Status of Woman in Islam

wilayattimes (Jammu and Kashmir)

Human being is in a process of attaining spiritual perfection in this world. For that Allah has given him freedom so that there would be no force on him/her to achieve his/her goal.

By Zulfiqar Ali Mir:

Human being is in a process of attaining spiritual perfection in this world. For that Allah has given him freedom so that there would be no force on him/her to achieve his/her goal. There is no difference put by Islam between man and woman in reaching the perfection. Whenever we look into the Quran that when it says to believe, it calls both equally by saying “O Mankind” and when it talks about piety or spirituality it calls both man and woman equally by saying “O you who believe”. Both are being inspired (provided with choice) for wickedness and righteousness. Woman is able to grow and develop so is man also. Man is having potential to attain spiritual perfection so a woman is also having. From time to time Prophet Muhammad(s) & his pure Progeny(s) described the status of woman.

Prophet Muhammad(s) said: “under the feet of Mother is heaven” – (نهج الفصاحه (تنظیم موضوعی)، ص 125.)

Imam Jafar Sadiq(a) said: “Whosoever marries a woman, must respect and honor her” – (بحار جلد 103 ص 224).

A big Challenge

In this era if feminism introduced by the west has caught the neck of the current generation, clearly it is because that we have not been successful in implementing Quran and Ahadith in our lives, as a result of which so called feminists got a chance to introduce their own views as the torch bearer of woman’s rights however Islam has always maintained a glorious status for woman. Islam is not against woman’s rights rather it advocates best rights for woman. Islam is a universal religion and a logical one, so now even if a feminist is introducing his/her logical views, it is by hook or by crook accepted otherwise illogical views have no place in Islam and humanity at large. One more thing that I want to add is that if a feminist questions some Islamic views, it doesn’t mean that there is no answer for that, rather it is their mental impotency that they understood it wrongly or they didn’t want to find its reason. A mullah or a cleric are not Islam but Quran and Ahadith are, so if the former one makes a mistake it doesn’t mean that Islam has fault besides, one should consult the real authority on Islam which is the prophet of Islam Muhammad(s) and his pure Progeny itself.

Roles of Woman in uplifting the society

The best example to make understand the role of a woman in society, I always keep in mind Fatima; the daughter of Prophet Muhammad(s). Despite her little age, she remains as a beacon for womanhood and a best example for a women in order to attain perfection in womanhood.

Woman as a mother in every situation, even in hardships takes care of her children, grows them up and becomes their very first mentor. If a woman is having piety and good intellect she can bring up her children in the best way possible. Lady Fatima(s) is a good example as a mother who gave birth and brought up her exemplary children; Imam Hasan(a), Imam Husain(a) and Lady Zainab(s). History bears witness for the excellent character of these three personalities. I can’t go deep here by describing their roles for humanity. So concluding that a woman if given, her rights, if not humiliated can be a best designer for a society by growing up her children in the best way possible.

Lady Fatima(s) in every aspect played a role even in the house of her father; the prophet of Islam. Along with the burden of household works, she stood up and was always there to help her father out. She was being always respected by her father for her piety, good acts and her modesty. So woman as a daughter has a potential not only to do household chores rather much more than that, to be a part of the family, love the family, care for the family, be there for the family. If a girl after completing her studies applies for a job she can help her family financially also. A girl is a respectful member of her family whose sanctity and honor relies on her sanctity and honor. Daughter when grown up perfectly, given respect and treated as Islam says becomes pride for her family.

A woman as a wife has a special role in the family. Obedience to her husband in family issues, preserving her own chastity and be loyal to her husband, adorn herself for his husband and keep herself safe while being outside. The same applies for a man too but with respect to his own situation as per being a man. A woman after marriage also becomes preserver of the estate and belongings of her husband. A family is like an institution which works by cooperation, cooperation of a husband and a wife. And if this cooperation comes to a standstill, there will be disorder in the family.

A family is like an institution which works by cooperation, cooperation of a husband and a wife. And if this cooperation comes to a standstill, there will be disorder in the family.

Woman in history has faced so much of oppression. There was a time when a woman was being seen as a servant in the family and what not, the baby daughter was being buried alive. Islam brought an end to this oppression and provided the woman with her actual rights. Today if we see the oppression on woman it is due to the lack of moralities. If we had understood a family and a woman on rational basis, we had not faced these difficulties in our societies today. Human beings can attain perfection by following a logical way. Woman has her own rights in the family and in the social life. By the humiliation of a woman be it a mother, a daughter or a wife, whosoever does this, degrades her image, takes her rights away and becomes a reason of her difficulties. As many religions I have studied regarding the status of a woman, they all give a huge respect to her. I have found Quran and Ahadith backing a woman on each stage of her life, supporting her and respecting her