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Women Rights in Islam



Islam is the most progressive and dynamic religion has always stressed upon the rights of individuals in every capacity. The major difference between the western and the Islamic concepts of human rights is the source of origination. The western human rights ideals are solely been derived by the human intellectual whereas the Islamic ideals are permanently based on the revealed scripture of Almighty Allah. The same pattern of origination of these rights also extends to the rights of women in every field of life. Now we are going to explore the rights that Allah (SWT) has bestowed upon women in his last revealed book, the Al-Quran.

Abolition of patriarchal practices

Islam abolished many practices that were prevalent in Arabia at that time including female infanticide, prostitution and absolute power of divorce with men. Islam gave the respect to women that one could never expect at that time by raising her status as to be an equal and honorable partner of man in life.

Before the arrival of Islam, people used to kill their female children because the female birth was considered to be some sort of a curse or shame. Islam put an end to that practice along with changing mindset of the people by providing an excellent model in the form of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)’s love for his daughters. The prostitution which was the worst form of exploitation of women was declared to be unlawful. Similarly, Islam imposed some strict injunctions for a family by giving women a share in the husband’s property, right to alimony and right to pursue their husbands for divorce if they find it inconvenient to live their lives with them.

Right to choose her spouse

Islam has ordained women with the right to choose their spouses independently on their own will without being forced by the male heads of the family. Once a lady came to the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) and said, “My father has forced me to marry my cousin.” The Prophet (s.a.w) called the girl’s father and in his presence gave the girl with options of remaining in a marriage contract or to nullifying it. She told the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w), “O Messenger of Allah, I have accepted my father’s decision, but I wanted to convey this message to other women (that any decision cannot be enforced upon them).”

Similarly, the Prophet of Islam asked his daughter, Fatima (r.a), before arriving at any decision of giving her hand to Hazrat Ali (r.a) in marriage.

Economic rights

Islam gave complete economic rights to women in their individual capacity as evident from the very example of the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w), Hazrat Khadija (r.a). Before marrying the Prophet of Islam she was an independent businesswoman and remained to pursue her business career even after marrying Muhammad (s.a.w). Though Islam puts some restrictions on women regarding their selection of profession and their conduct but never places any restriction on their economic aspirations. The restrictions are just for the purpose of safety of women in some matters and to deter men from harming them.

Political rights 
Islam has also given political rights to women within the code of conduct that it has prescribed for its followers. Hazrat Shifa Bint Abdullah used to serve as a magistrate of price control committee during the reign of the second Caliph of Islam, Hazrat Umar (r.a). Similarly, when Hazrat Umar (r.a) addressed a gathering with the intention to change some laws related to women, a woman stood up and argued with Hazrat Umar (r.a) regarding the change in the law. Hazrat Umar (r.a) instead of scolding the lady accepted his error and revived the law. This was the level of political rights that Islam has bestowed upon women.

Right to inheritance
Though the proponents of so-called modern ethics argue against the law of inheritance of Islam but never present a viable alternative.  Their main point of the argument is that Islam gives women half the share compared to men but never recognize the fact that Islamic has made it compulsory for men to provide food and fulfill the daily needs of women. Similarly, women have been given the right to pursue their business activities without any responsibility of carrying out the burden of family matters.

Right to knowledge

Islam stresses heavily upon the importance of obtaining education for both men and women and has shown no distinction in this all-important human need. In fact, women have been enticed to get compulsory knowledge that can prove to be of vital importance in the care that she has to display towards their spouses, children, family and towards the whole community at a larger level.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) says,” To seek knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim (both man and woman)” (Al-Tirmidhi).

Head of the family

Though man and woman have been advised to lead their family lives through mutual consultation yet the woman has been given the status of head of the family in most matters. A man has been held responsible for carrying out the responsibility of generating income for the family, a woman has been termed responsible for taking care of the household. These are the just separation of jobs to provide man and woman with a mutually beneficial relationship on the basis of shared responsibility and rights.

The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said,” the best amongst you is one who is best to his wife” (Hadith).

Why distinction?

Islam emphasizes the equality of both genders based upon the divine law however with separation of duties for both. The purpose of separation of duties and distinction of jobs is to provide them with a plane in which they prove to be mutually complementary for each other instead of competing with each other. The physical weakness and emotional mindset of women best suit her for the roles that Islam has assigned her. Similarly, the physical strength of a man is more suited to hard and laborious jobs.

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