Women in Islam

Wishing our readers a very happy International Women’s Day.

For centuries, women have made groundbreaking contribution in almost every field known to mankind, and continue to do so in the 21^st century as well.

On the auspicious occasion of International Women’s Day, here’s a special article dedicated to women in Islam.

The Holy Qur’an

1. “And live with them in kindness.” – Qur’an 4:19

The verse instructs men on how to live with their wives. Later in the save verse is explained that if a man may dislike some things about their wives, maybe they dislike it but God has definitely placed good in such a situation.

2. “Indeed, those who falsely accuse chaste women, are cursed in this life and in the Hereafter. For them is a great punishment.” – Qur’an 24:23

This verse is a strong message for the people that engage in slandering and backbiting regarding chaste women. God curses such people in this life as well as in Hereafter according to this verse, and hence it is considered as a huge sin.

3. “Good women are for good men, & good men are for good women”– Qur’an 24:26

This verse comes shortly after the the previous verse from the same Surah (chapter), which basically teaches that good men and women are made for each other, and that the quality of one’s spouse is similar to their own qualities.

The Hadith

1. “The best of you are those who are best to their wives.” – Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) [Sunan at-Tirmidhi: 1162, Graded: Sahih]

One of the most famous and authentic hadidh (sayings) of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, narrated by Abu Hurairah, which clearly states that the Holy Prophet made it clear that only those who are best to their wives can be considered to be having the best character and the most complete of the believers when it comes to faith.

2. “I urge you to treat women well.” – Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) [Sahih Bukhari: 3331, Sahih Muslim: 1468, Sunan at-Tirmidhi: 1163]

Also a part of The Prophet’s last sermon, it has been recorded in 3 different places, all graded Sahih (authentic). The Prophet ﷺ commanded repeatedly and urged people to treat women with kindness.

The First of Their Kind

1.. Khadija bint Al-Khuwaylid ^{(رضي الله عنها)} – The First Muslim

The first wife of the Prophet ﷺ was not only a strong, independent businesswoman of Arabia, but also the first person to accept Islam.

2. Sumayyah bint Khayyāṭ ^{(رضي الله عنها)} – The First Martyr

The first martyr in Islam is actually a woman. Although described as “a very old and frail woman,” Sumayyah (رضي الله عنها) remained steadfast and refused to abandon Islam.

3. Fatima al-Fihri – Founder of the first university in the world

The founder of the world’s first ever university, The University of al-Qarawiyyin, was a woman named Fatima Al-Fihriyya. It was founded as a mosque in 859 AD,  and subsequently became one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the historic Muslim world.

Once again, we wish you all a very happy International Women’s Day.