Islam gives women their due social rights. Social rights are usually basic socio-cultural rights. For example, rights for education, security, medical facilities, political rights, voting rights, fooding, lodging etc. The Quran secures women for their social rights. There are so many misconceptions about Islam that it does not give women their due rights rather it suppresses women making them slave of their men; women are forced by their husband to cover themselves; in this way, women are oppressed in Islam and so on. These are complete misconceptions or these have been portrayed in such a way that seems to be true. The truth is- Islam is the only religion that has certain laws to give women their all kinds of rights including social rights.
The social rights of women in Islam can be categorized mainly into three categories.
THE RIGHTS OF MOTHER: Allah says in the Quran:
“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honor”. Quran 17:23-24
“O mankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord Who created you from a single person created of like nature his mate and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women; reverence Allah through Whom ye demand your mutual (rights) and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you”. Quran 4:1
The verse of the Quran states that we should respect our parents, should not say even ‘Ugh’ to them. We should especially respect our mother as they tolerate intolerable pain while giving birth to us.
Prophet Muhammad PBUH said:
1. Narrated by Abu Huraira,
A man came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man said. "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man further said, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man asked for the fourth time, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your father.” Sahih Bukhari Volume 8, Book 73, Number 2
2. It was narrated from Mu'awiyah bin Jahimah As-Sulami, that Jahimah came to the Prophet (PUBH) and said:
"O Messenger of Allah! I want to go out and fight (in Jihad) and I have come to ask your advice." He said: "Do you have a mother?" He said: "Yes." He said: "Then stay with her, for Paradise is beneath her feet." Sunan al nasai, Book of Jihad, Ch.: 6, Hadith 3106
This statement actually means if we love, respect, our mother and if we remain obedient and kind to her, In sha Allah, we may enter paradise.
I wish to cry thinking that how much respect Islam gives a mother that Jannah is under her feet!
So, we never should misbehave with our parents especially our mother if we wish to enter into paradise.
THE RIGHTS OF WIFE: The Quran refers the woman as ‘Muhsina’ means a fortress against the devils. Because o a pious woman, she prevents her husband going into an evil track and keeps him on the right track. In Islam, for marriage, taking the permission of both would be husband and wife is equally important. A marriage to be solemnized in Islam taking permission of both man and woman is essential.
Allah says in the Quran: “O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may Take away part of the dower ye have given them,-except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good”. Quran 4:19
Allah says in this verse even if you dislike your wife treat her with compassion and kindness.
Prophet Muhammad PBUH said:
Narrated Khansa bint Khidam Al-Ansariya:
that her father gave her in marriage when she was a matron and she disliked that marriage. So she went to Allah's Messenger (PBUH) and he declared that marriage invalid.
Sahih Bukhari, book of nikah, ch: 43, hadith no: 5138
In Islam, marriage is a very important aspect to complete half deen because it prevents people from promiscuity, fornication, and homosexuality.
Allah says in the Quran:
“Permitted to you, on the night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are your garments and ye are their garments”. Quran 2:187
In this verse of the Quran Allah says that husband and wife are garments for each other. The role of a garment is to beautify, conceal and protect a person. Husband and wife beautify each other, they conceal each other faults and prevent to go on a wrong track.
THE RIGHTS OF DAUGHTER: Killing a female child is prohibited (haram) in Islam. Islam prohibits all kinds of killing.
Allah says:” And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked”
“For what sin she was killed” Quran 81:8-9
Allah SW asks not to kill any child, any infant whether it is a male or a female child.
Allah says again: “And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, their killing is ever a great sin”. Quran 17:31
By advancement of science and technology, the killing of a fetus of a female child has increasing day by day. If you do research on it, you will get the picture of it.
Source: http://moef.nic.in/
In India, in 1901, for 1000 males, there are 972 females. As we see, in 1991 it is the lowest term. Because of aborting the female Childs, this has been happening.
Allah SW does not only prohibits the killing female child, it asks not to be even sad getting news of the birth of a female child.
Allah says in noble Quran: “When any of them is told about the birth of a female his face turns dark, and he is filled with suppressed anger”,
“And he hides himself from people because of the bad news, thinking: should he keep the child despite disgrace, or should he bury it in the dust? How evil is their estimate of Allah”! Quran: 16:58-59
The Quran rebukes the thought of becoming sad at the birth of a female child.
Prophet Muhammad PUBH Said about daughters:
Chapter: The merit of according benevolent treatment to daughters.
Malik reported Allah's Messenger (May peace be upon him) as saying: He, who brought up two girls properly till they grew up, he and I would come (together) (very closely) on the Day of Resurrection, and he interlaced his fingers (for explaining the point of nearness between him and that person). Sahih Muslim Book 032, Hadith Number 6364.
May Allah SW bless us with knowledge and wisdom so that we become able to do more research on Islam and feel great. Ameen.
