STATUS OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN ISLAM

Status of women during Jahiliya period (before advent of Islam)

The drastic change in the status of women took place when, during Islamic

period, the Holy Quran gave many rights to women.

The Quran considers both the sexes as having originated from one living being and hence they enjoy the same status as man.

continuedThe following quotations from Quran highlights the most important aspects of

feminine virtue and the standing which a woman should have vis-à-vis her

husband and father:

In surah I4:1 Quran says – “O mankind, be conscious of your sustainer, who has created you out of one living entity, and out of it created its mate and out of 2 spread abroad a multitude of men and women.”

In 4:34 says – “Men are maintainers of women as Allah has made some to

excel others and as they spend out of their wealth.” In 33:35 says, “Men and women are equal in the eyes of Allah.” In 3:195, “Allah guarantees the reward of labour to both men and women.”

continued In 9:71 says, “both men and women, are friends to each other.” In 4:19 says, – “Treat them with kindness, for

even if you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing which Allah has meant for your own abundant good.”

continued In 2:228 says, – “Women shall with justice have right

similar to those exercised against them, although men have a degree (of advantage) above women. Allah is mighty and wise.”

In 4:7 says, – “Men and women shall have a share in

what their parents and kinsmen leave; whether it be little or much, it is legally theirs.”

In 30:21 says, – “And among his signs is this, that He

created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and he has put love and mercy between your (hearts).”

continued In 40:40 says, – “Those that do evil shall be rewarded with like evil; but those

that have faith and do good works, both men and women, shall enter the garden

of paradise and receive blessings without measure.”

In 4:124 says, – “But the believers who do good works, whether men or women,

shall enter the gardens of paradise. They shall not suffer the least injustice.”

In 16:97 says, – “We shall reward the steadfast according to their noblest deeds.

Be they men or women, those that embrace the faith and do what is right we

will surely grant a happy life: we shall reward them according to their noblest

action.”

continued In 3:195 says, – “I will deny no man or woman among you the reward of their labor. You are

members, one of another.” In 4:20 says, – “O believers, it is unlawful for you… to force them to give up a part of what you have given

them…” In 58:1 says, – “God has indeed heard the statement of

the woman who pleads with thee concerning her husband, and carries her complaint to god. And god always hears the argument between both sides among you, for God hears and sees all things.”

continued In 4:24 says, – “Except for these (Prohibited) all others

are lawful, provided you seek (them in marriage) with gifts from your property, desiring chastity not lust.”

In 4:4 says, – “And give the women (0n marriage) their

dower as a free gift.” In 2:178 says,– “If a woman kills a man, and the crime

is proved, the women will be required to pay the penalty. And, verily the man will be killed for having killed a woman.”(1)1)Bukhari, Sahih, Kitab ad Diyat (Fath al-bari, 12/180).

Words of Prophet Mohammad (saw)

He stressed the high standard of conduct which a man is meant to maintain in his relations:

Only a man of noble character will honour women and

only a man of base intentions will dishonour them.(2) The best among you is he who is best for his family.

For my family, I am the best of all of you.(3) 2)Kanzal-Ummal, 16/371.

3)Ibn Majah, Sunan, Kitab an Nikah, 1/636.

continued

No believing man should hate a believing woman, for if there is any habit of hers that displeases him, there will be some other habit of hers which

pleases him.(4) The most perfect man of religion is one who

excels in character. The best among you is he who gives the best treatment to his women folk.(5)

4)Muslim, Sahih Kitab ar-Rada, 2/1091.5)At – Tirmidhi, Sahih, Abwab ar-Rada, 2/1091.

