Women's Status and Empowerment

Those women are liberated in the west and that the women's liberation movement began in the 20th Century. Actually the women's liberation movement was revealed by God to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the seventh century. Woman is recognized by Islam as equal partner in the procreation of humankind. Man is the father, woman is the mother, and both are essential for life. By this partnership, woman has an equal share in every aspect  she is entitled to equal rights  she undertakes equal responsibilities  and she has as many qualities and as much humanity as her partner. 14 centuries ago Islam made mend women equally accountable to God in glorifying and worshiping Him - setting no limits on her spiritual progress.

At some places woman is not allowed to get education. In Law a woman was even in historic times completely dependent. 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 could not be a witness surety tutor or curator she could not adopt or be adopted, or make will or contract. Among the Scandinavian races women were under perpetual tutelage, whether married or unmarried.

In the Quran in the first verse of the chapter entitled "Women" God says: Be careful of your duty to your Lord who created you from a single soul and from it its mate and from them both have spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty toward Allah in whom you claim (your rights) of one another, and towards the wombs (that bore you). Lo! Allah has been a Watcher over you. Verily we have created you from a single (pair) of a male and female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other. When we then consider the area of civil rights, education is of greatest importance. The Prophet (PBUH) said: Seeking knowledge is a mandate for every Muslim (male and female). Keeping people ignorant equals oppression whether man or woman. In the case of women their civil rights were considered necessary for the proper functioning of the community. She is not a Prophet but she gives birth to a prophet.She may not be a brave warrior but she is the mother of millions of brave warriors. Keeping this  in view Islam gave her equal opportunities to grow and glow. She was allowed to work shoulder to shoulder with man in every field of life.

Marriage therefore is not just a physical or emotional necessity but in fact, a sign from God! It is a relationship of mutual rights and obligations based on divine guidance. God created men and women with complimentary natures and in the Quran He laid out a system of laws to support harmonious interaction between the sexes. She was considered just a beautiful toy in the hands of man who played with her to satisfy his sensual desires.  Clothing provides physical protection and covers the beauty and faults of the body. A spouse is viewed similarly. Each protects the other, hides the faults and compliments the characteristics of the spouse. To foster the love and security that comes with marriage Muslim wives have several rights the first one is to receive mahr from the husband which is a gift as part of the marriage contract a wife has the right to kind treatment.

One issue surrounded by a great deal of misunderstanding is the custom of wearing hijab. The Quran enjoins modest dress for both men and women and in a Muslim society the men as well as the women typically dress conservatively. Some Muslim women interpret the Quran as guiding them to dress modestly and cover their hair in all public situations, others insist that their whole body including hands and face are to be covered yet others understand the guidance to mean a more general attitude of modesty both in dress and attitude. Many Muslim women freely choose to dress modestly in order to avoid the public scrutiny judgments and social dynamics associated with physical appearance. By dressing in ways that do not draw attention to ourselves we affirm the Quran teachings both of modesty and gender equality. One issue surrounded by a great deal of misunderstanding is the custom of wearing hijab.

Instead of deceiving ourselves with lame excuses we should follow the teaching of Islam in letter and spirit. If we want to earn the pleasure of God we will have to remove all unjust taboos that we have imposed upon woman. This end can only be achieved by giving woman equal opportunities of education’ occupation and relaxation. They are no doubt: Give me good mothers and I will give you a good nation