One of the most profound and revolutionary contributions of the Holy Quran is the complete vindication of women. The Quranic revelation arrived to liberate women from the systemic injustice and darkness of the Jahiliyyah (Pre-Islamic Era of Ignorance) and to dismantle the arbitrary control men held over their destiny.
The Quran did not merely “improve” the status of women; it fundamentally restructured it. It honored the woman by granting her inalienable rights as an independent human being. It honored her in every phase of her existence: as a female created with purpose, as a cherished daughter, as a respected wife, as a revered mother, and as an active, vital member of society.
Restoring Humanity and Dignity
Islam arrived at a critical juncture in history when the very humanity of women was a subject of debate. Some civilizations denied her soul entirely, others doubted her moral capacity, and many acknowledged her humanity only to relegate her to the status of a servant created solely for man’s pleasure or utility.
It was the immense grace of Islam that it decisively ended this debate. It honored women, confirmed their full humanity, and affirmed their complete eligibility for religious assignment (Taklif), moral responsibility, divine reward, and entry into Paradise. Islam views the woman as a noble human being possessing all the human rights that a man holds. They are viewed as two branches of a single tree, siblings born of one father, Adam, and one mother, Eve.
Equality in Creation
Men and women are equal in their origin, their general human characteristics, their duties, their responsibilities, and their ultimate destiny. The Quran refutes the idea that women are a secondary or derivative creation. Regarding this gender equality in creation, the Holy Quran 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…” [An-Nisa: 1]
This verse establishes a biological and spiritual brotherhood. Since all people are created from a single soul, and Allah created from that soul its mate to find tranquility, men and women are united by a common origin. Based on this text, the man is the brother of the woman, and the woman is the full sibling of the man. As the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) succinctly stated: “Women are but the twin halves of men.”
1. Spiritual Equality: Worship and Piety
When it comes to religious standing and the capacity for spiritual growth, the Quran makes absolutely no distinction between genders. Spiritual equality in Islam is absolute; the gates of Paradise are open equally to both sexes based on their deeds, not their gender. The Quran lists the attributes of the believers comprehensively:
“Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women… for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” [Al-Ahzab: 35]
This verse confirms that virtues such as truthfulness, patience, humility, charity, and fasting are not masculine virtues, but human virtues. A woman can attain the highest levels of sanctity (Wilayah) just as a man can.
2. Shared Social and Religious Responsibilities
The Quran establishes that men and women are partners in the stewardship of society. They share the fundamental duty of moral guardianship. The Quran states:
“The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong…” [At-Tawbah: 71]
This verse elevates the woman from a passive observer to an active agent of social change. She is an ally (Wali) to the man, charged with the same responsibility to uphold ethical standards, establish prayer, and pay Zakat. Her voice is necessary in the command for good and the prohibition of evil.
3. The Story of Adam: Correcting Historical Errors
In the Quranic narrative of Adam and Eve, the divine command was directed to both of them equally. This is a significant departure from previous theological narratives that placed the burden of “The Fall” on Eve. The Quran attributes the seduction to Satan, targeting both of them:
“But Satan caused them to slip out of it and removed them from that [condition] in which they had been.” [Al-Baqarah: 36]
Eve was not the sole initiator of the error, nor was she a temptress. The mistake was shared, the regret was shared, and the repentance was shared.
“They said, ‘Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us… we will surely be among the losers.’” [Al-A’raf: 23]
In fact, to further vindicate women, some verses attribute the error specifically to Adam (“And Adam disobeyed his Lord and erred” [Taha: 121]). This Quranic perspective absolves women of the stigma of “original sin” and the historical justification for their subjugation.
4. Equality in Divine Reward
Does gender affect one’s reward in the Hereafter? The Quran explicitly answers ‘No’. Divine justice (Adl) dictates that the currency of the Hereafter is piety, not gender.
“And their Lord responded to them, ‘Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another.’” [Al Imran: 195]
This text is a declaration of labor rights in the spiritual sense: no good deed performed by a woman is devalued because of her sex. Allah emphasizes that they are “of one another,” meaning they share the same essence, nature, and potential for divine proximity.
5. Financial Rights and Economic Independence
Islam revolutionized women’s financial rights centuries before modern secular laws caught up. It abolished the practices of nations—both Arab and non-Arab—that deprived women of ownership, denied them inheritance, or gave husbands total control over their wives’ wealth. Islam established:
- The Right to Inherit: A fixed share ordained by God, not subject to a relative’s whim.
