by Dr. Ali Shehata
The Islamic View of Women – Direct from the Sources
Before the Quran was revealed, true religious teachings were being distorted by the theories and interpretations of men. There was a dire need for another divine message that would guide humanity back to the straight path and away from their unhealthy perceptions and treatment of women. Therefore, the purpose of this section is not to introduce Islam as a rival to Judaism or Christianity. Rather, Islam should be viewed as the restoration of the divine messages that had preceded it.
From the start of the revelation, Islam restored the rights of the woman and ensured her full spiritual equality with man. In Islam, men and women are described as partners in life, each having different, but complementary roles and responsibilities, suited to their unique abilities and strengths. When the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh reached the women of Arabia, they knew that in these teachings there would be liberation for them. In fact, the first person to accept Islam was a woman—Khadijah, the first wife of the Prophet. Another notable woman was Fatimah bint al-Khattab, who became Muslim before her brother, Umar, and then became influential in his later conversion. In becoming servants of God, they would become free from the worship of created objects. In Islam, women were freed from the shackles of oppression that were previously placed upon them. The Prophet Muhammad pbuh defended and reinforced women’s rights throughout his mission, even till the very end, where he stated in his farewell sermon (his last public sermon wherein he emphasized the essential aspects of Islam):
O People, it is true that you have certain rights in regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives, only under God's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right, then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed with love. Do treat your women well, and be kind and gentle with them, for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste. [Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmithi]
After centuries of being second-class citizens in all spheres of life, women were finally liberated. Islam came, establishing their rights and equality with men, as partners and helpers. It established for every woman specific and sacred rights, elevating her to the noble status that she deserves. How did these far-reaching and pioneering changes arise?
In Islam, the liberation of women did not stem from women, or even men for that matter. It was revealed by God to humanity. When the Prophet Muhammad pbuh received revelations, he would convey them unto the people and the people would then work to implement them immediately. Thus, the revelations concerning the rights of women, and the commands to treat women kindly, were not taken lightly. Muslim men, for the most part, adjusted their previously held views and attitudes as they heard the revelations of God recited to them. This meant that women did not have to fight for their rights. There were no rebellions, no rallies, and no protests needed. Those same men who grew up in Pre-Islamic Arabia burying their daughters alive and indulging in the promiscuity of women were now merciful, God-fearing men, remorseful of their past sins. They harkened to and emulated the Prophet Muhammad pbuh when he said,
The best among you in faith is he who is the best to his wife, and I am the best to my wives. [Tirmithi]
Among the earliest teachings of the Quran, there is the story of Adam and Eve pbut. To develop a first impression of Islam’s view of women, it will benefit the reader to look to the first woman ever created and then see what Islam, from the beginning, had to say about her.
All About Eve: The Islamic Perspective
When the Quran was revealed, all previous notions about the evil nature of women were abolished. This can first be seen in the story of Adam and Eve pbut. The story of Adam and Eve pbut is mentioned in several parts of the Quran. One such passage states (emphasis mine):
"O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat from wherever you will but do not approach this tree, or you be among the wrongdoers." But Satan whispered to them to make apparent to them that which was concealed from them of their private parts. He said, "Your Lord did not forbid you this tree except that you become angels or become of the immortal." And he swore to them both that he was their sincere adviser. So by deceit he brought about their fall. And so when they tasted the tree, their shame became manifest to them and they began to sew together the leaves of the Garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them, “Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you that Satan was your avowed enemy?” They said, “Our Lord we have wronged our own souls and if You forgive us not and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be lost.” {7:19-23}
Comparing the two accounts of the story of the Creation, important differences become apparent. Contrary to the Bible, the Quran places blame on both Adam and Eve pbut for their disobedience. In the Quranic description of the story of creation, Eve pbuh is not wholly blamed for the sin, and neither are the pains of menstruation and childbearing given to her as a punishment. On the contrary, in Islam, the fall of man was destined and well known to all the inhabitants of the Heavens, as humanity was created to be tested.
