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Perspectives on Women in Islam
Many early Muslim women were very ahead of their time, even by today’s standards.
Khadijah, wife of the Prophet Muhammed, was a wealthy woman who worked in business and trade and would be considered a CEO even by today’s standards.
Muslim women, including Suffiah bint Abdul Muttalib and Aishah, widow of the Prophet Muhammad, fought in battles to defend themselves and their families.
Women headed Islamic provinces, like Arwa bint Ahmad, who served as the governor of Yemen in the late 5th and 6th century.
The Muslim world has seen a number of women heads of state including the late Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
In the West, Islam is portrayed as a misogynistic religion that degrades women and gives men superiority over women. Popular images include women covered in veils or chadors, women relegated to the private sphere, and men with multiple wives. Unfortunately, these images of Muslim women have surfaced and clouded the true position of women in Islam. Men and women, the Qur’an says were “created of a single soul” and are equal in the eyes of God.
Some quick facts about women in Islam:
Women and men are equal in the eyes of God and none is superior to the other. Verse 4:1 of the Qur’an states: "O Mankind, keep your duty to your Lord who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate (of same kind) and from them twain has spread a multitude of men and women.”
Contrary to the Biblical tradition, Eve was not blamed for Adam's mistake in the Qur’an. Both were jointly wrong in their disobedience to God, both repented, and both were forgiven. (Qur'an 2:36, 7:20 - 24).
In countries where there is freedom to choose, many Muslim women choose to cover their hair and bodies as a sign of modesty, a fundamental principle of behavior in Islam.
Contrary to stereotypes, women usually have custody of their young children and older children may choose to remain with their mothers after divorce.
Parents have no right to force young women to marry against their will and women have the right to choose their husbands. The Prophet said, "A matron should not be given in marriage except after consulting her; and a virgin should not be given in marriage except after her permission."
Rights Women Have Had in Islam Since the 7th Century
- Women have the right and duty to seek education.
- Women have the right to obtain a divorce.
- Both men and women have the right to own and inherit property, a right women won in the U.S. only 100 years ago.
- Women have the right to work and earn money.
- Women have the right to use their money as they please before, during, after marriage.
- Women have the right to be supported financially by husbands, if they are married, or other male relatives (brothers, uncles, sons, etc) if they are not.
- There is no “bride price” paid to women in an Islamic marriage contract.
Clothing and the head covering is one of the most identifiable attributes for Muslim women. There is a great variety of clothing worn by Muslims worldwide depending on personal preference, local customs and culture. The general feature shared in common is the emphasis on modest dress for both men and women and preference for loose fitting clothing that do not reveal the shape of the body.
While not every Muslim woman covers her hair, the most recognizable form of Islamic dress for women is the headscarf, which can take many forms, styles, and colors. Less common, but not unusual, is a veil covering the face. The least common in the U.S. is the full burqa, which completely covers the head and face and includes an opaque “net curtain” over the eyes. There is a strong cultural component with this form of women’s dress, to ask a woman to remove the head covering, particularly in a public setting, would be similar to requiring her to disrobe.
What about polygamous marriages?
Many people hear that the Qur’an allows a man to marry up to four wives. Few people know the context under which a man may marry more than one wife. In times of war, polygamy allowed men to marry widows who were left alone with children, after their husbands died in battle. Today, this is not the case in most societies and the vast majority of Muslims who are married are in a monogamous relationship.
The Prophet Muhammad married widows, some with up to six children. The Qur’an states that the husband is required to treat his wives equally. In the United States, many imams have declared polygamous marriages illegal in the U.S because polygamy is outlawed and the second, third, or fourth wife will not have equal rights to the first wife. Tunisia, a predominantly Muslim country has also outlawed polygamy on the grounds that it is impossible for a husband to treat all women equally.
For answers to more frequently asked questions about women in Islam visit www.discoverislam.com
To learn more about Muslim women from their perspective:
Karamah: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights is a charitable, educational organization that focuses on the domestic and global issues of human rights for Muslims. For more info visit: www.karamah.org
Queen Rania of Jordan has created a site on YOUTUBE in her effort to dispel misperceptions about Muslims and Arabs and has invited others to share videos and thoughts about being Arab and/or Muslim.
Aziza Magazine presents issues, accomplishments and the interests of Muslim women in North America. www.azizahmagazine.com
Muslim Girl Magazine is a resource for younger Muslim females. It highlights and addresses a variety of issues and profiles of our diverse female Muslim youth. www.muslimgirl.com
Watch videos Arab and Muslim women at work in diverse professions.
See what the Gallup Poll found out about how Muslim women perceive their rights.
