Women in Islam

Women in Islam
& Refutation of some Common
Misconceptions



By:
Abdul-Rahman Al-Sheha

Translated by:
Abu Salman Deya ud-Deen Eberle

Edited by:
Abu Ayoub Jeromē Boulter
Abdurrahman Murad

Revised Edition

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This book deals with the following
questions and issues:
 The state of women through the ages: women in the pre-
Islamic Arab society; Indian society; Chinese society;
Greek society; Roman society; traditional Jewish
society; traditional Christian society; and modern
secular society.
 Matters in which Men and Women are equal in Islam: in
basic humanity; in application of obligations; in rewards
and punishments in this worldly life and the hereafter; in
ownership and the freedom of financial transaction; in
preserving the honor and nobility; in mandatory
education; and in bearing responsibility towards
reforming the society.
 Women‟s status and rights in various stages of life in the
Muslim society: as a baby, child and young girl; as a
sister; as a wife; as a mother; as kinsfolk and neighbor,
and as a woman in general.
 Misconceptions about women‟s rights and obligations in
Islam and their refutation: on polygyny; on leadership
and responsibility; on the marriage Contract and
guardianship; on wife discipline; on honor killing; on
divorce; on testimony; on inheritance; on blood money;
on employment; and on Hijab (covering head and face).











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Table of Contents

 Foreword of Translator
 Preface
 Introduction
 Demands about Women's Rights
 Status of Women throughout the Ages: Women in the Pre-
Islamic Societies and Civilizations
 Women's Rights in Islam: in general, as children and
daughters, as sisters, as wives, as mothers.
1. Care for Women in General, and the Equality of Men
and Women in Islam, and their complementary
nature to one another
2. Women as Children and Daughters
3. Women as Wives
4. Women as Mothers
5. Women as Kinfolks and Neighbors
6. Misconceptions about Women in Islam
7. Polygyny in Islam
8. Power of Guardianship in the Marriage Contract
9. Financial and Moral Responsibilities of the
Household
10. Wife Disciplining
11. Honor Killing
12. Power to Divorce is with the husband
13. Women's Rights of Inheritance
14. Blood Money
15. Testimony of Women
16. Travel Without Closely Related Male Escort
17. Women's Right to Work
18. On Hijab (covering head & face)
 Conclusion


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Foreword of Translator
I begin with the name of Allah Most Beneficent Most Merciful
All praise is due to Allah the Exalted and may Allah exalt the
mention of His Prophet and render him and his household, his
Companions, and all those who follow their way safe from
every evil, and grant them security on the Day of Resurrection.
This book discusses the special place women have in the
religion of Islam and seeks to address some of the many
misconceptions and false propaganda published by those who
are ignorant of this religion or harbor a malicious intent to
purposely misrepresent this religion. Islam states that men and
women are totally equal in their humanity, and basic human
responsibilities and rights; a concept that was radically new to
the world compared to other civilizations at the time of the
inception of the Islamic Message through the Prophet
Muhammad (), and remains so for many people of the globe
until today. Islam also states that men and women have
complimentary roles and obligations in society, which are
commensurate with their natural physical, psychological and
social inclinations and differences. The feminine qualities of
women can only find fulfillment when they are taken into
account in relation to men, just as the masculine qualities of
men are not complete without the complimentary role of
women in society. A great injustice is done by seeking to force
upon them genderless equality where they are different and
complement each other, or by forcing them to be unequal, and
thus demeaning them, where they are truly equal. Only Allah,
the Almighty and Omniscient Creator, is the Perfect Guide to
the correct and smooth path, devoid of extremism and
deficiencies. Since rights are always in relation to abilities,
obligations and duties, the unique perspective of Islam on
women‟s rights needs to be put into the context of a complete
moral and legal code of Islamic belief, morality and law.
Humanity can only survive and prosper with the survival and
prosperity of the family unit. Each member of the family fulfills

