The emergence of Islam has significantly improved the circumstances of women. At a time when women’s rights were ignored and they were simply treated as beings meant to serve the male figures in their lives, Islam arrived and raised the status of women.

 

Unfortunately, there are still many Muslim societies whose cultural traditions contradict Islam’s teachings. These societies often struggle with gender-based inequalities that include male domination in moral authority and social privilege, while depriving women of their rights.

 

These issues remain prevalent, for example, in Pakistan. Many Pakistani women are deprived of education, with their literacy rate being 42%, compared to the male literacy rate of 67%. Another example would be Syria, with their women literacy rate at 50% compared to the male literacy rate of 83%. In these societies’ hierarchy, the women’s duties only revolve around serving their husbands. Thus, their education is deemed unimportant. In many cases, women who voice out their desire to attain education often go ignored and unheard. 

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The Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) says: “Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim." 

 

The women's right to seek education is basic and is also advocated by Islamic teachings. Islam makes it obligatory to seek knowledge and does not specify that it is only obligatory for men, but instead for every Muslim – men or women.

 

In these backwards societies as well, women are constantly tied down by their society’s view and opinion on female behaviour, and on how the female virtue is heavily linked to family honor. As a result, victims of sexual or physical abuse go unreported as the victim and her family will be seen to have lost their honour and dignity. In instances where men should stand and protect their wives and daughters, they instead silence them in a pathetic attempt to save their ‘family’s dignity’. This treatment towards women contradicts the teaching of Islam, as The Holy Prophet (saw) stated:

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"The most perfect man in religion is one who excels in character.  The best amongst you is he who gives the best treatment to his womenfolk."

(Sahih Thirmidhi, Abwab ar-Rada)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is important that we raise our awareness and read up more on this concerning issue that still remains prevalent till this day - even in our society, although not as apparent as in the mentioned countries. 

 

One of the many ways we can combat this issue, is simply by having an enlightened mind on women’s rights in Islam and ensuring that they are being fulfilled in our society, and voice out whenever the situation calls for it. May Allah protect all women, and keep them far from harm, amin.