Women in Islam

Women before Islam:

They were a shame to their family and tribe. Women who bore girls were scorned and were looked on as
a canker.
Victors of war took them away forcefully as bounty and made them slaves.
Unlimited polygamy was raging and men openly kept mistresses.
Prostitution was rampant. Slave girls were forced into this disgusting profession to earn money for their
masters.
Women were kept illiterate.; Women were treated as property:
I) They could be bought and sold. They were auctioned in Arabia on way-stations.
II) In some tribes, people regularly exchanged wives with one another.
III) Sons inherited deceased fathers wives, except their own mothers.
No religion or judiciary gave them equality.
No religion gave them a share in their husband or fathers property.
They had no right of consent or dissent in marriage.
Women could be sold to men by their guardians for marriage.
Women could not divorce their husbands. In many religions, marriage was to the death e.g. Hindu Sati,
and the Christian indissoluble bond. This led to illicit relationships and unhappy, torn homes.
Men could marry two sisters, an aunt and her niece, and even a mother and her daughters from another
husband, destroying the bonds of love between these women.
Arabs practiced female infanticide because
I) They themselves had created a vice-ridden system in which females were given a deplorable position.
They did not want their own daughters to be prostitutes or be subject to the conditions that they treated
other peoples daughters and sisters.
II) A woman was helpless if her father died and her husband or some male relative refused to support her.
She had no rights or means to provide her own sustenance. Her only support was the heart and purse of a
man.
III) They did not want their wealth to leave the family.
IV) They wanted sons because a son could fight wars for the tribe. A woman was a mere responsibility
and gave nothing.
V) There was an ingrained shortage of food in Arabia and fathers wanted sons because they could feed the
family while women were just another mouth to feed.
Female infanticide is still practiced in parts of Rajhastan Desert in India, in parts of China, and in many
other places.
Women after Islam:
Islam gave women the right to acquire knowledge, own wealth and property, express ones opinion,
choose her husband, custody of children and participate in the promotion of good and elimination of evil.
Islam gave women a highly dignified and respectable place in society as mothers, daughters, sisters and
wives, so much so that the Holy Quran says that Paradise lies under the feet of the mother. The Holy
Quran further says: And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother
bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years give
thanks to Me and to your parents, -- unto Me is the final destination. (31:14)

Women are compared to prayer and perfume by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) who also
said:

 The world and all things in it are precious, and the most precious thing in the world is a virtuous
woman. (Ahmad and Muslim)
A man came to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and asked: O Messenger of Allah, who is the person who has
the greatest right on me with regards to kindness and attention? He replied: Your mother. Then
Who? He replied: Your mother. Then who? He replied: Your mother. Then who? He replied:
Your father. (Ahmad and Abu Dawud)
Whoever looks after two girls till they reach maturity, he and I will enter Paradise together like these
two (fingers). (Muslim and Tirmizi)
Islam gave women their own identity.
Women and men are equal in the eyes of Allah.

All acts of worship (e.g. Salat, fasting, Zakat, Hajj etc) are equally binding on women.
All commandments and prohibitions about doing good, shunning evil, guarding ones modesty, not
committing theft etc. are equally applicable to women.
Women and men will be equally accountable for their deeds on the Day of Judgement. They will get
equal and similar rewards and punishments.
The Holy Quran says:
And whoever does righteous good deeds, male or female, and is a (true) believer [in the Oneness of
Allah] , such will enter Paradise and not the least injustice, even to the size of a Naqira (speck on the back
of a date stone), will be done to them.(4:124)
Whoever works righeousness whether male or female while he (or she) is a true believer (of
Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and
lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to
do (i.e., Paradise in the Hereafter). (16:97)
The believers, men and women, are Auliya (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another;
they enjoin (on the people) Al-Maruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and
forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e., polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has
forbidden); they offer their prayers perfectly (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give the Zakat, and obey Allah and
His Messenger. Allah will have His Mercy on them. Surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise. (9:71)

Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam) men and women, the believers men and
women (who believe in Islamic Monotheism), the men and the women who are obedient (to Allah), the
men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and the women who are patient (in
performing all the duties which Allah has ordered and in abstaining from all that Allah has forbidden), the
men and the women who are humble (before their Lord Allah), the men and the women who give
Sadaqat (i.e. Zakat and alms), the men and the women who observe Saum (fast) (the obligatory fasting
during the month of Ramzan, and the optional Nawafil fasting), the men and the women who guard their
chastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the men and the women who remember Allah much with their
hearts and tongues (while sitting, standing, lying, etc.); Allah has prepared for them foregivness and a
great reward (i.e., Paradise). (33:35)
Man and woman are equal in all matters except in:
I) Acting as witness in the court of law.
II) Share of inheritance.
III) A woman cannot act as Imam of a congregation of males in congregational prayer.
Allah has placed women under the guardianship of men.

Women can own and possess property, enter into professions and services, join industry or trade and enter
into contracts in their own names. It is given in the book titled Great Women in Islam at page 16 by
Mahmood Ahmad Ghazanfar that the women Companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) practiced the
practical or survival skills as we know them today. Agriculture, business, trade and commerce, writing
editing, cottage industries like weaving, manufacture, and designing of clothes all these are mentioned
in the Masnad (collection of Ahadis) of Imam Ahmad. The first wife of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Hazrat
Khadija, was a very successful business woman and she used to send caravans to different countries.
Khawlah, Maleekah, Saqafiyah and bint Fakharia used to trade in the oriental oil-based perfumes known
as `Itar. Among the immigrants, or Muhajir as they were known, Asma used to do farming. A number of
ladies were highly educated and skilled in the arts of penmanship and calligraphy while Hazrat Umme
Salma used to recite the Holy Quran with Tajweed which was a difficult skill and much appreciated.
The Holy Quran and Ahadis both enjoin upon men and women to seek knowledge:
Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe and those who have been granted knowledge.
(58:11)
Allah makes the way to Paradise easy for him who treads the path in search of knowledge. (Muslim)
He who goes forth in seach of knowledge will be in Allahs way until he returns. (Tirmizi)
Acquirng knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim. (At-Tabarani)

Islam gives women great rights regarding inheritance, marriage and divorce.
Inheritance:
Women, as daughters, sisters, widows and mothers receive inheritance from males.
Islam gives men double the share of women. However, they also have the added burden of the
responsibility of winning bread for the family.
By giving women inheritance and possessions, Islam has removed womens status as a burden on
society.
Islam also protects the widows children by giving them the right of inheritance and gives strict
instructions on gentle treatment of orphans.
Marriage:
The Arabic word for marriage is nikah, which means uniting.
Marriage in Islam is a sacred, civil contract.
Temporary and companionate marriages are unlawful.

Purpose of marriage:
I) To safeguard ones morals.
II) To check adultery and illicit relationships.
III) To destroy the evil practice of keeping mistresses.
VI) To preserve the creation of God and keep the traditions of religion, culture and civilization.
Men should marry as soon as they can support a wife because marriage guards ones morals.
A man is the supreme authority of the home. He is to be held responsible for the conduct of his
dependants.
A man can marry
A man cannot marry (his)

Chaste Muslim women.

Chaste women among the People of the
Book (Christians, Jews).
Chaste women among their prisoners of
war.

Idolatresses.
Mother and grandmother, grandgrandmother (paternal or maternal)
Daughter or granddaughter.
Niece or grandniece.
Aunt or great-aunt (maternal and paternal).
Daughter-in-law, daughter-in-laws
daughter
Sister

I) Attains her own dignified position.

