Status of Women in Islam

The status of women in Islam is a topic frequently misunderstood. The Quran and Sunnah established women's rights in the 7th century that were unprecedented in world history and would not be matched in the West for over a thousand years. The Quran declares: "And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women" (Quran 2:228). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in his Farewell Sermon: "Fear Allah regarding women, for you have taken them as a trust from Allah" (Sahih Muslim). Islam elevated women from being treated as property (as in pre-Islamic Arabia) to being honored as spiritual equals, property owners, scholars, and essential members of society.

Spiritual Equality

Islam establishes complete spiritual equality between men and women before Allah. The Quran says: "Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so: for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward" (Quran 33:35). Men and women are equal in their religious duties, spiritual potential, and accountability before Allah.

Legal and Economic Rights

Islam granted women the right to own property, earn income, inherit, enter contracts, and manage their own financial affairs, fourteen centuries before similar rights were codified in Western law. A woman's wealth is entirely her own; she has no obligation to spend it on household expenses (that is the husband's duty). The mahr (bridal gift) is her exclusive property. Her consent is required for marriage. She can initiate divorce through khul. The Quran prescribes specific inheritance shares for women: "For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave" (Quran 4:7). While men receive a larger share in some cases, this corresponds to the greater financial obligations placed on men.

Women Scholars of Islam

Islamic history is rich with women scholars. Aishah bint Abu Bakr is one of the greatest narrators of hadith and authorities in Islamic jurisprudence; major companions and scholars sought her rulings. Fatimah al-Fihri founded al-Qarawiyyin University in Fez, Morocco in 859 CE, the world's oldest continuously operating university. Shaykhah Shuhda al-Katib lectured to large audiences in 12th-century Baghdad, earning the title "the Pride of Women." Imam al-Dhahabi's biographical work Siyar A'lam al-Nubala lists hundreds of women hadith scholars. Al-Sakhawi documented over 1,000 women scholars in his biographical dictionary. Women served as teachers, muftis, calligraphers, physicians, and philanthropists throughout Islamic civilization.

Complementary Roles

Islam views men and women as complementary, not identical. They have equal spiritual worth but distinct (though overlapping) roles that reflect natural inclinations and physical realities. The family unit is the building block of society, and both parents are essential. The father is the primary provider and protector; the mother is the primary nurturer, though neither role is exclusive. The Prophet (peace be upon him) honored both roles equally. He described Paradise as being "under the feet of mothers" (Sunan al-Nasai) and said that the best thing a father can give his children is a good upbringing. The Islamic framework rejects both the oppression of women and the erasure of gender distinctions, seeking instead a model of honor, mutual respect, and social harmony.