Recently updated on September 6th, 2017
The status of women is always a critical issue earlier to the enactment of Islam. The controversy still lies. Few sects of the society the first which strikes the mind regarding the Status of Women in Islam, role and rights in Hijab are oppressed, unjust cruelty and harming dignity.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Bismillah hirRahman nirRaheem
With The Name of ALLAH, The Beneficent and The Merciful
SallALLAHU ‘Ala Mu’hammad SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam
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Women Status in Islam and Her Role and Rights Including Hijab
Introduction of Status of Women in Islam, Role and Rights in Hijab
The status of women is always a critical issue earlier to the enactment of Islam. The controversy still lies. Few sects of the society the first which strikes the mind regarding the Status of Women in Islam, role and rights in Hijab are oppressed, unjust cruelty and harming dignity. Vice-versa what lies beneath. Status of Women in Islam, role and rights in Hijab are beautifully described in The Noble Qur’an: Our Beloved Prophet SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam says that- Narrated Abu Huraira: ALLAH’s Apostle said, “Treat women nicely, for a women is created from a rib, and the most curved portion of the rib is its upper portion, so, if you should try to straighten it, it will break, but if you leave it as it is, it will remain crooked. So treat women nicely.”
In another lovely Hadith and in the Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 62: Wedlock, Marriage (Nikah), Number 113: Narrated Abu Huraira: ALLAH’s Apostle said, “The woman is like a rib; if you try to straighten her, she will break. So if you want to get benefit from her, do so while she still has some crookedness.”
Earlier to the emergence of Islam treating women as an object was a commonly found tradition. Islam has spread the light of awareness for the entire humanity. The status of women being enumerated and dignified. The sacred teachings of The Holy Qur’an and Ahadith. People started following Islam. Rights of the women in Islam has been vested securely, since the 7th century of the civilization. On the pages of the history, prior to the enactment of Islam, the girl child were buried alive in the region of Arab. Women were considered as a property which can be transferable on the basis of requirements. Thereupon, It has also been discovered that the status of women in Islam is ruined, role and rights in Hijab has no survival and need to the people. Polygamy, the best example here which was the worst term used contemporary. They were just used as an object to have a sex with with no role any further.
Islam stressed on the status of women in Islam, role and rights in Hijab with a high dignity. They are needed to be honored, they have a high dignity, moreover in the eyes of ALLAH Subhanahu Wata ‘Ala also. Islam provided freedom and rights to women in every aspect of life where required legibly. A Muslim women has all the rights of education, to work, to safeguard her own life, to decide the best for her own and even she can sell her own property on her own will. A Muslim women is encouraged to seek protection under the prevalent laws, to marry with of their own choice, to retain her identity even after marriage and to get a divorce when against her bad husband. Whereas, not only she has rights but also it is her duty to take care of home and her children.
Women are Equal to Men for ALLAH Ta’ala
An Equivocal Theory
Usually, if we compare both of them as a human being they are equal. There should be an equality between men and women is possible. These are genuine biological features because both are human, with similar kind of souls, brains, hearts, lungs, limbs, hands, thoughts etc. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (May ALLAH Have mercy on him) said: “Here we should note that there are some people who speak of equality instead of justice, and this is a mistake. We should not say equality, because equality implies no differentiation between the two. Because of this unjust call for equality, they started to ask, what is the difference between male and female?’ So they made males and females the same, and then the communists said, ‘What difference is there between ruler and subject? No one has any authority over anyone else, not even fathers and sons; the father has no authority over his son,’ and so on.
It has been beautifully mentioned by ALLAH Ta’ala in The Holy Qur’an in Surah Al Nahl, 16:90:
“Verily, ALLAH enjoins Al‑‘Adl (i.e. justice)”
If we talk about the equality of men and women we should see from the perspective of justice. In another marvelous verse Al-Nis’a, 4:58 of The Holy Qur’an, ALLAH Subhanahu Wata ‘Ala has said: “and that when you judge between men, you judge with justice” Status of Women in Islam, Role and Rights in Hijab
There are certain fundamentals of not treating both of them equally, which is absolutely true in it’s entirety. Being in charge of the household which is also known as Qiwaamah. ALLAH says in The Holy Qur’an, in Surah Al-Nis’a 4:34, (interpretation of the meaning): “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because ALLAH has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means”
Ibn Katheer (May ALLAH have mercy on him) said: “ALLAH says ‘Men are the protectors and maintainers of women’ meaning that the man is in charge of the woman, i.e., he is the leader and head of the household, the one who disciplines her if she goes astray.