Spiritual Equality between Men and Women
Islam clearly states that all human beings have a common origin. This fact is mentioned throughout the Quran, as the following two passages illustrate:
O Mankind, fear your Lord who created you from a single soul and created from it its mate, and brought forth from the two of them many men and women. {4:1}
And,
O Mankind, verily we created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so you may come to know one another. Truly, the most honorable of you in the sight of God are those who are most righteous. {49:13}
Equal Opportunity Reward for Righteous Deeds
When one looks to what the Quran has to say about the spiritual status of women, it soon becomes evident that the Islamic conception of women is drastically different from that of nearly any other religion. For example:
Verily, the Muslim men and women, the believing men and women, the men and women who are obedient, the men and women who are truthful, the men and women who are patient, the men and women who are humble, the men and women who fast, the men and women who guard their chastity and the men and women who remember God much with their hearts and tongues, God has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward. {33:35}
And,
And their Lord answered them, “Truly, I will never allow the efforts of any one of you, be you a male or female, to be lost; you are members one of another.” {3:195}
And,
Whoever does evil will only be repaid with evil, and whoever performs a righteous deed—be it a man or woman—and is a believer, such will enter Paradise. {40:40}
So it is clear that in Islam, the spiritual value of women is no different than that of men. Both male and female are the creation of God. They also share the same purpose in life—to worship Him, and to live a life of righteousness. Likewise, both will be judged accordingly. Looking to the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh, one will find no mention of the woman being the “devil's gateway”, or that she is a “deceiver” by nature.
Also, according to the Quran and Sunnah, a woman's role in this life is not limited simply to childbirth. On the contrary, women have numerous avenues of activity open to them which Islamic law in fact encourages them to pursue (pursuit of knowledge, medical care of women as physicians, midwives and nurses, early childhood and secondary education, counseling, just to name a few). An example of this expansion of the role of the female during the life of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh can be seen in the bold persona of Rufaidah Al-Aslamia. Rufaidah was a prominent female Companion who managed the medical care of the wounded in the Prophet’s city of Madinah. She is mentioned in the hadith literature wherein the Prophet specifically directed that the injured be taken to Rufaidah’s medical tent which he had authorized be set-up within the mosque itself [Adaab Mufrad, Silsilah Sahihah]. Other women in that time also fought in battles when necessary.
Furthermore, Islamic teachings never denied the existence of upright women. On the contrary, the Prophet Muhammad pbuh acknowledged and praised several women from his time, and prior to his time. In fact, one authentic hadith praises Khadijah (his wife), Fatima (his daughter), Asiyah (the believing wife of Pharaoh in the time of Moses), and the Virgin Mary, as being four women who had attained excellence in their faith.
Ibn ‘Abbaas narrated that the Messenger of God (may God exalt his praise) drew four lines on the ground, then he said, “Do you know what this is?” We said, “God and His Messenger know best.” The Messenger of God said: “The best of the women of Paradise are Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, Asiyah bint Mazaahim the wife of Pharaoh, and Maryam bint ‘Imraan—may God be pleased with them.” [Ahmed]
Additionally, in the Quran, God has instructed all the believers, women and men, to follow the example of those ideal women such as the Virgin Mary and the Pharaoh’s wife, Asiyah:
And God sets forth, as an example to those who believe, the wife of Pharaoh. Behold she said, “O my Lord, build for me, in nearness to you, a mansion in Paradise, and save me from Pharaoh and his evil, and save me from those who do wrong.” And Mary, the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity and We breathed into her body of Our spirit, and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of His revelations and she was one of the devout. {66:11-13}
Also, women’s spiritual acts of worship are of the same merit, and can even potentially be superior, to the actions of the righteous men. The Quran clearly proclaims,
Truly, the most honorable among you in the sight of God are those who are most righteous. {49:13}
This passage shows that it is not a person’s race, gender, wealth, intellect or lineage which makes them superior over another. Rather, it is their piety and righteousness which elevates them in status. Similarly, the Prophet Muhammad pbuh is recorded to have stated,
A woman is married for four reasons: her wealth, her nobility, her beauty, and her piety. Choose the pious one and you shall be successful. [Muslim]
Surely if women were only useful for producing children, then he would have advised choosing the one with beauty! Instead, the Prophet instilled this respect and admiration for pious women into the minds and hearts of men, even to the point that he encouraged them to marry for piety. This point is emphasized further in another hadith wherein the Prophet Muhammad pbuh declares a pious woman to be the best of all God-given blessings in this world:
The whole world is a provision, and the best thing a man can be given in this world is a righteous wife. [Muslim]
In fact, women are held in such high esteem in Islam that the very merit of a man and his faith is judged according to how well he treats his wife. The Prophet said:
The best among you is the one who is the best towards his wife. [Tirmithi]
Having now understood that the spiritual aspect of a woman’s life is equal to that of her male counterparts, let us next review the Islamic value of a woman’s life.
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