Women in Islam
There are a lot of misleading concepts regarding the prestige of women in Islam. But in actuality, there is absolutely no discrimination between men and women in Islam. In this article, we are going to emphasize the status of women in Islam.
Prophet Muhammad SAWW said,
“The world and all things in the world are precious, but the most precious thing in the world is a virtuous woman”
Prophet SAWW put great importance on the dignity of women. There is a huge contribution of women in the bonding of a family and building up a society.
The holy book of the Quran and the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad secure the rights of women and condemn the ill-treatment and cruel practices toward women.
When we go to the past and before the arrival of Islam, women were treated worse than animals. But Islam gave dignity and security to women. Islam is a very extensive religion regarding the rights of women.
To understand gender equality in Islam we need to go back to even older history when Prophet Adam A.S and Eve were created with the same soul. Allah SWT didn’t degrade any of them. They both were equally valuable and responsible for their deeds.
Islam openly permits a woman to be educated, own property, run her business, choose her spouse, or make any of the decisions regarding her life.
Islam stretches pride to every phase and relation of women. Either they are a daughter, a sister, a wife, or a mother.
You may also like to learn; the Rights of a Wife in Islam.
A Woman as a Daughter in Islam
Allah says in Holy Quran,
لِّلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ يَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ إِنَـٰثًۭا وَيَهَبُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ٱلذُّكُورَ ٤٩
Translation
“O Allah ‘alone’ belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates whatever He wills. He blesses whoever He will with daughters and blesses whoever He will with sons”.
Al-Quran 49: 50
In the mentioned ayah of the Quran Allah SWT used the ‘blessing’ for both daughter and son. In Islam, daughters are not considered a burden. Rather they are called blessing and sanctification of Allah Almighty.
Holy Prophet Muhammad SAWW said once,
“If anyone has a female child and does not bury her alive, or slight her, or prefer his male children to her, Allah will bring him to paradise”.
This is the beauty of Islam and the dignity of women in Islam that bringing up a daughter in a nice way can be a source to please Allah Almighty.
A Woman as a Sister
The relationship of a sister is the most beautiful relationship in the world. You grow up with her and she always treats you as a mother whether she is younger or elder than you.
Prophet Muhammad SAWW had a special affection towards his sister. He SAWW always greeted his sister with great respect and manner. We should also follow his Sunnah. We see a kind and faithful face in the form of a sister. One should never disrespect his sister because it is the most sincere relationship one has.
A Woman as a Wife
The ever first person who embraced Islam was a woman. She was the wife of Prophet Muhammad SAW ‘Hazrat Khadija R.A’. In Islam when a woman becomes a wife, she is the best companion of her husband.
Islam made necessary reforms to honor the status of women. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAWW said once,
“My brother Jibrail has not stopped informing about the rights of women so much that I thought a husband does not have the right to utter ‘uff’ to her”
Islam admits the greatness and dignity of a woman. It is the only religion that gives respect and kindness to a woman. In Islam when a man owns a woman, does not mean to dismiss her rights or to rule over her. Rather it means to honor a woman, to give her security and respect.
A Woman as a Mother
When a woman becomes a mother, Islam gives her the highest rank of respect and honor. Prophet Muhammad SAWW said,
“Your heaven lies under the feet of mother”
Islam guides us to show gratitude to our mother. We should speak gently and softly to her. We should never be annoyed by her at any stage.
In short women are the other name of pride and honor in Islam. It is the duty of a Muslim man to always treat a woman in a respectful way. Women are not a burden in Islam, rather they are created to share the burden of their men.
May Allah SWT make us practical Muslims by following the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. Ameen