Islam Men and Women Rights
In Islam, equality of women and men before Allah of their religious duties (i.e. belief in Allah and His Messenger, praying, fasting, paying zakat (charity), making hajj and places them “ Under ” the care of men (i.e. Men are financially responsible for their Wives).
In Islam there is absolutely no difference between men and women as far as their relationship to Allah is concerned. Both men and women are promised the same reward for good conduct and the same punishment for evil conduct.
The Quran explains that men and women are equal in creation and in the afterlife, but not identical. Islamic Law and Practice recognize the differences between Men and Woman resulting in degree of rights and obligations with regards to marriage, divorce, civil rights, legal status, dress code and education.
In Islam there is absolutely no difference between men and women as far as their relationship to Allah is concerned. Both men and women are promised the same reward for good conduct and the same punishment for evil conduct.
Allah said “And women have their rights similar to men and their obligations in an equitable and just manner, yet men have a place above them”. (Quran Al Baqarra, 2:228)
Allah said “O Mankind! We have created you out of a Male and a Female and We have made you tribes and sub-tribes that you may recognize and do good to one another. Surely the most honourable of you in the sight of Allah is He Guards against evil the most. Verily, Allah is All Knowing, All Aware”. (Quran Al Hujurat, 49:13)
Allah said “Men are the maintainers and protectors of women, because Allah made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property for the support of Women”. (Quran Al Nisa, 4:34)
Allah said “And it is one of His signs that He has created spouses for you from your own species that you may find comfort in them, And He has induced mutual love and tenderness between you. Behold! there are signs in this for a people who would reflect”. (Quran Al Rum, 30:21)
Allah created the woman of the species of man, and both man and woman have the same natural character. We should respect both man and woman as in Islam means peace as well as equality.
The Quran said “Men and Women have the same spirit, there is no superiority in the spiritual sense between men and women”. (Quran Al Nisa, 4:1, Al Araf, 7:189 and Al Shura, 42:11)
The Quran instructs Muslim believers that they should not treat the Women as a commodity (i.e. products or service) which can be inherited and used as liked.
Also, the Quran instructs husbands to deal with their wives according to good conventions and conducts of a society and emphasize the importance of taking the right direction and mutual agreement in family decisions.
In Islam, there is a division of roles creating a woman’s space in the private sphere of the home and a man’s space in the public sphere In Islam. In Islam, woman's primary responsibility is usually interpreted as fulfilling her role as a wife and mother where as a man’s role is to work and be able to financially support his wife and family.
The Quran said “The man is the right of “Guardianship” or “Superiority” over the family structure in order to prevent conflict and disagreement between the spouses.
Prophet Muhammad said the importance of husband treating his wives as follows:
· Fear Allah in respect of women
· The best of you are they who behave best to their wives
· A Muslim must not hate his wife, and if he be displeased with one bad quality in her, let him be pleased with one that is good
· The more civil and kind a Muslim is to his wife, the more perfect in faith he is
Prophet Muhammad described the High Status of a Mother as follows:
“A man asked the Prophet: “Whom should I honor most?” The Prophet replied: “Your mother”. 'And who comes next? asked the man. The Prophet replied: “Your mother”. “And who comes next? asked the man. The Prophet replied: “Your mother!”.
In Islam, the primary role played by women is to be mothers, and mothers are considered the most important part of the family. While a woman is considered the most important member of the family, she is not the head of the family. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that importance has no relevance with being the head of the family.
Allah said “We have enjoined on every human being concerning his parents to be good on them. His mother is worn and wasted in bearing him and it takes her two years to wean him. And give thanks to Me and to your parents. To Me shall be the ultimate return of you all”. (Quran Luqman, 31:14)
Allah said “We have enjoined on every human being to do good to his parents. His mother bears him with trouble and pain and brings him forth with trouble and pain. The bearing of him and his weaning takes 30 months, till when he attains his full maturity and reaches the ages of 40 he says to his Lord, My Lord! Rouse me Up that I may give thanks for the favours You have bestowed on me and on my parents and that I may do such righteous deeds as may please You. And My Lord! Establish righteousness among my progeny for me. To You indeed I turn penitently and I am surely of those who submit themselves to You”. (Quran Al Ahqaf, 46:15)
Allah said “The righteous women are deeply obedient and guard in the husband's absence as Allah orders them to guard on the Women's right. If your spouse obeys you, you shall seek no other way to against her”. (Quran Al Nisa, 4:1)
In Islam, the man will lead the prayers, as he is considered the head of the household and his wife and children will stand behind him as they pray.
