The Social Aspect of Women in Islam

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As a Mother:

(1)  The Quran elevates kindness to parents (especially mothers) to a status second to the worship of God:

{Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents.  If one of them or both of them reach old age with you, do not say to them a word of disrespect, or scold them, but say a generous word to them.  And act humbly to them in mercy, and say, “My Lord, have mercy on them, since they cared for me when I was small.” } (Quran, 17:23-24, see also 31:14, 46:15, and 29:8 )

(2)  Naturally, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) specified this behavior for his followers, rendering to mothers an unequalled status in human relationships.  A man came to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)  and said, “O Messenger of God!  Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship?”  The Prophet (pbuh)  said: {Your mother.}  The man said, “Then who?”  The Prophet (pbuh)  said: {Then your mother.}  The man further asked, “Then who?”  The Prophet (pbuh)  said: {Then your mother.}  The man asked again, “Then who?”  The Prophet (pbuh)  said: {Then your father.}

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As a Sister in Faith (In General):

(1)  According to the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh)  sayings: {women are but shaqa’iq (twin halves or sisters) of men.}  This saying is a profound statement that directly relates to the issue of human equality between the genders.  If the first meaning of the Arabic word shaqa’iq, “twin halves,” is adopted, it means that the male is worth one half (of society), while the female is worth the other half.  If the second meaning, “sisters,” is adopted, it implies the same.

(2)  The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)  taught kindness, care, and respect toward women in general: {I commend you to be good to women.}  It is significant that such instruction of the Prophet was among his final instructions and reminders in the farewell pilgrimage address given shortly before his passing away.

(3)  Modesty and social interaction: The parameters of proper modesty for males and females (dress and behavior) are based on revelatory sources (the Quran and prophetic sayings) and, as such, are regarded by believing men and women as divinely-based guidelines with legitimate aims and divine wisdom behind them.  They are not male-imposed or socially imposed restrictions.  It is interesting to know that even the Bible encourages women to cover their head: “If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head.” (1 Corinthians 11:6).

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As a Daughter:

(1)  The Quran ended the cruel practice of female infanticide, which was before Islam.  God has said:

{And when the girl (who was) buried alive is asked, for what sin she was killed. } (Quran, 81:8-9)

(2)  The Quran went further to rebuke the unwelcoming attitude of some parents upon hearing the news of the birth of a baby girl, instead of a baby boy.  God has said:

{ And when one of them is informed of (the birth of) a female, his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief.  He hides himself from the people because of the ill of which he has been informed.  Should he keep it in humiliation or bury it in the ground?  Certainly, evil is what they decide.} (Quran 16:58-59)

(3)  Parents are duty-bound to support and show kindness and justice to their daughters.  The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: {Whosoever supports two daughters until they mature, he and I will come on the Day of Judgment as this (and he pointed with his fingers held together).}

(4)  A crucial aspect in the upbringing of daughters that greatly influences their future is education.  Education is not only a right but a responsibility for all males and females.  The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)  said: {Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim.}  The word “Muslim” here is inclusive of both males and females.

(5)  Islam neither requires nor encourages female circumcision.  And while it is maybe practiced by some Muslims in certain parts of Africa, it is also practiced by other peoples, including Christians, in those places, a reflection merely of the local customs and practices there.