All Praises are due to Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala, Peace and Blessings be upon the most perfect of creations, His Beloved Habeeb, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam his noble Family, and the illustrious Sahaba Riwanullahi Ta’ala Alaihim Ajma’een and all the pious servants of Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala.

The religion of Islam gave women an honorable status and true dignity. Before the advent of Islam, women had no rights of any kind, or an independent identity in any form. The great importance of the Muslim woman’s role – whether as wife, sister, or daughter, and the rights that are due to her and the rights that are due from her – have been explained in the Glorious Quran and further details of this have been described in the purified Sunnah.

With the advent of Islam came the verse from the Qur’an condemning those who practiced female infanticide:

“And when one among of them receives the glad tidings of a daughter, his face turns black for the day, and he remains seething. Hiding from the people because of the evil of the tidings; “Will he keep her with disgrace, or bury her beneath the earth?”; pay heed! Very evil is the judgment they impose!” [Surah an-Nahl : 58/59]

The Holy Qur’an makes no distinction between man and woman regarding fundamental human rights. Here we may specifically state that a woman, like a man, is the possessor of free personality, and enjoys equality with man, with respect of:

Her spiritual and moral status:
The Qur’an says: “… Unto men the benefit of what they earn (of virtue) and unto women the benefit of what they earn (of virtue)” [Surah al-Nisa: 32]

i.e. in matters of spiritual grace both, man and woman, enjoy equal status and are independent of one another. A woman’s responsibility in faith is exactly the same as that of a man. Women are to pray, fast, give charity, perform the pilgrimage, and perform other forms of Ibadah. A woman is rewarded for this, just like a man. A woman must believe in the Oneness of Almighty Allah, the Books of Almighty Allah, the Angels of Almighty Allah, the Prophets of Almighty, the Day of Resurrection, the Day of Judgment and Heaven and Hell, and Predestination.

Her economic rights:
The Qur’an says: “Unto the men (of a family) belongs a share of that which parents and near kindred leave, and unto the women a share of that which the parents and near kindred leave, whether it be little or much – a legal share.” [Surah al-Nisa: 7]

Her legal rights:
The Qur’an says: “… And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them, according to what is equitable…” [Surah al-Baqarah: 228]

Islam ensured a dignified life for the fair sex, which was hitherto treated in an unfair manner. Women became the mistress of the household. The man was not allowed to beat or manhandle them nor deprive them of their share in the property. The Holy Qur’an declared: “A mother should not be made to suffer because of her child, nor he to whom the child is born (be made to suffer) because of his child (because both are equal before the law)…” [Surah al-Baqarah : 233]

Her right to gain the Knowledge:
Islam has made it a duty of every Muslim male and female to gain knowledge, which is considered to be a superior act of worship in Islam. In Islam, therefore, both men and women are credited with the capacity for learning, understanding, and teaching. Knowledge is not only limited to religious knowledge but includes all forms of knowledge. Acquiring knowledge will enable Muslim women and men to get better perception and understanding of the world around them and make them more conscious of Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala.

Conclusion:
The status of Muslim women as defined in Islam is very important because women make up half of society, and they are responsible for nurturing, guidance and reformation of the subsequent generations of men and women. It is the female who imbues principles and faith into the souls of the nation. Indeed, the Muslim woman is the initial teacher in building a righteous society. Islam brought a new lease of life to women. Islam elevated the status of women to great heights, so high that she stood shoulder to shoulder with men. In the Islamic family, the role of men and women is complementary rather than competitive. Their duties are described as equal in importance but not identical in substance.

Now, the issue of feminism in Islam is meaningless. The coming of Islam has brightened the life and future of women, in which Islam has lifted their level. Islam upholds women to the highest and most respected position.

I hope my effort will be appreciated and my sisters in faith will surely remember me in their prayers for peace and prosperity, health and happiness and Allah’s SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala Mercy and Favor. May Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala, through the Waseela of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam accept this humble effort; and may He SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala give us the Toufeeq and Hidayah to restore the true rights to our Muslim women as dictated by Islam. Aameen!!

Taken from:
Gateway to Heaven (A Concise Manual for Muslim Sisters)
by Sayyid Shah Aal-e-Rasool Nazmi al-Husaini al-Qadiri Barakati Marehrawi