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The Status Of Women In Islam
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Islam gives women a really honourable position in the society, as
mother, wife, sister, daughter and individual. The Prophet, peace be upon him, is
reported to have said:
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"The world and all things in the world are precious but the most precious of all in the world is a virtuous woman."
(Muslim).
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Islam regards men and women as being of the same essence created from a
single soul. The Qur'an declares:
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O mankind! Reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single
person, created, of like nature, his mate, and from this pair scattered
(like seeds) countless men and women. Reverence God, through Whom you
demand your mutual (rights), and reverence the wombs (that bore you);
for Allah ever watches over you.
(4:1)
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In Islam there is absolutely no difference between men and women as far
as their relationship to Allah is concerned, as both are promised the
same reward for good conduct and the same punishment for evil conduct.
The Qur'an says:
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And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women.
(2:226)
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For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men
and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient
and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and
women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and
women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much
in God's praise, for them has God prepared forgiveness and great
reward.
(33:35)
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Sisters at the IWCNZ Conference in Wellington
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The Prophet of Islam, peace be upon him, said:
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"Women are the twin
halves of men".
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The Qur'an emphasises the essential unity of men and women in a most
beautiful simile:
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They (your wives) are your garment and you are a garment for them.
(2:187)
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And among His signs is this, that He has created for you mates from
among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity with them; and He
has put love and mercy between you. Verily in that are signs for those
who reflect.
(30:21)
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Thus men and women are equal to each other in their origin, their abode
as well as their place of return and are as such entitled to similar
and equal rights. Islam gave women the right to life, to honour, to
hold property and dispose of it as they wish like men. Women are
honourable beings and it is not permissible for any one to find fault
with her or backbite her. The Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur'an:
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"Unto the men belongeth a share of that which parents and near kindred
leave, and unto the women a share of that which parents and near
kindred leave"
(4:7)
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"And unto men a fortune from that which they have earned, and unto
women a fortune from that which they have earned"
(4:32)
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In Islam a woman is a completely independent personality, recognising
the independent economic status of woman, her rights to own, use and
enjoy it in her own rights without any intermediary trustee or
mediator. She can make any contract or bequest in her own name. She is
entitled to inherit in her position as mother, as wife, as sister and
as daughter. She has perfect liberty to choose her husband. She can not
be given in marriage without her consent, no marriage is valid unless
she agrees to it. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
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No widow should be married without consulting her and no virgin should
be married without her consent.
(Bukhari and Muslim).
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Woman as mother commands great respect in Islam. The Qur'an speaks of
the rights of the mother in a
number of verses. It enjoins Muslims to show respect to their mothers
and serve them well even if they
are still unbelievers. The Prophet, peace be upon him, states
emphatically that the rights of the mother
are paramount.
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Muslim Ladies at Eid Celebrations at Parliament Buildings in Wellington.
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A man came to the Prophet, peace be upon him, and said "O Messenger of Allah! Who
is more entitled to be treated
with best companionship by me?" "O Messenger of God, who is the person
who has the greatest right on me with regards to kindness and
attention?" He replied, "Your mother." "Then who?" He replied, "Your
mother." "Then who?" He replied, "Your mother." "Then who?" He replied,
"Your father."
(Bukhari).
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This page last updated 10/11/2009 12:39 p.m.
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