Mujitaba Hibbatul Khaliq, Student, Kwara State University, Nigeria
In Islam, or in fact, in any given community, women play a vital role in shaping the fabric of society, and in the realm of faith and spirituality, the role of women is pivotal particularly within the sacred institution of the family. Thus, unlike popular misconceptions, Islam – a faith that champions equality, justice and compassion – accords women a position of dignity and honor.
In today’s world, where family values are often eroded and women’s roles are redefined, let it be known that Islam, since its inception, offers a very refreshing and empowering vision with regards to the status of women, placing great emphasis on their spiritual growth and development, especially by pointing out some unique aspects like the equal spiritual potential, as well as education and knowledge.
The status of women in Islam
In Islamic teachings, unlike many other faiths in the world, women are considered equal partners in faith and spiritual growth, sharing identical obligations and rewards. The Holy Quran declares:
وَمَنۡ یَّعۡمَلۡ مِنَ الصّٰلِحٰتِ مِنۡ ذَکَرٍ اَوۡ اُنۡثٰی وَہُوَ مُؤۡمِنٌ فَاُولٰٓئِکَ یَدۡخُلُوۡنَ الۡجَنَّۃَ وَلَا یُظۡلَمُوۡنَ نَقِیۡرًا
“But whoso does good works, whether male or female, and is a believer, such shall enter Heaven, and shall not be wronged even [as much as] the little hollow in the back of a date-stone.” (Surah an-Nisa, Ch.4: V.125)
The Holy Quran and ahadith are full of teachings regarding women’s rights, dignity and responsibilities, particularly in their roles as mothers and wives, emphasising their critical role in shaping the next generation. The central theme of this is the fact that: The status of women is not inferior to that of men. Rather, women have been given rights and responsibilities which although different, are equal with that of men.
The caring mother
In Islam, motherhood is revered as a sacred institution, and the Holy Quran emphasises the importance of mothers in nurturing the next generation. It states:
وَوَصَّیۡنَا الۡاِنۡسَانَ بِوَالِدَیۡہِ اِحۡسٰنًا ؕ حَمَلَتۡہُ اُمُّہٗ کُرۡہًا وَّوَضَعَتۡہُ کُرۡہًا ؕ وَحَمۡلُہٗ وَفِصٰلُہٗ ثَلٰثُوۡنَ شَہۡرًا ؕ حَتّٰۤی اِذَا بَلَغَ اَشُدَّہٗ وَبَلَغَ اَرۡبَعِیۡنَ سَنَۃً ۙ قَالَ رَبِّ اَوۡزِعۡنِیۡۤ اَنۡ اَشۡکُرَ نِعۡمَتَکَ الَّتِیۡۤ اَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَیَّ وَعَلٰی وَالِدَیَّ وَاَنۡ اَعۡمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرۡضٰہُ وَاَصۡلِحۡ لِیۡ فِیۡ ذُرِّیَّتِیۡ ۚؕ اِنِّیۡ تُبۡتُ اِلَیۡکَ وَاِنِّیۡ مِنَ الۡمُسۡلِمِیۡنَ
“And We have enjoined on man to be good to his parents. His mother bears him with pain, and brings him forth with pain. And the bearing of him and his weaning takes thirty months, till, when he attains his full maturity and reaches [the age of] forty years, he says, ‘My Lord, grant me [the power] that I may be grateful for Thy favour which Thou hast bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I may do such good works as may please Thee. And make my seed righteous for me. I do turn to Thee; and, truly, I am of those who submit to [Thee].’” (Surah al-Ahqaf, Ch.46: V.16)
At another place, we read:
وَالۡوَالِدٰتُ یُرۡضِعۡنَ اَوۡلَادَہُنَّ حَوۡلَیۡنِ کَامِلَیۡنِ لِمَنۡ اَرَادَ اَنۡ یُّتِمَّ الرَّضَاعَۃَ ؕ وَعَلَی الۡمَوۡلُوۡدِ لَہٗ رِزۡقُہُنَّ وَکِسۡوَتُہُنَّ بِالۡمَعۡرُوۡفِ ؕ لَا تُکَلَّفُ نَفۡسٌ اِلَّا وُسۡعَہَا ۚ لَا تُضَآرَّ وَالِدَۃٌۢ بِوَلَدِہَا وَلَا مَوۡلُوۡدٌ لَّہٗ بِوَلَدِہٖ
“And mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years; [this is] for those who desire to complete the suckling. And the man to whom the child belongs shall be responsible for their (the mothers’) food and clothing according to usage. No soul is burdened beyond its capacity. The mother shall not make [the father] suffer on account of her child, nor shall he to whom the child belongs make [the mother] suffer on account of his child.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.234)
We also read:
وَوَصَّیۡنَا الۡاِنۡسَانَ بِوَالِدَیۡہِ ۚ حَمَلَتۡہُ اُمُّہٗ وَہۡنًا عَلٰی وَہۡنٍ وَّفِصٰلُہٗ فِیۡ عَامَیۡنِ اَنِ اشۡکُرۡ لِیۡ وَلِوَالِدَیۡکَ ؕ اِلَیَّ الۡمَصِیۡرُ
“And We have enjoined on man concerning his parents – his mother bears him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning takes two years – ‘Give thanks to Me and to thy parents. Unto Me is the [final] return.” (Surah Luqman, Ch.31: V.15)
All these are efforts and favours of the mother upon her children which the Holy Quran acknowledges, and in appreciation of all these, commands the children to in turn pray for their parents thus:
وَقُلۡ رَّبِّ ارۡحَمۡہُمَا کَمَا رَبَّیٰنِیۡ صَغِیۡرًا