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his or her obligations and receives his or her rights, while bound
to universally accepted virtues, of which include faith, purity,
chastity, respectfulness, good manners and upright morality. Of
course, different civilizations and cultures present different
views on these issues and virtues.
In the Islamic revealed scriptures, there are many eloquent
expressions of woman‟s equality with man and the special
relationship and bond between man and woman. For instance,
the Most Majestic says:
Surely for men who submit to Allah and for women who
submit to Allah, for believing men and for believing
women, for devout men and devout women, for truthful
men and truthful women, for steadfast men and steadfast
women, for humble men and humble women, for
charitable men and charitable women, for fasting men
and fasting women, for men who guard their chastity and
women who guard their chastity, for men who remember
Allah much and for women who remember Allah much,
for all of them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a
mighty reward. [33:35]
And Allah, the Exalted, says:
…they are garments for you, and you are garments for
them… [2:187]
Clothes and garments are a necessity for warmth, protection,
covering, and adornment. In our clothes we find comfort,
security, satisfaction and identity. The male and female are in
need of each other in a way similar to how the naked body of
the human stands in need of clothes to face his natural and
social environment.
Islamic civilization has its own view to present; a view that we
believe expresses the highest of possible human values
achievable because it is based on the divine revelation and
guidance from the One and only Creator, the God of Mankind,

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Allah the Beneficent, Wise, Sublime and Omniscient, Who
knows all the needs of his creations. He sent His last and final
Prophet and Messenger to mankind; Muhammad ibn Abdullah
(). He inspired him with the revelation and teachings that were
to be a perfect guide and example to the sincere worshipper, the
servant of Allah in righteousness and obedience, in all the
various circumstances and spheres of life. With humility and
humble service Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (),
delivered the message and fulfilled the huge responsibility of
his mission of beneficence and mercy.
His family and followers, although humans with the
imperfections that are the mark of human frailty, followed his
example of righteousness, fortitude in goodness and selfless
virtue. After the examples of all the Prophets of Allah, which
included Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus (may Allah exalt
their mention), it is they who present for us the best examples.
Successive generations of Muslims have exhibited mixed
behavior, and some have unfortunately deviated horrendously to
the lowest grades of misguidance, wickedness and criminal
behavior. Nevertheless, Muslims remain encouraged and
optimistic because there will never be an era without some
glowing lights of knowledgeable, upright, and virtuous Muslim
men and women, who exhibit the virtues by which the Islamic
message and mission is characterized.
This book was previously published with the title WOMAN IN
THE SHADE OF ISLAM, and we have strived to re-adapt the
work for the benefit of a wider range of English readers. We ask
Allah, the Exalted, to accept our humble efforts and forgive our
lapses and mistakes. He indeed answers prayers and accepts
good deeds.
Abu Salman Deya-ud-Deen Eberle
abusalman102@yahoo.com
abusalman102@gmail.com

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Preface
All praise is due to Allah the Exalted. May Allah exalt the
mention of His Prophet and his household and render them safe
from every derogatory thing
I believe that I cannot present any new information on the
issues related to women‟s rights and the place of women in
Islam. Therefore I have attempted to collect, arrange and
summarize some of the relevant information on this subject and
present it for the benefit of the reader .I hope and pray for
guidance from Allah the Exalted that I am successful in
reaching my goals.
It is a great injustice to accuse Islam of wrongdoing and
oppression to women when there are many statements of the
revealed book of Allah, the Qur'an, and of the teachings of the
Prophet () which negate and disprove this false slander. Allah,
the Exalted, says:
O Mankind! We have created you from a male and a
female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you
may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you
in the Sight of Allah is the believer who has Taqwa (piety
and righteousness). Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-
Aware [49:13]
Allah, the Exalted, also says:
And among His Signs is that He created for you wives
from among yourselves, that you may find peace and
repose in them, and He has put between you affection and
mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for people who
reflect [30:21]
The Prophet  said:
“Verily women are the twin halves of men."
[Abu Dawood #234 , Tirmidhi #113 & others]

