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STATUS OF WOMEN IN ISLAM: AN ANALYSIS (By-Dr. Haris Umar, Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Tariq & Razia Chauhan)
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Article Details
STATUS OF WOMEN IN ISLAM: AN
ANALYSIS
Authored By-1. Dr. Haris Umar[1]
2. Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Tariq[2]
3. Razia Chauhan[3]
Abstract
This
research paper is all about the position of women in Islam and their social status.
This paper discusses the different aspects like spiritual, social, economic and
political and also explains the Islam and women’s rights to education and what
is the status of women between Islamic teachings and today’s reality.
Keywords:
women, Islam, education.
Introduction
Islam is a major religion in the
country. Islam is the only religion that promotes inclusive brotherhood
principles among Muslims that have no prejudice depending on gender or race.
When cultures were traditional and economically underdeveloped, Islam gave
women fundamental rights and promoted every effort to increase women’s status.
Islam offers various directions covering women’s social and political rights
and the rules on their possession and their custody and religious rights[4].”Women
are the twin halves of men,” as per Al-Quran, “The universe and everything in
it are important, but a virtuous wife is the most valuable thing in the
world.”[5]
“Allah orders you to treat women with dignity because they are your mothers,
daughters, and aunts.”[6]
Must remember that both the Qur’an
and the prophetic traditions grant women high status and also provide them with
human, political, social, and economic rights that no other religion has
provided to women. Women have an autonomous identity in Islamic society, equal
to men in their religious roles, their right to education, their privileges for
their acts, and the protection of their values. She has absolute sovereignty
and power over her house. Islam confers the same legal ability on women as the
men. Without her husband’s permission, allows her to enter into some form of
the commercial relationship and carry on business on her own. In certain modern
cultures, in which the husband has an absolute right to control his wife’s
affairs, a married woman can not satisfy the 7th century’s polite request. This
legal right was not achieved until 1965 by the French woman.
It’s worth remembering that Islam was
the first religion to recognise women as legal entities with equal rights to
men. Women have the right in Islam to engage into a marital contract on their
own terms. “What is most innovative is her ability to insist on Talaq-i-tafwid,
or a delegated right to divorce”. According to this section in “the marriage
contract, woman has the right to insist on the delegated right to divorce her
husband on her own behalf if he violates any of the marriage requirements”.
Even the most current laws contain no such provision for the advantage of
women, as can be observed[7]. In
the Islamic social system, women get certain following right such as[8]:
(i)
“The right to a name and an
independent identity. She does not obtain a status based solely on her marriage
or birth in a specific household”.
(ii)
“The right to marry someone of her
own choosing and to refuse imposed marriage”.
(iii)
“The right to inherit from parents
and relatives, as well as maintenance from the spouse”.
(iv)
“The ability to acquire, sell, or buy
property in her own name”.
(v)
“The right to divorce (Khula)”.
(vi)
“The right to care for one’s parents
even after marriage”.
The Holy Quran has made it quite
clear that, in terms of moral and spiritual development, men and women are on
an equal footing. There are no bounds to a woman’s moral advancement, just as
there are to a man’s. The Holy Quran, for example, states that “Men shall have
the advantage of what they achieve and acquire, and women shall have the
benefit of what they similarly achieve and acquire.”
Islam &
Social Status Of Women
(i)
Spiritual:
In terms of her rights and duties,
the Quran clearly demonstrates that a woman is absolutely equal to a man in
God’s eyes. The following are a few examples for women’s rights: “Every soul
will be kept in pledge for its deeds,” according to the Qur’an.
And similarly, in terms of religious
duties, including regular prayers and fasting, one who is reduced to penury is
the same as one who is well-off Even, on the other hand, often a woman has some
advantages over a man. For example, the woman is permitted to neglect her
regular prayers and dietary laws under the state of menstruation and is
justified if she is in a nurse and she’s in her first year of lactation. While
pregnancy and in the first year of nursing, women’s lactation, nutrition is
overlooked. This mother is excluded from fasting while she’s pregnant, and for
forty days after the birth of her child. It’s obvious that the teaching of
Islam as it concerns women is being cared for is very delicate in this
case. The fact that she missed a day or two of fasting is not an excuse
for missing another day during the month of Ramzan, she can make up for the
missed days whenever she can.
(ii)
Social:
In
childhood and through the teenage stages: Despite some
Arabian tribes accepting female infanticide, the Qur’an considers it a crime.
Other than that, Islam commands fair and compassionate treatment for all human
beings. It is one of the sayings of the Prophet’s precepts
that “if a man does not bury his
daughter alive, does not insult her, and does not favour his son over
her, God will admit him into paradise”.
As
a wife: The Qur’an that clearly communicates that marriage is
a commitment between two halves of the population, the primary objective of
which is to carry on human life, but with the added emphasis on emotional and
spiritual well-being. The following is one of the most powerful verses in the
Qur’an about marriage: “That he made mates for you from among yourself so that
you could find rest and peace of mind in them, and that he ordained love and
mercy between you. As a result, there are indications for people who reflect here.”
