Rights of Women in Islam

 

We all know how things worked in the dark ages and how females were treated back then. With the advent of Islam the status of females changed. This article is about the certain rights that changed the life of the females entirely. Read this article to understand that the problems still persist for the females due to ignorance of the real ‘Rights and simultaneous Duties’.

 

 

In pre-Islamic Arabia the status of women was poor and conditions were terrible. Citing practises of female infanticide, treated like slaves or property and their personal consent concerning anything related to their well being was considered unimportant. They were used for one purpose and then discarded, having no independence, no right to inheritance and in times of war treated as a part of the prize.

In fact the birth of a daughter in a family was not considered as a happy occasion, but was regarded with humiliation. Female infanticide was a common practice and with the advent of Islam was condemned by Quran in the following verse:

“And when the news of (the birth of) a female (child) is brought to any of them, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with inward grief! He hides himself from the people because of the evil of that whereof he has been informed. Shall he keep her with dishonour or bury her in the earth? Certainly, evil is their decision.” (An- Nahl 16:58-59)

Not just in Arabia, but conditions were no better in other parts of the world either, including the Indian Sub-Continent and all European countries. Women in all over the world during the dark ages were treated worse than slaves. They were regarded not as human beings but something lower than the animals.

 But Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny), however, granted women rights of inheritance, property ownership, education, marriage and divorce, providing women all the basic safeguards to elevate their status in the society. Islam being the first religion ever, to give such rights to women that was not previously given to her by any other faith.

In regards to Respecting a Woman the Messenger of God, Prophet Muhammad (PUBH) said:

“Observe your duty to Allah in respect to the women, and treat them well.”

Most importantly in Islam the most basic right of a woman is the knowledge and recognition that she never has to ask nor demand, neither fight for her rights which are guaranteed to her by her creator Allah Himself.

The Holy Quran speaks of gender equality in the following verse:

“…and women have rights similar to those against them in a just manner...” (2:228)

Despite the fact, that a woman has been given so many Rights by Allah, unfortunately still seems to be oppressed in this 21^st Century. We are no longer living in the dark ages but still we see and hear a woman fighting for her basic rights, which has been snatched away from her or simply being deprived of by the hands of society. How come all the teachings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (PUBH) and his Holy household regarding the treatment of Women and their rights are completely being ignored by some so called Muslim Societies/Islamic Countries?

 

Why issues like Domestic Abuse and oppression of women by unjust Scholars (Darbari Mulla) are becoming more and more common? Although in Islam Domestic violence is highly condemned and strictly forbidden. But still women around the world are being physically, mentally, financially, sexually and psychologically abused on a regular basis and people try to justify it under the banner of Islam. Why are the majority of Islamic Scholars not taking this issue seriously?

The interpretations of the Holy Quran are often manipulated according to the selfish desires of these so called Ministers of Religion, in order to oppress the women and keep them under their power and control.

In Islam a woman is under no obligation to earn a living and support her husband and children, but still thousand of women around the globe are being forced or pressurised to work and spend some or the entire salary on their husbands, in-laws or household. In Islam the Husband has to provide for the family and maintain the finances, not the other way round. The Quran states:

“Men are the maintainers and protectors of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women).” (4.34)

 

Giving the woman Dowry in the form of “Maher” at the time of marriage is an important obligation for a Man. But in today’s society we see the opposite; the Man or his side of the family demanding Dowry from the Bride or her side of the family. How un-Islamic is that?

 

Female Circumcision is forbidden in Islam, but still many people around the world practise this forbidden act under the name of Islam.

 

Acquiring knowledge and education is incumbent on every single Man and Woman in Islam, so why are girls still in present days and age being deprived of their basic right to educate themselves in many parts of the world?

 

Women share in full humanity with men so why are they being treated as third class citizens and still have to struggle on a daily basis for basic things like food, clothing and shelter. The right to choose a marriage partner or the right to divorce have clearly been given to her and mentioned in the Holy Quran and Prophetic Traditions but still we all know how many women around the world are suffering because the so called Scholars who have the authority to help a woman get her right are deliberately or intentionally depriving her of this right by telling her that she does not have any such rights.

 

Isn’t it high time that something should be done to spread awareness amongst our community regarding the rights of women and how they can attain them without being oppressed or manipulated?