II) She becomes a member of the bridegrooms family.
III) She gets dower.
IV) She gets a share in the property of her husband.
V) She can remarry in case of husbands death and give away his property in alms or to her deserving
relatives.
VI) In case of serious conflicts, she has a right of divorce and can remarry.
Women are not bound to maintain their husbands or children.
Women have a right to divorce their husbands (Khul) but must forgo all or part of their dower.
If a man divorces his wife, he shall have to support her during her period of Iddat (when she cannot
remarry).
Divorced mothers are given custody of their children. A man cannot take away her son if he is under 7
years of age or her daughter if she is less than 11 years old.
In a mans lifetime, it is mandatory upon him that before dying, he should make arrangements to
maintain and provide residence to his widow for one year.
After a mans death, his relatives cannot inherit his widow.
The Holy Quran on equality of men and women:
And women have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable.
If any do deeds of righteousness, be they male or female, and have faith, they will
enter Heaven and not the least bit of injustice will be done to them.
The Holy Quran on Marriage:
Marry such women as seem good to you.
And you are permitted to marry virtuous women who are believers and virtuous women of those who
have received the Scriptures before you.
They are your garments and ye are their garments.
Ahadith on Marriage:
O young men, those among you who can support a wife should marry, for it restrains the eyes and
preserves one from immorality.
When a man enters into matrimonial contract, he has indeed made his religion half
perfect. Then let him fear for the remaining half.
Divorce:
Arabic word for divorce is Talaq.
Divorce is a necessary evil in Islam.

 A man can divorce whenever he wants. However, he cannot do so in the period of his wifes
menstruation.
A man can divorce a woman three times in one sitting or he can divorce her only once during a period of
Tuhr thus completing the divorce over three months. He can, if he wants, revoke the divorce after two
pronouncements.
If at the time of divorce the wife is pregnant, it is the duty of the husband to keep her in his house till she
is relieved of this burden.
After completely divorcing a woman, he cannot take back the dower that he has given to her.
A woman can claim divorce from her husband if:
I) His whereabouts are not known for a long time.
II) He has neglected her or failed to provide her maintenance.
III) If he has more than one wife and he does not treat her with equality.
IV) He has not been able to perform his marital obligations for 3 years.
V) He has been insane for two years or has been suffering from leprosy or some virulent disease.
VI) Her husband treats her with cruelty.
VII) Her husband associates with evil women or leads a notorious life.
VIII) He obstructs her in the observance of her religious duties and attempts to force her into an immoral
life.
A marriage is straight away dissolved if:
I) A Muslim man married a Christian or a Jew but she later becomes a fire-worshipper or an atheist etc.
II) If
A man is not permitted to marry the sister of the woman he has divorced during the period of Iddat of the
divorced woman.
either of the two indulge in apostasy from Islam.
The Holy Quran on Divorce:
And if they do separate, Allah will compensate each out of His abundance. Allah, is
ever Extensive (and) Wise.
Ahadis on Divorce:
The most repugnant of things made lawful in the sight of Allah is divorce.
There is no divorce and no emancipation by force.
A woman who seeks divorce from her husband without any cause will not be
entitled to go to Paradise
Polygamy:
Muhammad (PBUH) did not introduce polygamy. It was practiced by Hindus, French, Germans and
Romans, Greeks and Egyptians before Islam.
Unlimited polygamy where a man could keep as many wives as he wished was rampant before the
arrival of Muhammad (PBUH). Islam limits number of wives a man can keep to 4 and imposes strict rules
for fair and equal treatment of each.
Monogamy is preferred in Islam and is the general rule.
Islam does not prescribe polygamy. It just gives it a legal status.
Polygamy is usually prescribed for certain situations:
Situation

Remarks

1. To take proper care of orphans.

2. Lack of men.

3. Childless parents.

Marrying their mother will make them your own children a

get a just treatment.
E.g. after Uhud, the 70 Muslim martyrs left hundreds of de
orphans. To take care of them, Muhammad (PBUH) declar
legal. Thus, the orphans and widows were given proper she
home.
A childless man has a chance to continue his line.

To be polygamous, a man must:

I) Earn sufficient income to maintain every wife.
II) Hand out equal treatment in material and immaterial things.
Through his wives, Muhammad (PBUH) delivered the Message of Allah to the women of Arabia.