“And say, ‘My Lord, have mercy on them even as they nourished me in [my] childhood.’” (Surah Bani Isra’il, Ch.17: V.25)
In recognition of the toil of mothers in the upbringing of their children, the Holy Prophetsa commands that men should in turn revere their mothers. Thus, it was narrated that once, a companion came to ask him who is most worthy of his goodness and kindness. The Holy Prophetsa replied: “Your mother.” He asked again and he received the same answer. Upon asking for the third time, the Holy Prophetsa told him: “Your father.” This is a testament to the status of mothers in Islam. (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-biri wassilati wal adaab, Hadith 2548)
The Holy Prophetsa is also reported to have said that paradise lies under the feet of mothers. (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Kitab al-Jihad, Hadith 3104)
In regards to this subject matter, it is often said that the mother is the first teacher of the child. This means that the initial behaviours of a child are those which he has learnt from his mother. Therefore, mothers should instill in their children the love of God and of the Holy Prophetsa and raise their children in a way that they become useful members of the society.
The Islamic paradigm of a wife
In Islam, marriage is considered a sacred bond between a man and a woman. The Quran and hadith emphasise the importance of mutual love, respect and cooperation in marriage. We read in the Holy Quran:
وَمِنۡ اٰیٰتِہٖۤ اَنۡ خَلَقَکُمۡ مِّنۡ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ اِذَاۤ اَنۡتُمۡ بَشَرٌ تَنۡتَشِرُوۡنَ
“And [one] of His Signs [is this], that He has created wives for you from among yourselves that you may find peace of mind in them, and He has put love and tenderness between you. In that surely are Signs for a people who reflect.” (Surah ar-Rum, Ch.30: V.22)
On this same subject, the Holy Prophetsa also says: “Women are counterparts of men.” (Sunan Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Tahara, Hadith 236)
Combining this prophetic saying with the above cited verse, we get the clear picture of the importance of women in the sight of God. As if to say that without women, the world wouldn’t be the same. This is also proven from the story of Adamas and Eve in the book of Genesis when God recognised Adam’s need for a companion. (Genesis, 2:18)
Similarly, in the annals of Islamic history as well, we read that the first person to believe in the Holy Prophetsa was a woman – his wife, Hazrat Khadijara. (Ibn Ishaq, The Life of Muhammad [Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah], 2004, p. 111)
She not only gave her husband the comfort and support he needed the most at the time of extreme fear and terror, but also stayed by him as the mother of believers until her last breath. As a result of her devotion, her example became timeless. A figure that cannot be forgotten in the history of humanity.
The same example is seen in the life of Hazrat Aishara and the other wives of the Holy Prophetsa, as well as Hazrat Syeda Nusrat Jahan Begumra (the wife of the Promised Messiahas). However one should not be deceived into thinking that they attained such excellence because they were wives of Prophets, for even the wife of Pharaoh attained such excellence whilst the wives of Prophet Noahas and Prophet Lotas didn’t. The reality therefore is that the attainment of such elevated status is as a result of individual actions and the blessings of God. Allah the Almighty states:
وَالَّذِیۡنَ جَاہَدُوۡا فِیۡنَا لَنَہۡدِیَنَّہُمۡ سُبُلَنَا ؕ وَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَمَعَ الۡمُحۡسِنِیۡنَ
“And as for those who strive in Our path – We will surely guide them in Our ways. And verily Allah is with those who do good.” (Surah al-Ankabut, Ch.29: V.70)
Let us strive, then, to embody the Islamic ideals of womanhood embracing our roles as caring mothers and loving wives. May we inspire future generations to uphold these values, fostering a harmonious and righteous society.
Conclusion
To conclude, below is a description of a woman in light of the Bible, which grants women great honour.
“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens… Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her… Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs, 31:10-31)
I wonder, what greater honor could there be than being a God-fearing woman? As a daughter, her father attains paradise through her. As a wife, she is the principal source of comfort for her husband. And as a mother, the paradise of her children lies right under her feet.