In accordance with Islamic law, a
woman may not be compelled to marry someone, even if they want to. A Muslim
culture gives women the power to keep Mahar, which is presented by her
husband, the usual rule in every other culture is that men keep all of
their money upon marriage. If the partnership cannot go on for any other
purpose, the man can ask to be separated, he is instructed to give way to you
in generosity.
Being
a mother: Islam reflected kindness to parents next only to the lordship of
God. A famous saying of the Prophet is “Paradise is under the feet of a
mother.”
(iii)
Economic:
the fact that women were prevented
from acquiring property which was decreed in both pre-Islamic and Islamic
times, and which remains in force today’s times. In Islamic law, the female’s
right to property is completely recognized. If she is single or married, the right
can neither be taken away nor granted. Islam considers her role in society as
that of being a mother and wife as the most important. The maternal education
of wisely and carefully raised children can only be given by mothers Such a
far-reaching and critical function cannot be considered “idleness”. Also, it
restored the rights of inheritance to women, and in most cases, her share is
equal to that of the man.
(iv)
Political:
There are several examples of women
in the Qur’an and Islamic history who have debated the prophet (of Islam).
Although there is some level of constraint, most actions need an optimum
of reason combined with a minimum of
impulsiveness. Since as early as the seventh century, Muslims have had a long
tradition of women who have achieved great things in various fields. There have
been many highly respected female leaders in Muslim history, such as
“Shajar-al-Dur (13th Century) in Egypt, Queen Orpha (d. 1090) in Yemen and
Razia Sultan (13th Century) in Delhi”.
There have also been examples of female
leadership in Muslim countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Turkey in the
modern age. Arab women are under-represented in Arab Parliaments, though this
is changing as states liberalise their political systems. Muslim women have a
long history of exceptional accomplishments in all sectors of life, and neutral
onlookers have long praised their status, modesty, and maternal position[9].
“The Qur’an introduced some of the
most important and fundamental modifications of customary rules in order to elevate
the status of women and strengthen the family in Muslim society”. Marriage,
divorce, and inheritance were the three principal areas of Qur’anic reform.
According to the Qur’an, only “the wife, not her father or any male relatives,
should get the dower (Mahr) from her husband, and the dower should be presented
to the women (on marriage) as a free gift”. As a result, rather than being an
object of a transaction, the “woman becomes a legal party to the marriage
contract”. Islam has granted a position of dignity and honour to women in the
divine plans for regulating the interaction between men and women. This type of
good control is necessary for “peace, comfort, happiness, the survival of the
species, and advancement”. It provides “individuality, independence of thinking
and opinion, and formally recognises their natural rights, despite the fact
that it never caused her to revolt and mutiny against, or be cynical towards,
the male sex”. The pillars of family life were not shattered. Daughters still
respect their fathers, and wives still respect their husbands.
Islam And
The Right Of Women To Education
The term rabbi refers to a teacher.
According to this view, Islam confers rabbinical rank on women centuries before
any other faith. According to Prophet Mohammed’s (SAW) sayings; “It is
obligatory for every Muslim, male or female to acquire knowledge”. When women
were mistreated and only used as property 1400 years ago, Islam demanded that
they be educated.
According to the Prophet Mohammed
(SAW); “If a daughter is born to a person and he brings her up, gives her good
education and train her in the arts of life, I shall myself stand between him
and hell fire.” The first piece of advice given to humanity in the Quran was to
read. In Islam, education is required. Islam has made it an obligation for
every Muslim male and female to seek knowledge, which is regarded as the
highest form of worship in Islam. It is consequently un-Islamic to prevent a
Muslim lady from obtaining an education. Women have made major contributions to
Islam’s cultural and intellectual growth. Prior to the modern era, the role of
female Hadith experts was unique in human history. The major goal of educating
women is to prepare them for the biological and emotional aspects of their
responsibilities as daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers. We all are aware
that “When you teach a man, you only taught a person; when you teach a child,
you taught a family, but when you teach a woman, you taught the whole nation”.
As a mother, the woman plays an important role as the children’s early
socializer and educator. Yet another
Hadith states that “A mother is a school, if she is educated, then a whole
people are educated”. Quran emphasizes
the “importance of developing a good personal character through education”.
According to Islam, “a society cannot grow unless its human resources are
properly educated and employed”. The Quran advocates for women’s rights and
educational opportunities. Numerous scriptures emphasise the importance of
“education for both men and women, and education is recognised as a method for
women to care for themselves and their children”. There is no preference for
men over women when it comes to the right to an education. Both are “encouraged
to obtain an education from the cradle to the grave”. Indeed, all Qur’anic
verses dealing with “education and knowledge are addressed to both men and
women”. Prophet Mohammed (SAW) also highlighted the “significance of knowledge
to his people and encouraged them to seek it even if it meant travelling around
the world, including to China (which was then considered as a far off land)”.
“Acquire knowledge, it enables its possessor to distinguish right from wrong;
it lights the way to heaven”.
