Islam And Women

Honour has beenconferred on woman under the canopy of Islam; in a way it has neverbeen conferred on her under the canopy of any other religion or law.

Recognizing HerHumanity And Equality with Man

Islam has recognizedher humanity, and that she was created from Adam,

As Allah Most High said:

“O you people: revere God, yourCreator, and entertain the profound reverence dutiful to Him, Whobrought you into being from one single soul -Adam- and from him did Hecreated his mate -Eve-. “(Sura 4:1)

It is in the Noble Hadith :

“ Women are, indeed thecounterpart of men. ”

(Cited by Abroad and Abu Dawood, and AI-Tirmizly)

And just as Islam has made herequal in obligations from the point of view of eligibility for work,obedience and reward thereof,

He Most High said:

“There did God respondfavorably to their invocation and answer their prayer; He said: “indeed I do not annul,  withhold nor withdraw the fruit whichanyone , man or  woman ,is entitled to reap from deeds of wisdomand piety, you spring one from the other. ” (Sura 3:195)

Allah the Almighty said:

“ Men have a rightful claim tohe apportioned the proper share of what they have earned (by Labour orinheritance), and women have a rightful claim to he apportioned theproper share of what they have earned (by labour or inheritance). ” (Sura4:32)

Equality, as a basic principledoes not dispute some of the disparities in Law, which are dictated bythe nature of woman, and her adaptability to perform her basic duty inthe world, and as dictated by the basic system in the distribution ofresponsibility as Allah Sanctified has willed it.

Protecting Her LifeAnd Good Care or Her

Islam preserved woman’s rightin life and graceful up-bringing and so it is prohibited for the femaleof the species to be buried alive,(some people in pre-Islamic, days ofignorance used to carry out the barbaric practice of burying alive babygirls), and it prevented negligence in their up-bringing Furthermore,it guaranteed her right to inherit, and other financial rights .

Her Rights To PrivateAnd Free Property

Islam guaranteed for woman theright to property and disposal of property, without having to seek thepermission of her guardian or husband. Allah Most High said in connection with her right to dowry:

“ And give the women, whom you join in wedlocktheir dower with good will. But if they- the women- willingly remit apart thereof of their own accord, then you may eat I it into yourhearts and enjoy it, may it give you pleasure; may it do you good “(Sura 4:4)

Allah Almighty also said:

“ And if any of you decides todissolve his marriage contract with his wife in favor of matrimonialunion with another, and you had dowered your divorcee when you joinedin wedlock with a talent of gold, you should not recover the least partof it; would you reclaim what is their right by.fraud and you standmanifest in deceit and falsehood.” (Sura 4:20)

Respecting Her Opinion In Marriage Bonds

Islam respected her opinion inmarriage, and prevented forcing marriage upon her. Islam forbade thatshe be inherited as if she were a commodity, as had been, the custom inthe “Age of Ignorance.” In the same way, Islam forbade preventing herfrom marriage at her own risk or for coveting her property.

For example Allah Most Highsaid:

“O you who have conformed toIslam: women are not a property to be inherited against their followingthe death of their husbands; you are, forbidden to copy this paganCustom, nor are you allowed to ill treat them to force them to give upa part of the dower of the property which you have given them, unlessthey have been proven of guilty of flagrant lewdness “  (Sura4:19)

So Islam systematized thedivorce of women where it had been promiscuous In the Age of Ignorance.It respects her opinion if she requests it -(Divorce)-, to avoid harmand the like.

Respecting her as wife

Islam honored the woman aswife, with good marital relations with kindness, just treatment of herin general; and it preserves for her the right to make conditions inmarriage which will guarantee her comfort, and to word off harm fromher.

Honoring her as Mother

Islam honored the woman asmother. So, it has just enjoined filial piety and goodness to her.Indeed, it made her portion of filial piety and loyalty greater thanthat accorded, to the father, owing to her burden during pregnancy,labour, suckling and upbringing.

Allah Most High said:

“We commanded to man hisparents to commit them to his kind care (and to display to them afriendly and a kind disposition). With travail does his mother hear himin her womb.“ ( Sura 31 : 14 )

And in the Hadith is theinjunction upon good companionship to her, thrice mentioned, and afterthat the companionship of the father (only once)-(unanimous).

Herright to social activities and the wisdom in the veil

Islam proffered towoman the right to social, cultural, and indeed, political activitiesrelative to that which suits her, and to the role prescribed for her byIslam. Within the bounds of this right, which is enjoyed outdoors,Allah has made provisions for her safeguard, Thereby preventing pryingupon her, or exploiting her dealings with people. Among theseprovisions are what man and woman have in common (passion), and whatconcerns woman, such as aversion of the unlawful glance. By coveringher enticing parts, and avoiding doubtful seclusion with a man securingchastity, and honour , in general. Texts in support of this arenumerous.

*****

 

Chapter Eight