Women Rights in Islam

Outline

Introduction
Analysis of Women Rights in Ancient civilization.
o Women in The Babylion Civilization
o Women in Greek Civilization
o Women in Roman Civilization
o Women in Egypt Civilization
o Women in Persian Civilization
o Women in Indian Civilization (Hindu)
o Women in Judaism
o Women in Christianity
o Women in Arab, Pre-Islam Era
Women Rights in Islam
o The Spiritual Rights
Equality of man and women
Criteria of differentiation
o The Economic Rights
Right of owning property
Financial Burdon on the shoulder of male
Mehar (Marital Gift)
Share in Inheritance
Right to work
o The Social rights
Rights of Daughter
Rights of Wife
Consent of women for marrying
Right to accept or reject marriage proposals.
Rights of Mother
Advantage of Mother over father
Rights of Sister
o The Legal Rights
o The Educational Rights
o The Political Rights
Misconception of West about women rights in Islam
Conclusion.

Introduction:
Islam; a religion of peace has uplifted women to its esteem and has
given woman all those rights which man enjoys such as legal, social,
economic, spiritual etc. Islam gave women an honorable life and
ignited the light of rights in her life. Islam abolished all the pre-Islam
dark practices and made the paradise under the feet of mother,
guaranteed paradise to a father who brought up her daughters with
love, assured paradise to the husband who care her wife and made
sisters partners in the inheritance. Islam promised women respect,
honor and safety before and more than any other religion,
civilization or moderation. Islam is the only religion that has made
womens rights equal to a mens right but equality does not mean
that they are identical. Different roles are assigned for men and
women, many a times they are exactly the same and sometimes
they differ depending upon biological, physiological, psychological
and physical make up. Women in Islam have sought recognition,
protection, respect, modesty and are honored with integrity,
prosperity and due rights. The western talk of women liberalization,
It is not much than a disguised form of exploitation of body,
deprivation of honor and degradation of soul. They have actually
degraded her to a status concubine and have implied women as
measure tools in the hands of sex marketers and pleasure seekers.
Due to the negative role of western media women rights in Islam
has been presented as being subjugated But the due rights of
women in Islam bestowed cannot be denied due to which the west is
getting closer to Islam.
Following paragraphs will make a detail analysis of women rights in
ancient civilization and women rights in Islam and leading to end
with a comparison of women rights of west with Islam.
Women Rights in Old Civilizations:
There had not been a single civilization in ancient world which did
not inflict various forms of pains and cruelties to woman. Study of
history reveals that during different eras, women had lost their
recognition in their respective civilizations.
Not only she had lost her capabilities but also her freedom.
Moreover, she had to lose her worth and status. She was maltreated
in each society and every part of the world. As far as her moral and
lawful rights are concerned, she had fallen to the lowest level. In
different nations of the world, she was living her life in miserable

and terrible conditions. She was forced to marry and sometimes into
adultery. Other became heirs of her wealth irrespective of the
intensity of her financial needs. She could not even consider herself
the owner of her own life. She was treated as secondary to her
husband and father or any male member of her family. Her husband
used to become the owner of her wealth even before her death and
also became her master. It all happened when the nature was
changed. It all happened when nations left the way of God and went
strayed. However, a moderate way, which harmonized with nature,
wisdom and human interest, existed there. And this way is Islam
which is established by God himself. Following are the different past
civilizations that have deprived women from their due rights.
Women in Babylon civilization:
Women in Babylon civilization were deprived of their due rights.
Women in this civilization were treated to the least degree. If a man
would murder a person, instead of punishing the man his wife was
put to the death.
Women in Greek Civilization:
Despite the fact that Greek Civilization was the most modern
civilization among the ancient nations, the Greeks considered
woman the essential inconveniences and fountain head of all
problems. She was cut-off from society. She had only one job to do
i.e., to give birth to children. There were many women who were
compelled to do adultery. Mothers were also forced to do adultery.
Furthermore, sisters were forced to marry against their will. Woman
was looked down up in the society; she was treated as a servant;
she was maltreated. Their concept of woman was faulty. Girls before
marriages were the property of father and brothers and after
marriage the property of husband. The Greek civilization considered
an imaginary woman called Pandora who was the cause of evil and
all misfortunes. Famous writer Demosthenes says, "Women were
used to quench the thirst of sex and men had them as girl friends.
They had wives to produce children and girl friend to enjoy their
physical contact with them".
Women in Roman Civilization:
In Rome, the status of women was not better than her sister in
Greek. Roman law deprived the woman of her civil rights; hence, her
legal personality was not acknowledged at all. It considered woman

