ISLAM AND THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN


Before Islam,women did not have many rights. Having boys was considered to be more honourable than having girls because boys  were viewed as superior to girls.The pre-Islamic era was known as the age of Jahilliyah or the age of ignorance, meaning the age of barbarism, darkness, and ignorance of God’s guidance.Before Islam women were considered personal properties of men and they believed women as a cause of indignity and embarrassment.People used to bury their daughter’s alive just because of the fear that an increase in female offspring would result in economic burden,even father’s sold their daughters into marriage for a price.Women before Islam had little or no property and they could not  even inherit property.One of the most important roles for women was to produce children, especially male offspring; women also cooked meals, milked animals, washed clothes, prepared butter and cheese, spun wool, and wove fabric for tents.Upper class women had more rights than tribal women.In the pre-Islamic Arabian culture, women had little control over their marriages and were rarely allowed to divorce their husbands.The most common types of marriage at that time consisted of: marriage by agreement,by capture,by mahr and marriage by inheritance.Women view’s were not regarded for either a marriage or divorce.  The situation of rights of women before Islam was worst.

In this era of inhumanity towards women , Islam set forth women rights like no other religion ever did. After Islam , women had a share in wealth , participated in politics , fought wars , married with their own consent  and enjoyed equal rights as men. Islam put and end to the era where women were treated as if they weren't human beings. In an Islamic tradition , a woman has an independent identity. She is a responsible being in her own right and carries the burden of her moral and spiritual obligations. Islam grants women equal rights to earn and equal rights to posses , independently. The life of a woman in Islam is as sacred and important as the life of a man. Islam made man the mentor of his wife and daughter.  The protector of his women.  Islam has granted women with rights that match beautifully with their duties. What Islam has set for women is what suits their very nature and protects them against disgraceful circumstances in life. Islam is a complete religion and therefore it has completed the rights of women with balance and justice.



RIGHTS OF WOMEN AFTER ISLAM:

With the advent of Islam,the position of women was redefined.Firstly, it prohibited the practice of female infanticide and restored the birth rights of women. Islam situated the status of women to be as worthy of human dignity as men. The most basic right of the woman in Islam is the knowledge and recognition that she never has to ask or demand for her  rights which are guaranteed to her by Allah Almighty, Himself. Our Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) forced to fulfil the rights of women strictly.He himself frequently counselled Muslim men to treat their daughters and wives well. He once said that: “You have rights over your women and your women have rights over you”.He was orphaned at an early age. He once remarked that “Heaven lies at the feet of mothers”. Islam gave women the following rights:


  • The right to marry by choice:

 Islam gave the right to woman to marry by her own choice, no one has the right to force her. Islam is against the idea of women being forced to marry against their wishes.According to our Prophet (P.B.U.H): “A widow or divorce is not to be married unless her consent is sought”.


  • The right to divorce:

As the woman has the right to marry by her choice, she equally has the right to take divorce if the partnership proves to be unsuccessful.


  • The right to education:

Both the Quran and the Sunnah advocate the rights of men and women to attain the knowledge equally. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H)  said that: “If a daughter is born to a person and he brings her up, gives her good education and trains her in the art of life, I shall myself stand between him and hell fire”.


  • The right to Inheritance:

The Quran has allotted a share for the woman in the inheritance of her parents and husband. Her share is guaranteed by law and no one can have a claim on it. The Quran declares that: “For men there is a share from what their parents and close relatives leave,and for women there is a share from what their parents and close relatives leave,be it little or considerable; a definite share”.


  • The right of independent ownership:

This involves the right to manage for a woman to own money and property independently. She is at liberty to buy,sell,borrow or sign contracts and legal documents.She can set up her own business and company and can donate her money.


  • The right to keep own identity:

In Islam, women are not obliged to change their identity after marriage. A woman can keep her father’s surname if she feels like it.


  • The right to work:

Women In Islam have the right to work. They can go for a job outside the house. At the time of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) there were many women who used to work in the market to earn money for their living. The Prophet(P.B.U.H) not only encouraged them for their job but also taught them the right Islamic rules of business.



Our religion Islam, provided us the right set of principles for living. Islam has special features which distinguishes it from the rest. Islamic principles and teachings can provide a fair and realistic solution to the injustice being done to the woman in several regions of the world. Although Islam has given women equal rights like men but still in many areas where most of the people are un- educated and are not aware by the rights given by Islam, the women are maltreated and they donot enjoy equal rights. They are beaten by their husbands and even by their parents just because they are considered weak and a burden on them. Many people in rural areas do not allow their daughters to get education and to do work. Islam brings happiness and peace to the society. History has shown that Islam is unique in it’s ability to provide guidance for the entire range of human activity therefore, there is a dire need to implement the Islamic rules related to the rights of women in the society. When the society and the individual adopt such a belief, our women can also enjoy equal rights and they will live a peaceful and a happy life. 


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