Islam has a strong message about social justice and the spiritual equality of women. Many Islamic sources state that women have the right to own property, to work, to receive an education, to participate in political and social life, and to negotiate the terms of their marriage contract.
There are also many key female figures in Islam that had a large impact on the movement, such as the wives and daughters of the Prophet Muhammad. Later on, many women in the Islamic world would be influential in the fields of education, politics, medicine and religious scholarship.
The experiences of Muslim women vary widely throughout the world and throughout the history of Islam's existence as a religion. In this report, we want to post some historical resources on the status of women in Islam that we put together for documentary purposes.
A large variety of influences have come into play when it comes to the status of women throughout Islamic history. Some of the most important influences are the Quran (the holy book of Islam), the hadith (a collection of sayings from the Prophet Muhammad), the sunnah (the Prophet's customs), Ijmā (scholarly consensus), fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), and culture.
There is also considerable variation in how all these sources mentioned above are interpreted.
DISCLAIMER: At World Future Fund, we do not claim to be experts on Islam, nor the ultimate source. We are simply posting this information as an educational service.
FAMOUS ISLAMIC WOMEN
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid - First Wife of the Prophet Muhammad
The Quran describes the wives of the Prophet Mohammad as “the mothers of the believers.” (Surah Ahzaab: 33:6). Among the Prophet’s wives, Khadija bint Khuwaylid and Aisha bint Abi Bakr are the most famous.
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid was the first wife of the Prophet Muhammad, and a prominent figure in the early history of Islam. She was born in Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia, around the year 555 CE, into a wealthy and influential family. According to the Islamic traditional sources, she had become a skilled and successful business woman by the age of 40. This was at a time when commerce was mainly controlled by men.
When she heard of the upright and honest character of the Prophet Muhammad, she hired him to travel in her caravans and conduct business for her. Then, she was so impressed by his character, that she actually proposed to him. This would be a very progressive move even in our times, and certainly was in the 7th century. Not only did she propose to him, but she was also 15 years older than him. The Prophet Muhammad was young at the time of the proposal, 25 years old. He accepted.
Later, when Mohammad started receiving revelations, Khadijah was the first person to believe in the message, even before he did. Scholars say that the beginning of Islam and prophethood began in the arms of Khadijah.
Fāṭima bint Muḥammad - Daughter of the Prophet Muhammad
Fatima is a notable figure in Islam.
According to the Islamic historical sources, she was born five years before her father started receiving his revelations. And she was there with him for the entirety of his prophethood. She suffered alongside him and loyally stood by his side as people attacked and mocked him. She helped the wounded in battle. Unlike her sisters, she did not have a wealthy husband. She lived a humble life (much like her father), where both her and her husband had to work hard for their daily bread — literally. She made bread and developed blisters on her fingers from working so hard. Eventually, it is said she acquired some servants into her household who could help her out. But even then, she worked alongside her servants and treated them like family.
She is referred to as “the mother of her father” (umm abiha), because she emotionally supported him through all his struggles.
Fatima’s husband was Ali (RA), the fourth of the Rashidun Caliphs and the first Shia Imam. Fatima’s sons were Hasan and Husayn, the second and third Shia Imams, respectively.
Aisha bint Abi Bakr - Later Wife of the Prophet Muhammad
Aisha was the daughter of the closest man to the Prophet, Abu Bakr Siddiq, the man who would become the first Caliph after the death of Muhammad.
The hadith literature describes Aisha as very intelligent, and showed that a woman could be more intelligent than the men around her. She had a sharp wit and a remarkable memory. She contributed to the spread of the Prophet’s message and served the Muslim community for 44 years after the death of the Messenger. She was involved in religious matters and political events as well. She is also known for narrating 2210 hadiths.
It was also said that she rode into battle in an armored palanquin atop a red camel, after which the battle (The Battle of the Camel) is named. Aisha was likely the rallying point of the rebel army, urging them to fight on with the battle cry of avenging Uthman.
Fatima bint Muhammad Al-Fihriya Al-Qurashiya - Woman Who Founded The World's First University
The 9th century was a dark age for Western Europe. It was not for the Middle East and North Africa, which were sophisticated centers of knowledge and multiculturalism. It was during this time that a young woman, Fatima Al-Fahri, established the world's first university. She founded the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco, in 859 AD with the wealth she inherited from her father.
