Islam Does Not Degrade Women

Many non-muslims are under the impression that muslim women are oppressed. Whereas, Islam is a religion,

that has given equal rights to both men and women. In Islam, both men and women, are considered equal.

In pre-Islamic days, women were treated harshly. Female infanticide was common in pre-Islamic era. Women did not have a share even in their fathers property. They had no rights or social status. Their condition was pathetic.

Islam raised the position of a woman to a respectable and honourable one in the society. The Quran says, "And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them." Islam banned female infanticide and regarded it as one of the greatest sins. Islam has laws of inheritance that guarantee women a share in the property. All men are asked to respect women.

Many people object when muslim women cover themselves. They argue that muslim women are forced to do that and this is a form of oppression. Whereas Islam is a religion that that does not force any one. There are many educated and independent muslim women who prefer covering themselves. They feel much more secure with it.

It is a common belief that Islam does not allow women to get education, which is not true. The Holy Prophet said, "To acquire knowledge is the duty of every muslim male and muslim female " . According to Islam Allah has created both men and women, and has created them equal, therefore they have been given equal rights.

A lot of people believe that in an Islamic society, only a man can divorce his wife, and the wife can not do that. However, it is totally baseless. Women can also ask for divorce which is called 'khula'. Moreover, in the document of marriage, a muslim women can keep the right of divorce limited to herself i.e. if it is done, the woman can divorce the man, but the man can not do that (muslim women can do that, but they usually don't)

Muslim women are allowed to work. They are also allowed to use their husband's money, but the husband can not do the same with his wife's money. They can even ask husbands to pay them for being housewives (if they are housewives).

Islam has given many rights to women, but only some are stated above. It respects women in all her roles of life. Prophet (PBUH) said, "The best among you is the one who is best towards his wife."