a cause of all ills and rid her off all rights. When the Roman
Civilization got its peak a man was given freedom to such extent
that he could even kill his wife. Women in Roman civilization were
only used for prostitutions and fulfilling their sexual desires, nudity
was very common among them. If married, she and her property
passed into the power of her husband, the wife was the purchased
property of her husband, and like a slave acquired only for his
benefit. A woman could not exercise any civil or public office. She
could not be a witness, surety, tutor, or guardian; she could not
adopt or be adopted, or make will or contract.
Women in Persian Civilization:
The Persian Nation was basically a military nation. Man is considered
a pillar of the fighting lot, i.e., they have much significance.
Therefore, they preferred man to woman, because woman was
created for the benefit of others; besides parents. Resultantly,
woman, in Persian civilization, also seem to have lost their rights.
Women in Hindu Civilization:
Women had the status of a slave in Hindu civilization. People lost
them in gambling; they did not even consider a woman as human
being, so much so Hindu law disgrace woman and recognizes her
below bad air, death, hell, poison, snakes and fire, etc. therefore,
they made the law that woman could do nothing her own will. She
was a property of her father and later on belonged to her husband.
Thus it was her utmost responsibility to treat/serve her husband like
God. They considered husband a representative of God. If her
husband died before her, they used to burn her alive with him.
Women in Chinese Civilization:
Chinese people disliked girls. Whenever the father got the news of
her birth, he used to take her to market to sell. If no one bought her
there, he used to leave her in a deserted area, or strangled her to
death or throw her in water, or buried her alive. Sometimes, he left
her in the open fields so that the cold frost could kill her or predators
could eat her. Chinese people sold their daughters and did not
consider it bad.
The Chinese recognized women as fool and non-sense. She did not
possess any ability to resolve any issue related to her life without
the guidance and help of a man. She was a miserable creature and
was maltreated. Neither did she have any light nor could she

demand any. As soon as she got married, they called her 'Fu', i.e.,
obedient.
Women in Judaism:
Jews held the woman responsible in evicting Adam from Heaven, so
it was one of the reasons for her decline. Satan tricked Adam
through her and resultantly man was deceived by Satan. The first
thing which tempted human being and took him out of heaven was
she.
In Jewish society, woman was in the possession of their fathers
before marriage and fathers had the right to sell them before they
were fully mature if they did not have money and were poor. Hence
he had full command to marry her when he liked and will of a
woman was not taken into account. She was bought at the time of
marriage, and dowry was given to her father or brother. Later, she
became in the possession of her husband who was her absolute
owner. Even Old Testament (Torat) did not raise the status of
woman. Torah says, Woman introduced the sin in the world and she
is the cause of our destruction.
Women in Christianity:
In the Old Testament Eve was responsible for the heinous crime so
this belief was transferred to Christianity. It is mentioned in the New
TestamentAdam did not go astray rather woman went astray and
thus this incident happened.
Christianity, in its earlier era, tried its level best for the betterment
of woman and blessed her with many prizes so that she could be
saved from defame, but failed to do so. The opportunities offered by
Christianity were very less, and hence could not elevate the status
of woman and would not free her from man's ditches. She was
neither protected from cruelties, hatred, nor was she given any
right. Gospel gives significance to man and not women.
As per Christianity, The priests called woman the root-cause and
fountain head of all sins, and consider her lawful rotation of between
man and woman unsacred which must be avoided. From this, it
became common among people that remaining single are better
than being married. Saul has said in this connection: one who
marries one's daughter, does a wonderful job, and one who does not
get one's daughter married, does a far better job.
Women in Arab Civilization before Islam:

