The position of woman in Islam
The Position of Women in Islam: Rights, Role of Sahabiyaat, and Guidance for 2026
The position of woman in Islam
*1. The Foundation: What the Quran Says About Women*
Islam began by rescuing women from oppression. Before Islam, daughters were buried alive. Islam called this a crime.
Allah says:
*"And when the girl child who was buried alive is asked, For what sin was she killed?"* — _Surah At-Takwir 81:8-9_
The Quran establishes that men and women are equal in humanity, accountability, and reward.
*"Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while a believer - We will surely give him a good life, and We will surely give them their reward according to the best of what they used to do."* — _Surah An-Nahl 16:97_
*"Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women..."* — _Surah Al-Ahzab 33:35_
In this one verse Allah mentions 10 qualities for both men and women equally: faith, obedience, truthfulness, patience, humility, charity, fasting, chastity, remembrance of Allah.
The Quran also gave women rights to: education, inheritance, wealth, business, and the right to say "no" in marriage.
*2. The Sunnah: How the Prophet ﷺ Honored Women*
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ changed the status of women in Arabia completely.
He said: *"The best of you are those who are best to their women."* — _Tirmidhi 3895_
He said: *"Paradise lies under the feet of mothers."* — _An-Nasa'i 3104_
He said: *"Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim."* — _Ibn Majah 224_
Scholars agree "every Muslim" includes both men and women.
He consulted women, listened to women, and learned from women. When the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was difficult, he took the advice of *Umm Salamah (RA)* and the situation was resolved.
*3. The Role of Sahabiyaat: Women Who Built Islam*
The early Muslim women were not "just at home." They were scholars, warriors, nurses, teachers, and businesswomen. Here are 5 examples:
*1. Hazrat Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA)* - The first Muslim
A successful businesswoman who employed men. She supported the Prophet ﷺ with her wealth and wisdom. Allah sent salam to her through Jibril.
The Prophet ﷺ said: _"She believed in me when people disbelieved. She supported me with her wealth when people deprived me."_ — _Bukhari 3821_
*2. Hazrat Aisha Siddiqah (RA)* - The Scholar of the Ummah
She narrated 2210 hadith. Major Sahaba would come to her to learn fiqh. Urwah ibn Zubair said: _"I did not see anyone more knowledgeable in Quran, Fiqh, Medicine, and Poetry than Aisha."_ — _Tirmidhi 3883_
She taught men and women for 40+ years after the Prophet ﷺ.
*3. Hazrat Hafsa bint Umar (RA)* - The Guardian of the Quran
The first _Mushaf_ was kept in her house. She was known for her deep knowledge and fasting.
*4. Hazrat Nusaibah bint Ka’ab (RA) - Umm Umaarah*
She fought in the Battle of Uhud and shielded the Prophet ﷺ with her own body. She was wounded 12 times. The Prophet ﷺ said: _"Wherever I turned, I saw her defending me."_
*5. Hazrat Ash-Shifa bint Abdullah (RA)*
The Prophet ﷺ appointed her as the market inspector of Madinah. She was in charge of business ethics.
This shows Islam never locked women in one role. Their role depended on skill, need, and Islamic boundaries.
*4. Top Women Scholars in Islamic History*
Islamic history is full of women scholars who taught thousands of students.
*1. Fatima al-Fihri (800s CE)* - She founded the University of Al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco. It is the oldest university in the world still operating, recognized by UNESCO.
*2. Aisha bint Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas* - A great Muhaddithah. Imam Ahmad and other Imams narrated from her.
*3. Karima bint Ahmad al-Marwaziyyah (d. 1070)* - She was the most trusted narrator of Sahih Bukhari in Makkah. Scholars traveled from across the world to sit in her class.
*4. Zainab bint al-Kamal (1248-1339)* - She taught hadith for 70 years. Over 500 scholars took ijazah from her, including men.
*5. Nana Asma’u (1793-1864)* - Nigerian scholar, poet, and teacher. She established a women’s education movement across West Africa.
Point: In Islam, knowledge has no gender. A woman can be a Mufti, teacher, author, and guide.
*5. Rights Given to Women in Islam 1400 Years Ago*
1. *Right to Education*: Knowledge is fard. No restriction on subject if i
t benefits the Ummah.
2. *Right to Wealth*:
A woman owns her money. Husband cannot force her to spend it.
*"For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned"* — _Surah An-Nisa 4:32_
3. *Right to Inheritance*:
Fixed shares in Quran.
