Women in Islam

Today people think that women are liberated in the West and that the
women's liberation movement began in the 20th century. Actually, the
women's liberation movement was not begun by women but was revealed by
Allaah (God) to a man in the seventh century by the name of Muhammad .
The Quran and the Traditions of the Prophet are the sources from which
every Muslim woman derives her rightsand duties.
Human Rights:
Islam, fourteen centuries ago, made women equally accountable to
Allaah 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 the first verse of the chapter entitled "Women", Allaah Says (what
means): "O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who createdyou from a
single person (Aadam), and from him (Aadam) He created his wife
[Hawwaa (Eve)], and from them both, He created many men and women and
fear Allaah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights),and (do not
cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allaah is Ever an
All-Watcher over you." [Quran 4:1]
Since men and women both came from the same essence, they are equal in
their humanity. Women cannot be by nature evil (as some religions
believes) or then men would be evil also. Similarly, neither sex can
be superior because it would be a contradiction of equality. Allaah
Says (which means): "O mankind! We have created you from a maleand a
female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one
another. Verily, the most honorable of you with Allaah is that
(believer) who is the most pious of you. Verily, Allaah is
All-Knowing, All-Aware." [Quran 49:13]
Allaah also Says (what means): "Verily, the Muslims men and women, the
believers men and women, the men and women who are obedient (to
Allaah), the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and
deeds), the men and women whoare humble (before their Lord), the men
and women who give charity, the men and women who observe fasting, the
men and women who guard their chastity (from illegal sexual acts),and
the men and women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and
tongues. Allaah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward
(i.e. Paradise )." [Quran 33:35]
Civil Rights:
In Islam, a woman has the basic freedom of choice and expressionbased
on recognition of her individual personality. First, the non-Muslim
woman (from the people of the Book) is free to maintain her religion.
Allaah Says (what means): "There is no compulsion in religion. Verily,
theRight path has been made distinct from wrong path." [Quran 2:256]
Women are encouraged in Islam to contribute their opinions and ideas.
There are many traditions of the Prophet 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 keeps her family name after
marriage. A Muslim woman's testimony is valid in legal disputes. In
fact, in areas in which women are more familiar, their evidence is
conclusive.
Social Rights
The Prophet said: "Seeking knowledge is a mandatefor every Muslim
(male and female)." [Ibn Maajah] This includes knowledge of the Quran
and the Hadeeth as well as other religious knowledge. Men and women
both have the capacity for learning and understanding. Since it isalso
their obligation to promote good behavior and condemn bad behavior in
all spheres oflife, Muslim women must acquire the appropriate Islamic
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 woman, if she has the skills to work
outsidethe home for the good of the community, she may do so (if
shehas to) as long as her family obligations are met, and as long as
there is no intermingling between her and men in the work place.
Islam recognizes and fosters the natural differences between men and
women despite their equality. Some types of work are more suitable for
men and other types for women. This, in no way,diminishes either's
effort nor benefit. Allaah will reward both sexes equally for the
value of their work, though it may not necessarily be the same
activity.
The success of a society can be traced to the mothers. The first and
greatest influence on a person comes from the sense of security,
affection, and training received from the mother. Therefore, a woman
having children must be educated and conscientious in order to be a
skillful parent.