In Arab Civilization before the revelation of Quraan, very often when

a female child was born she was buried alive. Before Islam women
were extremely deteriorated by the society. Wives were harshly
beaten, step mother became legacy of eldest son and the sisters
were given as a compensation for any sin of her family.
Women Rights in Islam:
At the times of ignorance (YOUM-E_ JAHELIA) the Arabs were the
most ignorant people who did all the cruelties and deprived women
from their status and rights. Islam at that time (1400 years ago)
abolished all the dark practices of the ignorant Arabs and bestowed
women with due rights that no any other religion has given so far
and thus women in Islam sought recognition, protection, respect,
modesty and are honored with integrity, prosperity and due rights.
Islam is a complete code of life not only for men but also for women.
It gives equal rights to men and women. In Islam men and women
are equal but equality does not mean that they are identical. It is
important to differentiate between the words equal and same,
man and womans right in Islam are equal but not the same. This
terminology can also be explained by taking a very simple example.
Suppose there are two students in a class (called student A & B),
Student A scored 4 in economics, 3 in political studies and 3 in social
studies and Student B scored 2 in economics, 4 in political studies
and 4 in social studies. Student A got (4+3+3)=10 and Student B
got (2+4+4)=10, that shows both student A and student B scored
equal marks that is total 10 but they have scored different marks in
different areas. This is the same situation of women rights in Islam,
men and women rights are equal but not identical. Many times the
rights of men and women are the same and hence are identical but
sometimes they differ from those of men depending upon biological,
physiological, psychological and physical make up of men and
women, as Quraan says in Chapter 3 verse 36 and the male is not
like the female.And further says in chapter 67, verse 14, Does not
the one who created, know? And he is the most kind, the all
aware. Following are the broad categories discussing women rights
in Islam
1)
The Spiritual Rights of Women in Islam:
Men and women in Islam are spiritually equal. In Islam the reward is
not given on the basis of gender but on the basis of TAQWA and
nearness to Allah Almighty. Many western have a misconception that

Paradise (Jannat) is only for men and not for women, this
misconception can easily be clarified with the following verse of
Glorious Quraan Chapter 04, Verse 124
That if any of you do deeds of righteousness be it a male or a
female and has faith he will surely enter into Jannah and not the
least of injustice be done to them
The same message has been repeated in Chapter 16, verse 97,
if any of you do good deeds be it a male or female and is a
believer, we will surely reward for what he has done and we will
make him lead a good life.
From the verses it becomes clear that going to paradise is based on
a person faith and righteous deeds. The spiritual nature of man and
female are both the same. Allah says in Holy Quraan Chap 32 Verse
9:
We have made them in due proportion and have blown into them
our spirit.
There are some religions that put blame on Eve for tempting Adam
to eat the forbidden fruit and they thus say that human is born in sin
whereas Islam rejects this claim and accounts both the Adam and
Eve responsible for eating the forbidden fruit as the Quraan says in
Chapter 7 Verse 19-27 that Both of them made mistake and both of
them repented and both of them were forgiven.
There is no single verse where the blame is put on Eve (May Allah
Be Pleased with Her) alone. The only criteria to differentiate one
human being from the other is not the gender, nor caste, nor nation
but it is pity, righteousness and TAQWA as Allah says in Chap 49 and
verse 13.
O human kind we have created you from a single pair of male and
female and we have divided you into nations and tribes so that you
shall recognize each other not to despite each other and most
honored in the site of Allah is the person who has TAQWA.
Thus spiritually men and women are of the same family, and as such have similar rights
and duties, and their Lord promises them in the Glorious Quraan Chapter 03, Verse 195:

