STATUS OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN
ISLAM
Status of women during Jahiliya
period (before advent of Islam)
 The drastic change in the status of women took place when, during Islamic
period, the Holy Quran gave many rights to women.
The Quran considers both the sexes as having originated from one living
being and hence they enjoy the same status as man.
continued
The following quotations from Quran highlights the most important aspects of
feminine virtue and the standing which a woman should have vis-à-vis her
husband and father:
 In surah I4:1 Quran says – “O mankind, be conscious of your sustainer, who has
created you out of one living entity, and out of it created its
mate and out of 2 spread abroad a multitude of men and
women.”
 In 4:34 says – “Men are maintainers of women as Allah has made some to
excel others and as they spend out of their wealth.”
 In 33:35 says, “Men and women are equal in the eyes of Allah.”
 In 3:195, “Allah guarantees the reward of labour to both men and women.”
continued
 In 9:71 says, “both men and women,
are friends to each other.”
 In 4:19 says, – “Treat them with kindness, for
even if you dislike them, it may be that you
dislike a thing which Allah has meant for your
own abundant good.”
continued
 In 2:228 says, – “Women shall with justice have right
similar to those exercised against them, although men
have a degree (of advantage) above women. Allah is
mighty and wise.”
 In 4:7 says, – “Men and women shall have a share in
what their parents and kinsmen leave; whether it be
little or much, it is legally theirs.”
 In 30:21 says, – “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).”
continued
 In 40:40 says, – “Those that do evil shall be rewarded with like evil; but
those that have faith and do good works, both men and women, shall
enter the garden of paradise and receive blessings without measure.”
 In 4:124 says, – “But the believers who do good works, whether men or
women, shall enter the gardens of paradise. They shall not suffer the
least injustice.”
 In 16:97 says, – “We shall reward the steadfast according to their
noblest deeds. Be they men or women, those that embrace the faith
and do what is right
we will surely grant a happy life: we shall reward
them according to their noblest action.”
continued
 In 3:195 says, – “I will deny no man or woman
among you the reward of their labor. You are
members,
one of another.”
 In 4:20 says, – “O believers, it is unlawful for you…
to force them to give up a part of what you have given
them…”
 In 58:1 says, – “God has indeed heard the statement of
the woman who pleads with thee concerning her
husband, and carries her complaint to god. And god
always hears the argument between both sides among
you, for God hears and sees all things.”
continued
 In 4:24 says, – “Except for these (Prohibited) all others
are lawful, provided you seek (them in marriage) with
gifts from your property, desiring chastity not lust.”
 In 4:4 says, – “And give the women (0n marriage) their
dower as a free gift.”
 In 2:178 says,– “If a woman kills a man, and the crime
is proved, the women will be required to pay the
penalty. And, verily the man will be killed for having
killed a woman.”(1)
1)Bukhari, Sahih, Kitab ad Diyat (Fath al-bari, 12/180).
Words of Prophet Mohammad (saw)
 He stressed the high standard of conduct which a man
is meant to maintain in his relations:
 Only a man of noble character will honour women and
only a man of base intentions will dishonour them.(2)
 The best among you is he who is best for his family.
For my family, I am the best of all of you.(3)
2)Kanzal-Ummal, 16/371.
3)Ibn Majah, Sunan, Kitab an Nikah, 1/636.
continued
 No believing man should hate a believing woman,
for if there is any habit of hers that displeases
him, there will be some other habit of hers which
pleases him.(4)
 The most perfect man of religion is one who
excels in character. The best among you is he
who gives the best treatment to his women
folk.(5)
4)Muslim, Sahih Kitab ar-Rada, 2/1091.
5)At – Tirmidhi, Sahih, Abwab ar-Rada, 2/1091.
TRADITIONS
 The best possession in the World is a pious woman.(6)
 The best thing one could have in a tongue which expresses
remembrance, a heart which gives thanks and a believing woman
who helps one to be more steadfast in one’s faith.(7)
 Treat women well, for they have been created from a rib. The rib
is most curved in its upper part, so that if you try to straighten it
out, it will break,but if you leave it as it is, it will remain intact.
Therefore, follow my advice on giving women fair treatment. (8)
6) An-Nasa’I, Sunan, Kitab-an-Nikah, 6/69.
