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Womens Rights

Women's Rights in Islam

Women in Islam are often portrayed as oppressed, voiceless, and subjugated—but is that truly the case? Or are these misconceptions shaped by biased media and cultural misrepresentation? Let’s explore what Islam actually says about the rights, roles, and value of women.

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🪞 Introduction

“Women have rights similar to those of men equitably, although men have a degree of responsibility above them.”
— Qur’an 2:228

Over 1,400 years ago, Islam granted women rights that the West only recently began to recognize. In the 1930s, author Annie Besant wrote:

“It is only in the last twenty years that Christian England has recognized the right of women to property, while Islam has allowed this right from all times.”

Islam does not accept injustice or mistreatment of either gender. Men and women are created equal in their humanity and are to be treated with fairness and compassion.

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⚖️ Equal Reward & Equal Accountability

Men and women worship Allah in the same way, follow the same scriptures, and are equally accountable for their actions. Allah rewards based on faith and deeds—not gender.

“I will never deny any of you—male or female—the reward of your deeds. Both are equal in reward.”
— Qur’an 3:195

“Allah has promised the believers, both men and women, Gardens under which rivers flow... That is truly the ultimate triumph.”
— Qur’an 9:72

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📚 Equal Right to Knowledge

Both men and women are encouraged to seek knowledge. Aisha, the wife of the Prophet ﷺ, was a leading scholar of her time, through whom a quarter of Islamic law has been transmitted. Other prominent female scholars also taught and mentored male jurists.

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💍 Equal Right to Choose a Spouse

Islam honors a woman’s right to choose her own spouse and maintain her family name. Forcing a daughter into marriage is not allowed in Islam.

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🧠 Equal yet Different

Islam recognises that men and women have complementary differences suited to their respective roles.

Science supports this too—studies show subtle but significant differences between the brains and social behaviour of men and women. Islam embraces this natural distinction and assigns roles accordingly for the betterment of society.

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🏠 The Family Unit

In Islam, the family is central. Men are responsible for the financial well-being of the family, while women often manage the home’s affairs and spiritual balance.

This cooperation is based on complementarity, not competition. By embracing their roles, families flourish, and societies grow stronger.

“Your spouses are a garment for you as you are for them.”
— Qur’an 2:187

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💞 Love & Mercy in Spousal Relations

The Prophet ﷺ encouraged men to treat their wives with gentleness and honor:

“The best of you are those who are best in treatment to their wives.”

Aisha (his wife) once said:

“He was the most lenient and generous at home. He used to help with household work, sew his own clothes, and mend his own shoes.”

“And one of His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find comfort in them. And He has placed between you compassion and mercy...”
— Qur’an 30:21

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👩‍👧 Lofty Position of Mothers & Daughters

The Prophet ﷺ was once asked who is more deserving of honour and said:

“Your mother.”
“Then who?”
“Your mother.”
“Then who?”
“Your mother.”
“Then who?”
“Your father.”

He emphasised that mothers deserve three times more honour than fathers.

“We have commanded people to honour their parents. Their mothers bore them in hardship and delivered them in hardship.”
— Qur’an 46:15

Islam even designates a special reward for raising daughters—a role not granted for raising sons.

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Conclusion

Before Islam, women were viewed as inferior. Female babies were buried alive, and women had no say in divorce, property, or inheritance. Islam ended these injustices.

Even in many modern “developed” nations, women still face unequal pay and lack of respect. Islam, however, regards women as dignified and valuable—not to be shamed or silenced.

The mistreatment of women in some Muslim cultures is due to local customs, not Islam. Why would women around the world continue to accept Islam if it was truly oppressive?

Islam speaks clearly:

“Surely for Muslim men and women, believing men and women, devout men and women, truthful men and women... for all of them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.”
— Qur’an 33:35

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📚 Want to learn more?
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