Introduction :
Islam has granted women a high status and position . Islam has made honor of women obligatory and issued orders for protection of women’s rights .In Islam , there is command to fear ALLAH regarding treatment of women . Islam commands good treatment of women .
Historical Context :
Before Islam , women were treated cruelly , had no importance ,and were used like worthless things . Women were considered lowly , their rights were usurped and they were treated worse than slaves. They had no respect as daughters , wives or mothers .The birth of daughter in a man’s house was considered a crime , people would mercilessly bury their own daughters alive . They considered raising daughters a humiliation and took pride in sons . There was no respect for women .Hazrat Muhammad ( peace be upon him ) came and granted women the status they deserved . He gave daughters right to live , comanded good treatment of wives and mothers and granted women their rightful due . He proved through his words and actions that women are worthy of respect and their disrecpect is not to be tolerated in any form . He declared women equal to men.
Right of Education :
Achieving education is a fundamental right of every human being .Depriving anyone of this right is not justified in any way . The education of a man is the education of one person , but the education of a woman is education of whole family . A woman’s education refines the whole generation and has ability to improve future of generations .Before Islam there was no concept of women’s education .Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him ) made people aware of importance of women’s education . During his time , he designated a day specifically for education and upbringing of women .The Prophet’s wives and daughters were also educated .
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H ) said :
“ Seeking knowledge is obligatory for every muslim man and woman ”(Ibn Majah )
Another Hadith highlighting the importance of education is :
“The ink of scholar is more sacred than blood of martyr ”(Tirmidhi )
Another hadith emphasizing importance of women’s knowledge is :
“ Seek knowledge from cradle to grave ”(Bukhari )
Right to Marry : according to their choice
In Islam , women are equal to men . Islam gives women the right to marry according to their own choice . Islam does not impose any restrictions on a woman’s choice of marriage . Even Prophet Muhammad’s (P.B.U.H) first wife Hazrat Khadija took the initiative to send the marriage proposal . If today’s Muslims deprive women of there rights , it is not fault of Islam . Rather ,Islam’s clear guidance is that a woman is herself authorized to marry according to her own will .
Importance of guardian :
Although permisssion of guardian (wali ) is very important in woman’s marriage and without it marriage does not take place . Islamic teachings clearly state that a women’s consent must be obtained before her marriage or engagment , and no step should be taken against her will .
Right of Divorce :
In Islam , divorce is considered a disliked act, but it has not been declared forbidden .In Islam , if the relationship between husband and wife has deteriorated to the point of incompatibility , the option of divorce is availale . Nowadays , among muslims , a woman who seeks divorce is not viewed favorably ,and divorce is considered an exrtreme act . However , in Islam , it is recognized that divorce is not forbidden . Hazrat Zaid , the adopted son of Prophet Muhammad , gave divorce to his wife Hazrat Zainab , which shows that divorce is not an impermissiable thing.On the other hand , a women is also allowed to take khula , which is type of diovrce initiated by women . If man does not want to give divorce and the woman does not want to continue the relationship , she can take khula. Islam fully permits this .
Right of Respect :
Prophet gave women status of wife , mother, daughter and sister the positions they deserved . A hadith about raising daughter is :
Abu Hurairah narrated that the messanger of ALLAH said :
“ Whoever has three daughters and he is patient with them ,feeds them , gives them drink and clothes them from his wealth , paradise is guaranted for him ” A man asked : “ O Messenger of ALLAH , what if he has only one daughter ”. He replied “ Even if he has one daughter ”(Tirmidhi )
Abu hurrairah narrated that a man came to Messenger of ALLAH and said :
“ O Messenger of ALLAH , who among people is mot deserving of my good companionship ?” .He replied : “ your mother ”. The man asked three times, and at fourth Prophet replied “ your father ”.
Aishah narrated Prophet said :
“ The best of you is the one who is best to his family , and I am best of you to my family ”.(Tirmidhi )
Inheritance :
Islam has given women a rightful share in inheritance.Qur’anic ayah about women’s inheritance rights:
“For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much — a legal share.”
Islam has ordained that a woman is to receive half the share of a man (her brother) from their father’s inheritance.And after the husband’s death, the woman (wife) has the right to receive one-eighth (1/8) share from his inheritance.Islam has not deprived the woman in this matter either.
Conclusion :
From the above points, it is concluded that Islam has granted women freedom in all matters and provided them with fundamental rights. Islam has not given women fewer rights than men in any matter.Islam has given women a high and honorable status.Nowadays, many Muslims have abandoned the teachings of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) and have begun to oppress women in various ways. However, there are still Muslims who follow the teachings of Islam and grant their women all the rights they deserve.But according to the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, women have been granted a very good and honorable life.There is a need in today’s era for society to understand and follow the teachings of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, to give women their rightful rights, and not to deprive them of what they deserve.