Islam granted women contractual rights, conjugal rights, the right to inherit, to initiate divorce, to independently own and control wealth and property, to set up and run businesses, to earn and receive equal pay, to retain their maiden names, etc., over 1400 years ago while the democratic West granted similar rights only in the last 50 years of the 20th century!
In fact, much of what feminists still fight for had already been sanctioned by Islam. Not to mention that Western-style emancipation — essentially women copying men — has not only imposed impossible demands on the weaker sex but has also left womanhood without any intrinsic value.
As for the veiled Muslim woman celebrating her womanhood, she is but a reflection of chastity, humility, and dignity, a mirror of her devotion to and belief in Allah — factors which liberate, not subjugate — and for this she can expect a great reward.
“Verily, the Muslim men and women, the believers men and women, the men and women who are obedient, the men and women who are truthful, the men and the women who are patient, the men and the women who are humble, the men and the women who give Sadaqat (Zakat and alms), the men and the women who observe Saum (fast), the men and the women who guard their chastity, and the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward ( i.e. Paradise).” (Qur’an, 33:35)
