Women Rights in Islam

Women Before Islam

•ATHENS:

"The status of women had degenerated to that of slaves. Wives were secluded
in their homes, had no education and few rights and were considered by their
husbands no better than cattle. In ancient Rome a woman's legal position was
of complete subordination, first to the power of her father or brother and later
to her husband who had paternal power over his wife. In the eyes of the law
females were regarded as imbeciles.

Women Before Islam

ARISTOTLE:

(Encyclopedia Britannica. 1984;vol 19:pg909)

He maintained that women have fewer teeth than men although he was twice
married. It never occurred to him to verify his statement by examining his
wives' mouths.

(Bertrand Russell.The impact of science on society. 1976:pg 17)

Women Before Islam

PRIMITIVE TRIBAL SOCIETIES
•WIDOWS:
*Became the property of the heirs. *Stepson could marry his widowed
stepmother
THE HINDUS
•WOMAN COULD NOT INHERIT:
At time of marriage dowry(jahez) was given to the groom to thank him for
accepting the inferior creature
•SATEE:
Widow did not have a right to live after her husband died. she had to jump into
the funeral pyre with him
 Women Before Islam
THE ARABS

• DAUGHTERS BURIED ALIVE:

A grave was dug next to a woman in labor so that if the baby was a girl she could be
buried instantly without the mother even seeing her.
INNUMERABLE MARRIAGES AND DIVORCES:
*One woman could be married to many men
*Man could keep on divorcing her and reclaiming her as often as he wanted to torture
her
They were buried alive, had no rights at all.
Women were inferior to men. Birth of a female was a disgrace.
Allah says "And when one of them is informed of [the birth of] a female, his face
becomes dark, and he suppresses grief" (16:58).

THE BELIEFS IN CULTURED SOCIETIES

•CELIBACY AS THE CRITERION OF PIETY:

The fundamental reason was the concept of the inferior status of women. In some
countries, women were considered subhuman and a source of sin. Those who
associated with them were considered inferior. Sanctity was achieved through
celibacy.
•ROMAN TEACHERS:
The ideal teacher was the one who never married.

•JAIN COMMUNITY:

"Woman to a monk is like a cat to a chicken"

Women Before Islam

THE BELIEFS IN CULTURED SOCIETIES
•GREEK MYTHOLOGY:
WHICH SPREAD TO ALL OVER EUROPE
The first woman PANDORA was sent down into the world with a box containing
all kinds of misery and evil. The moment the box was opened the world has been
plagued with wickedness and
sorrow.
•EVE THE TEMPTRESS:
Eve tempted Adam to eat from the forbidden tree and was the reason for their
expulsion from a life of comfort and happiness. This is the burden of the Original
Sin which has to be shared by the entire human race.
(Encyclopedia Britannica. 1984;19:909)
 The Light of Islam
RIGHTS THAT ISLAM GIVES TO
WOMEN
AN INTELLECTUAL REVOLUTION

THE GUIDANCE OF AL-QURAN

• SURAH AN NAHL:97
"Whoever works righteously, whether male or female, while he is a believer,
verily, to him we will give a good life and we shall reward them in proportion to
the best of what they used to do".
 SURAH AT -TAUBAH:71
"The believers, men and women, are the supporters of one another; they enjoin
the good and forbid the evil: they perform AsSalat and give the Zakat and obey
Allah and his messenger. Allah will have his mercy on them. Surely Allah is all-
mighty, all- wise".
 SURAH AL IMRAN:195
"Their lord answers them saying 'Never will I allow to be lost the work of any of
you, be he male or female. You are one of
another..."

THE GUIDANCE OF AL-QURAN

REGARDING WOMEN

• SURAH AN -NISA: 19

"O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will; and
you should not treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the
Mahr you have given them unless they commit open indecency; and live with
them honourably. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah
brings through it a great deal of good".

SURAH-Al- BAQARAH:228

"...And women have rights over their husbands similar to those of their husbands
over them, to what is reasonable, but men have a degree(of responsibility) over
them and Allah is all mighty, all wise".
 THE GUIDANCE OF AL-QURAN
REGARDING WOMEN

SURAH AN -NISA:7
"There is a share for men and a share for women from what is left by parents and
those nearest related, whether the property be small or large, a legal share"
SURAH AR- RUM:21
"And among his signs is this, that he created for you wives from among
yourselves, that you may find comfort in them, and he has put between you love
and mercy. Verily in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect".

