The Role of Women in Islam: Empowerment, Equality, and Rights

empowerment which they had long before this received. Islam acknowledges that women are not only created for the satisfaction of men, but also for creating, educating and building up the lives of women, husbands, fathers and everyone around them. Men and women are under the same obligations according to Islam-they both are obliged to worship, deny temptations and seek that which is righteous.

If one would want to show a woman that Islam is a rubbish religion, then one needs to read in detail about the impact Islam did on women's status. Having Islam produce little before the advent of ages would change perceptions toward women. Formerly, before the introduction of Islam into their lives, old settlement controlled the future of women-kind, how would she ever be perceived?

In just over a month into the new century goes by, I am talking about women who were living in Arabia at the time of Muhammad. And then I intend to write about the women of Arabia after a few years of Muhammad's death. Nor should questions be forgotten about women of that age, nor about those of later days: Can we ever measure the worth of a woman by what she was during her time under the Qur'an?

What was the role of women in Pre-Islam Arabia?

According to Oxford University Press research findings, pre-Islam Arabia marked the zenith of all ages concerning the status of women. Considering that women in ancient Arab societies had no legal rights at all; however, at the advent of Islam, women enjoyed many rights.

More is the pin between the two reaches of most women of the world. There are few remaining rights which have been legalised even for women under Islam. These rights are few. Prevalent today is the pervasion of Islam by the ideals defined above about what women should do or not do here on earth.

With the major and pivotal change of Islam with regard to women, and the fact that there is a God in this world, also men received rights. No man cared about rights anymore, so he found comfort from that fact, and women accepted whatever men threw at them as the condition of being with that man.

Islam established an independent role for women that constituted miraculous changes in their statuses. They were given rights, dignity and independence such as had never obtained within their communities all over the earth during that period. In Islam, it was not only that, because the provisions of law according to the Quran and Sunnah endowed women with a sense of empowerment and freedom that they had never known before empowerment.

Women were more than mere means of pleasure for men; they were valued deeply for their creations, education and nurturance of young men, wives, fathers, and everybody associated with them. Men and women, as per the basics of Islam, are under the same obligations from Allah; they include worship, denial of temptations, and seeking that which is righteous.

If anyone wants to prove wrong to a woman by making Islam a rubbish religion in the world, then he has to go in detail writing about the effects of this religion on women's status. The entrance of Islam would bring little towards insult before creating the centuries of attitudes against her. To date, before Islam was ever installed into the life of such kind, settlements of old commonly held the future of women-kind as to how she would ever be viewed.

For so much as a month would go into this new century, I speak of the women who lived during the time of Muhammad in Arabia, and then I intend to write about the women of Arabia after a few years of Muhammad's death. Nor should questions be forgotten about women of that age, nor about those of later days: Can we ever measure the worth of a woman by what she was during her time under the Qur'an?

This is what was the participation or role of women in Pre-Islam Arabia: The research findings of Oxford University Press suggest that before Islam invaded the Arabian Peninsula, that was the most successful time a woman could ever achieve.

Spiritual Equality
The Quran states that men and women are from one soul and are equal according to their spirits. It says:

“O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women.” (Quran 4:1)

This verse underlines the prospect that man and woman are equal bearing in mind that they were both created from the same soul. Therefore, he added that both men and women have the right to spiritual development, counseling and the resulting benefits in the Hereafter.

Reward for Righteousness
Men and women are also told by the Quran that they will receive equal standards of retribution for their chastity and well-doing. It states:

“Whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while he is a believer—those will enter Paradise, and will not be wronged [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.” (Quran 4:124)

This verse emphatically supports the fact that the spiritual blessing for the person who practices righteous is not survived for sex but for anyone. The reward in the hereafter is pronounced for women and their work in the right direction is acknowledged by Allah.

Education and Knowledge Rights
We find, in the traditions of Islam, both the boy and the girl are advised to be scholars. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) famously said:

Knowledge is WalaaMulhim ultra Quran, Sunan Ibn MajahWalaa ‘It is fardh ‘alal Muslim, Sunan IBN Majah.

The following hadith is a clear revelation of the fact that knowledge is the God given right of every woman of man. A woman was urged to learn and to work, and many women during the prophetic period actually became scholars, educators, and even activists.

3. Functions of women in the society as well as in the family.
This paper is an attempt to explain why women in Islam are important and given many responsibilities within the family and society. Of primary significance the Quran provides the information on the love and affection of reciprocal spouses, the support and upbringing of children, and the maintenance of family integrity.

Marriage: The chief value of the practice is partnership and mutual respect.
Marriage in the Islamic numerous system is seen as a lawful or an appreciation of love, respect and cooperation. The Quran describes the relationship between husband and wife as one of harmony:

“And among His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy.” (Quran 30:21)

Husband and wife in Islam are affectionate to each other, full of mercy and ready to understand their spouse. As equality Union has rights and duties among themselves and marriage is private vow that is supposed to bring comfort, security, and satisfaction in one’s life.

