Women rights in Islam

1. Women’`s rights in Islam
Dr. Zakaryia Almahasees

2. Islam was revealed at a time which many people
through the World denied the humanity of Women.
Whether seen as sub-human or not, Women were still
considered a thing created for the humble service of
men.
Islam returned the rights to women that had been
eroded away by a decadent society. The Woman's
dignity and humanity were restored, making her status
equal to man. Female infanticide was outlawed and
rights were given to women in regards to inheritance
which did not exist previously.

3. Among other things Women now had the right to have
personal possessions and therefore have their own money
and wealth (with no obligation to spend upon their families),
the right to agree to marriage (her consent is obligatory),
and then keep her maiden name after marriage. They now
had the right to divorce, to educate, to vote; the rights are
many and put women not only on an equal pedestal, but
elevated their status above that of men in many
circumstances (Rifafi,2020)

4. Women Before Islam
 A daughter could inherit only if no male heirs existed.
 Primogeniture the first male offspring inherits the property in European
jurisdictions among others until into the 20th century.
 Among Arabs, only males could inherit.
 Women were considered property. They were inherited after the death of their
Husbands.
 They were buried alive, had no rights at all.
 Women were inferior to men. Birth of a female was a disgrace.
Allah says “And when one of them is informed of [the birth of] a female, his face
becomes dark, and he suppresses grief” (16:58).

5. At the time when the Quran was establishing
such rights, obligations and dignity for women,
there existed odd attitudes toward women in
other cultures and religions. In Greece and
Rome, India and China, Judaism and Christianity,
all considered woman as a devil, or even not a
soul, and if she is a soul, then what was she
created from? Some of these cultures
considered her as an animal, or treated her as a
slave.

6. In the midst of the darkness that surrounded the world,
the divine revelation echoed in the wide desert of
Arabia with a fresh, noble, and universal message to
humanity:
"He (God) it is who did create you from a single soul
and therefrom did create his mate, that he might dwell
with her (in love)"(Qur'an 7:189)
"And Allah has given you mates of your own nature,
and has given you from your mates, children and
grandchildren, and has made provision of good
things for you” (Qur'an 16:72)

8. ‫هريرة‬ ‫أبي‬ ‫عن‬-‫عنه‬ ‫هللا‬ ‫رضي‬-‫مرفوعا‬:«‫أكمل‬
‫خياركم‬ ‫وخياركم‬ ،‫خلقا‬ ‫أحسنهم‬ ‫إيمانا‬ ‫المؤمنين‬
‫لنسائهم‬».
[‫وأحمد‬ ‫والدارمي‬ ‫والترمذي‬ ‫داود‬ ‫أبو‬ ‫رواه‬].
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace
and blessings be upon him) said: “The most
perfect believer in his faith is the one who has
the most excellent manners, and the best of
you are those who are best to their wives.”

9. Women In Islam
 The spiritual aspect
 The economic aspect
 The social aspect
 The political and legal aspect

10. The social Aspect
 As a wife:
 The Qur'an clearly indicates that marriage is sharing between the two halves of the society,
and that its objectives, besides perpetuating human life, are emotional well-being and
spiritual harmony. Its bases are love and mercy.
“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves
that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between
your (hearts); verily in that are signs for those who reflect.” (30:21)

11. Among the sayings of Prophet Muhammad in this
regard are the following:
Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her
alive, does not insult her, and does not favor his son
over her, God will enter him into Paradise. (Ibn
Hanbal, No. 1957).
Whosoever supports two daughters till they mature, he
and I will come in the day of judgment as this (and he
pointed with his two fingers held together).