TEACHINGS OF RASOOL ALLAHSAW

REGARDING WOMEN
"Take my advice with regard to women. Act kindly towards them".
(Saheeh Bukhari And Muslim)
"The best among you is he who is the best to his family and for my family I am
the best of all of you" (Ibn e Majah)

"No 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"

TEACHINGS OF RASOOL ALLAHSAW

REGARDING WOMEN
 "Shall I not tell you what the best object of charity is? It is your own daughter
who has returned to you as a widow or divorcee and who has no one to earn
for her except you" (Ibn Majah)
 "Women are the complementary part of men"(Abu Dawud)
 "Fear Allah in respect of women"(Ibn Majah)
 "Heaven lies at the feet of the mother" (Jami As Sagheer)
 "The one who brings up three daughters, teaches them good manners and
morals, arranges their marriages and treats them with fairness, deserves to be
ushered into paradise"
 TEACHINGS OF RASOOL ALLAHSAW
RESPECT FOR WOMEN

Rasool Allah S was the first historical personality to break the false myths which
subjugated women in which sanctity was based on celibacy.

He showed that spirituality meant adhering to the limits set by Allah while
remaining in the midst of family. Woman was shown to be a source of goodness
rather than evil.

Women In Islam

The spiritual aspect

The economic aspect
The social aspect
The political and legal aspect

The social Aspect

➡ As a wife:
The Qur'an clearly indicates that marriage is sharing between the two halves of the
society,
and that its objectives, besides perpetuating human life, are emotional well-being
and spiritual harmony. Its bases are love and mercy.
"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): verily in that are signs for those who reflect." (30:21)
As a mother:
Islam considers kindness to parents next to the worship of God.
Quran says:
➡ "Show gratitude to Me and to your parents: to Me is (your final) destiny"(Quran
31:14)
As a Daughter

Among the sayings of Prophet Muhammad in this

regard are the following:

Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and
does not favor his son

over her, God will enter him into Paradise. (Ibn Hanbal, No. 1957).

The Spiritual Aspect

Women have the same human spiritual nature as men. Allah says in Quran:
""Every soul will be (held) in pledge for its deeds" (74:38).
"So their Lord accepted their prayers, (saying): I will not suffer to be lost the
work of any of you whether male or female. You proceed one from another"...(3:
195).
"Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily to him will
We give a new life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on
such their reward according to the their actions."
(16:97, Women between Islam and Society Molana Waheeda ud Din Khan
4:124).

The Economic Aspect

In the 19th century European women did not have the right to own their own
property.
In Britain, perhaps the first country to give women some property rights, laws
were passed in the 1860's known as "Married Women Property Act."
- In Germany the wife was denied any control over her property until 1922 by
civil law!
 WOMEN RIGHTS IN ISLAM
Islam provides a woman with:
1. Right to possess personal property- buy, sell, mortgage, lease without
anyone's permission being required.
"Whatever men earn, they have a share of that and whatever women earn, they
have a share in that."Qur'an 4:31
2. In Islam the wife's property and earnings are under her full control and for
her use alone. No matter how rich the wife might be, she is not obliged to act
as a co-provider unless she herself voluntarily chooses to do so.
3. Right to seek Employment
4. Right to Inheritance
5. Financial security

The right of females to seek knowledge is not different

from that of males. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

☐ "Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim".

The Quran repeatedly commands all readers to read, to recite, to think, to

contemplate, as well as to learn from the signs of Allah. In fact, the very first
revelation to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was concerned with knowledge.

Lectures of the Prophet were attended by audiences of

both men and women By the time of the Prophet's death, there were many

women scholars

Spiritual Aspect
Qur'an16:97

Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily to him will
We give a new life that is good and pure, and we will bestow on such their
reward according to the their actions. Quran 4.124

And whoever does deeds of righteousness, whether male or female, and is a

(true) believer - such will enter Paradise.
• Muslim women have [and are as well] headed Islamic provinces [and states as
well], like Arwa bint Ahmad, who served as governor of Yemen under the
Fatimid

khalifahs in the late fifth and early sixth century.

• Name any other religion, political theory, or philosophy which offers such a
comprehensiveness to women by giving her total control of her life and
affairs ??? NONE

• Think on this!

In the nineteenth century European women do not have right to own their own
property

In Britian the first country to give their women Property rights . Laws were
passed in1960’s as Married Women Property Act

In Germany the wife was denied any control over her property until 1922 by
civil law .

A daughter could inherit only if no male heirs existed.

Primogeniture the first male offspring inherits the property in European

jurisdictions among others until into the 20th century.

Hijaab- The covering

What is Hijaab?
Why Hijaab?
Benefits of Hijaab
 What is Hijaab?
The word itself comes from the Arabic word "hajaba" meaning to conceal or
hide from view.
Hijaab is the modest covering of the head and body of Muslim women.
Clothing is only one facet of hijab. It is also behavior, manner, and speech.
Women who wear the hijab do not find it inhibiting, impractical, or interfering.

Why do we wear Hijab?

Because Allah, Their creator ordered them to
"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their
outer
garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in
order that
they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." (Qur'an 33:59)

Benefits of Hijaab
She pleases her Lord and earns blessings from wearing it

Attains nobility

■ Protects her honor

Defines her identity

Beautifies her inner and outer appearance

■ Expresses her independence and she feels liberated.