Never will I waste the work of a worker among you, whether male
or female, the one of you being from the other.
The nutshell of the spiritual aspects of women in Islam has been
stated in Holy Quraan in chapter 33 verse 35:
For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for
devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and
women who are patient and constant, for men and women those

how humble themselves, for men and women who guards their
chastity and modesty, for men and women who guard their testy &
modesty, for men and women who engage much in Allah praises, for
them Allah has prepared forgiveness and ample of reward.
2.
The Economic Rights of women in Islam:
In the 19th century European women did not have the right to own
their own property, In Britain, perhaps the first country to give
women some property rights, laws were passed in the 1860's known
as "Married Women Property Act." In Germany the wife was denied
any control over her property until 1922 by civil law! But Islam has
given women economic rights 1400 years ago. Some 1300 years
before the west.
In Islam, any adult women whether married or unmarried is allowed
to own or disown the property without permission of someone else.
In Islam a women is financially secured. Before the marriage it is the
duty of her father and brother to protect her and after marriage of
her husband and her son to look after her financially aspects, she
needs not to work and financially she is secured. The financial
Burdon is put on the shoulder of man (i.e. boarding, lodging,
cooking, clothing, etc). If both the ends do not meet and if a women
wants to work she can work as long as it is within the purview of
Islamic Sharia i.e. she maintains the Hijab (Veil), and she follows the
Quran and Hadith. In Islam there is no single verse nor any authentic
Hadith which prohibits female from working as long as it is following
the Quraan and Hadiths. There are some professions which are
prohibited in Islam for women such as to exhibit the body e.g.
modeling, acting, dancing all these are prohibited (Haram). There
are many noble professions, which the women can do they can do
cooking, weaving, netting, sieving, teaching etc in places where
women are in veil and their modesty is protected, they can also
become nurses, doctors but if the Hijab is maintained. In Islam the
womans property and earnings are under her full control and for her
use alone. No matter how rich the wife might be, she is not obliged
to act as a co-provider unless she herself voluntarily chooses to do
so but no one can force her.
Islam also protects women financially in shape of Mehar that is a
marital gift to be given to woman while marrying. Mehar (marital
gift) is compulsory for a marriage to be solemnized. Without Mehar a

marriage cannot be solemnized. As Quraan says in chapter 04, verse

04:
Gift to women in marriage a dower as a gift
Thirdly women are financially secured by giving them due proportion
in inheritance, which was denied by all the other ancient
civilizations, as the Quraan states in chapter 4 verse 11 & 12:
Allah has ordained that what you leave of your wealth for your
children the sons get doubled the share the daughters, if only
daughters two or more their share into 1/3 if only one she gets half.
What you leave for your parents each gets 1/6 if you have children
and the mother gets 1/3 if there are no children, in what your wives
leave for you, you get half if you have no children, you get 1/4 if you
have children, what you leave for your wives they get 1/4 If there
are no children, they get 1/8 if there are children.
Most of the times the women gets half of the inheritance, the
reasons behind this is the man has the financial burden of the whole
family while the women has no financial burden and has not to
spend a single penny for family and whatever she receives in
inheritance is only for herself and can invest it for herself only.
3.
The social rights of women in Islam
The social rights of Islam are further divided into four sub
categories: the rights of daughter, wife, mother and sister.
i)
The rights of daughters in Islam:
Despite the social acceptance of female infanticide among some
Arabian tribes, the Quran forbade this custom, and considered it a
crime like any other murder as Quraan states in Chapter 81, verse 89:
"And when the female (infant) buried alive - is questioned, for what
crime she was killed."
The Quraan not only prohibits the killing of female child but prohibits
the killing of any human being. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
in regard of daughter has said:
Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does
not insult her, and does not favor his son over her, God will enter
him into Paradise. (Ibn Hanbal, No. 1957).
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has said on another occasion about
daughters:
Whosoever supports two daughters till they mature, he and I will

