The revolting news items that violate the sensibilities of society are the ones about maltreatment of women in the Islamic world. The news of a woman being thrown to hungry dogs after being declared Kari, the burying alive of two women for asserting their right of being a human being are a few examples. The BBC channel has repeatedly shown a documentary when fathers and brothers proudly claim that they have killed their womenfolk for honour and in the name of Islam. Being very disturbed by this scenario, I decided to ascertain in the light of teachings of the Holy Qur’an, the teachings of other religions and historical facts as to where a Muslim Women stood, regarding her rights and duties.

The first exercise I undertook was to make a positive comparative analysis of the position of women in other religious. In Buddhism, Nirwana, which is the ultimate state of salvation, cannot be attained in the company of a woman. In Judaism, women are considered an Eternal Divine Curse. It is believed that, “of the women came the beginning of Sin and through her we will die. In Christianity, the original sin is attributed to women who are considered Evil, soul less beings, the Devil’s Gateway and unsealer of God’s image Man. Along with this analysis, historical facts about status of women in Arabia, just before the advent of Islam, in the days of Jahilliyah were that the girl child was buried alive. A woman was treated as a piece of property. She had no right of will in marriage or divorce, due to which there were impious marriages of sons with their step mothers and a woman having many husbands.

With the advent of Islam, a clear change in the status of women is visible. The Holy Qur’an, gave a Muslim woman the status of a Muslima or Muhsana (Fortress against Satan) while narrating the events that Adam’s ousted from Jannat, states: “That Adam disobeyed his Lord in being corrupted by Satan.” In the Holy Qur’an, an entire  Surah-An-Nisa, has been devoted exclusively to the rights, duties and everyday problems faced by women. Wherever the Holy Qur’an addresses Muslim Men, it also addresses the Muslim Women, clearly reflecting that Islam recognizes their equality.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) is the role model in practical exercise of the status awarded to women in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made attainment of knowledge obligatory on all Muslim men and women, with special instructions that even slave girls should be educated. He (PBUH) held separate classes for the religious and moral education of Muslim women. He (PBUH) made sure that all rights given to women by the Qur’an are practically implemented.

The rights given to Muslim Women can be broadly categorized into legal, economic and social rights. A Muslim woman has her own legal personality in inheritance and ownership of property. She is not a 

moon that shines through reflected light but is a solar planet with a definite identity. Her status is equal to that of a man. She can conduct business as Bibi Khadija did, she can be an expert on law and jurisprudence as Bibi Aesha was. She can lead the army as Bibi Aesha did. The Muslim woman can utilize her material assets as she chooses. The Qur’an clearly states that whatever are the earnings of a Muslima, she owns it all. However, in this context one issue, that is always highlighted negatively is the higher status given to a man in Islam. It is factually correct that the  word  used  in this context is “Qawwameen” for a man. It is stated that the man’s status has been kept a degree higher than the woman. The logic behind this is that in Islam, it is absolutely the man who is entrusted to provide for the woman and his family. A woman’s earning and ownership of assets are entirely her own. She is not required to provide for the family at all. Therefore, the same rule is for inheritance also where a man’s share is double than that of a woman. The most obvious reason for this is that Islam believes and aims towards strong family unit. To balance this unit, the position of the man in a family has to be strong and central. But within this unit, the woman has the greatest advantage. She is entitled to her own living quarters and her services are recognized to the extent that the Qur’an clearly instructs that she should be paid even for nursing and rearing her child.

Islam gives unparallel social rights to the Muslima. It is mandatory for a Muslima to receive and attain education. She has the right to conduct economic activity. In the contract of marriage, her status is equal to the man. Not only has she been given the rights to choose her husband, she also has the right to divorce. This right is a part of the Nikahnama but due to ignorance majority of the women do not tick upon the section and are thus deprived of a very powerful and balancing position in a marriage contract. She has the right to be treated well by her husband, as well as, receive Mehar and maintenance. Unlike the position of widow in Hunduism, where the widow is required to wear white dress and live a life of abstinence, the status of widowhood in Islam is that such that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) himself contracted marriage with widows. The rights of a Muslima are so pronounced that she has to be paid compensation by her husband even for nursing her own children.

On the religious side, there is absolute equity in relationship with Almightly Allah. The divine promise of reward for good conduct and punishment for evil conduct is the same for a Muslim and Muslima. But with all the rights the duties too have been clearly defined. The Muslim Woman is required to be dutiful as a daughter and sister and faithful as a wife. As a mother, it is her duty to train her children to be good Muslims.

Finally the controversies associated with the status of women in Islam are concepts of Polygamy, the dress code Adhi Gawahi, the Hudood Ordinance and honour killing, marriage to Qur’an, Karo Kari and sawara Custom in the name of Islam have been designed to defame the position endowed by Islam to the Muslima. Not only all these customs are entirely un-Islamic, they are also inhuman.