Islam came to honor women, give them their rights, and enhance their status in society. Contrary to many misconceptions, the core of Islamic teaching elevates women to a position of respect and dignity. Our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized this kindness and care in numerous Hadiths.
Abu Hurairah reported that a man came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and asked:
“O Messenger of Allah, who is the person who has the greatest right on me with regards to kindness and attention?” He replied, “Your mother.” “Then who?” He replied, “Your mother.” “Then who?” He replied, “Your mother.” “Then who?” He replied, “Your father.”
Furthermore, equality is a fundamental principle in our faith. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“All people are equal, as the teeth of a comb. There is no claim of merit of an Arab and non-Arab, or a white over a black person, or a male over a female. Only God-fearing people merit a preference with God.” [Ahmad b. Hanbal, Al-Musnad, vol. 6, p. 411.]
Unfortunately, in many countries, cultural practices are sometimes confused with religion. Islam is occasionally used against women to oppress them by changing the meaning of Quranic verses and Sunnah to force women to behave according to what others please. It is essential for women—and men—all over the world to learn and understand the true rights in Islam, and not to let anyone control them in the name of the religion.
Because as a matter of fact, Islam chooses that women are equal to men; they are not property or something to control. Therefore, we will discuss some of the women’s rights based on Sharia, with Hadiths and Quranic verses to illustrate the beauty of this balance.
Women Before Islam: A Historical Context
To appreciate the status of women in Islam, we must look at history. Before Islam and the Islamic Sharia, women were often treated as property or something to own and control.
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Lack of Rights: They were treated like slaves with no rights; they weren’t allowed to get their share as inheritance, nor be treated as human beings.
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Exploitation: Before Islam, women were forced into degrading work. Actually, some men forced their wives to work in prostitution. Men were allowed to marry any number of women, marry two sisters at the same time, and do whatever they pleased with women.
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Dehumanization: Women were used as a sort of payment; if the man couldn’t pay his debt, then his wife would be taken instead, as if women were strictly assets.
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Infanticide: Perhaps most tragically, when a female child was born, the father would bury her alive to wash away his perceived embarrassment.
Women’s Rights in Islam: The Turning Point
Islam came to change everything, to show that women are equal to men and that they have rights endowed by their Creator. Women are not property, and a female child is a blessing, not a bad omen.
So, what are women’s rights in Islam from a Sharia perspective? Let’s find out:
1. Women as Wives in Islam
Islam mandates every man to treat his wife with kindness. Sharia shows that women have substantial rights over their husbands. Men should treat their wives with kindness, provide them with a decent life, and help them. It is strictly forbidden to treat them badly, take their money with force, or abuse them physically or emotionally.
When the Islamic Sharia mentions that a man has a “degree” (Qawwam) over his wife, it doesn’t mean that he is better than her or that he can force her to do anything. What it means is that he is the one who is responsible for spending on the house, protecting, and taking care of the family.
Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“O believers! It is not permissible for you to inherit women against their will or mistreat them to make them return some of the dowry ˹as a ransom for divorce˺—unless they are found guilty of adultery. Treat them fairly. If you happen to dislike them, you may hate something which Allah turns into a great blessing.” [al-Nisa 4:19]
“O humanity! Be mindful of your Lord Who created you from a single soul, and from it He created its mate, and through both, He spread countless men and women…” (al-Nisa 4:1)
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) reinforced this partnership, saying: “Women are the twin halves of men.”
The relationship is described beautifully in the Quran:
“They (your wives) are your garment and you are a garment for them.” (2:187)
“And among His signs is this, that He has created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity with them; and He has put love and mercy between you. Verily in that are signs for those who reflect.” (30:21)
Prophetic Guidance on Treatment of Wives:
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“I urge you to treat women well.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari & Muslim)
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“Fear Allah in respect of women.”
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“The best of you are they who behave best to their wives.”
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“A Muslim must not hate his wife, and if he be displeased with one bad quality in her, let him be pleased with one that is good.”
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“The more civil and kinder a Muslim is to his wife, the more perfect in faith he is.”
The Prophet also encouraged his followers to protect the vulnerable. Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet said: “One who makes efforts (to help) the widow or a poor person is like a mujahid (warrior) in the path of Allah, or like one who stands up for prayers in the night and fasts in the day.”
2. Women as Daughters in Islam
One of the most profound shifts Islam brought was the honoring of daughters. A daughter has the right to be treated with kindness, to live her life, and—crucially—not to be buried alive or neglected. Islamic Sharia encourages men to raise their daughters well, educate them, and give them their rights.
The Rewards of Raising Daughters: In order to encourage men to take care of their daughters, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Whoever takes care of two girls until they reach adulthood, he and I will come like this on the Day of Resurrection,” and he held his fingers together. (Narrated by Muslim, 2631)
Ibn Majah (3669) also narrated that ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir said: I heard the Messenger of Allah say:
“Whoever has three daughters and is patient towards them, and feeds them, gives them to drink and clothes them from his riches, they will be a shield for him from the Fire on the Day of Resurrection.”
