Status of Women in Islam

I. How does Islam see woman?

Islam sees woman as an individual who is equal to man. There is no distinction between them. They were created from one soul, and they were given one duty, namely the worship of Allah (SWT). In addition they were asked to behave well among them according to the Islam Instructions.

Allah (swt) says:

"Whoever works righteousness whether male 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)." (V.16: 97)

‘Dr. Souhaib Hassan’ said in his book ‘The rights and duties of women in Islam’: ‘’Allah (SWT) created them both and knows the biological difference between a man and a woman better than we do, and has thus assigned to men and women the roles that each excels in due to its nature’’. (P: 5)

Men and women are equal, but each one of them has a role that should be fulfilled so as to complete the other. Every man and woman should work hard to satisfy the other respecting their nature as being male or female, and according to what Allah (SWT) created them for.

II. The value of woman in Islam

Islam has preserved the woman from her birth until her death (when she becomes an elderly).

1.         Woman as a baby

The prophet (SAAW) said

"Whoever looks after two girls till they reach maturity, he and I will enter paradise together like these two (fingers).” (Muslim and Attirmidhi)

2.         Woman as a wife