Status of WOMEN in Islam

When you ask a westerner the about their thoughts of women in Islam, ideas such as represses, forced, unhappy, dominated comes to mind.


But the truth is.....Allah (swa) created both men and women.

“O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa' (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women; and fear Allah through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you.” [4:1]

There are differences within the gender e.g. men are stronger, taller and less emotional whereas women are physically weaker, more emotional which can be advantageous as they are able to bear children. The list can go on.

Allah (swa) has given men and women defined duties and so true equality can exist, examples in being able to work and develop talent within the limits of Islam along as duties of men and women are not affected.

There are numerous events of inequality of women through history and culture before the times of Islam. Islam has always regarded women justly and equal even when other religions have not.

1) Before 1850, women in the western society were not counted as citizens


2) Until 1882, women had no rights


3) During the reign of Henry VIII, women were not even allowed to read the Bible


4) France in 587CE conferences were held to determine whether women were evil


5) In India, Hindus used to consider women worse than death or the bringer of death


6) Romans gave women the status of slaves


7) Greeks considered women as slaves and so they were bought and sold


8) Christians and Jews consider women as the bringer of evil and the reason for the fall of Adam (as) from heaven.


9) Pre-Islamic Arabia, when daughters were born they were killed or buried alive.

From the beginning Islam has given women equality and have raised to high esteem and continue to do so. Furthermore, women have examples to follow from women around the prophet (saws) and even now e.g. Khadijah (ra) who was a beloved wife of the Prophet Muhammad (saws), first person to accept Islam and is a role model for the Muslim women, importantly even today.

Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: "Four greatest women of the world are: Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, Mary bint Emran and Asiya bint Muzahim, the wife of Pharaoh." [Sahih Bukhari]

Mary bint Emran (ra) was the mother of the Prophet Isa (as) also known as Jesus, Fatimah bint Muhammad (ra) was the youngest daughter of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saws) and Ayisya bint Muzahim was the wife of the pharaoh who took in Prophet Musa also known as Moses when he was a baby.

Not only this hadith underlining great roles of women in Islam but the glorious Qur'an mentions the importance of mothers and the love for mothers.

"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)

"We have enjoined on man and woman (to be good) to his/her parents; show gratitude to Me and to thy parents; to Me is (thy final) Goal. If they (parents) strive to make thee join in worship with Me things of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration) and follow the way of those who turn to Me (in love)" (31:14-15).

Women are our mothers, daughters, sister and wife’s. Women have a leading and great role in everyone’s lives. Islam recognises and has given women more rights than any other religion.

A man came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet (saws) said: Your mother. The man said, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man further asked, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man asked again, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said: Then your father. [Sahih Bukhari, Muslim]

The incorrect ideas held by the western people are due to ignorance. But through learning and educating one another of the true teachings of Islam via the Qur'an and the Sunnah will show the greatest beauty of Islam for women.

Finally, the largest number of conversion into Islam is by women, this is because Islam shows women are important and an integral part of Islamic society as like men, compared to many other religions.

Duties of women in Islam:


1) Practise Islam (establish five pillars of Islam)


2) Remain chastity (the total orientation of one's life towards a goal) at all times


3) Duties of bringing up her children according to the rules of Islam


4) Dress modestly and wear hijab


5) Be a wife (a source of peace, love, happiness and contentment for a husband)


6) Defy husband, son, brother and father if it goes against the commandments of Islam.

by ICDI (international organisation)- please visit for more information at http://www.idci.co.uk/