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Introduction
Various calls for women‟s freedom, liberation and equal rights
have been heard all over the world, and many slogans have been
coined for the marches. In some societies women have indeed
lived under oppression, cruelty and injustice, and have been
denied basic rights of humanity. Nor is it denied that some
Muslims have deviated from the Islamic principles and
teachings. Islamic law, on the other hand, has collected
women‟s rights in a comprehensive and balanced system of
human rights and obligations. Close examination of the slogans
propagated by the international women's liberation movements
show that they revolve around three elements: women's
liberation, equal rights with men and women's rights. We will
examine them in the light of Islamic law and teachings,
regardless of the practices of some of the ignorant and deviant
Muslims.
Firstly, the word "liberation" indicates that there are shackles,
bonds and restrictions in place, and secondly, that women are
enslaved and must be liberated. This is ambiguous and
misleading since absolute liberty is impossible, regardless of
whether they are men or women. Mankind is naturally restricted
by the limitations of innate limited abilities, and necessities of
social organization. Both men and women must live in a social
environment under certain laws, rules and regulations that
govern and organize the various affairs of life. Does that mean
that man is not free and independent in his actions, or that he is
clear from the responsibility of his deeds? Can anyone be free
of natural limits and legal restrictions? If they are slaves, then
the question becomes, to whom? Any so called freedom and
liberty has natural and legal limits, which, if exceeded, will lead
to destructive activities that all recognize as indecent,
uncivilized and criminal. Islamic law decreed that both men and
women seek freedom and liberation from idolatry, tyranny,
exploitation and injustice. The divinely revealed principles and
laws teach and advocate strict monotheism, justice and noble

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morality. Within this framework men and women have inter-
dependent and complementary roles. Islamic law granted
women the right to deal in many affairs within the society
directly, rather than dealing via a guardian. Women in Islam are
officially responsible and in charge of running all their affairs
whether economical, social or otherwise, as in many societies.
For her protection and maintenance, her father, brother, uncle
and husband - the stronger sex - are obligated and legally bound
to guard her honor and maintain her sustenance and proper
living circumstances according to their abilities, throughout the
stages of her life. Is this demeaning her position, or elevating it?
Islam has forbidden men and women equally from being
indecent publicly, and this translates differently for the two
sexes for natural reasons. All must protect virtue in private, and
guard themselves in public. Islamic law protects women from
intimidation and molestation, and this demands that no one of
either gender commit acts that are sexually provocative or
enticing to the other. For this reason Islamic law requires
modest clothing for her protection when going out of the home,
and prohibits open ended free intermingling, and any type of
physical touching of the other sex.
Islam illustrates the concept of freedom and liberty in such a
way that individual behavior must not be harmful to the
individual or destructive to the society at large, as graphically
illustrated in the words of the Messenger of Allah () when he
said in an authentic tradition:
“The example of a person who observes the laws of Allah
and the person who violates them are examples of two
groups of people who gathered on a ship and decided to
divide their places. One group received the upper deck as
their lot, while the other group received the lower part of
the ship. Whenever the people in the lower part needed
water they had to pass through the people on the upper
deck. The people in the lower part thought to themselves:
'If we drill a hole in our portion of the ship, we can have

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access to the water without disturbing the party on the upper
deck.' If the group on the upper deck allows them execute
their plan, all the people will be destroyed, and if they
forbid them from doing so, they all will be safe.” [Bukhari
#2361 & others]
A
well-known
German
thinker
and
philosopher,
Schopenhauer said:
"Grant woman total and absolute freedom and liberty for
ONE YEAR ONLY, and check with me after that to see
the results of such freedom. Do not forget that you (all),
along with me, will inherit virtues, chastity and good
morals. If I die (before then) you are free to say either: "He
was wrong!" or "He hit the heart of the truth!"
An American female reporter, Helesian Stansbery, who is
syndicated in over 250 newspapers, worked in the area of
journalism and broadcasting for over 20 years, and visited
numerous Muslim countries had this to say at the end of one of
her visits to a Muslim country:
“The Arab-Islamic society is wholesome and healthy. This
society must continue to protect its traditions that restrict
both its males and females to a certain and reasonable
degree. This society definitely differs from the European
and American societies. The Arab-Islamic society has its
own traditions that impose certain restrictions and
limitations on women and give special respect and status
to parents… First and foremost, the most strict
restrictions and limitations are on absolute sexual
freedom that truly threatens both the society and the
family in Europe and the United States of America.
Therefore, the restrictions that are imposed by the Arab-
Islamic society are valid and beneficial as well. I strongly
recommend that you adhere to your traditions and code
of ethics. Forbid coeducation. Restrict female freedom, or
rather, return back to the full 'purdah' (veiling) practices.

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