Women’s Rights in Islam

It is not Islam that discriminates against women, argues Khédija El Madani, but rather the interpretation of Islamic scriptures by some scholars. “It is therefore time to return to true Islam, to follow the precepts of the Koran and to act according to the example of our Prophet, who has always respected women,” she says.

If there is one subject that provokes anger, it is that of women’s rights and Islam.

The majority of those from the West and other pro-Westerners present Islam as the enemy of women, and as the religion which denies them their most basic rights. Muslims on the other hand, both radical and moderate, tend to support the view that Islam has uniquely granted rights to women.

Who is wrong? And who is right?

In fact, adherents of both arguments are at the same time both right and wrong. Because, on the one hand, whilst it can be proven that from the time of its revelation, Islam constituted a real revolution in women’s rights by according a dimension of humanity to women that the habits and customs of pre-Islamic Arabia had denied them - this culture recognised the father’s right to determine the life and death of their daughters, and reduced the widow to an object of succession, to be inherited by the relatives of the dead husband. It is equally undeniable that over the course of time, the restrictive interpretation of the place of women in Islam by certain ulemas (Islamic scholars) - sometimes even against the scriptures - has undone women’s rights, one after another.

The theological background

The best proof of this state of affairs is the following thesis supported by a number of Muslim theologians: whereas according to the two monotheistic religions, Judaism and Christianity, it is Eve who is guilty of the Original Sin, and thus responsible for the expulsion of Adam from Paradise; not only does this feature not exist in the Muslim religion, but is also clearly contradicted by the Koran.

Thus the verses of the sura [1], ‘ The Elevated Places’, affirm clearly and precisely, not lending themselves to any ambiguity, that Adam and Eve were tempted at the same time by Satan, and that they both succumbed to temptation, and disobeyed divine injunctions.

- ‘The Devil suggested to both of them…’ (verse 20)

- ‘And he swore to them…’ (verse 21)

- ‘Thus he deceived them into falling…and their Lord called unto them: ‘did I not forbid this tree to both of you? And did I not tell you that the devil is truly a declared enemy of you both?’ (verse 22)

- ‘Both of you said…’ (verse 23) [2]

These examples illustrate perfectly how many Muslim exegetes have distanced themselves from the precepts of the Koran, and to such an extent that they have ended up supporting the opposite of what is stated in the holy book.

Islam, women and the family

This contradiction between Islam, as set out in the scriptures, and their frequently reductionist exegesis, is most vividly translated to the family sphere, and the status of women therein.

Thus it has come about that instead of being revered globally within the framework of the precepts and principles established by the Koran and the tradition of the Prophet Mohammed, the substance of women’s rights in the domestic sphere is considered from a restrictive point of view. Women’s rights have also in some senses been ‘delocalised’: isolated from the harmonious context of Islam’s divine rules and injunctions, and handled independently. One result of this has been the complete distortion and deprivation of the rights that God has accorded to women.

Thus, little by little, in the name of Islam, women have been denied the enlightenment of knowledge, imprisoned within the walls of the home, subjected to the orders of their husbands, and bound to comply with all their whims; or else face renouncement. It is as if women only have duties towards men - whilst conversely, men only have rights. And yet the Koran clearly states that a woman has rights as well as duties (sura: ‘The Cow’, verse 228). Elsewhere, the Koran urges men to treat their wives well:

- ‘Treat them with kindness’ (sura: ‘The Women’, verse 19).

- ‘Keep them in an appropriate manner, or separate from them appropriately’ (sura: ‘Divorce’, verse 2).

It forbids men from bearing prejudice towards women:

- ‘Do not seek to harm them…’ (sura: ‘Divorce’, verse 6).

- ‘Do not abuse them’ (sura: ‘The Cow’, verse 231).

At the same time, the Koran elevates marriage to the status of a solemn bond: ‘The women have received from you a solid pact’ (sura: ‘The Byzantines’, verse 31). Of the same order, the Koran presents the husband and wife as each being clothing for the other: ‘The women are clothing for you and you are clothing for them’ (sura: ‘The Cow’, verse 187). Finally, the Koran places marriage under the seal of ‘affection and divine mercy’ (sura: ‘The Byzantines’, verse 21).

Men, women and equality in Islam

From another point of view, God has placed men and women on a footing of absolute equality, promising Paradise to them both in parallel, as recompense for their good deeds. Men and women are equally threatened with the hell of Gehenna [3] as a punishment for bad actions, as several verses of the Koran indicate:

- ‘Whoever behaves well, whether of the male or female sex, will enter into Paradise.’ (sura: ‘The Forgiver’, verse 40)

- ‘He who accomplishes good deeds, whether he is of the male or female sex…’ (sura: ‘The Women’, verse 124)

- ‘He punishes the hypocritical men and women, and men and women of bad faith.’ (sura: ‘The Victory’, verse 6)

The way in which God treats his creation therefore has nothing to do with biological sex; rather, is uniquely contingent on the actions of men and women, with respect for their social roles.

Moreover, let us not forget that the Koran has bestowed upon women economic rights equal to men by recognising their freedom and ability to manage their property without interference from their fathers, brothers or husbands. In keeping with men, women have been granted political rights by virtue of their being permitted to make allegiances with the Prophet.

In another respect, it is fitting to remember that God created man and woman form the same, unique soul: ‘O my people, fear God who has created you from the same soul’ (sura: ‘The Women’, verse 1). Consequentially, when man debases woman and bears prejudice against her, he is by extension debasing himself, and bearing prejudice against himself. This is why claims that Islam makes of woman an inferior being in relation to man amount to blasphemy: women and men were created equally by God in order to venerate Him. The best amongst His creatures are those who demonstrate piety, irrespective of their sex: ‘The best amongst you are the most pious.’ (sura: ‘The Cleaving’, verse 13)

Conclusion

To conclude, I would strongly affirm that the reasons Muslim women are deprived of some of their fundamental rights are in no way attributable to Islam. On the contrary, they are related to its inaccurate interpretation by certain Islamic scholars. In reality, the quasi-majority of the sexist traditions that are claimed to stem from the Muslim religion bear no relation to it; and, sometimes, even run absolutely contrary to Islam.

It is therefore time to return to true Islam, to follow the precepts of the Koran and to act according to the example of our Prophet, who has always respected women.

* This article was translated from the original French version by Stephanie Kitchen. Please send comments to or comment on line at www.pambazuka.org

Notes
[1] Sura, transliterated from Arabic refers to the books or chapters of the Koran – translator’s note.
[2] The original French translation was by Muhammed Hamidullah with the collaboration of Mr. Leturmy – new edition, 1989, Amana Corporation.
[3] In Islam, this is roughly understood as ‘the place of torment for sinners’ – translator’s note.