12. Rights pertaining to marriage in Islam:
 The female has the right to accept or reject marriage proposals
 Her consent is a prerequisite to the validity of the marital contract, according
to the Prophet's teachings
 Right to retain her family name
 Right to a separate home
 Full right to her Mahr – marital gift (dowry)
 Right to be satisfied by her husband
 The husband is responsible for the maintenance, protection, and overall
leadership of the family, within the framework of consultation and kindness.
 Right to divorce her husband

13. Muslims have Mahr (It is the right of every woman in Islam to
have protection, in case her husband divorces her).
One of the basic functions of a dowry has been to serve as a
form of protection for the wife against the very real possibility of
ill treatment by her husband and his family. A dowry used in this
way is actually a conditional gift that is supposed to be restored
to the wife or her family if the husband divorces, abuses, or
commits other grave offenses against her.
In the Western sense, this arrangement might be known as a prenuptial.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRQBz0kzZOg

14. The Social Aspect
 As a mother:
 Islam considers kindness to parents next to the worship of God.
 Quran says:
 "Show gratitude to Me and to your parents: to Me is (your final) destiny." (Quran 31:14)
 Moreover, the Qur'an has a special recommendation for the good treatment of mothers
 "And we have enjoined upon man (to be good) to his parents: His mother bears him in
weakness upon weakness..." (Qur'an 31:14) (See also Qur'an 46:15, 29:8).

15. Woman responsible for the fall of man?
Quran
 The Quran does not blame woman for the “fall of man,”
 There is no hint that the first woman created by God is a creature of lesser worth
than the first male.
 The Quran deals with the pair with perfect equity. Both are equally guilty of
sinning; both are equally punished by God

16. The Spiritual Aspect
 Women have the same human spiritual nature as men. Allah says in
Quran:
“"Every soul will be (held) in pledge for its deeds" (74:38).
 “So their Lord accepted their prayers, (saying): I will not suffer to be
lost the work of any of you whether male or female. You proceed one
from another” ...(3: 195).
 “Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily to
him will We give a new life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on
such their reward according to the their actions.” (16:97, see also
4:124).

17. Religious obligations and rewards:
In terms of religious obligations, such as the Daily
Prayers, Fasting, Zakat, and Pilgrimage, woman is no
different from man
“If any do deeds of righteousness, be they male or female,
and have faith, they will enter paradise and not the least
injustice will be done to them.” (Quran 4:124)
In some cases, woman has certain advantages over man.

18. The Economic Aspect
 In the 19th century European women did not have the right to own their own
property.
 In Britain, perhaps the first country to give women some property rights, laws
were passed in the 1860's known as "Married Women Property Act."
 In Germany the wife was denied any control over her property until 1922 by civil
law!

19.  Islam provides a woman with:
Right to possess personal property- buy, sell,
mortgage, lease without anyone’s permission being
required.
"Whatever men earn, they have a share of that and
whatever women earn, they have a share in that."
(Qur'an 4:32)
In Islam the wife’s property and earnings are under her
full control and for her use alone. No matter how rich
the wife might be, she is not obliged to act as a co-
provider unless she herself voluntarily chooses to do
so.
Right to seek Employment and Right to Inheritance
laws

20. ‫االجر‬‫في‬‫الشريعة‬‫االسالمية‬‫في‬‫باب‬‫الجعالة‬‫وباب‬‫االجارة‬
‫االجر‬‫على‬‫االتقان‬‫وليس‬‫على‬‫هوية‬‫العامل‬
In Islamic Law The wage is given according to
Perfection of doing the work, not to the gender or
identity of the worker.
The reward is for the perfection.

21. Islamic Dress for Women
In reference to women, the Quran and the Hadiths
have mandated various rules in regards to behavior
and appearance
She is not a slave to the societal trends
The Muslim woman is not forced to display herself
to be accepted in the society.

22. Hijaab- The covering
 What is Hijaab?
 Why Hijaab?
 Benefits of Hijaab

23. What is Hijaab?
 The word itself comes from the Arabic word "hajaba" meaning to conceal or
hide from view.
 Hijaab is the modest covering of the head and body of Muslim women.
 Clothing is only one facet of hijab. It is also behavior, manner, and speech.
Women who wear the hijab do not find it inhibiting, impractical, or interfering.

24. Why do we wear Hijab?
 Because Allah, Their creator ordered them to
 "O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer
garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that
they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." (Qur'an 33:59)

25. Benefits of Hijaab
 She pleases her Lord and earns blessings from wearing it
 Attains nobility
 Protects her honor
 Defines her identity
 Beautifies her inner and outer appearance
 Expresses her independence and she feels liberated.

26. Have a lovely weekend! Stay safe!