The Status of Women in Islam

The Status of Women in Islam

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The Status of Women In Islam.
Compiled By TurnToIslam.Com

Islam is the message that Allah sent to all mankind through his Prophets. The Message of Islam has always been to worship Allah alone without associating any partners with him and to follow the Messengers that he, the most High, sent to mankind.

The Last and final Messenger was Muhammad And it is his example and guidance that Muslims must seek to emulate and act upon. Islam is perfect, and there is no need for it to ever be changed or "Modernised". For It is a religion of ease and moderation. Infact, those Muslims who do not act according to the true sources of Islam are the ones who are "backwards". Advancement for mankind is through the pure Islam.

Therefore there is absolutely no need for people to differentiate and use the terms "Moderate" or "Fundamentalist" Islam. Islam is one, the fundamentals of Islam should be based upon the true sources of Islam, i.e. the Quran and the Sunnah (way of the Prophet). If the latter is done, then the Muslim's life will be the one full of light, understanding, compassion and ease.



THere will be some "Muslims" who do not respect women, or who are criminals and do bad. Just as there will be some countries which call themselves "Islamic" and call for women to be stopped from going to school and getting education etc. None of these people are following Islam properly. They are ignorant to the true teachings of Islam. Any person who has a fair and just mind, can understand that there are good and bad people in all societies. Islam is not at fault, but those people who do not follow it properly.

You can not simply generalise and make wide sweeping statements against Muslims or Islam based upon the actions of a very few people.


There are ignorant and bad people in all walks of life. Alcohol and Drug abuse, high levels of rape, guncrime, child abuse and the beating of women is something of a huge problem in the US and other Western countries. Take for example the following Statistics:

Every 9 seconds in the United States a woman is assaulted and beaten.

Between 1979 and 2001, gunfire killed 90,000 children and teens in America. (Children's Defense Fund and National Center for Health Statistics)

Nearly one-third of American women (31 percent) report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives, according to a 1998 Commonwealth Fund survey. (The Commonwealth Fund, Health Concerns Across a Woman’s Lifespan: 1998 Survey of Women’s Health, May 1999)

One in five (21 percent) women reported she had been raped or physically or sexually assaulted in her lifetime.

In a national survey of more than 6,000 American families, 50 percent of the men who frequently assaulted their wives also frequently abused their children

So, the purpose of these statistics is to stop those who keep hurling abuse at Islam and Muslims from being so superficient and ignorant. To realise that their hate towards Muslims is indeed uncalled, unjustified and it is really they who are the intolerant ones.

Islam clearly states that it is unlawful and sinful to use any violence against people. Infact, even shouting and using profanities is also a large sin. Islam provides guidelines for Muslims so they achieve great respect and love in the family. A true Muslim would know the high status that women have in society, as well as the high emphasis on maintaining a warm and loving family atmosphere in the home.

One must recognise the difference to the true ISlamic teachings and those of certain cultures which have incorrect and bad attitudes towards women.

Islam emphasises women's rights and the whole "Islamic" culture is one of ease, understanding and love in family life.

The Prophet said: "I urge you to treat women well" - Sahih Al bukhari

Islam honours women as daughters, and encourages us to raise them well and educate them. Islam states that raising daughters will bring a great reward. For example, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Whoever takes care of two girls until they reach adulthood, he and I will come like this on the Day of Resurrection,” and he held his fingers together. Narrated by Muslim, 2631.



The Status of Women in Islam

By Jamal A. Badawi

CONTENTS

PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
Women in Ancient Civilization
WOMEN IN ISLAM
1. The Spiritual Aspect
2. The Social Aspect
(a) As a Child and Adolescent
(b) As a Wife
(c) As a Mother
3. The Economic Aspect
4. The political Aspect
CONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHY

PREFACE
Family, society and ultimately the whole of mankind is treated by Islam on an ethical basis. Differentiation in sex is neither a credit nor a drawback for the sexes. Therefore, when we talk about status of woman in Islam it should not lead us to think that Islam has no specific guidelines, limitations, responsibilities and obligations for men. What makes one valuable and respectable in the eyes of Allah, the Creator of mankind and the universe, is neither one's prosperity, position, intelligence, physical strength nor beauty, but only one's Allah-consciousness and awareness (taqwa). However, since in the Western culture and in cultures influenced by it, there exists a disparity between men and women there is more need for stating Islam's position on important issues in a clear way.