Today people think that women are liberated in the west and that the
woman's liberation movement began in the 20 th century. Actually,
thewomen's liberation movement was not begun by women but women butwas
revealed buy god to a man in the seventh century by the name of
Muhammad (peace be upon him) who is known as the last prophet of
Islam. The Qur'an and the traditions of the prophet (Hadith or Sunnah)
are the sources from which every Muslim women derives herrights and
duties.
I. HUMAN RIGHTS:
Islam, fourteen centuries ago, made women equallyaccountable to God in
glorifying and worshipping Him setting no limits on her moral
Progress.
Also, Islam established a woman's equality in her humanity with men,
in theQur'an in the first verse of the chapter entitled"women" God
says
"O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord who created you from
a single soul and from it its mate and from them both have spread
broad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty toward
Allah in whom you claim (your rights) of one another and towards the
wombs (that bore you) LO! Allah has been a watcher over you"(4:1)
Since men and women both come from the same essence, they are equal in
their humanity. Women cannot be by nature evil (as some religions
believe) or them men would be evil, also. Similarly, neither gender
can be superior because it would be a contradiction of equality.
II. CIVIL RIGHTS:
In Islam, a woman has the basic freedoms of choice and expression
based on recognition of her individual personality. First, she is free
to choose her religion. The Qur'an states;
"there is no compulsion in religion. Right has been made distinct from
error". (2:256)
Women are encouraged in Islam to contribute their opinions and ideas,
There are many traditions of the Prophet (p) which indicate women
would pose questions directly to him and offer their opinions
concerning religion, economics and social matters.
A Muslim woman chooses her husband and to keep her name after
marriage. AMuslim woman's testimony is valid in legal disputes. In
fact, where women are more familiar, their evidence is conclusive.
III. SOCIAL RIGHTS:
The Prophet (s) said,"seeking knowledge is a mandate for every Muslim
(male and female )''. This includes knowledge of the Qur'an and the
Hadith as well as other knowledge. Men and women both have the
capacity for learning and understanding. Since it is also their
obligation to promote good behavior and condemn bad behavior in all
spheres of life Muslim women must acquire the oppropriate education to
perform this duty in accordance with their own natural talents and
interests.
While maintenance of a home, providing support to her husband and
bearing, raising and teaching of children are among the first and very
highly regarded roles for a women, if she has the skills to work
outside the home for the good of the community, she may do soas long
as her family obligations are met.
Islam recognizes and fosters the natural differences between men and
women despite their equality. Some types of work are more suitable
formen and other types for women. This in no way diminishes either's
effort nor its benefit. God will reward both sexes equally for the
value of their work though it may not necessarily be the same
activity.
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