come in the day of judgment as this (and he pointed with his two
fingers held together).
One time the Prophet (PBUH) was seated. A companion was sitting
with him. The companions son came. Kissed his son and put him on
his lap. Then his daughter came, and he just sat her by his side. The
Prophet told the man. You did not do justice, meaning he should
have treated the daughter equally, kissed her and put her in his lap
also. Indeed, whenever the Prophets daughter Fatima came to him,
in front of everyone, he stood up, kissed her and let her sit in his
favorite place where hed been sitting.
Every daughter as a son has the right to be educated and well
mannered. The right of education is discussed in the head of
educational rights.
ii) The rights of a wife in Islam:
The Qur'an clearly indicates that marriage is sharing between the
two halves of the society, and that its objectives, besides
perpetuating human life, are emotional well-being and spiritual
harmony. Its bases are love and mercy, Quraan states in chapter 30,
verse 21:
And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from
among yourselves that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and
He has put love and mercy between your (hearts); verily in that are
signs for those who reflect.
In Islam marriage (NIKAH) is a secret agreement between a man and
a woman, in this agreement the woman has full right to make any
kind of demand/ or place any kind of conditions before signing the
agreement. In Islam the female has the right to accept or reject
marriage proposals, Her consent is a prerequisite to the validity of
the marital contract, according to the Prophet's teachings, she has
the right to be given a separate home, she is given full right to her
Mahrmarital gift, she has the right to be satisfied by her husband
and the husband is responsible for the maintenance, protection, and
overall leadership of the family, within the framework of
consultation and kindness as the Qur'an states in Chapter 4, verse
19:
"...But consort with your wives in kindness, for even if you hate
them, you might be hating someone in whom God has placed so
much good.
Islam directs men to treat wives with the best conduct as Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) has said:

The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and best of you
are those who are best to their wives.
Prophet (PBUH) instructed Muslims regarding women and has said:
I commend you to be kind to women.
On another occasion the Holy prophet (PBUH) has said,
Among you the most respectable is the one who respects women
and the most disrespectable is the one who disrespect the women.
Once a lady came to Holy prophet (PBUH) and said that she was
forcefully married by her father and she is not happy with her
husband, the Holy prophet (PBUH) dissolved her marriage and
emphasizes for marrying couples by their consent.
On another occasion a lady came to Holy prophet and asked that her
father has fixed her marriage with someone without her consent.
The Holy prophet told that you have both the choices to either marry
the person or nullify the marriage. The women replied that she
wants to marry but wanted to notify this point that women have full
choice and control of their marriage.
Above Hadith validating the consent of females before marriage and
made it compulsory for all Muslim parents. She can also demand to
see the person before her marriage and she can also talk to him in
the presence of her legal blood relative.
Once Hazrat Aysha (R.A) showed desire to see the ongoing circus in
the street. Holy prophet (PBUH) happily replied to her that she can
hide herself at the back of holy prophet (PBUH) and then watch the
circus. Aysha (R.A) did this and enjoyed the circus as long as she
could stand there when became tired she went back home. The Holy
prophets (PBUH) stand there more than an hour for her
entertainment.
This Hadith is highlighting very kind treatment of Holy prophet
(PBUH) to his wife. It also emphasizes the right of entertainment to
women. Some people having wrong perception that Islam binds
women in the walls of house and she has no right to come out for
any purpose. In fact this is opposite of Islamic teachings. It is also
her right that she should be treated with love by her husband.
Dinning out or going out for outing with wife is also encouraged in
Islam. It is also women right that she should be taken out by her
husband for outing or for dinning. Once an Iranian companion of
Holy prophet (PBUH) who was a very good cook cooked some food
and came to Holy prophet (PBUH) house for inviting him. Holy