- Full Ownership: A woman retains complete control over her property, whether acquired through work, inheritance, or mahr.
- Legal Capacity: She has the independent right to buy, sell, lease, gift, donate, and enter into contracts without needing a male signatory.
Crucially, Islam grants her the right to defend her property through litigation. Her financial personality does not dissolve into her husband’s upon marriage; she remains a distinct economic entity.
6. The Status of the Mother in Islam
History knows no religion or system that has honored the mother and elevated her status as Islam has. The Quran emphasizes the command to treat mothers with Ihsan (excellence/kindness), placing this duty immediately after the command to worship the One God. To instill deep gratitude in the hearts of children, the Quran vividly describes the physical toll of motherhood:
“And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness…” [Luqman: 14]
Quranic Role Models
The Quran does not just give commands; it provides examples. It presents righteous mothers as icons of faith who influenced the course of history:
- The Mother of Moses: She demonstrated ultimate trust (Tawakkul) in Allah by casting her infant into the river, guided by divine inspiration.
- The Mother of Mary: A woman of dedication who vowed her unborn child to God’s service, accepting Allah’s will when she delivered a female.
- Mary (Maryam): The daughter of Imran, whom the Quran cites as a sign of purity and absolute truthfulness (Siddeeqah), chosen above the women of all worlds.
7. The Woman as a Daughter: A Blessing, Not a Burden
In the Jahiliyyah, the birth of a daughter was often met with social embarrassment, distress, or the horrific crime of female infanticide (Wa’d). Fathers would hide their faces in shame. The Quran vehemently condemned this mindset and the crime itself:
“And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked, For what sin she was killed.” [At-Takwir: 8-9]
Islam transformed the daughter from a source of “shame” into a gift from Allah. The Quran mentions daughters as a divine gift (Hiba). Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) offered a massive incentive to change social behavior: he promised Paradise to fathers who raise their daughters with kindness, patience, and love, stating that such daughters would be a “shield from the Fire” for their parents. This shifted the view of daughters from an economic burden to a spiritual asset.
8. Rights of the Wife in Islam
Islam rejected the extremes of celibacy found in some faiths and the degradation of women found in others. It elevated marriage to a “Solemn Covenant” (Mithaq Ghaliz) and a sign of Allah’s mercy. It established concrete rights for the wife that are legally enforceable:
- The Dowry (Sadaq): This is a financial right owned entirely by the woman. It is not a purchase price, but a symbol of the man’s truthfulness and willingness to bear responsibility.
- Financial Support (Nafaqah): The husband is fully responsible for providing food, clothing, and housing according to reasonable standards (Ma’ruf). This obligation stands even if the wife is wealthy; her money remains hers.
- Kind Treatment: The Quran commands, “And live with them in kindness” [An-Nisa: 19]. This includes emotional support, gentle speech, and respecting her psychological needs.
Islam also preserves the wife’s independent identity. Unlike Western traditions where a woman loses her name, in Islam, she retains her own family name and lineage. She enters marriage as an equal partner with distinct rights, not as a subordinate who loses her legal personhood.
9. Preserving Femininity and Modesty
Islam seeks to preserve the unique nature and femininity of women, recognizing that men and women are equal but distinct. It permits women adornments forbidden to men (like gold and pure silk) to honor their nature. Simultaneously, it prohibits the imitation of men in dress and behavior, just as it prohibits men from imitating women, ensuring that society respects the natural boundaries of gender.
To protect women from exploitation and objectification, Islam mandates a code of conduct and dress:
- Modesty (Hijab): This is not meant to restrict the woman, but to liberate her from being judged solely by her physical appearance. It commands society to value her for her mind and character.
- Chastity: Guarding oneself from illicit relationships preserves the emotional and spiritual health of the individual and the lineage of the family.
- Social Etiquette: Islam provides guidelines for interaction, such as lowering the gaze (for both genders) and avoiding seclusion (Khulwah) with non-relatives.
By upholding these values, Islam protects the woman’s dignity, preserves the family structure from the chaos of infidelity, and safeguards society from moral dissolution. It creates an environment where a woman is respected as a human being, not consumed as an object of desire.
By Dr. Ali Al-Sallabi