7) At – Tirmidhi, Sahih, Abwab at-Tafsir, 11/238.
8) Al-Bukhari, Sahih, Kitab an-Nikah (Fath al-Bari, 9/206-207).
continued
 Women are the other half of men.(9)
 Fear god in respect of women.(10)
 Heaven lies beneath the feet of mother.(11)
9)Abu-Dawd, Sunan, Kitab at-Tahara, 1/61.
10)Ibn. Majah, Sunan, Kitab al-Manasik, 2/1025.
11)Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, Al-jami’ as-Saghir fi
Ahadith al-Bashir an-Nadhir, 1/536.
continued
 One who brings up 3 daughters, teaches them good manners and
morals, arrange their marriages and treats them with fairness,
deserves to be ushered into paradise.(12)
 If a man to whom a girl is born neither buries her alive, humiliates
her, nor gives his sons preference over her, he will be allowed to
enter heaven by God, as a reward.(13)
 Shall I not tell you what the best object of your charity is? It is
your own daughter, who has returned to you as a widow, or a
divorcee and who has no one for her except you.(14)
12)Abu dawd, Sunan, Kitab al-adab, 4/338.
13)Ibid, 4/337.
14)Ibn Majah, Sunan, Kitab al-adab, 2/1209-10.
continued
 When a man is tested through his daughters by God, and
he treats them well, his actions will guard him from
welfare.(15)
 Prophet once observed “Those men are cursed who try to
resemble women, and those women are cursed who try
to resemble men.(16)
 Beware, your women have rights over you and you have
rights over your women.(17)
15)At-Tirmidhi, Sahih, Abawab al-Birrwas – Silah, 8/105.
16)Al-Bakhari, Sahih, Kitab al-Lihas (Fath al-Bari, 10/273).
17) Ibn Majah, Sunan, Kitab an–Nikah, 1/593.
continued
 A man came to prophet and asked “O messenger of God, who rightfully
deserves the best treatment from me?”
•
‘Your mother’ replied the prophet.
•
Who is next?
•
‘Your mother – said’ the prophet.
•
Who comes next?
•
Your mother’ – replied the prophet.
•
•
Who is after that?
‘Your father’, replied the prophet.(18)
 The prophet once said that the acquisition of knowledge is the
duty of all Muslims.(19)
18)Al Bukhari, Sahih, Kitab al-Adab (Fath al Bari), 10/329-330.
19)Ibn Majah, Sunan, Al Muquddimah, 17, 1/81.
Important facts of Islam
 The Quran appreciates the ruler, queen of Sheeba, for her
wit and wisdom.
 The prophet said “The best women out of all of them was
Mary, the daughter of Imran, and the best woman out of
all my own people was Khadija bint Khuwaylid.”(20)
 Prophet said to Aisha – “I have been intoxicated with her
(Khadija’s) love.”(21)
20)Al Bukhari, Sahih, Kitab ahadith al – Anbiya (Fath alBari), 7/104-105.
21)Muslim, Sahih, Kitab Fad’ail as – Sahabah, 4/188.
continued
 In Islamic history, there were many examples of women
who have helped their husbands when faced with critical
situations:
 (1) Khadija, Prophets’ 1st wife, who successfully brought
the prophet back to a state of normalcy after his
experience in the cave of Hira.
 (2) Umm Salamah, Gave advise to go outside, and without
a word to anyone slaughter your animal and shave your
head. The prophet did exactly as
she had suggested.
 (3) It is said that Imam Ibn Jauzi, the famous religious
scholar, received his primary education from his aunt.
continued
 4)Ibn Abi Asibaś sister and daughter were experts
in medicine – the lady doctors of their times.
 (5) Aishah, handed down to posterity a
substantial proportion of what comprises the
vast whole of Islamic knowledge.
 (6) Umm, Atiyah, a Medinan woman had been
present on seven expeditions.
continued
(7) Umm Ad-Dahdah worked on the date
orchard (according to Ibn Kathir, Tafsir, 4/308).
 (8) Hajar, Abrahm’s wife ran back and forth
between Safa and Marwah, near Kabah, to
quench the thirst of her crying infant, called
rite of sǎi (saee).
• This running, enjoined
upon every Pilgrim.
---------------Perhaps there could be no better
demonstration of a woman’s greatness than
God’s command to men, literally to follow
her foot steps.