Progress of Women: An Islamic Perspective

not antagonists but separate entities created to complement and complete each other. Each sex is given a definite set of goals to be achieved by their own efforts. The unit of society is the family. As such, the family’s well-being would mean the well-being of the whole society. Islam makes the family the fundamental social unit. Family members play specific roles in its welfare and upkeep. The position of women derives from the very premise that the family is the cornerstone of Muslim society. The Islamic system is very sensitive about protecting and safeguarding the family’s foundation. Hence, there is a strict prohibition of extramarital relations or indulgence in free sex, as this weakens the base of the family. Under the Islamic system, discrimination on grounds of sex, power or wealth is not allowed. Indeed, the Quran states the origin of mankind very simply by rejecting any distinction or discrimination on account of birth. The Quran explicitly states: “O Mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul. He created its mate from it, and from the two of them, countless men and women (throughout the earth) spread.” (4:1) While conceding equality of the sexes, the Quran categorises men and women according to their deeds in this world. It states that all men and women are answerable equally to God: “To whoever does good deeds, man or woman, and is a believer, We shall assuredly give a good life; and