TRADITIONS

The best possession in the World is a pious woman.(6) The best thing one could have in a tongue which expresses

remembrance, a heart which gives thanks and a believing woman who helps one to be more steadfast in one’s faith.(7)

Treat women well, for they have been created from a rib. The rib

is most curved in its upper part, so that if you try to straighten it out, it will break,but if you leave it as it is, it will remain intact. Therefore, follow my advice on giving women fair treatment. (8)

6) An-Nasa’I, Sunan, Kitab-an-Nikah, 6/69.7) At – Tirmidhi, Sahih, Abwab at-Tafsir, 11/238.8) Al-Bukhari, Sahih, Kitab an-Nikah (Fath al-Bari, 9/206-207).

continued

Women are the other half of men.(9) Fear god in respect of women.(10) Heaven lies beneath the feet of mother.(11)

9)Abu-Dawd, Sunan, Kitab at-Tahara, 1/61.10)Ibn. Majah, Sunan, Kitab al-Manasik, 2/1025.11)Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, Al-jami’ as-Saghir fi Ahadith al-Bashir an-Nadhir, 1/536.

continued

One who brings up 3 daughters, teaches them good manners and morals, arrange their marriages and treats them with fairness, deserves to be ushered into paradise.(12)

If a man to whom a girl is born neither buries her alive, humiliates

her, nor gives his sons preference over her, he will be allowed to enter heaven by God, as a reward.(13)

Shall I not tell you what the best object of your charity is? It is

your own daughter, who has returned to you as a widow, or a divorcee and who has no one for her except you.(14)

12)Abu dawd, Sunan, Kitab al-adab, 4/338.13)Ibid, 4/337.14)Ibn Majah, Sunan, Kitab al-adab, 2/1209-10.

continued

When a man is tested through his daughters by God, and he treats them well, his actions will guard him from welfare.(15)

Prophet once observed “Those men are cursed who try to resemble women, and those women are cursed who try to resemble men.(16)

Beware, your women have rights over you and you have

rights over your women.(17) 15)At-Tirmidhi, Sahih, Abawab al-Birrwas – Silah, 8/105.

16)Al-Bakhari, Sahih, Kitab al-Lihas (Fath al-Bari, 10/273).17) Ibn Majah, Sunan, Kitab an–Nikah, 1/593.

continued

A man came to prophet and asked “O messenger of God, who rightfully deserves the best treatment from me?”• ‘Your mother’ replied the prophet.• Who is next?• ‘Your mother – said’ the prophet.• Who comes next?• Your mother’ – replied the prophet.• Who is after that?• ‘Your father’, replied the prophet.(18) The prophet once said that the acquisition of knowledge is the

duty of all Muslims.(19)

18)Al Bukhari, Sahih, Kitab al-Adab (Fath al Bari), 10/329-330.19)Ibn Majah, Sunan, Al Muquddimah, 17, 1/81.

Important facts of Islam The Quran appreciates the ruler, queen of Sheeba, for her

wit and wisdom. The prophet said “The best women out of all of them was

Mary, the daughter of Imran, and the best woman out of all my own people was Khadija bint Khuwaylid.”(20)

Prophet said to Aisha – “I have been intoxicated with her

(Khadija’s) love.”(21)

20)Al Bukhari, Sahih, Kitab ahadith al – Anbiya (Fath al-Bari), 7/104-105.21)Muslim, Sahih, Kitab Fad’ail as – Sahabah, 4/188.

continued

In Islamic history, there were many examples of women who have helped their husbands when faced with critical situations:

(1) Khadija, Prophets’ 1st wife, who successfully brought

the prophet back to a state of normalcy after his experience in the cave of Hira.

(2) Umm Salamah, Gave advise to go outside, and

without a word to anyone slaughter your animal and shave your head. The prophet did exactly as she had suggested.

(3) It is said that Imam Ibn Jauzi, the famous religious

scholar, received his primary education from his aunt.

continued

4)Ibn Abi Asibaś sister and daughter were experts in medicine – the lady doctors of their times.

(5) Aishah, handed down to posterity a

substantial proportion of what comprises the vast whole of Islamic knowledge.

(6) Umm, Atiyah, a Medinan woman had been present on seven expeditions.

continued

(7) Umm Ad-Dahdah worked on the date orchard (according to Ibn Kathir, Tafsir, 4/308).

(8) Hajar, Abrahm’s wife ran back and forth between Safa and Marwah, near Kabah, to quench the thirst of her crying infant, called rite of sǎi (saee).

----------------• This running, enjoined upon every Pilgrim. Perhaps there could be no better demonstration of a woman’s greatness than God’s command to men, literally to follow her foot steps.