“The search for knowledge is a duty for every Muslim”
In all of the Worlds societies women have in the past struggled with situations like work, and at home where in some cases they have been looked upon as servants and property as men, Allah made it clear this was wrong. However many people in the Western world still hold it as a view.
In addition, many western people look upon Muslim women as wearing big dresses and covering their faces all the time. The principle of the Islamic dress is MODESTY, and this can be interpreted in many ways depending on the individual. Women are not lustful sex objects for men yet they have the freedom to choose how they think is a suitable way to dress.
It is the woman’s right to stay at home and be provided for. A woman can choose not to take her husbands name, and any money she has does not have to be shared with her husband or anyone else. Muhammad said
“At the feet of the mother lies the heaven of her children”
In the western world many Muslim women are not given the same opportunities as men yet the Qu’ran teaches that women can go to work, and earn their own money- they are not restricted to the home as many people may assume judgmentally.
Women now also have the right to vote because discrimination is frowned upon in Islam.
“The rights of a woman are sacred; ensure that women are maintained in the rights assigned to them” (hadith).
To bring up a child is one of the greatest forms of Ibadah (worship) that a woman undertakes in Islam.
“Paradise lies at the feet of your mother” (Hadith). As long as a woman assures her child is cared for, or it has reached maturity he can pursue a career. However there are certain jobs women cannot do, they cannot become imams, said Allah as a men have always stood a step above women.
Men and women must have a partnership; they must be compassionate for each other. And their status is so important that they are mentioned in the same verse as the most important duty of a Muslim in the Qu’ran. Both sexes have been given the same religious duties and in the afterlife, they will be judged by exactly the same criteria.
I conclude that yes, there is a role for women in Islam, they are equal in Gods eyes, no matter how different they look on the outside, the only difference is spiritual. Allah did not women and men to be treated so differently, and he would never want men to become superior to women, as their become mothers, and bring new life into the World. It is possible for a woman to do the same job as a man yet she is entitled to keep all her money to herself if she wishes to. Muslim women not only take responsibility for their children they are also expected to show hospitality for guests, hope for the insecure, and comfort for the distressed. In general, they are seen to be compassionate and loving and women must too work hard to gain a strong, tolerant loving marriage.
