Women's liberation through Islam
Islam is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
Today people think that women are liberated in the West and that the women's
liberation movement began in the 20th century. Actually, the women's
liberation movement was not begun by women but was revealed by Allaah (God)
to a man in the seventh century by the name of Muhammad . The Quran and the
Traditions of the Prophet are the sources from which every Muslim woman
derives her rights and duties.
Human Rights:
Islam, fourteen centuries ago, made women equally accountable to Allaah in
glorifying and worshipping Him - setting no limits on her moral progress.
Also, Islam established a woman's equality in her humanity with men.
In the first verse of the chapter entitled "Women", Allaah Says (what
means):"O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single
person (Aadam), and from him (Aadam) He created his wife [Hawwaa (Eve)], and
from them both, He created many men and women and fear Allaah through Whom
you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs
(kinship). Surely, Allaah is Ever an All-Watcher over you." [Quran 4:1]
Since men and women both came from the same essence, they are equal in their
humanity. Women cannot be by nature evil (as some religions believes) or
then men would be evil also. Similarly, neither sex can be superior because
it would be a contradiction of equality. Allaah Says (which means): "O
mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into
nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most
honorable of you with Allaah is that (believer) who is the most pious of
you. Verily, Allaah is All-Knowing, All-Aware." [Quran 49:13]
Allaah also Says (what means): "Verily, the Muslims men and women, the
believers men and women, the men and women who are obedient (to Allaah), the
men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and
women who are humble (before their Lord), the men and women who give
charity, the men and women who observe fasting, the men and women who guard
their chastity (from illegal sexual acts), and the men and women who
remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues. Allaah has prepared for
them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)." [Quran 33:35]
Civil Rights:
In Islam, a woman has the basic freedom of choice and expression based on
recognition of her individual personality. First, the non-Muslim woman (from
the people of the Book) is free to maintain her religion. Allaah Says (what
means):"There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right path has been
made distinct from wrong path." [Quran 2:256]
Women are encouraged in Islam to contribute their opinions and ideas. There
are many traditions of the Prophet which indicate women would pose
questions directly to him and offer their opinions concerning religion,
economics and social matters.
A Muslim woman chooses her husband and keeps her family name after marriage.
A Muslim woman's testimony is valid in legal disputes. In fact, in areas in
which women are more familiar, their evidence is conclusive.
Social Rights
The Prophet said: "Seeking knowledge is a mandate for every Muslim (male
and female)." [Ibn Maajah] This includes knowledge of the Quran and the
Hadeeth as well as other religious knowledge. Men and women both have the
capacity for learning and understanding. Since it is also their obligation
to promote good behavior and condemn bad behavior in all spheres of life,
Muslim women must acquire the appropriate Islamic education to perform this
duty in accordance with their own natural talents and interests.
While maintenance of a home, providing support to her husband, and bearing,
raising and teaching of children are among the first and very highly
regarded roles for a woman, if she has the skills to work outside the home
for the good of the community, she may do so (if she has to) as long as her
family obligations are met, and as long as there is no intermingling between
her and men in the work place.
Islam recognizes and fosters the natural differences between men and women
despite their equality. Some types of work are more suitable for men and
other types for women. This, in no way, diminishes either's effort nor
benefit. Allaah will reward both sexes equally for the value of their work,
though it may not necessarily be the same activity.
The success of a society can be traced to the mothers. The first and
greatest influence on a person comes from the sense of security, affection,
and training received from the mother. Therefore, a woman having children
must be educated and conscientious in order to be a skillful parent.
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