Islam brought a new lease of life to
women. Islam elevated the status of women to great heights: so high that she
stood shoulder to shoulder with man. Like men, their rights were also well
defined and Islamic Courts supported them to achieve these rights. Islam
granted women the right to ownership. They now owned the amount of their Mehr.
They could engage in trade and have their own properties. They were also given
the right to inherit the property of the deceased father and husband.
With the advent of Islam came the
verse from the Quran condemning those who practiced female infanticide: When
news is brought to one of them, of (the birth of) a female (child), his face
darkens, and he is filled with inward grief! With shame does he hide himself
from his people, because of the bad news he has had! Ah! What an evil (choice)
they decide on. (16:58-59)
The Holy Quran makes no distinction
between man and woman as regards to the fundamental human rights. Here we may
specifically state that: Woman, like man, is the possessor of free personality,
and enjoys equality with man, in respect of:
Her spiritual and moral status: The Quran says: “Unto men the benefit of what they
earn (of virtue) and unto women the benefit of what they earn (of virtue)
(i.e., in matters of spiritual grace both, man and woman, enjoy equal status
and are independent of one another)” (4:32)
Her economic rights: The Quran says: “Unto the men (of a family) belongs a
share of that which parents and near kindred leave, and unto the women a share
of that which the parents and near kindred leave, whether it be little or much
#150; a legal share.” (4:7)
Her legal rights: The Quran says: “And they (women) have rights similar
to those (of men) over them, according to what is equitable.” (2:228)
Islam ensured a dignified life to
the fair sex, which was hitherto treated in an unfair manner. Woman became the
mistress of the household. Man was not allowed to beat or manhandle them nor
deprive them of their share in the property. The Holy Quran declared: “A mother
should not be made to suffer because of her child, nor he to whom the child is
born (be made to suffer) because of his child (because both are equal before
the law).” (2:233).
Almighty Allah commanded man to
behave well. “O Believers! It is not lawful for you to be heir of the women
forcibly, and prevent them not with this design that you may take away part of
what you had given them as dower except in this shape that they commit an act
of flagrant, indecency and treat them fairly; then if you dislike them, it is
likelihood that you may dislike a thing and wherein Allah has placed much
good.” (4: 19)
It is necessary to establish the
Quranic viewpoint with respect to the concepts of Duty and Right.
The Quranic moral code is based on
the emphasis on obligation not duty in contrast to the emphasis
on right. Now, the implications of the emphasis respectively on duty and
right are: Right is a right against someone. Duty is a duty towards someone.
Right means that someone owes something to us. For, when we say: it is our
right, it means that someone has to perform a duty to us. On the contrary, when
we say: it is our duty, it means that someone has a right against us.
Islam has granted to the husband a
senior position in the functioning of the household and appointed him as the
commander so that he could get through any crisis with the help of wisdom and
initiative given to him by Almighty Allah. Islam has prescribed certain
obligations that a husband has to fulfill in the interest of his wife.
Simultaneously, Islam has enjoined upon the wives to appreciate their duties
towards their husbands. This is a give-and-take business. Both man and woman
are closely connected with each others rights and duties
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