3. Women as Sisters and Aunts
Among the women’s rights in Islam is her right to be treated kindly as a sister and aunt. Maintaining family ties (Silat ar-Rahim) is mandatory.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“O people! Spread (the greeting of) salam, offer food (to the needy), uphold the ties of kinship, and pray at night when people are sleeping, and you will enter Paradise in peace.” (Narrated by Ibn Majah)
He also warned against breaking these ties:
“Allah, may He be exalted, said to the ties of kinship: ‘Whoever upholds you, I will support him, and whoever breaks you, I will cut him off.’” [Al-Bukhari]
4. Women as Mothers in Islam
To show the significance of taking care of women as mothers in Islam, Allah said that Paradise lies at the mother’s feet. Obeying your mother, taking care of her, respecting her, and making her happy are of great reward to you.
The Status of the Mother: Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: A man came to the Messenger of Allah and said:
“O Messenger of Allah, who is most deserving of my good company?” He said: “Your mother.” He said: “Then who?” He said: “Your mother.” He said: “Then who?” He said: “Your mother.” He said: “Then who?” He said: “Then your father.” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]
Islam honors women and encourages men to treat them kindly. The best and fastest way to paradise is being good to your mother. A mother has rights over you; you shouldn’t disobey her, make her angry, disrespect her, or hurt her with words. It is your duty to care for her, especially as she grows old.
Allah says in the Holy Quran regarding parents:
“We have commanded people to honor their parents. Their mothers bore them in hardship and delivered them in hardship…” [al-Ahqaf 46:15]
“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honor…” [al-Isra 17:23, 24]
A Powerful Lesson on Jihad and Mothers: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) instructed us that serving our mothers can be superior to voluntary Jihad. Mu’awiyah ibn Jahimiah al-Sulami came to the Prophet wanting to go for Jihad. The Prophet asked, “Is your mother still alive?” When he said yes, the Prophet replied, “Go back and honor her.” After asking three times, the Prophet finally said:
“Go back and honor her (lit. stay by her feet), for there is Paradise.”
5. Rights of Inheritance
Before Islam, women didn’t have the right to get their share of inheritance because they were looked at as objects. Islam revolutionized this by codifying the right of women to inherit.
Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“For men there is a share in what their parents and close relatives leave, and for women there is a share in what their parents and close relatives leave—whether it is little or much. These are obligatory shares.” [An-Nisa: 7]
The Quran outlines specific shares for women (mothers, wives, daughters, sisters) in Surah An-Nisa (11-12). While the shares may differ between genders due to the difference in financial responsibilities (men are required to spend on the family, while women keep their money), the right to inherit is absolute and protected.
“Allah commands you regarding your children: the share of the male will be twice that of the female…” [An-Nisa, 11:12]
Islam ensures the women’s right of Inheritance, and anyone who doesn’t do as Allah orders will be punished.
6. The Right to Seek Knowledge
This is a pillar of Islamic lifestyle. Women have the right to seek knowledge just like men; there is no difference between them in Islam regarding the pursuit of education. No one can stop women from acquiring knowledge and proper education.
At Noor Academy, we uphold this right by providing high-quality Islamic and Arabic education to girls and boys alike, ensuring the next generation is empowered with knowledge.
7. The Right to Own Property
Among the women’s rights in Islam is that women are free to own property just like a man does. She can buy a car, a house, or whatever she pleases. Her wealth is hers alone, and her husband has no right to take it without her permission.
8. The Right to Work
In Islam, women are free to work and choose their profession, provided it aligns with Islamic values. She contributes to society and her community, just as the female companions of the Prophet did.
Conclusion: Empowering the Muslim Woman
Islam shows that women have rights and that they are equal to men in spirituality and humanity. No matter what you hear about Islam oppressing women, don’t believe it. Islam raised the status of women and showed the world that they are humans and have the right to be treated equally to men.
Yes, some people may oppress women in the name of Islam, but they will be punished for their doing. Their actions don’t represent Islam.
In Islamic Sharia, women have the right to:
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Inherit and own property.
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Seek knowledge and get educated.
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Be respected and heard.
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Buy, sell, and give charity.
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Work, travel, and live a decent life.
Women have the right to be heard and express themselves; they have the right to give advice without facing aggression. While in other ancient civilizations women were looked at as property or a bad omen, Islam honors them as the cornerstone of the family and society.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does Islam allow women to get an education? A: Absolutely. Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim, male and female. Women in Islamic history were scholars, teachers, and jurists. At Noor Academy, we encourage girls to master the Quran and Arabic language to continue this legacy.
Q: Can women keep their own money in Islam? A: Yes. Any money a woman earns, inherits, or receives as a gift is hers entirely. She is not obligated to spend it on household expenses; that is the husband’s responsibility.
Q: Why is the inheritance share different for men and women? A: The difference in shares is based on financial responsibility. Men are legally required to fully support their wives, children, and female relatives financially. Women have no financial obligation to support the family, meaning their inheritance is purely for their own financial security.
Q: Are women considered equal to men in Islam? A: Spiritually and humanly, yes. The Quran states that men and women are created from a single soul and are equal in the sight of Allah regarding their deeds and reward.
Empower Your Child with Authentic Knowledge
Giving your daughter the gift of knowledge is one of the best ways to honor her rights in Islam. Help her understand her Deen, learn the Quran, and build a strong character with Noor Academy.
Our Al-Azhar certified teachers are ready to guide your children—boys and girls—through a fun, engaging, and structured curriculum designed for kids growing up in the West.
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