The contribution of Islam in establishing the dignity of women

The dignity of women in Islam

In the midst of the darkness that enveloped the earth, divine revelation was echoed in the vast deserts of Arabia with a fresh, noble, and universal message to humanity. Emphasizing this noble and natural concept, the Qur'an says:

 "O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women." (Qur'an 4: 1).

"It is He who created you from one soul and created from it its mate that he might dwell in security with her.”(Qur'an 7:189)

[He is] Creator of the heavens and the earth. He has made for you from yourselves, mates, and among the cattle, mates; (Qur'an 42:11)

"Allah has created spouses from among you and created sons and grandsons for you from your spouses, and gave you provision from good things." (Qur'an 16:72)

The contribution of Islam in establishing the dignity of women

Islam recognizes the proper status of women in all aspects of life. Islam has played a leading role in establishing the dignity of women. The status of women in Islam as mothers, daughters, and wives is unmatched by any other religion. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘the paradise of the child is under the feet of the mother.’ Islam emphasizes the proper fulfillment of the wife's right over the husband in the conjugal life. The hadith says, ‘It is wrong to refuse to pay the debts of others in order to be able. For this, her punishment and misfortune are inevitable.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Masood (R) that on the Day of Resurrection, one by one every man and woman will be presented before all the people of Hashr in captivity and it will be said that this is the son of such and such or the daughter of such and such Do it. At that time the disenfranchised woman will be happy that she was deprived of her rights to her father, brother, and husband. He will collect his dues from them. Then he recited this verse, ‘On that day they will have no kinship and will not question one another.’ [Surah Muminun, verse 101].

He further said that on that day Allah, the Merciful, will forgive whomever He wills, but He will not forgive the debts of other people. Then Allah will place that woman or man in front of the people of Hashr and tell the claimants, come forward to understand your debt. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Allah will command the angels to give to each creditor according to his due from his good deeds. Thus, after giving to all the creditors, if even a small amount of good deeds remains, and if he proves to be the beloved of Allah in terms of overall deeds, then his remaining good deeds will be increased so that he may enter Paradise.

Eventually, he will be taken to Paradise. And if by all accounts he is found guilty and has no good deeds left, the angels will pray, ‘O Allah! All its virtues are gone but there are still many creditors. 'Allah will then say,' Combine the sins of the creditors with its sins and throw it in hell. 'Islam has also emphasized upholding the dignity of women in social life. In the Qur'an, Allah declares, "Those who slander chaste, innocent women are cursed in this world and in the Hereafter, and for them is severe punishment." Surah An-Noor, verse 23. In the above verse, Allah has clearly declared that those who accuse a chaste woman of adultery and fornication are cursed in this world and in the hereafter, and severe punishment awaits them. He must be punished in the world.

Women as a child and an adolescent in Islam

Despite the social recognition of female infanticide among some Arab tribes, the Qur'an forbade the practice and considered it a crime like any other.

“And when baby girls, buried alive, are asked. For what crime they were put to death”, [Qur'an 81:8-9].

Criticizing the attitude of such parents who reject their daughters, the Qur'an says:

And when one of them is informed of the birth of a female, his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief. With shame does he hide from his people because of the bad news he has had? Should he keep it in humiliation or bury it in the ground? Unquestionably, evil is what they decide. [Qur'an 16: 58-59]

Far from saving the girl's life, so that she does not fall victim to injustice and discrimination in the future, Islam wants kind and fair treatment for her. Among the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in this regard are as follows:

Whoever has a daughter and does not bury her alive, does not disgrace her, and does not bestow favors on her son, Allah will admit him to Paradise. (Ibn Humble, No. 1957).

The man who will support the two daughters until they are mature, he and I will come this way on the Day of Judgment (and he gestured with his two fingers together).

Women as a wife in Islam

The Qur'an clearly indicates that marriage divides society into two parts and that its purpose, in addition to sustaining human life, is mental well-being and spiritual harmony. It is based on love and compassion.

The following are some of the most impressive verses in the Qur'an about marriage.

"And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them, and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed that are signs for people who give thought". (Qur'an 30:2 1).

According to Islamic law, women cannot be forced into marriage without their consent.

"Women have rights similar to those of men equitably, although men have a degree of responsibility above them." (Qur'an 2:228).

Another place Qur’an says-

Believers! It is not lawful for you to become heirs to women against their will. It is not lawful that you should put constraint upon them that you may take away anything of what you have given them; (you may not put constraint upon them) unless they are guilty of brazenly immoral conduct. Live with your wives in a good manner. If you dislike them in any manner, it may be that you dislike something in which Allah has placed much good for you. [Qur'an 4: 19]

You may know- Hoor in Islam | Description of Hoor in Islam

Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:

The best of you is the best to his family and I am the best among you to my family.

Women as a mother in Islam

Islam considered kindness to parents next to the worship of God. Allah says in Qur’an-

"And we have commanded people to ˹honour˺ their parents. Their mothers bore them through hardship upon hardship, and their weaning takes two years. So be grateful to me and your parents. To Me is the final return." (Qur'an 31:14)

"For your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And honor your parents. If one or both of them reach old age in your care, never say to them ˹even˺ ‘ugh,’ nor yell at them. Rather, address them respectfully." (Qur'an 17:23).

A man came to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and asked:

“O Messenger of God, who among the people is the most worthy of my good company? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, your mother. The man said then who else: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, your mother. The man said then who else: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, your mother. The man asked, Then who else? Only then did the Prophet (peace be upon him) say, your father”. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

A famous saying of The Prophet is "Paradise is at the feet of mothers." (In Al'Nisa'I, Ibn Majah, Ahmad).

Conclusion

In terms of religious obligations, such as daily prayers, fasting, poor needs, and pilgrimage, women are not different from men. In some cases, indeed, a woman has some advantages over a man. For example, a woman is exempted from daily prayers and fasting during her menstrual period and forty days after childbirth. She is also exempted from fasting if there is any threat to her health or her baby during her pregnancy and when she is breastfeeding. If fasting is obligatory (in the month of Ramadan), she can fulfill the fasts whenever she can. He does not have to make up the missed prayers for any of the above reasons. Although women can and do go to the mosque on the days of the Prophet and then attendance and Friday prayers are optional for them when it is obligatory for men (Friday).