It goes without saying that women makeup half of any society and beget the other half so they are the whole society.
Despite the fact that women had undergone oppression, humiliation, and exclusion in previous eras and civilizations, we might know that the West accuses Islam of humiliating women, imposing them to make many things without their consent, and accuses Muslims of being aggressive against women.
Fairly and honestly, the Qur’an and the Prophet (PBUH) have defended and ensured the rights of women in a manner that reflects how great the position they have in Muslim society is and exceeds their wild imagination. Although it is beyond our ability to mention all the verses or hadiths that assert the high esteem that women enjoyed under the umbrella of Islam, we will try to show this by giving some brief examples that support the view.
Allah says, “And force not your maids to prostitution, if they desire chastity, in order that you may make a gain in the goods of this worldly life…” [al-Noor 33]. (1)
“وَلَا تُكْرِهُوا فَتَيَاتِكُمْ عَلَى الْبِغَاءِ إِنْ أَرَدْنَ تَحَصُّنًا لِّتَبْتَغُوا عَرَضَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۚ” (النور 33)
This verse urged the people not to force their maids, servants, and slave girls to commit the sin of Zina fornication and become unchaste to earn money and gain in the goods of this worldly life. It is to be noted that this verse defended the rights of maids and slave girls to save their chastity, and prevented their guardians from forcing them to unchastity, so what would we think of free women?
The prophet (PBUH) called for love, loyalty, Mutual mercy and forgiveness, and discarding household minor mistakes so that homes can be established on a strong foundation that can withstand heavy storms.
Our beloved prophet (PBUH) has urged us to treat women kindly and mercifully. The prophet set an example of kindness and companionship with his wives; it is recorded that he told ‘A’esha (may Allah be pleased with her) “I know the times when you are angry and the times when you are pleased with me.” “How do you know that O Messenger of Allah?” she replied. “If you are satisfied you would say, ‘No, I swear by Muhammad’s Lord, and if you are angry you would say, ‘No, I swear by Abraham’s Lord” he replied.
” إِنِّي لأَعْلَمُ إِذَا كُنْتِ عَنِّي رَاضِيَةً، وَإِذَا كُنْتِ عَلَىَّ غَضْبَى ”. قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ مِنْ أَيْنَ تَعْرِفُ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ ” أَمَّا إِذَا كُنْتِ عَنِّي رَاضِيَةً فَإِنَّكِ تَقُولِينَ لاَ وَرَبِّ مُحَمَّدٍ، وَإِذَا كُنْتِ غَضْبَى قُلْتِ لاَ وَرَبِّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ”.(2)
On a trip, the prophet (PBUH) was racing `A’esha as she said “O Messenger of Allah, race me!” and she beat him, and this was before putting on weight. When she put on weight, she raced him again but he won this time and said, “Tit for tat.” (هذة بتلك)
From the previously mentioned examples, we can notice that prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave us the ideal example in treating women since he gave them all respect and prohibited ill-treating them, so we should follow his way, obey his path, and take into consideration that women are our mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters; The prophet said, “Drive slowly with the glass vessels.” “ارْفُقْ يَا أَنْجَشَةُ، وَيْحَكَ، بِالْقَوَارِيرِ” (3)when the servant drove the camels that women ride on fast.”
References:
(1) Muhammad Taqi al-Din al Hilali, Muhammad Muhsin Khan, The translation of the meanings of the noble Qur’an, (Medina- K.S.A: king Fahd complex for the printing of the Holy Qur’an, 1404 A.H).
(2) Sahih al-Bukhari 5228, Book 67, Hadith 161.
(3) Sahih Al Bukhary 6161, Book 78, hadith 187.
Further readings:
- The Tafseer of al-Imam al-Sa`di, Tayseer al-Kareem al-Rahman fi Tafseer Kalam al-Mannan.
- Sahih al-Bukhary, The book of Marriage.
- Sahih al-Bukhary, the book of good manners.
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