Women
One of the most widespread misconceptions about Islam is that it abuses and
humiliates women. Nothing could be further from the truth - Islam accords women
the high level of honor and dignity that they deserve.
Islam teaches that men and women are partners in life. Allah (Almighty God) says:
And from amongst His Signs is this: That He created for you wives from amongst
yourselves, so that you may find serenity and tranquility in them, and He has put
between you love and compassion. Indeed, in this are signs for those who reflect
[Qur’an 30:21].
Men and women are spiritually and morally equivalent since they originate from a
common source. Allah (Almighty God) says: O mankind! reverence your Guardian-
Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, His mate, and
from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women; - reverence Allah,
through whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (that
bore you): for Allah ever watches over you [Qur’an 4:1].
No one would dispute that males and females have a different physical and
psychological make-up. Accordingly, Islam envisages different but complementary
roles and responsibilities for each gender, suited to their unique abilities and
strengths.
What about women’s rights in Islam? 1400 years before the foundation of the
modern feminist movement, Muslim women enjoyed the right to run a business, own
property, earn an honest living, inherit wealth, enter into a legal contract, provide
legal testimony and initiate a divorce. It was a Muslim woman, Khadija, the wife of
Muhammad and a successful businesswoman in her own right, who comforted him
after his initial encounter with the archangel Gabriel, which left him emotionally
shaken. She was the first to believe in his message. Islamic history is jeweled with
examples of brilliant female scholars, whose dazzling intellects enlightened the minds
of both male and female students.
Muslim women are criticized by some for adopting the hijab – the Islamic dress code.
This is an indication of the unfortunate state of the world in which we live. Since time
immemorial, the hijab has been the mark of an Allah-conscious and modest woman.
This quality is recognized in the habit of the Christian nun – which is almost identical
to hijab, and in the idols and images of Mary, who is always shown wearing hijab -
yet it becomes a reason for scorn when adopted by Muslim women. This is just
another manifestation of anti-Islamic prejudice.
Many people believe that Muslim men force Muslim women to adopt hijab against
their will – a baseless assumption that observant Muslim women find highly offensive.
Muslim women cover first and foremost as an act of obedience to Allah (Almighty
God). In addition to feeling closer to Allah (Almighty God), many women who adopt
hijab experience a feeling of liberation. The hijab allows a woman to be judged by
her intelligence and other noble qualities rather than by her physical characteristics.
It protects her from lingering, unwelcome lustful stares, and allows her to reserve
her beauty for her husband and close relatives alone. Contrary to popular belief,
observant Muslim women continue to enjoy a position of honor, and a high level of
self-esteem that comes from being cherished, respected, and protected.
