Women in Islam are thought to be subjugated, degraded, oppressed – but are they really? Are millions of Muslims simply that oppressive or are these assumptions merely misconceptions that root in lack of knowledge?
Over fourteen hundred years ago, Islam gave women rights that women in other societies had not enjoyed until recent decades.
In the 1930’s, Annie Besant observed, “It is only in the last twenty years that Christian England has recognized the right of woman to property, while Islam has allowed this right from all times. It is a slander to say that Islam preaches that women have no souls.” (The Life and Teachings of Mohammed, 1932).
Men and women worship Allah (God) in the same way, meaning they worship the same Allah, perform the same acts of worship, follow the same scripture, and hold the same beliefs. Allah, judges all human beings fairly and equitably. He emphasizes the just treatment and reward due to both men and women in many verses of the Quran:
“Allah has promised to the believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss.” (Quran 9:72)
This verse and many more verses like this, show that reward is dependent upon one’s actions and not one’s gender. Gender does not play any part in how a person is rewarded and judged.
While men and women have equal rights as a general principle, the specific rights and responsibilities granted to them are not identical. Men and women have complementary rights and responsibilities.
To know more about the Islamic view on women’s rights and gender equality, watch this video:
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