prophet (PBUH) asked can Aysha (R.A) also come with me.
Because of any reason companion replied no she cant. Holy
prophet (PBUH) also replied then I also cannot. Companion invited
Holy prophet (PBUH) three times and got same answer from the
Holy prophet (PBUH). At last companion said yes she can also come
with you then Holy prophet (PBUH) accepted invitation and brought
her for dinner along him. Therefore bringing wife to diner out is not
only encouraged but also SUNNA of Holy prophet (PBUH).
Husbands and wives have mutual responsibilities. They might be
identical duties, but the totality of rights and responsibilities are
balanced. The Quraan says in Chapter 2 verse 228:
Women have the same rights (in relation to their husbands) as are
expected all decency from them, while men stand a step above
them.
This verse does not show that men are superior to women but only
specifies the degree of responsibility, not privilege, in mans role as
provider, protector, maintainer, and leader of the family. The same
Surah speaks about divers, about consultation between husband
and wife, even in the case of divorce. When there are family
disputes, first the Quraan appeals to reason and the consideration of
positive aspects of ones spouse, As Quraan says in Chapter 4, verse
19:
"...But consort with your wives in kindness, for even if you hate
them, you might be hating someone in whom God has placed so
much good.
If that appeal does not succeed, and problems between the husband
and wife continue, there are measures that can be applied. Some of
these measures are done privately between husband and wife.
Some of them might appear harsh, but there are qualifications to
restrict excessive or abusive use of these measures. These
measures are considered an attempt to save a marriage rather than
break a family apart. If the situation does not improve, eve with the
limitation and prevention of excesses, the next step is a family
council. One arbiter from his family and one from her family should
sit together with couple and try to resolve the problem.
If a divorce becomes necessary, there are many detailed procedures
in Islam law that not only man but also a woman has the right of
divorce, Islam also has laws regarding custody of children
iii) The Right of a mother in Islam:

Islam after worshiping of Allah (SWT) considers kindness to parents

as
Quran says in chapter 31, verse 14:
"Show gratitude to Me and to your parents: to Me is (your final)
destiny.
Moreover, the Qur'an has a special recommendation for the good
treatment of mothers as Quran says in Chapter 31, verse 14:
"And we have enjoined upon man (to be good) to his parents: His
mother bears him in weakness upon weakness..."
(The same message has been repeated in chapter 46 verse 15 and
chapter 29, verse 8).
The Sahih Hadith of the Holy Prophet:
Paradise lies beneath the feet of your mother.
In another Hadith of Sahih bukhari is, When a man asked Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH): O, Messenger, who among mankind is worthy of kindness and love? the
Prophet (PBUH) replied, Your mother.The man asked, Who is next? The Prophet
(PBUH) said, Your mother. Again the man asked, Who is next?The Prophet (PBUH)
repeated, Your mother.The man asked for a fourth time, Who is next? The Prophet
(PBUH) then replied, Your father.
On another occasion, when a man came to the Prophet (PBUH), and expressed the
desire to join a military expedition, the Prophet (PBUH) asked him if he had a mother.
When he replied that he had, the Prophet (PBUH) advised him, Stay with her, for
Paradise is at her feet.
There are multiple evidences that discuss the value of the mother that place
motherhood as one of the most blessed and rewarded roles that a woman will have. The
prophet (PBUH) placed obedience and the happiness of the mother three times in front
of the father. Allah (SWT) has placed an amazing amount of unconditional love in the
hearts of mothers for their children. The trials and pains of pregnancy have been
compared to hajj and jihad in the path of Allah (SWT). Indeed one man enquired, asking
our blessed Prophet (SWT):
O Prophet(saw), if I carry my mother for miles to Hajj and then carry her during Hajj,
have I fulfilled what I owe? Our Messenger(saw) replied: You have not even fulfilled
the right of one contraction she had while she bore you.
In the light of the above references the mother among the parents has more advantage
over a father.
iv)
The Rights of Sister in Islam:
As a sister in faith, in blood, we find the Quraan speaks about men and women. That
they should cooperate and collaborate in goodness, The Quran says in chapter 09 Verse
71:
The believing men and women they are supporter to one another.
Ordaining the good and forbidding evil, establishing prayers and doing charity. Prophet
(PBUH) said, I command you to be kind to women. In one of his last commands in his
farewell pilgrimage before his death, he said:

O, people fear from Allah in the matter of women, treat them

carefully and fairly as Islam teaches you.
In Islam after a father it is the responsibility of a brother to look after financial and other
aspects of a sister until she is married.