Today on Marriage as another aspect of the Rights of Women I understand that women, despite all the advances in human rights, have very few rights in marriage.
Islam has also given women right to choose her partner and right to end the marriage in case she is not happy from the marriage. Custom also requires that for a marriage contract to go through, the woman must willingly submit to the marriage. However On marriage, the Quran has isolated the following rights of women marrying with a man; the right of mahr, kind treatment of the husband and getting their property and earnings.
Motherhood: A Revered Role
Islamic culture has a great regard to the mothers. In the Quran and Hadith there are strong recommendations for son to be obedient to their mothers, especially when they are old. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is reported to have said:

“Paradise lies at the feet of you mother.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
This hadith also underscore a special position that woman who are mothers hold in Islam. Childcare and child rearing are regarded as indispensable roles and the-role of a mother is highly venerated. Islam fully appreciates the roles of women in family life more so in raising children as hugely significant to the welfare of the society.
Daughters and Sisters
Daughters are all the more valued in the eyes of Islamic laws. In_srcohol culture of pre-Islamic Arabia, the birth of a daughter was considered a curse. However, the Quran turned this upside down and gave dignity for daughter to be honored. The Quran states:
‘Allah is the Owner of the heavens and the earth: with Him is the creation of everything that He wills.’ He grants to whom He wills female children, and He grants to whom He wills male children.” (Quran 42:49)
In this way Islam brought change in the status of women by insisting on the rights of daughters as well as sons. Furthermore, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
Abdullah Ibn Abbas narrated saying, “The one who has three daughters, feeds them well and is good to them, they become a shield to him, against the Hell-fire.” (Sunan Abu Dawood)
This hadith suggest that daughters should be treated nicely as they are human beings who are relevant in the society.
4. Economic rights contain financial freedom and other rights that relate to economic life.
In economic system of Islam, women have a right to own property, to work for money and engage in business. It is also important because a woman’s money is her acknowledged, meaning that she has an right to do with the property as she wishes.
Real Estate and Succession
In pre-Islamic period women in Arabia were totally deprived of their rights to own property and all property belonging to women was possessed by their male relations. However, it for the first time in history of world Islam came up with a revolution in this aspect by providing women the right of property. The Quran specifies the inheritance rights of women:

And for men, there is a portion of that which the parents and close relatives leave behind, and for women, there is a portion of what the parents and close relatives leave, little or much-a legal share." (Quran 4:7)
Women have a specific share of the family wealth clearly stated in the guidelines that qualify the Quran in inheritance. In most scenarios, a share of inheritance would be half for women than that of its men. This is part and parcel of the financial responsibilities a Muslim man has, taking a predominant role in managing the financial sexuality of his family. Women have been given thus financial independence and rights to the money earned by them.

Business and Employment
Islam has encouraged women to engage in business and trade. Historically, many women achieved much in business. One example in this regard is Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, the first wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and a highly successful businesswoman and trader. She employed Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and was one of the first to embrace Islam.

Women are permitted to work, to earn a living, and to dedicate themselves to professions of their choice as per the requirements of Islam. Their work, however, should preferably not conflict with their religious duties and responsibilities towards their families. The Islamic teachings thereby promote a balance between personal and family life as well as professional life.
5. Women in Leadership and Political Posts
Although the Quran does not obligate women to hold any position in politics, Islamic history speaks of many precious examples of women with powerful positions in society. One such best-known example is that of Queen Bilqis (the Queen of Sheba); she is mentioned in the Quran as a wise and powerful woman whose ruler had powerful diplomacy with the Prophet Solomon (PBUH).

"She replied: 'O assembly [of advisers], indeed, to me has been delivered a noble letter. Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it

Oppression Misconception
There is a misconception, generally considered one of the most prevalent in this case, that Islam has ever been largely devastating to women, especially with regard to issues such as the dress code or the hijab. While modesty is a very vital value for both men and women in Islam, the actual practice in some parts of the Muslim world does not relate closely, nor is it representative, of the whole picture concerning Islamic teachings on women. Indeed, Islam teaches modesty, but it is a very important aspect coupled with freedom, autonomy, and respect of choice for women.

Practicing Challenges
In many countries, women are still deprived of their right to education, healthcare, and things such as economic opportunities. Reasons include cultural norms borrowed from political instability and the absence of legal reforms. These are not from the perspective of the religious doctrines. There is a need to distinguish between cultural practices and the real teachings of Islam as concerning women's empowerment and their rights to equality vis-a-vis men.

7. Conclusion
The empowerment, equality, and rights accorded by Islam are those that involve women. From the teachings of the Quran and the example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), it is clearly understood that Islam workizes women with dignity, respect, and value pertaining to all aspects of life: spiritual, social, economic, and political. Women are fully encouraged to avail themselves of learning, be employed, contribute to society, and take lead wisely and compassionately. The equality of men and women before Allah is a central belief that underlies Islam, and both stand equally accountable for their actions and recompensed according to their righteousness.

However, it is necessary to understand that the essence of Islam is empowerment and rights for women. True understanding and assimilation of the Islam teachings can elevate a woman in society and ensure that she lives with as many rights as a man. Leaving cultural and political hindrances that still play their part in women's status in some Muslim-majority countries aside.