When people think of women in Islam and their rights, they get an image of backward, illiterate, and suppressed women who don’t have any identity or rights in society, this is because of the false image shown of women in Islam through media that follow the propaganda of defaming Islam and depicting its wrong image to the world.

On the contrary, the reality is completely different, Islam is a religion which always believed in equality and justice. No matter what the gender of the person is Islam has given rights to everyone. Either men or women both have been given equal rights. Islam believes in just practices with every person.

If we study the history of Islam and how it changed the mindset of people for the betterment, we will get to know that it is Islam who gave the rights and honor to the women and girls of the society. Before Islam, women were treated as objects and not considered a part of society. Their existence had no meaning and no worth.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) when started teaching Islam to the people of Arab, he (PBUH) taught people that women are the same as men and they must be given equal rights and opportunities. Before Islam, a girl child was buried alive soon after her birth just because of her gender. Males were always given priority in every affair. Islam gave education to people about women’s rights. Islam taught that no girl will be buried alive and every child has the right to live no matter boy or girl.

Women have been given rights in every matter of life by Islam. Let’s go through some of the rights of women given by ALLAH (SWT):

RIGHTS OF MOTHERS

The status of the mother is very high in Islam. When a woman gives birth to her child she risks her life. The pain she goes through while delivering a baby is unexplainable. This is the reason that Allah (SWT) has given so much importance to women as mothers. Islam has directed us to respect and love our mothers unconditionally.

It is also said that heaven lies under the feet of mothers which means whoever respects them and fulfills her rights and seeks her pleasure will be entered into heaven on the Day of Judgment. Mother should be respected and a child always is obedient towards his mother. If a person wants to please ALLAH he should please his mother. The Holy Quran says:

 “We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents; in pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth” (46:15).1718

RIGHTS OF DAUGHTERS

The births of daughters were considered a burden before Islam. When daughters were born, no one used to celebrate whereas the birth of a son was considered as pride. Islam lifted the status of woman as daughter, The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was also the father of daughters and the love and respect he (PBUH) gave to his daughters are exemplary.

Our religion gave women the right to educate themselves. They have the right to get an education just like men. A person who raises his daughters well will also be sent to Jannah. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said:

“Whoever takes care of two girls until they reach adulthood, he and I will come like this on the Day of Resurrection,” and he held his fingers together. (Narrated by Muslim, 2631).

For any Muslim nothing can be more rewarding than standing next to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) on the Day of Judgment. That’s how Islam raised the status of daughter in society. Not only had this but Islam gave them the right to choose their partner in a fair way.

Parents must ask their daughters about their choice while selecting the guy for marrying. She has the right to express her liking and dislikes towards a person within the boundaries set by Islam. Islam also has the right of inheritance to daughters which was never given before. Daughters also have a share in her father’s property which is half of her brothers.

RIGHTS OF WIVES

Wives play a very crucial role in a man’s life. A good and religious wife will accompany his husband in Jannah as well, which means that their relationship will be forever even after death.

The wives have all the rights, she has the right to decide the amount of Haq Meher which is the amount given by the husband at the time of marriage.

The wife has the right to decide the amount of money she wants as Haq Meher, she can demand whatever she wants not only money she can demand anything like gold, and property.

This gives financial security to women when they enter a new phase of life. Islam has commanded men to spend on their wives according to their financial ability.

A man should fulfill her fair wishes and satisfy her needs. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was always just and equal to his wives. He (PBUH) always respected and loved them and treated them like a queen. The men of the society also have the permission of keeping four wives together ONLY IF he can keep them all happy and satisfied together and treat them all equally. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said:

“The best is he who is better for his wife and I am better than all of you for my wife”.

(Sunan-ut-Tirmizi, vol. 5, pp. 475, Hadees 3921)

Not only the wives but the widows have been given rights by Islam. They have the right to marry again after completing the period of iddat (4 months and 10 days where she has to stay in her house and can’t meet any namehram).

The widow has several financial rights after the death of her husband. She has the right to inherit him, and nobody is allowed to take that inheritance from her without her consent. If the spouse doesn’t leave her with enough money to meet her needs and the needs of the kids, society must help her, and she must turn to charity.

OTHER SOCIAL RIGHTS GIVEN TO WOMEN:

During the battles of Islam, Muslim women used to participate actively, not only they were active on the battlefield but also helped the wounded. Muslim women also used to participate in business affairs and many women were earning and running businesses themselves Hazrat Khadija (RA) is the biggest example of a financially independent woman who was running the business on their own.

This proves that Islam has permitted women to involve themselves in financial and social affairs but within the limits set by Islam. Women have the right to educate themselves and to get an education as getting an education is an obligation for every Muslim be it a man or a woman. Women have all sorts of security in Islam. Women have been given financial, emotional, and physical security.

FINAL WORD:

In conclusion, Islam is the only religion that gave so many rights to women so that they can lead a peaceful and prosperous life without any difficulty. They have equal status in society just like men but there are certain duties the women also have towards Islam like they have to cover themselves to protect themselves from the evil of society. They have to be loyal and faithful towards their husbands and stay away from Na Mehram. They have to take care of their family and follow religious teachings.