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Overview: Gender Justice in Islam
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The status of Muslim Women
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Misconceptions
Understanding the Muslim Woman
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Spiritual Aspect
Economic Aspect
Social Aspect
Political Aspect
1.
2.
3.
Monotheism (Tawhid)
Prophetic Mission
Our Human Mission on earth (Khilafah)
Source: Gender Justice in Islam.Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro
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To explore and come to a full understanding of the concept
of monotheism: THERE IS NO OTHER GOD THAN ALLAH.
Nothing can be on the same level as He. There is nothing
which is as noble and deserves the same praise as He
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The basic equality that defines and exists between
humans, equal rights and responsibilities
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Human excellence as measured in terms of one’s devotion
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The teaching of justice, humanity, solidarity, equality
Source: . Gender Justice in Islam.Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro
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Returning a favour, the respect for others,
liberating ourselves from the shackles of
ignorance and humiliation
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The teaching of love, respect for one’s elders
(parents), care and empathy for orphans and
people who are destitute, the prohibition of
violence, etc.
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This also includes justice and empowerment to
both males and females.
Source:. Gender Justice in Islam.Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro
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Teaching about the earth’s wealth and fertility
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Prosperity
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The political principle of benevolence
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The development of culture, science, and economics
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Social and political developments
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Taking care of earth’s natural resources
Source: Atty. Laisa Masuhud Alamia. Gender Justice in Islam.Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro
Who is the Muslim woman?
Does she have rights?
Does gender equality really exist in Islam?
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That men are the masters and women are the
slaves
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That men are superior to women
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That men are allowed to beat women
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That one man equals two women
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That one male witness equals two female
witnesses
Source: Barra, Hamid Aminoddin. Gender Equity in Islam. Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy
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Gender equality best exemplified through Adam
and Eve. The Quran states that both sexes were
deliberate and independent and there is no
mention of Eve being created from.
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Both men and women alike are recipients of
the "divine breath," because they are created
with the same human spiritual nature.
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Allah has invested both genders with inherent
dignity and has made men and women,
collectively, the trustees of Allah on earth.
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The Qur'an does not blame woman for the "fall
of man," nor does it view pregnancy and
childbirth as punishments for "eating from the
forbidden tree."On the contrary, the Qur'an
depicts Adam and Eve as equally responsible for
their sin in the garden , never singling out Eve
for blame.
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The Shari'ah (Islamic Law) recognizes the
full property rights of women before and after
marriage.
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With regard to the woman's right to seek
employment , it should be stated first that Islam
regards her role in society as a mother and a wife as
her most sacred and essential one.
There is no decree in Islam that forbids women
from seeking employment whenever there is a
necessity for it
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Islam places importance in the woman’s role a
daughter, wife and mother.
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Marriage in Islam is based on mutual peace, love and
compassion, and not the mere satisfying of human
sexual desire.
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The female has the right to accept or reject marriage
proposals.
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The husband is responsible for the maintenance,
protection and overall leadership (qiwamah) of the
family, within the framework of consultation and
kindness. The mutuality and complementary of
husband and wife does not mean "subservience" by
either party to the other.
 Should
marital disputes arise, the Quran
encourages couples to resolve them privately
in a spirit of fairness and probity. Priority for
the custody of young children (up to the age
of about seven) is given to the mother.
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A child later may choose the mother or father as
his or her custodian. Custody questions are to be
settled in a manner that balances the interests of
both parents and the well-being of the child.
 Marriage
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and Polygamy
It is not encouraged by Islam
Men can choose to remain monogamous
The man can only marry another with the
consent of the original or other wives
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Polygamy can be allowed only in some circumstances
A woman can ask her husband in her marriage contract
to remain monogamous
If the initial condition is violated, it can be a ground
for divorce
Eligibility in Public Office
 Wilayah
khassah and wilayah ‘ammah
 Men as qawwamun over women
 Ayah al-Mudayanah on the two-women
witness equivalent to one-man testimony
 Testimony in li’an
 Exercise of one’s profession
 Women as judges
 Can women be heads of states?
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The general rule in social and political life is
participation and collaboration of males and females in
public affairs.
The believers, men and women, are protectors, one
of another: they enjoin what is just and forbid what
is evil: they observe regular prayers, practice regular
charity, and obey Allah and His apostle. On them will
Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power,
Wise. (Qur'an 9:7)
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There is evidence of participation by Muslim women in
the choice of rulers, in public issues, in lawmaking, in a
administrative positions, in scholarship and teaching, and
even in the battlefield.
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While principles of Islam exist, one cannot negate the
existence of various cultures
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How the Qu’ran and the Shari’a law is interpreted
can be different in the Arab world and the Southeast
Asia region
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The Philippine context
 It embraces the universality of human rights thus
including women
 Women empowered in the public sphere, able to
participate in social and political life and develop
themselves.
 Gender
equality based on western concepts
and models
 Media
portrays Muslim women as oppressed
and passive
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Tendency to focus on the public sphere; disregarding the
importance of woman in the private sphere, that is her
home
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This may provide a distorted view of Muslim women
and their ability to exercise their rights
 A negative image of Muslim women exists“oppressed”
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There is a need to break these misconceptions and
realize that the principles of Islam seeks what is
good for both man and woman, emphasizing their
importance in the roles they play as well as the
importance of preserving their dignity and rights as
human beings.

Atty. Laisa Masuhud Alamia. Gender Justice in
Islam.Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro
 Barra,
Hamid Aminoddin. Gender Equity in Islam.
Philippine Council for Islam and Democra
 http://www.regligiousconsultation.org/hassan2.htm
 http://www.jannah.org/genderequity/equityconc.html