The status of women in Islam
Women have rights upon men similar to what men have upon them, in fairness. The reform Islam introduced, and what the ummah has often forgotten.
Outline
- 1
Pre-Islamic baseline
Before Islam, daughters were buried alive in some tribes. Women could not inherit, could not own property, could not refuse marriage. Islam abolished female infanticide, gave inheritance, ownership, the right to consent. Many practices in some Muslim societies today are cultural reversions, not Islamic continuations.
- 2
The Prophet's example
Aisha said: he used to be in service of his family, and when the time for prayer came, he would go out for it (Bukhari 676). The Prophet ﷺ mended his sandals, helped with housework, called his wives by affectionate names. He set the standard.
- 3
The greatest of women
Khadijah, Fatimah, Maryam, Asiyah. Named by the Prophet ﷺ as the leaders of the women of Jannah (Tabarani 1135, hasan). Aisha became one of the most authoritative scholars in Islamic history. The deen never excluded the woman from the highest stations.
Closing line
If you are a man with a wife, mother, sister, daughter, ask yourself: am I treating her the way the Prophet ﷺ treated his women?
Aisha (RA) reported: the Prophet's ﷺ khutbahs were of moderate length and his prayers were short (Sahih Muslim 869). Aim for fifteen to twenty minutes. Two sections separated by a brief sitting is the Sunnah pattern.