*"For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share..."* — _Surah An-Nisa 4:7_
4. *Right to Choose Marriage*:
A woman cannot be forced to marry.
The Prophet ﷺ said: _"A previously married woman has more right to herself than her guardian, and a virgin’s permission must be asked."_ — _Muslim 1419_
5. *Right to Work and Business*: Khadijah (RA) ran a trade empire. Islam allows women to work with hijab and Islamic ethics.
6. *Right to Dignity*: Harassment, abuse, and oppression are haram. Islam protects a woman’s honor.
*6. What Should a Muslim Woman Be Like in 2026?*
The digital age has brought new challenges. But the principles are the same. A Muslim woman in 2026 should be:
*1. A Woman of Knowledge*
The first word revealed was "Iqra - Read". Read Quran, read books, learn skills. Use YouTube and online courses to become a doctor, teacher, coder, or scholar. The Ummah needs educated mothers.
*2. A Woman of Character - Hayā and Strength*
Hayā is not weakness. Hayā is power. The Prophet ﷺ said: _"Every religion has a distinctive character, and the character of Islam is Hayā."_ — _Ibn Majah 4181_
But hayā also means having the courage of Aisha (RA) to teach and the courage of Nusaibah (RA) to stand for truth.
*3. A Woman of Balance*
Like _Al-I‘tidal_. Balance between Deen and Dunya. Balance between career and family. Balance between being online and being present for your children. Don’t burn out chasing "perfect influencer life."
*4. A Woman Who Builds, Not Just Argues*
The Sahabiyaat built hospitals, schools, and the Islamic society. In 2026, build: A halal business, a Quran class, a charity, a strong family. Posting is easy. Building is real jihad.
*5. A Woman Connected to Quran*
Hazrat Usman (RA) was called "Companion of Quran". Women should be too. Even 10 minutes daily. The Quran is your anchor when Instagram makes you feel "not enough."
*6. A Woman Who Knows Her Worth is With Allah*
You are not your followers. You are not your job title. You are _Abdullah’s daughter_. Allah says:
*"And the believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong"* — _Surah At-Tawbah 9:71_
*7. Clearing 3 Common Misunderstandings*
*Misunderstanding 1: "Islam oppresses women"*
Reality: Islam was the first to give women inheritance, divorce rights, and financial independence. Oppression comes from culture, not Islam.
*Misunderstanding 2: "Women can’t be scholars or leaders"*
Reality: Aisha (RA) led in knowledge. Shifa (RA) led in the market. Karima al-Marwaziyyah led in hadith. Leadership in Islam is based on taqwa and ability.
*Misunderstanding 3: "Hijab is a restriction"*
Reality: Hijab is protection and identity. Allah says:
*"That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused."* — _Surah Al-Ahzab 33:59_
It frees a woman from being judged only by her looks.
*Conclusion:
The Muslim Woman is the Backbone of the Ummah*
From Khadijah (RA) the businesswoman, to Aisha (RA) the scholar, to Nusaibah (RA) the warrior, to Fatima al-Fihri the university founder — Muslim women have always been leaders.
In 2026, the Ummah needs that same woman. Educated but humble. Strong but soft. Online but grounded. Career-driven but family-focused.
Your job is not to copy the West or the East. Your job is to follow the Quran and the example of the Sahabiyaat.
Allah did not create you to be "less than". He created you as a trustee, a teacher, a builder, and a key to Jannah for your family.
*"And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while a believer - those will enter Paradise."* — _Surah An-Nisa 4:124_
May Allah make us women of Quran, knowledge, and _I‘tidal_. Ameen.
---
*Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
*1. Does Islam allow women to work?*
Yes. With Islamic guidelines of hijab, safety, and no mixing that leads to haram. Khadijah (RA) was a business leader.
*2. Can a woman be a scholar in Islam?*
Yes. Aisha (RA), Karima al-Marwaziyyah, and hundreds of women were major hadith scholars and teachers.
*3. What is the most important role of a woman in Islam?*
Building a strong home and strong Iman. The Prophet ﷺ said the righteous wife is "the best enjoyment of this world." — _Muslim 1467_
*4. How should a Muslim woman use social media in 2026?*
With _I‘tidal_. Share benefit, avoid arguments, protect your privacy, and don’t compare your real life to others’ highlights.
*5. Are men and women equal in Islam?*
Equal in humanity, reward, and accountability before Allah. Different in roles and responsibilities, which creates balance, not superiority.
For more reading
Comments
Post a Comment