What are some of the rights given to women in Islam?
The Qur'an places men and women on a
similar relationship before God, and promises both the final goal of
paradise for those who believe and do right (see Qur'an 3:195; 4:124;
16:19; 40:40). The Qur'an also speaks of similarity in terms of creation.
God tells us that He created a single soul and from it its mate, then He
made countless men and women from those two (see Qur'an 4:1) The Qur'an
does not contain the belief that the man alone is created in the image of
God. Because of this fundamental similarity between men and women, the
Qur'an declares that women have rights similar to the rights against them
according to what is equitable (see Qur'an 2:228).
In a time when women were devalued and female infants were buried alive,
the Qur'an raised the value of women and prohibited female infanticide.
Due to the Qur'an, this practice was abolished, but in recent times
advances in the science of genetic selection has encouraged some
unbelievers to practice a modern form of female infanticide.
The Qur'an also abolished the practice whereby inheritance went to only
the oldest male heir. Instead, a woman can inherit from her father, her
husband, and her childless brother (see Qur'an 4:7, 32, 176).
In Islam when a woman gets married she does not surrender her maiden name,
but maintains her distinct identity. Some Muslim women have adopted the
surnames of their husbands, but this is due to cultural influence, not
Islam.
In a Muslim marriage the groom gives a dowry to the bride, not to her
father. This becomes her private property to keep or spend, and is not
subject to the dictates of her male relatives. Any money she earns or
receives is similarly her very own.
Under Islamic Law a woman cannot be married without her consent. She has
final approval on a marriage partner and she can repudiate a marriage
arranged without her consent. She also has the right to initiate a
separation from marriage if her rights under marriage are not being
granted. Widows have the right to remarry, and they are in fact encouraged
to do so.
The Qur'an places on men the responsibility of protecting and maintaining
their female relatives. This relieves women of the need to earn their own
living. It also means that a man must provide for his wife even if she has
money of her own. She is not obligated to spend her money in the
maintenance of her family. Incidentally, a woman is also not required to
cook for her family, although she may do so out of love and compassion.
The example of our noble prophet, on whom be peace, is that although he
was such a great leader, he assisted in the housecleaning and mended his
own clothes.
In return for the added responsibility, the Qur'an gives men the degree of
leadership (see Qur'an 2:228; 4:34). This does not mean that men should
dominate women, but rather that they should deal with them in kindness,
mercy, and love (see Qur'an 4:19; 30:21). |