You can read more about it in our report: A Muslim Woman Founded The World's First University
Lists of Influencial Muslim Women
List of female Islamic Scholars
List of female Muslim Political Leaders
The Prophet Muhammad's Legacy on Women's Rights
Women's Rights (Inspired by Muhammad)
Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet . Muhammad and Women (PBS)
WOMEN IN THE QURAN
Spiritual Equality Between Men and Women
"Surely ˹for˺ Muslim men and women, believing men and women,1 devout men and women, truthful men and women, patient men and women, humble men and women, charitable men and women, fasting men and women, men and women who guard their chastity, and men and women who remember Allah often—for ˹all of˺ them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” (Quran: 33:35)
“Their Lord responded to them: “I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you male or female – you are equal to one another.” (Quran: 3:195)
“The believers, men and women, are helpers, supporters, friends and protectors of one another.” (Quran: 9:71)
The Importance of Men Being Kind to Their Wives
"And one of His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find comfort in them. And He has placed between you compassion and mercy. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect." (Quran: 30:21)
"Your spouses are a garment for you as you are for them." (Quran: 2:187).
“And live with them [your wives] in kindness. For if you dislike them – perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good.” (Quran: 4:19)
Divorce Rights
“And if you fear dissension between the two, send an arbitrator from his people and an arbitrator from her people. If they both desire reconciliation, Allah will cause it between them. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Acquainted [with all things].” (Quran: 4:35)
This verse recognizes the possibility of conflict between a husband and wife, and recommends that they seek mediation from their families to resolve their issues. This implies that if mediation fails and the conflict cannot be resolved, divorce may be a viable option.
“And when you divorce women and they have [nearly] fulfilled their term, either retain them according to acceptable terms or release them according to acceptable terms, and do not keep them, intending harm, to transgress [against them]. And whoever does that has certainly wronged himself. And do not take the verses of Allah in jest. And remember the favor of Allah upon you and what has been revealed to you of the Book and wisdom by which He instructs you. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Knowing of all things.” (Quran: 2:231)
This verse emphasizes the importance of treating women with kindness and respect during the divorce process. It implies that women have the right to be released from the marriage if it has reached its term, and that men should not use divorce as a means to harm or oppress their wives.
“O Prophet, when you [Muslims] divorce women, divorce them for [the commencement of] their waiting period and keep count of the waiting period, and fear Allah , your Lord. Do not turn them out of their [husbands'] houses, nor should they [themselves] leave [during that period] unless they are committing a clear immorality. And those are the limits [set by] Allah. And whoever transgresses the limits of Allah has certainly wronged himself. You know not; perhaps Allah will bring about after that a [different] matter.” (Quran: 65:1)
Inheritance and Property
“And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of his bounty. Indeed Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing.” (Quran: 4:32)
“For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much - an obligatory share.” (Quran: 4:7)
Verses Against Female Infanticide
“and when the girl-child buried alive shall be asked for what offence was she killed?” (Quran: 81:8 -9)
The Virgin Mary
Many women appear in the Quran, but only one is named: the virgin Mary. She is named more times in the Quran than she is in the Bible. She even has her own chapter named after her.
"And ˹remember˺ when the angels said, “O Mary! Surely Allah has selected you, purified you, and chosen you over all women of the world (Quran: 3:42)."
See more at Mary in Islam (The Religion of Islam)
QUOTES ON WOMEN IN THE HADITH LITERATURE
“The most complete of the believers in faith, is the one with the best character among them. And the best of you are those who are best to your women (Tirmidhi, Sunnah.com).”
"O Messenger of Allah! Who is most deserving of my fine treatment?” He said, “Your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, then your nearest, then nearest (Narrated by Abu Hurairah – Bukhari and Muslim, Sunnah.com)."
“Observe your duty to Allah in respect to the women, and treat them well.” (Prophet Muhammed’s Last Sermon)
“I went to the Apostle of Allah (PBUH) and asked him: What do you say (command) about our wives? He replied: Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them.” (Narrated by Mu’awiyah al-Qushayri – Abu Dawud)
“Verily, women are the twin halves of men.” (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)