Understanding Women Empowerment In Islam

Women are often expected to be obedient daughters, wives, and mothers, staying within the family environment, while men are expected to be protectors and caretakers of the family. The evolution of ages has encouraged women to attain equal rights to that of men, to manage a healthy livelihood.  And the majority of Muslim scholars agree that women are not obligated to serve their husbands, do housework, or do any kind of work at home.

 

We find women in Islam are less educated than women in most other religious groups and lag further behind their male co-religionists. However, in many regions, Muslim women have generally been rapidly catching up to other groups and have narrowed gender gaps substantially in recent cohorts. This shows up religion's possible role in women's educational attainment and provide important context to discuss over Islam and gender equality.

 

Women and girls have been victims of ruthless power struggles for centuries in all societies and cultures around the world. This hegemony over women has been exercised in the form of Sati, Hitobashira, Karo-Kari, and the killing of witches, which are only a few to mention. Sadly, but truly, many societies including some Muslim societies continue to exercise this patriarchy in different forms such as the denial to education, unequal salaries compared to men in workplaces, forced marriages, and prostitution, among many others.

 

Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (PBUH), came at a time when the Arab society, like so many patriarchal societies at that time, was rife with abhorrent practices against girls. He preached Islam, liberating women and girls in every walk of life, education being a prime aspect.

 

[1] The book, Economic Empowerment of Women in the Islamic World, discusses the economic, social, and political rights and status of women in Islam, which is theoretically given by the Islamic Jurisprudence (Shariah law). The chapters in this volume will address historical practices in comparison to the status of women in the contemporary Muslim world. Men and women in Islam, regardless of their age, social class, and education, are equal as citizens and individuals, but not identical in their rights and responsibilities. It can be observed from Islamic history that in the early age of Islam, women were given full confidence, trust, and high responsibilities in leadership, educational guidance, and decision-making.

 

This volume will try to clarify the confusion in the status of the women in Islam that is presented by the media, as it is assumed that theoretical Islamic empowerment of women bears little relation to the real conditions of women in modern Muslim societies. It has been widely claimed in the media that Muslim women suffer more than men in Muslim societies and communities in terms of insecurity, domestic abuse, and low access to education and medical care. It is also stated in the press and media that absence of good governance also results in gender inequality and violation of the rights of Muslim women.

 

This volume also aims to provide solutions for the empowerment of women in the Islamic world. We assumed that without good governance, the status of women is not likely to improve. Muslim women have the potential to play a fundamental role in curbing corruption, social ills, violence, and crime in the Muslim world. This volume will make the case that in order to achieve stability and prosperity, the government must ensure a platform for women to participate in decision-making and hence benefit from the rights they are accorded in Islam.

References:

[1] Azid T, Ward-Batts J. (2022)

https://www.amazon.in/Economic-Empowerment-Women-Islamic-World-ebook/dp/B08C59ZBGV

https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/pdf/10.1142/9789811212154_0001

Provisions for empowerment of women in the Islamic system of lives:

 

Freedom: Girls are as free to education as boys are.” It is obligatory for every man and women to receive education”. Education and training in etiquette is the best gift from parents to their children. A girl cannot be married off to anybody without her consent. As man has the liberty to divorce, a girl is also allowed to take khula (divorce) if she dislikes her husband who is cruel, unjust, or impotent. A widow or a divorcee is allowed to re-marry if she wishes.

 

Equality: There is no gender disparity in Islam. “And whoever does righteous good deeds male or female­—and is a true believer in the Oneness of Allah, such will enter Paradise and not the least injustice, even to the size of a Naqira(speck on the back of a date-stone), will be done to them.” Man is the head of the family. It is the responsibility of man to provide food, shelter, and other needs to all family members. Women are equal to men in all civil and criminal acts of the judiciary.  

 

Security: The security of women in Islam is very important. She is not inferior to a male. Parents are motivated to nurture girls. The responsibility to provide bread and meat to girls and women. When she travels long, a male guardian must accompany her. Islam restricted the number of wives to four. Divorce, though permissible is not encouraged. In case of a temporary boycott due to strained relationships, it should be limited to four walls of your house.” (Hadith).

 

Economic Empowerment: Women receive money in the form of bride price (Mehr). She gets bread and meat from either her father or husband. She has a lawful share in the property. “For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is the share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much_ a legal share.” (Quran,4:7)

 

Dignity: The mother’s place is higher than the father’s. Heaven lies under the mother’s feet. A woman is the ruler/queen of her husband’s establishment. The hijab is only a protective device to shield her from mischievous staring eyes.

Thus, Islam gives dignity, respect, protection, and an appropriate place to women.

                                                             Thank You.

 In Coordination With Awaz-e-khwateen. An article.

On Women's Day Special.