In Islam, women are not inferior or unequal to men. Islam has honored a dignified status and respect to the women in every relationship in this world. Such beneficent rights of women can be used to enjoy a pious, happy and peaceful life as a Muslim women should live. In The Noble Qur’an, ALLAH says in the chapter entirely about the status of women in Islam, role and rights in Hijab. Which is a guidance and the suggested way towards the Janna’h for a Muslim women. Status of Women in Islam, Role and Rights in Hijab
Moreover, ALLAH Subhanahu Wata ‘Ala has directly addressed women throughout The Noble Qur’an repetitively related to various aspects. Islam predicates that men and women, are born in a pure state. This is a duty of a true Muslim to preserve this purity by avoiding evil tendencies and enhancing their inner beauty by adopting virtuous path. According to ALLAH Subhanahu Wata ‘Ala both men and women are equal in some aspects. In The Noble Qur’an, ALLAH Subhanahu Wata ‘Ala says, ” Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most rightous of you.” (49:13). In another verse in The Noble Qur’an, ALLAH Subhanahu Wata ‘Ala says, “ 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.”(16:97). ALLAH Subhanahu Wata ‘Ala in HIS perfect wisdom created all species in pairs, and so men and women have been created of the same species. ALLAH Subhanahu Wata ‘Ala says: “He created you from a single being; then of the same kind made its mate.” (39:7).
ALLAH Subhanahu Wata ‘Ala has created men and women with unique physiological and psychological attributes. Though, these differences are necessary to be adopted for the formation of a healthy family and community in this perishable world. Status of Women in Islam, Role and Rights in Hijab
Women are Equal to Men in Terms of Worship and Punishments of the Afterlives
In Holy Qur’an, looped several times that woman is spiritually equal to man.
With regard to many acts of worshiping ALLAH Ta’ala. There are number of instances where we can find both of them equal in Islam. Few of them are: Status of Women in Islam, Role and Rights in Hijab
- Women performs an ablution (Wuzoo) in the same way as man do.
- They perform a ritual bath (Ghusl) as men do.
- They pray in the same manner as men do.
- They fast similarly as men do except when they are menstruating in their periods or bleeding post their childbirth.
- Women also pay Alms (Zakah) as men pay.
- They go for a Hajj and perform in a similar way as men do except for a few differences in the rulings.
- It is permissible and acceptable to buy from a woman, and if a woman gives charity, that is permissible.
- It is permissible for a woman also to set free the slaves if she owns any similarly for men.
- There are many other similar cases because women are the twin halves of men, as it says in the Hadith
ALLAH Ta’ala has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.”(33:36). There will be an equality in the distribution of rewards to both men and women hereafter:“Who does good whether male or female, and is a believer, shall enter Paradise and they shall not be wronged a whit.”(4:125)
Women Rights in Property
Women have the right for the ownership of a property.They have a right on the money, real estate and the whole property. They may buy or sell their property any time. The status of being single or married does not effect their rights. They have also a right to inherit a property like men. Either as a mother or daughter, sister or wife, she has an absolute right on property.A woman inherits half the share of her brother.It is an obligation of a man or brother to support her mother, sister, wife, children and children of his sister also,if there is such a need to do so. But there is no such obligation for a woman. Status of Women in Islam, Role and Rights in Hijab
Political Rights of Women in Islam
In the beginning of Islam, at the time of Prophet Hazrat Mohammed peace be upon him, Muslim men and women were chosen to join the prophet’s army to fight against his enemies.At that time the men and women, equally, would take bayat with the prophet, voting and choosing Him as a political leader.This was the result of the teachings and support of our Prophet Hazrat Mohammed peace be upon him that men and women were having equal rights and positions in all the aspects of life. He not only promoted human rights but also encouraged individuals to stand for their own rights.Thus the women can cast votes and participate in the political affairs of the society.
Women’s Education and Employment in Islam
Education is now a necessary part for human being to live a good life, why not for women? As our Beloved Prophet Mu’hammsd SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam declared that the pursuit of knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim regardless of men and women. Shari’ah allowed women to seek employment if they are in need. There are no restrictions for them to go out of the home and work, a prescribed way of Hijab. It’s the responsibility of a man to encourage his wife and support her. The most noble professions for women are nursing, teaching and medicine. Hazrat Khadija-Tul-Kubra, The first wife of Our Beloved Prophet Mu’hammad SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam, was also a trader. Status of Women in Islam, Role and Rights in Hijab
Women’s Social Rights in Islam
Women as a daughter, wife and mother played a vital and pivotal role in Islamic and withing Shari’ah. As our Beloved Prophet Mu’hammad SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam said: “Men are the support of women.”
