to sell, to buy or mortgage anything from her estate. Islam allows women to make a will or a commercial contract. Thus Islam grants women equal right to contract, to enterprise, to earn and to possess independently.
Islam offers woman to participate in social activities. Muslim women are not forbidden from going out in the community, they could visit their friends, family members and other relatives occasionally. Socially the Muslim women could enjoy equal opportunities of progress. They could even go to the mosque but they should cover themselves according to the Islamic traditions. In the early period of Islam women were used to accompany the Muslim armies in the battles to nurse the wounded and supply the goods. If she wishes to work or be self-supporting and participate in handling the family responsibilities, she is quite free to do so. By following the Islamic doctrines the women could play an efficient role as an independent social member.
In Islam women is entitled to freedom of expression as much as man is. The woman has right to vote, and to participate in public affairs, and they could express their views on legislative matters of the public. It is reported in the Quran and history that at the time of Muhammad (P.B.U.H) women had argued even with Him on different affairs. Muslim women could be a commander of army and leader of the country as she had been in the early times.
After a detailed account of status of women in other religions and Islam we can say that it is Islam that provides the most admirable and respectable position to the woman. Islam gives her rights as an equal being. Her status is clearly mentioned in the Holy Quran. As a mother she enjoys more care and higher honour in the sight of Allah. As a wife she is entitled to demand of her prospective husband a suitable dowry that will be her own. As a daughter or sister she is entitled to security and provision by the father and brother respectively. The duties and responsibilities of both man and women are same, if as a father he had to support his family then she had to look after her family. The man and woman are equally mentioned in the Holy Quran. Both man and woman are the creatures of Allah and He knows well what is good for him and what is good for her. Freedom, acknowledgment and reorganization of the woman as an equal being, has been granted by Islam and all these things make the Muslim women sanguine even in this current turmoil.

I didn't check your essay for composition's sake, just grammar. Here are the mistakes that I found.

Work on your articles. I cannot stress this enough. There were so many mistakes that I didn't even bother to mention them.

Work on subject verb agreement. There were a few mistakes like
In your essay you were switching back and forth between mAn and mEn, and womAn and womEn. Because of this you have made quite a few mistakes
In the introduction:
Shouldn't it be 'without'?


This statement is wrong. Islam acknowledges the uniqueness of woman, it doesn't forfeit it by making her equal to man.

Check out the meaning of plausible.


It should be "were granted these rights". Also, are you sure this point is valid?

"even the slightest"

Stern as a noun means back of a ship or buttocks :P It's stern in the adjective form that takes the meaning you intended.



Work on your tenses
It should be "it were her husband"
It should be 'they can'.
Same problem
It is a fact. It should be in present tense.
No 'should'. "Beautifies herself"
There can only be one family leader - man.

Check out the meaning of 'doctrines'.

Woman is

'can be', and it should be 'head of state' not 'leader of country', and it should be 'as she was in the early'. BTW this line is not true, a woman can neither lead an army nor a state in Islam.

Shouldn't it be "As a wife to-be", or something that will hint that she hasn't yet become a wife.

mAn and womEn

What is Khula? (I know the meaning, but it is necessary to explain the lingo)

Forfeits the very status Islam gives to woman.

These are two different sentences. A comma should never be used like this. Replace it with full stop.


Kind enough is the wrong expression to use here.
Same problem.

Gifts are supposed to be free

It should be "remit" and 'enjoy it with a good cheer' is totally inappropriate.

A word about your vocabulary: Your vocabulary is good. Just remember to check the meaning every time you are doubtful of it. Because there were a few words that don't quite mean what you had intended.

One problem that I found in your essay was your voice. It sounded as if it had been written by a feminist. It was defensive rather than objective.

i think you should give a sentence outline, not words

for example

it should be * Position of a woman in islam *

it should not be * in islam *