The Position of Women in Islam from the Perspective of the Holy Qur’an
In the era of pre-Islamic ignorance, only men had the right to inherit, and women were deprived of this right. This law of Jahiliya was abolished with the advent of Islam, granting women a share in inheritance.
During the age of ignorance, women themselves were inherited. When a woman’s husband died, the deceased’s heirs would cover her with a veil or a dress and say, “I inherited her, just as I inherited her property.” With the arrival of Islam, this cruel practice became forbidden. Allah Almighty says: «يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا يَحِلُّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَرِثُوا النِّسَاءَ كَرْهًا» Translation: “O you who believe! It is not permissible for you to inherit women by force.”
Before Islam, when a woman’s husband died, her waiting period was one full year. Islamic law specified a defined waiting period; as Allah Almighty says: «وَالَّذِينَ يُتَوَفَّوْنَ مِنْكُمْ وَيَذَرُونَ أَزْوَاجًا يَتَرَبَّصْنَ بِأَنْفُسِهِنَّ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَعَشْرًا» Translation: “Those who die among you and leave behind wives, [the wives] must wait four months and ten days.”
To gain a better understanding of women’s position in Islam, it is essential to reflect on the following verse repeatedly and grasp its significance: Islam has not disregarded the value and rights of women.
One day, Umm Amara Ansari, may Allah be pleased with her, approached the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the mosque and said, “O Messenger of Allah! All the rulings and issues mentioned in the Quran pertain to men; I have not seen any mention of women.” Subsequently, this holy verse was revealed: «إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْقَانِتِينَ وَالْقَانِتَاتِ وَالصَّادِقِينَ وَالصَّادِقَاتِ وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَالصَّابِرَاتِ وَالْخَاشِعِينَ وَالْخَاشِعَاتِ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقَاتِ وَالصَّائِمِينَ وَالصَّائِمَاتِ وَالْحَافِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ وَالْحَافِظَاتِ وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ مَغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا» Translation: “Muslim men and women, believing men and women, obedient men and women, truthful men and women, patient men and women, humble men and women, charitable men and women, fasting men and women, chaste men and women, and men and women who remember Allah Almighty a lot—Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward.”
To honor and celebrate the position of women in Islam, a surah (chapter) called “Nisa'” has been dedicated to them in the Holy Qur’an. Notably, there is no surah called “Men,” which underscores the special importance of women in Islam. In Surah Al-Nisa, Allah addresses critical issues related to women, family, governance, and society, with a significant portion dedicated to women’s rights. For this reason, this surah is known as “Nisa.”
Reflecting on the meaning of this surah, we find that Allah has greatly honored women and that the first woman was created from the side of the first man. Allah the Exalted says: «يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ نَفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاءً» Translation: “O people! Fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul and created its mate [also] from it and scattered many men and women from them.”
Thus, according to the principle of creation, men and women are intrinsically equal, and their human existence holds equal value. Men and women enjoy the same rights related to human existence, including the right to life, honor, wealth, and dignity. Prohibitions apply equally to both genders concerning slander, intrusion into privacy, and other rights that do not differentiate between men and women. Furthermore, the orders and laws of Sharia apply equally to everyone.
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