Women in the role of a daughter
The significance of women as a daughter has well explained by our Holy Prophet SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam, “He who brings up his daughters well, and makes no distinction between them and his his sons, will be close to me in Paradise.” We extract an example of how and why to respect women? Our Beloved Prophet SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam is always a role model for us. Hazrat Fatima, the daughter of our Beloved Prophet SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam was well educated and highly dignified. She wears Hijab and no outsider has seen her even at the time of her death. It is said that whenever Sayyedina Fatima RadiALLAHU Anha entered the room, The Prophet SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam could stand and give his seat to her. Her sacrifices for the protection and support of human rights were one of the most praise worthy acts of her life. Our Beloved Prophet SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam said: ” Be just among your children, daughters and sons, provide them good education and proper upbringing.’ Thus it becomes a religious duty for every men to honor women and to show a justified behavior for their sons and daughters. Status of Women in Islam, Role and Rights in Hijab
Women in the Role of a Wife
It’s a duty of every husband to fulfill all the needs of his wife along with his entire dependents. The up keeping of household is a mere responsibility of husbands even when the wife is well off. If a married woman has some financial resources and she contributes either a portion or a full of her means for up keeping of household, it will be on her own free will and not a binding decision. Beautifully said in a Hadith: Once The Holy Prophet SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam advised a woman to spend money out of her own means for charity. Thereafter two women both bearing the name of Zainab, one of them was the wife of well known companion Abdullah bin Masood, came to Him and told Him that their respective husbands doesn’t have sufficient means. While they both have their own rights better than those. Would it be an act of spiritual merit if they assist their husbands out of their own means? The Holy Prophet SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam assured them their spending on their husbands would have a double merit, as it would rank both as charity and generosity.”
Wives of Our Beloved Prophet Mu’hammad SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam, chronologically:
- Khadijah binte Khuwailid
- Sawdah
- Aisha binte Abu Bakr
- Hafsah binte Umar al Khattab
- Zainab binte Jahsh
- Zainab Umm-al-Masaakeen
- Juwairiyyah
- Saffiyah
- Umme-Salamah
- Umme-Habibah
- Maimunah
Women and Marriage in Islam
Marriage is a legal contract between man and woman that is based on mutual consent, love, peace and compassionate to win the pleasure of ALLAH Ta’ala. At-Tirmidhi Hadith 3096 Narrated by Anas ibn Malik, ALLAH’s Messenger SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam said, “When a man marries he has fulfilled half of the deen; so let him fear ALLAH regarding the remaining half.”
In another Hadith, “Marriage is my sunnah, who turns aside from it is not of me.”
A woman has the right to choose her life partner on her own free will. If she expresses her consent her parents can go further. Else, it is mandatory to marry her with her own choice of a man and vice-versa. She may accept or reject the marriage proposals and without her approval, no one can marry her forcefully. To force a woman for marriage against her will for any illegible causes is totally forbidden in Islam and hated by ALLAH Ta’ala. It is narrated that; at the time of marriage proposal of Hazrat Fatima Radi ALLAHU Anha who is The Daughter of ALLAH’s Messenger SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam, when Hazrat Ali offered the marriage proposal for Hazrat Fatima Radi ALLAHU Anha, ALLAH’s Messenger SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam, asked Fatima Radi ALLAHU Anha first for her decision then responded to Hazrat Ali.
“He it is who has created you from a single soul and made there from its mate, so that the male might incline towards the female and find comfort in her.” (7:190). As ALLAH Ta’ala says about Himself in The Holy Quran, “And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find traquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy…” (30:21]
ALLAH’s Messenger Mu’hammad SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam is a role model for humanity. He showed an example of-
- Being helpful in the household affairs;
- Treating His family with love, care and compassion;
- How to handle a business well;
- How to worship ALLAH Subhanahu Wata ‘Ala; and
- Helping others selflessly;
ALLAH’s Messenger Mu’hammad SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam showed a due respect and honor to His wives and never treated them harshly ever in His life. The Prophet SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam said: “The most perfect of the believers in faith is he who is the best of them in conduct, and the best of you in conduct are those who are best to their wives.” (At Tirmidhi)
Shari’ah established dower (Mehr) as a condition of marriage (Nikah). Dower (Mehr) is an obligation of every Muslim husband required mandatory to pay when she demands. It could be in cash, kind or credit and this is totally on the sole discretion of the wife. It is also known as a gift to the wife from her husband at the time of in the form of marriage contract. Dower (Mehr) is meant to protect the rights of women in Islam. Men and women both are advised to give charity and therefore a wife has a right to give charity from the portion of her husband’s income. As it is well explained from the Hadith of Our Beloved Prophet Mu’hammad SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam: “A woman will receive reward (from ALLAH) even when she gives charity from her husband’s income.”