Allah said in more than one verse, “Whoever does good deeds, and is a believer and then specifies “Male or Female. Allah will give them an abundant reward”. (Quran Al I Imran 3:195, Al Nisa, 4:124)
The Quran said Husbands’ and Wives’ duties are mutual responsibilities. They might not be identical duties, but the totality of rights and responsibilities are balanced. “Women have the same rights (in relation to their husbands) as are expected in all decency from them, while men stand a step above them.” (Al Baqara, 2:228) This only specifies the degree of responsibility, not privilege, in man's role as provider, protector, maintainer, and leader of the family. The Surah mentioned about divorce, about consultation between husband and wife, even in the case of divorce. When there are family disputes, first the Quran appeals to reason and the consideration of positive aspects of one's spouse.
Islam discourages Divorce in Islam. Marriage in Islam is a holy promise that should not be broken except for compelling reasons. The couples are instructed to pursue all possible remedies whenever their marriages are in danger. Divorce is not to be resorted to except when there is no other way out. Islam recognizes divorce, yet it discourages it by all means. Islam does recognize the right of both partners to end their matrimonial relationship. Islam gives the husband the right for divorce. Moreover, Islam grants the wife the right to dissolve the marriage.
Prophet Mohammad said to the believers that: “Among all the permitted acts, divorce is the most hateful to God”. A Muslim man should not divorce his wife just because he dislikes her. The Quran instructs Muslim men to be kind to their wives even in cases of lukewarm emotions or feelings of dislike as follows:
“Live with them (your wives) on a footing of kindness and equity. If you dislike them it may be that you dislike something in which Allah has placed a great deal of good” (Quran Al Nisa, 4:19)
Allah said Protecting Woman as “We have provided you with the truth and perfect explanations (of it, the answer to the objection beforehand)”. (Quran Al Furqan, 25:33) It is clear the Quran contained all of the knowledge needed to find the value, love, and respect that they deserve in every aspect of their lives. Also, it is a great mercy, comfort, and gift from Allah for all believers, including women as well as men. When people behave according to the Quran’s principles, all disputes over the role and place of women in society, as well as the disagreement surrounding them in unbelieving societies, will certainly come to an end. We will now explore the Quran that guard Women's social rights and reveal their importance and value in Islam.
Prophet Muhammad said Women’s Rights in Islamic Divorce as “True Muslim believer is the shepherd of his household and should be gentle and patient with his wife’s needs and grievances. The man is a custodian of his family and he will be asked about his charges on the Day of Judgment) but not every marriage is perfect and long-lasting and in cases where divorce is inevitable, Islam protects women’s social rights, both emotionally and financially. The Quran safeguards women emotionally by setting down for all true believers in an Islam Correct Way”.
Allah commands men to divorce their wives in the best possible way in Kindness and Justice as “When you divorce women and they are near the end of their waiting period, then either retain them with correctness and courtesy or release them with correctness and courtesy”. (Quran Al Baqara, 2:231) Pursuing only Allah's good pleasure, they treat their ex-wives with tolerance, compassion, politeness, respect, and thoughtfulness, thereby continuing their former loving and respectful manner toward each other.
Allah said Guaranteeing Divorced Women’s Financial Security and Property on a sincere Muslim man must guarantee his ex-wife's financial security in order to safeguard her continued financial well-being as “For divorced women provision should be provided in a fair and equitable manner. This is an obligation binding on those who guard against evil and have guard regard for duty”. (Quran Al Baqara, 2:241)
People are still arguing over the rights between Men and Women. Remember Allah created us in different roles for this World and why are we doing this. Thus we have to respect and passion to Women of their important role in the respect of Allah of His Mercy & Grace. Therefore we should change our mindset in the respect of Allah of His Mercy & Grace. In Quran, Allah said both men and women are equal. (Quran Al Nisa - The Women, 4:1) Allah said Islam morality will always direct people toward the good and that the Quran's verses are a mercy for them.
Prophet Muhammad said to True Muslims as follows:
· “I command you to be kind and considerate to Women” and “It is only the generous in character who is good to Women and only the evil who insults them.
· “Everyone should respect the woman for what she is a human being, as an intellectual and a spiritual being rather than being diverted to her sexuality.