Progress of Women: An Islamic Perspective

underestimation anywhere. Each sex is encouraged to build up their individuality in every way. The Prophet of Islam said: “It is essential for every Muslim man to acquire knowledge.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 229) The guardians of women are advised not to obstruct their educational pursuits but to encourage and provide them with opportunities. Examples exist of several educated women scholars who contributed to Quranic interpretations, medicine, poetry, and so on during the Prophet’s time and after. The wives and daughters of magnates and sovereigns have patronized knowledge and lavish endowments to establish learning and social service institutes. All such actions as going for the construction of society and building up righteousness will not go unrecognized. God says in the Quran: “Anyone who performs good deeds, whether it be a man or woman, provided that he is a believer, shall enter Paradise. No one shall suffer the least injustice.” (4:124) Spiritual attainment is not exclusive to men only. Women have as much right over spiritual purification as men. The Quran is very explicit about this. “Surely, for men and women who have surrendered [to God]— believing men and believing women,