4.
Educational rights of women in Islam:
The Quran repeatedly commands all readers to read, to recite, to
think, to contemplate, as well as to learn from the signs of Allah. In
fact, the very first revelation to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was
concerned with knowledge, in chapter 96 verse 1-5
Read, in the name of lord who created, has created man from a
clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read! And your Lord is the
Most Generous, who taught men to use pen, who taught men who
knew nothing.
The right of females to seek knowledge is not different from that of
males, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in this regard has said:
"Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim (man or
women)". (AlBayhaqi)
Lectures of the Prophet were attended by audiences of both men
and women. By the time of the Prophet's death, there were many
women scholars and the Holy prophet (PBUH) has also said:
You have to get education even its available in China.
The prophet emphasized parents to educate the children especially
the girls, it is the duty of the husband to educate his wife and if he
doesnt she can even go to court.
The saying describes no discrimination of gender. If a boy can get
education by traveling long distance then girl can also. She has right
to go to school and mosque. If women had right to go to mosque for
getting education and offer prayers during the period of holy
prophet (PBUH) and Caliphate than why not she has this right in
todays modern world. Hazat Ayasha (R.A) was the teacher of many
companions and she was expert of history, medicine, Hadith,
literature, mathematics and law. She even guided the Khulafa
Rashideen. She was a scholar of scholars.
5.
The Legal Rights of women in Isalm:
Legally men and women are equal; if they commit any crime they
get the same punishment. If a man murders a man, the man is put
to death and if the woman murders someone she is put to death.
The punishment for man and women for the same crime is the
same.
In Islam the women has also given a right to be witnessed which
was not given by any of the civilization before. Jewish gave the right
to women for witness in 1950.

Islam legally protects woman and Quraan says in chapter 24 verse

4:
If someone lays an allegation against the chastity and legacy of a
woman and does not produce four witnesses give him eighty
lashes.
In western world when a woman marries a man she takes the name
of her husband, in Islam she has option to take husband name or
maintain her maiden name. .
6.

Political rights of women in Islam

The Quran says in chapter 09 Verse 71,

The believing men and women they are supporter of one another. (not only socially
but also politically)
The woman can also take part in law making:
Once Hazrat Omer was discussing with Companions, that should we put upper limit to
Mehar (marital gift), there was a woman who objected from the back seat of the mosque
and said that when Allah has not put a limit then who is Omer to put an upper limit. And
the Caliph of Islam Omer said Omer is wrong and the woman is right.
The women also took part in battle field, they went and gave water to soldiers they
gave first aid to the soldiers. They have rights to advise the guardian and the ruler, they
have rights to denounce the unjust ruler, they have the right to shelter, they have the
rights to monitor current events, they even can claim their political rights and defend
them.

Misconception of West about women rights in Islam

20 to 25% of world population is Muslim. In this regard some Muslims are closed to
Islam some are far, some are well aware of Islamic teachings while others are limited. In
short one should not judge the Islamic teachings including particularly Women rights in
Islam according to what Muslims do because some Muslims may not be well aware of
the Islamic teachings and their knowledge might be limited. The women rights in Islam
should be based on authentic sources of Islam i.e. the Glorious Quraan and the
authentic Hadith.
Conclusion:
To sum up the whole, it is Islam the only religion that has made women rights equal to
men rights and has provided all the due rights that no any other religion has granted so
far. Women in Islam are considered precious & valuable and have been granted
recognition, protection, respect, modesty and are honored with integrity, prosperity and
due rights in all code of life. In Islam, there is no single aspect of life, where womens
rights are subjugated and thus has proved to be the right and true religion and revealed
by God, which besides other religious aspects has bestowed women with their due
rights.