Status of Women in Islam

When studying the fundamental rights and obligations of women in Islam it must be pointed out at the very outset that, despite the capacity of Muslim law to adapt itself and to develop according to circumstances, there will be no question of recognizing the extreme liberty, which a woman enjoys today in fact and in practice, in certain sections of the social life, both in the capitalist and the communist West. Islam demands that a woman should remain a responsible and reasonable being. It does not expect her to become either an angel or a demon.

If one wants to compare and contrast a woman's position according to Islam with that according to other religions and civilizations or legal systems, one should take into consideration all the facts and not merely isolated practices. The aim of this essay is to answer the questions such as the status of a woman in society and Islam's position regarding it and that how Islam has contributed towards the restoration of a woman's dignity, honor and rights.

Women before Islam:

The plight and condition of women before the emergence of Islam was very miserable. In Roman, Indian and other civilizations of the world women were always subjugated to all kinds of humiliations and hardships. They were buried alive and were looked upon as a bad omen. They were considered profitable goods just like any cattle or horse. This condition of women prevailed even in the pre-Islamic Arab.

Women in Roman Society:

A Roman wife was described by a historian as a person incapable of doing or acting anything according to her own individual taste, a person continually under the tutelage and guardianship of her husband.

In the Encyclopedia Britannica, we find that the legal status of women in the Roman society was pitiable.

In Roman law, a woman was ever completely dependent upon men. If married she and her property passed into her husband's hands. The wife was the purchased property of her husband and like a slave acquired only for his benefit. A woman could not hold any civil or public office, could not be a witness, surety, tutor, or curator; she could not adopt or be adopted or make will or contract.

Women in Persian Society:

There was no moral value and respect of a woman. There was no concept of mother, daughter, sister and wife. Women were simply treated as objects for pleasure.

Women in Christianity:

In ancient Christian society and even today woman is called devil's gateway, as she was the one, who under the influence of Shaytaan or devil forced Adam to eat the forbidden fruit and thus destroyed the God's image i.e. man.

According to Encyclopedia Biblica (1902 - Vol 3):

"To betroth a wife to oneself meant simply to acquire possession of her by payment of the purchase money, the betrothed is a girl for whom the purchase money has been paid."

Women's consent regarding marriage was unnecessary and as to the right of divorce Encyclopedia Biblica states, "The woman being man's property, his right to divorce her follows as a matter of course."

Women in Hinduism:

It is stated in "Muno Samarti" that telling lies is a personal quality of a woman.

At another place it is written: "It is important for a woman to be in the possession of her father in her childhood, to be possessed by her husband in her youth and after the death of husband and to be possessed by her sons."

Women were not allowed to remarry. Sati or the burning of the widowed woman with her dead husband was a common practice and it is still observed in certain parts of India. Similarly female children were burned alive. In Encyclopedia Britannica it is stated:

"In India, subjection was a cardinal principle. Day and night women must be held by their protectors in a state of dependence, says Manu. The rule of inheritance was such that descent was traced through males to the exclusion of females."

Women in Islam:

With the emergence of Islam in Arab, the women occupied a new status, a status of dignity, honor and respect for them.

Special status was given to women as mothers.

Abu Hurairah narrated that a man asked Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam): “Who is most worthy of my good treatment? He answered: Your Mother. The man asked: Who comes next? And he answered: Your mother. The man then asked again: Who comes next? And he answered: Your mother. The man then inquired a fourth time, and he answered: Your father. (Bukhaari and Muslim)

Islam also admonished the practice of female infanticide and restored the respect and dignity of female children.

The Holy Qur'aan: "When the news is brought to them of the birth of a female (child), his face darkens and he is filled with inward grief. With shame does he hide himself from his people, because of the bad news he has heard, shall he retain it on (sufferance and) contempt, or bury it in sand? Allah! What an evil choice they decide on." (16:58-59)

The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam): "Any one, who has daughters and is kind to them, will find that on the Day of Judgment, they will serve as a shield for him against Hell.” (Bukhaari and Muslim)

Islam encourages each individual to marry and establish a home. Polygamy is allowed but only under certain conditions.

The Holy Qur'aan: "Marry women of your choice, two or three or four but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one or (a captive) that your right hand possesses: thus it is more likely that you shall not do injustice to them.” (4:3)

Islam also enjoins that a wife and husband should have the most intimate and loving relationship.

"They are your garment and you are their garment. (Qur'aan, 2:187)

The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam): "A previously married woman shall not be married till she gives her consent, nor a virgin be married till her consent is sought. If she remains silent then this is her consent, if she declines, there shall be no compulsion on her to marry.” (Bukhaari and Muslim)

Divorce is a disliked act in Islam. It is allowed only if it is impossible to live together.

"A divorce is only permissible twice. After that the parties should either hold together on equitable terms or separate with kindness. (Qur'aan, 2:229)

Islam gives women every opportunity to have rights over men as men have rights over them. As Allah told us in Qur'aan that women have rights similar to those of men over them and men are a degree above them.

Islam also decreed a right of which woman was deprived both before Islam and after it, the right of independent ownership. According to Islamic Law, woman's right to her money, real estate, or other properties is fully acknowledged. This right undergoes no change whether she is single or married. She retains her full rights to buy, sell, mortgage or lease any or all her properties. It is nowhere suggested in the law that a woman is a minor simply because she is a female.

To put a long story short, Islam has given women a new status, a status of dignity, honor and respect. Islam believes in developing spiritual as well as physical and wordily aspects of one's personality. This is the basic reason, why Muslim women are more peaceful and contended as compared to Non-Muslim women. They are capable of fulfilling their duties for whatever the role assigned to them. They are capable of both taking care of their homes and doing their jobs without neglecting the other one. They always take the medium path. Islam which is not just a religion but a complete way of life, provides complete guidance to women in personal as well as social life. It provides them with human dignity, equality and justice and makes them responsible and reasonable human beings.