Eman Sakina

All men and women were created by Allah without being subjected to one another. In every aspect of their lives, Islam has ensured gender equality and women’s rights. However, due to some socio-cultural norms and practices, the promise of Islam is not always converted into concrete acts. Islam is the faith that liberated women by granting them equal rights to their male counterparts. To comprehend the rights, honor, dignity of women in Islam we can infer it from Hazrat Khadija, the first wife of Prophet Mohammad.

Khadija is a shining example of a strong, independent Muslim woman with an entrepreneurial spirit, successful in business, spirituality; she also defies and refutes the stereotypes of women in Islam that people hold today. The Prophet treated women with respect. “Fear Allah in respect of women,” he admonished Muslims. ”The best of you are those who treat their wives the best,” he adds.

Thus, it is very much necessary for each one of us to understand the worth and right of women concerning Islam and create a harmonious world breaking off all stereotypes so that the world knows that Muslim women are not slaves or animals, they can do wonders too like other independent women of the world. To understand this better we need to have a look over some of the rights and duties of women listed in Islam:

• Islam does not allow men to dominate women; rather, it protects women’s rights, dignity, honour, and position by promoting gender equality and equal rights for both men and women in all aspects of life.
• In Islam, a woman is completely self-regulating who has a legal personality and who can enter into a contract or can make a bequest in her name. 
• She is free to choose her husband and is also entitled to dower and maintenance.
• She has the right to perform any profession or business and has the authority to dispose of her property like men. She is entitled to inheritance in different capacities like as a mother, as a wife, as a sister, and as a daughter. 
• In Islam, a mother is held in higher regard than any other person. Many verses in the holy Quran enjoin Muslims to show respect for their mothers and to serve them properly, even if they have abandoned Islam and are still unbelievers.
• Women are most respected and honored in Islam: “If she is a wife, she is a life partner; if she is a mother, paradise is under her feet; if she is a daughter, it is Almighty Allah’s blessing and.”
• As one of the two important pillars of society in Islam, women, like men, have a variety of obligations to the family and community. Laziness, conceit, and those who do not work are not tolerated in Islam. 
• In Islam, there is no distinction between men and women when it comes to employment, and both are required to work. Women in Islam have the choice to choose their job, but they must keep in mind that they have some limits owing to their physical constitution because they are wonderful, sensitive, attractive individuals.
• In terms of property ownership, Islam accords women the same respect as men. She has the right to acquire property by legal ways and become its owner, as well as the right to dispose of it in whatever legal manner she sees fit.
• In Islam acquiring knowledge is obligatory for both men and women. In this regard, an unmarried woman has full freedom to acquire knowledge and nobody can obstruct her from acquiring knowledge. A married woman also has the right of acquiring knowledge but she must observe the right of her husband and children.
• Islam ensured the political independence of men and women. She can participate in political conventions, street demonstrations, congregations, etc.
• A woman has the freedom to choose residence for herself.

Islam is the complete and comprehensive code of life which covers all aspects of human life from cradle to grave. Islam has guaranteed the rights of women in every sphere of life like men. Due to the lack of proper Islamic knowledge, sometimes women also blamed Islam injustice to them or dishonored them, or deprived them. To know the rights of women in Islam and to understand the actual position of women in Islam, proper Islamic knowledge and awareness of women is essential and also to change the dominating mentality of the men.