Women’s
Status In Islamic Teachings And Today’s Reality
Islam
brought about significant “social and humanitarian reforms, and Prophet
Mohammed (SAW) brought about constructive changes that were radical at the
time”. Gender and women’s issues were also addressed in these reforms. Islam
established various rights for women in order to protect their well-being. When
one examines the “Islam that the Prophet preached and
practised,
one finds a spirit of defending women’s rights, empowerment, advancement, and fairness
in all facets of social, family, and political life”.
Unfortunately, women continue to
“face injustice, systematic discrimination, targeted violence, and denial of
basic rights in many parts of the world today, including the Muslim world”.
Islam has been used as a pretext and a disguise in many Muslim communities to
advocate the exact opposite of what it truly promotes. Despite the Prophet’s
statement that “seeking knowledge is a duty of every Muslim man and woman”,
women are still denied access to education in many regions. Unfortunately, it
appears that the Prophet’s spirit of reform has ceased and, in many cases,
reversed. “Why do so many Muslim communities now ignore the Prophet’s teachings
about defending women’s rights and treating women with respect and justice?”
The following are the reasons behind
Muslim women’s educational backwardness:[10]:
(a)
Misinterpretation of Islamic
prescriptions by less educated religious authorities; exacerbated negative
attitudes toward women’s education.
(b)
Negligence on the part of the parents
since they were uneducated.
(c)
Poor economic situation.
(d)
The maktabs and madarsas primarily
focused on religious education and, as a result, woefully ignored modern
education.
(e)
A lack of understanding of the
significance of female education in the development of Muslim societies.
(f)
The backwardness of Muslim society
has created a social environment that is not favourable to the advancement of
women’s education.
The Quran
And Women’s Economic Rights
The right of women to “productive
employment has existed since the beginning of Islam and is guaranteed by the
Quran”. Economic freedom is bestowed upon both men and women by the Islamic
religion. When family members deny a woman the right to enjoy her freedom, it
is custom, not religion, that is to fault. Prophet Mohammad (SAW) made
significant progress in
elevating the status of women. Women
had economic freedom throughout the pre-Islamic and early Islamic periods.
Khadija (PBUH), the Prophet’s first wife, was a highly successful businesswoman
and entrepreneur who was one of Arabia’s wealthiest people. There is a lot of
Quranic legislation about women’s rights to inherit and bequeath. Daughters,
like wives and mothers, are entitled to a portion based on their role in the
family. They are free to invest their money or property in whatever way they
see fit, without the approval of the nearest male relative. A husband cannot
compel his wife to hand over her money. Even in low-income families, a wife
usually keeps her money or property separate from her husband’s. Another
illustration of Islam’s support for women’s economic freedom is the fact that
the Mahr is given to the woman rather than her father. When the bride
receives the Mahr for personal use, she spends it on valuables such as gold,
which serve as a sort of security.
Women’s participation in Muslim
society has grown in recent years. There are a variety of reasons for this,
including increased educational options for women and the influence of the
feminist movement, which originated in Western countries and emphasised
economic independence for women. As women begin to play increasingly visible
positions in society, perceptions toward women’s duties tend to shift
ideologically. Surprisingly, even among Muslim males, particularly those residing
in Western nations, there is a tendency to focus on Hadiths that depict the
Prophet (SAW) performing domestic tasks and Hadiths that depict the father’s
role in the rearing and teaching of children. As resources and situations
change, so do attitudes in order to remain relevant and compatible with modern
life[11].
Conclusion
In education and honor, Islam
provides equal opportunities for men and women and even for religious and moral
rights. Islam allows for equality. But the Muslim clerics are unfortunate that
this equality is understood to be their normal domain, men and women. They say
that women are viewed as naturally weaker in society than men and cannot assert
their male equivalent equality. They say that they have separate
responsibilities for men since they left behind women by housework in which she
wants to learn expertise in houses. As an individual, there has been a full
forum and ability to develop education. In Islamic Law, a woman’s status was
more significant than a modern Hindu woman’s, but a Hindu woman’s status was
either average or the same at the ground level. Rejection of women’s education.
A woman is respected, admired, and
highly regarded in Islam because It can be shown that heaven is situated under
a mother’s foot. God tells women to live a life of modesty, reputational as
well as to men, with other women, though not with no backing whatsoever, in the
Holy Qur’an, but this is mistaken by some religious leaders, who confine
it to various social manacles. Finally, it prohibited a woman from engaging in
public events. Thus a world of men and women was established in mainstream
Islam, which hindered its attempts to rise above its societal limits. History
tells that Muslim women, such as Razia Sultana, Chand Bibi, Nur Jahan,
Jahanara, etc., were highly learned and accomplished. By their personality,
these ladies could discover and achieve dominance.
Article Information
STATUS OF WOMEN IN ISLAM: AN ANALYSIS (By-Dr. Haris Umar, Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Tariq & Razia Chauhan)
Authors: Dr. Haris Umar, Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Tariq, Razia Chauhan
- Journal IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Published 2022/07/29
- Volume 2
- Issue 7
About Journal
International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis
- Abbreviation IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
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