status of women in Islam

Islam is the religion that gives a complete guide to live a life. Likewise, when we see the status of women in Islam, we find a true honorable place for her. Either the women are single or married, daughter or mother, sister or wife, in every role she is declared as the blessing in our religion. There are several verses in the Quran and Hadith that quote the very honor a woman carries in every role.

Equality of women

Being an independent person of society, women have all the rights to buy and sell, give gifts and charity or spend their money legally. In the early era of Muslims, women participated in public discussions, especially in emergencies. The Holy Quran states that women not only expressed their opinion with freedom but also express their thought and participated in serious discussions with the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself as well as with other Muslim leaders.

Islam gives equal rights to both men and women. They are given similar duties and obligations towards families. Thus at every step, Islam bestows an independent identity to women. She owns the responsibility of her moral and spiritual obligations.  The higher status of women in Islam denotes her right to accept or reject marriage proposals. Her consent is a prerequisite to validate the marriage contract.

Almighty Allah promises us in the Glorious Qur’an:

“Never will I waste the work of a worker among you, whether male or female, one of you being from the other.”
(Al-Qur’ an 3:195)

Honor for Women in every Role

Islam is a beautiful religion that gives thorough guidance in every aspect along with the rights of everyone from human beings to animals. Likewise, the role of women is prominently highlighted in most of the places of Holy Qur’an and Hadith. Islam regards every role of women as the most sacred and essential role. Be it is the role of mother, daughter, sister or wife, at every step she is declared as a blessing.

status of women

Quranic verses and Hadith for the women’s honor

The preciousness of Mothers in Islam is greatly visible with a higher level of honor in both the Quran and Hadiths. Islam always describes to treat them in the best attitude and manners.

One of the Hadith says:

A man came to the Prophet Muhammad and said, “O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship?” The Prophet (PBUH) said: {Your mother.} The man said, “Then who?” Our Muhammad (PBUH) said: {Then your mother.} The man further asked, “Then who?” The Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) said: {Then your mother.} The man asked again, “Then who?” The Prophet said: {Then your father.}

(Bukhari, Muslim)

Another Hadith expresses:

On  one occasion, when a man came to the Prophet (PBUH) and expressed a wish to go into a military expedition,
“The Prophet (p) asked him if he had a mother. When he replied that he had, the Prophet (p) advised him, “Stay with her, for Paradise is at her feet.”

(Al- Tirmidhi)

Stating the daughter as a blessing, the following hadith says:

Jabir ibn Abdullah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace, and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever has three daughters and he cares for them, he is merciful to them, and he clothes them, then Paradise will be written for him.” It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, what if he has only two?” The Prophet said, “Even two.” Some people thought that if they had said to him one, the Prophet would have said even one.

(Musnad Aḥmad 13835)

Highlighting the greater status of women in Islam, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

The best among you are those who are best to their wives.

(Sunan Al Tirmidhi 1162)

Another Quranic verse says:
And of His signs is: that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy.  Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought. 

(Quran, 30:21)

THE SOCIAL ASPECT

In all the prospects of life, women receive comprehensive equal treatment. Either it is education, employment or property distribution of parents, women have given significant rights. At several places, the equality of men and women is evident. It is ordered for both men and women to gain Islamic education or worldly education as per the desires.

Our Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) said:

The pursuit of knowledge is incumbent on every Muslim, male and female.

(Al-Majlisi Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 1. p. 177)

Our religion elevated the position of women in society and give them identical footing with men. The significance of the status of women is also observable by the order of wealth distribution to both male and female children. Though the amount of share differs for the sons and daughters but Qur’an clearly mentions giving the daughter a rightful share from the property.

Allah (SWT) said:

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, be it little or much, an obligatory share.

(Quran, 4:7)

These are the significant points mentioned to highlight the position of women in Islam. If you have more points to add, let us know.

One Reply to “What Quran and Hadith says about the status of women in Islam?”

Cart