Women in the Role of a Mother
Woman as a mother, a loving human for her children. Mother and child a sacred and selfless relation ever made in this entire universe. She nourished the fetus in her womb for nine months. A women bears all the pain and transform into another role from wife to mother, she brings up a new life to this world. Our Beloved Prophet SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam said, “Paradise lies under the feet of mothers”. According to this Hadith mothers have the highest rank in honor and respect in Islam globally. On another occasion, a man repeatedly asked Beloved Prophet SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam “Who amongst the people is the most worthy of my good companionship?” Each time, The Beloved Prophet SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam replied, ” Your mother”. When the man asked for the fourth time, He replied, “your father”. For ALLAH Subhanahu Wata ‘Ala, one of the praise worthy act is to treat your mother with intense love, respect and honor. Even your misbehaved eyes towards your mother can drag you to the hell (Ja’hnnam).
Divorcing a Women in Islam
In Islam and Shari’ah it is a right of women that she can ask for a divorce. A women can demand a divorce only if her husband is not fulfilling his duties reasonably and legibly. The duties could be in any manner it may be physically or sole fully.
The fundamental principle relevant to this is the verse Al-Baqarah, #2:229 of The Holy Qur’an in which ALLAH Ta’ala says (interpretation of the meaning): “And it is not lawful for you (men) to take back (from your wives) any of your Mahr (bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage) which you have given them, except when both parties fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by Allaah (e.g. to deal with each other on a fair basis). Then if you fear that they would not be able to keep the limits ordained by Allaah, then there is no sin on either of them if she gives back (the Mahr or a part of it) for her Al-Khul‘ (divorce)”
If husband and wife are not in a healthy and happy relationship after their marriage. They can ask for divorce. Whereas, it has neither liked by ALLAH Ta’ala. The Holy Qur’an never encouraged the divorce. However, it is permissible to do so but under certain terms and conditions. In Islam, one may initiate the divorce proceedings if there is a legible and genuine cause behind this action. It is extremely painful for the couple to go through the legal proceedings of divorce and alimony. It becomes pretty hard if they have children. Islam has given the right of custody of children to women. In case of a son, he will stay with his mother till the age of seven to nine years. After that the father will take the custody of his son. In case of a daughter, she will remain with her mother until she get married.
Women in Islam and Polygamy
Hated concept of the older times. However, it is allowed in Islam to marry more than one women but this is far more better concept than a polygamy. Which has a corrupted and cruel incidents in the History of Islam. There are certain mandatory conditions which needs to be fulfilled. Along with this the number of wives is limited to four now. Polygamy means a system of marriage where a person may have more than one wife. Islam focused on “monogamy ” that means “marry to one only’. Status of Women in Islam, Role and Rights in Hijab
The causes and the sub way for a Muslim man to marry more than one woman
- Justice
The first condition for marrying more than one wife is justice. There must be a proper justice among all the wives. It includes the fulfillment of all the necessities of life like food, clothes and home (shelter). There should be an equality of behavior towards all wives without being partial. However, it doesn’t include the aspects like love and liking because they are not controllable. There may be more attraction and affection for one wife as compared to the other wives. It is not prohibited because Islam never place a burden on man greater than he can bear.
- Competent to Maintain a Family
In Islam, marrying more than one wife is permissible for a man if he is capable of fulfilling the household needs and other basic expenditures of all his wives. Else, he is not allowed for this. The Holy Quran, Chapter 4 Al-Nisa, verse #3 states: “If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if you feel that you shall not be able to deal justly ( with them), then only one, or that which your right hands possess. That will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.”
Our Beloved Prophet SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam had 11 wives (as mentioned in most of Hadith). All of them were either widows or divorced. He didn’t marry with any women for the purpose of physical desire. Rather His all marriages had a great wisdom behind them. Thus created benchmarks for the marriages permissible in Islam, for Ummah. The purpose behind these marriages was to safeguard the lives of widows to prevent them from being treated harshly and with cruelty, aiming to spread the message of Islam across the barriers of the countries.
What else can be concluded?
Least but not last, Islam the widely spreading religion at a very rapid rate, crossing international borders around the planet. Islam from the scratch of it’s existence has always focused on protecting the rights of women and providing a special privileges to them. There are so many chapters and verses said by ALLAH Azzawajal in The Holy Qur’an regarding each and every aspect of women and their vested rights. Moreover, the teachings of HIS Beloved Messenger and Our Lovely Prophet SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam which we have in the form of Hadith and Sunnah. A compliance if made, sufficient for the entire civilizations to follow the right path of salvation, the sacred guide of Our Holy Prophet and The Prince SallALLAHU Alayhe Wasallam, path of ALLAH Zille Shanahu. A women, being your daughter, ALLAH showers mercy on your entire home, a women being a sister, helps and supports you when you need, a women takes care of your home when you are out to earn, a women fights with a deadly pain when she delivers her child. A women sacrifices at each significant moment of her life. A men can earn a reward, and can earn a Janna’h, for himself through his loving mother. Janna’h, the ultimate place in our destiny for entire Ummah, Insha ALLAH Ta’ala. Status of Women in Islam, Role and Rights in Hijab
Love your mom, your sis, your daughter, your wife is all about loving a women!