For centuries before Islam, women across many societies were denied dignity, inheritance, education, and independence. In pre-Islamic Arabia, daughters could be buried alive, women were treated as property, and their voices were silenced in matters of marriage and law. The revelation of the Qur’an radically transformed this reality. Fourteen hundred years ago, it laid down principles of justice, protection, and equality for women—rights that were revolutionary at the time and remain foundational today.
1. The Qur’an Gave Women Independent Worth
وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي آدَمَ
"And We have certainly honored the children of Adam…"
[Surah Al-Isra, 17:70]
This honor applies equally to men and women. Islam affirmed women’s dignity as part of humanity itself.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّمَا النِّسَاءُ شَقَائِقُ الرِّجَالِ
"Indeed, women are the counterparts of men."
[Abu Dawud, 236 | Ahmad, 25663]
2. Women Were Granted the Right to Inherit
لِلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالْأَقْرَبُونَ وَلِلنِّسَاءِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالْأَقْرَبُونَ
"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."
[Surah An-Nisa, 4:7]
This command secured women’s financial rights in inheritance.
3. Women Have the Right to Choose Marriage
"A previously married woman has more right to her marriage than her guardian, and a virgin’s consent must be sought."
[Sahih Muslim, 1421]
Forced marriage contradicts Islamic principles. Women were given choice in marriage contracts.
4. Women Were Given the Right to Education
طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ
"Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim."
[Sunan Ibn Majah, 224]
This includes women, many of whom became scholars and transmitters of hadith.
5. Women Were Given Financial Independence
When Zaynab, the wife of Abdullah ibn Mas’ud, asked the Prophet ﷺ if she could give her zakat to her husband (since he was poor), the Prophet ﷺ affirmed:
لَهَا أَجْرَانِ: أَجْرُ الْقَرَابَةِ وَأَجْرُ الصَّدَقَةِ
"She will have two rewards: one for maintaining family ties and one for giving charity."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, 1462 | Sahih Muslim, 1000]
This shows that even in charity, the woman was the owner of her wealth, and her husband had no claim to it without her decision.
6. Women’s Roles as Mothers Were Elevated
وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ إِحْسَانًا ۖ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ كُرْهًا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًا
"And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship."
[Surah Al-Ahqaf, 46:15]
"Your mother, your mother, your mother, then your father."
[Sahih Muslim, 2548]
Motherhood was honored as a noble role with immense rights.
7. Islam Abolished Practices That Dehumanized Women
وَإِذَا الْمَوْءُودَةُ سُئِلَتْ بِأَيِّ ذَنبٍ قُتِلَتْ
"And when the female infant buried alive is asked, for what sin she was killed."
[Surah At-Takwir, 81:8-9]
The Qur’an condemned female infanticide, affirming the value of daughters.
8. Women Were Given Spiritual Equality Before Allah
إِنِّي لَا أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِّنكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ
"Indeed, I do not allow to be lost the work of any worker among you, whether male or female."
[Surah Al-Imran, 3:195]
Both men and women are judged by their deeds, with equal access to Allah’s reward.
Conclusion
The Qur’an did not just respond to the injustices of 7th-century Arabia; it laid down a timeless framework that recognized the dignity, worth, and rights of women in every sphere of life—social, economic, educational, and spiritual. Fourteen centuries later, these teachings remain a reminder that Islam’s foundation is justice and balance. Upholding women’s rights is not a modern innovation but a return to the original guidance revealed by Allah.
