Demands for Women's Rights

Women worldwide demand equal rights. There is not a system of law that
preserves, maintains and protects what are truly women's rights, as
much as Islamic law does, whether in the past or in modern times. This
willbe verified and substantiated in the following sections of the
book.
Sir Hamilton , the well-known English thinker and philosopher, stated
in his book on Islam and Arab Civilization :
"The rules, regulations and verdicts concerning women in Islam are
clear, frank and open. Islam capitalizes on the completecare that
should be given to the protection of a woman against anything that may
harm her personally, or cause ill-fame to her reputation or
character."
Gustave Le Bon , the well-known French thinker stated in his book "The
Arab Civilization" :
"Islamic virtuous deeds are not limited to honoring and respecting
women, but rather, we can add that Islam is the first religion to
honor and respect women. We can easily prove this by illustrating that
all religions and nations, prior to the advent of Islam, caused much
harm and insult to women."
[p.488]
He also points out:
"Matrimonial rights which have been stated and illustrated in
theGlorious Qur'an and by the interpreters of the meanings of the
Glorious Qur'an are far better than European matrimonial rights for
both husband and wife."
[p.497]
Over fourteen hundred years ago,Islam began to spread to the known
world from Makkah , and then Madinah , where the Prophetof Allah,
Muhammad bin Abdullah(Peace be upon Him) taught his message. Islam
spread its light through the teachings of the revealed scriptures of
the Glorious Book of Allah, the Qur'an, and the inspired traditions of
the Sunnah (Way) of Prophet (Peace be upon Him) which are the
undisputed basis of the Islamic law. The Islamic teachings and system
of law had a profound impact on the lives of the followers of Islam,
and consequently, this impact affected the societies in the landswhere
Muslims traveled and settled. Islam spread very rapidly in an
astounding manner in the known world and left a comprehensive system
of life thataddresses every human need.
Islam does not contradict, clash with or reject any of the lawful,
sound and meaningful requirements of the human being's existence,
which are essential to his continuity in life.In order to understand
changes that Islam brought for women, we must examine brieflythe
status of women prior to the advent of Islam in the Arab society and
other civilizations in the world.