The divine law that Islam brought, provided women with an honorable position. Such attention paid to the women’s issue is very important. It is important from the point of view of creating conditions of calm, comfort, happiness, procreation and progress. The Holy Quran emphasizes that Allah created all species in pairs, both men and women were created from the same substance.
Many of the negative stereotypes around women in Islam arise not from Islamic guidance but from cultural practices. This not only denigrate the rights and experiences of women, but also stand in direct opposition to the teachings of Allah (SWT) and His Prophet (PBUH).
Far from the stereotype of the voiceless and veiled Muslim woman, Shaykh Ibn Baaz argues,
There is no doubt that Islam came to honor to the woman, guard her, protect her from the wolves of mankind, secure her rights and raise her status.
According to Sharia, a woman is a living human being who has exactly the same soul as a man. This means that in terms of rights and duties, she is completely equal to a man before the Almighty Allah. The duties of women in Islam are the same as those of men in performing religious rites. They are daily prayers, fasting, obligatory donations to the poor, and pilgrimage. On the contrary, women in Islam have a special status and certain privileges-Islam facilitates their prescribed duties, taking into account the physiological characteristics of the female body.
One reliable Hadith, says that the true Paradise is under the feet of mothers. That is, the well-being of a Muslim man depends on the attitude to a woman. Women are entrusted with a great mission – to be a righteous wife and mother, to preserve the calm, peace and religion of the home, as well as the upbringing of the younger generation.
What Islam teaches us about gender equality
The Quran teaches us that Adam and Eve were created from the same soul. Both equally guilty, equally responsible, and equally valued. Being Muslims, we believe that all human beings are born in a pure state,both men and women. So we must try hard to preserve this purity through faith, as well as good intentions and deeds.
The idea of equality runs through other Islamic teachings, too. An important verse in the Quran says [1]
The men believers and the women believers are responsible for each other. They enjoin the good and forbid the evil, they observe prayers and give charitable alms and obey Allah and his Prophet
This verse shows us that men and women have equal responsibilities for observing Islamic teachings. Another Quranic verse lays out the status of women and men as equals, stating: [2]
To whoever, male or female, does good deeds and has faith, we shall give a good life and reward them according to the best of their actions
Read more about the role of Women in Islam here.
References
- The Quran 9:71 (Surah at-Tawbah)
- The Quran 16:97 (Surah an-Nahl)
