Progress of Women: An Islamic Perspective

WOMEN IN HISTORY AND TODAY obedient men and obedient women, truthful men and truthful women, patient men and patient women, humble men and humble women, charitable men and charitable women, fasting men and fasting women, men and women who guard their chastity, men and women who are ever mindful of God—God is ready with forgiveness and an immense reward.” (33:35) Islam treats women in four dimensions: as mothers, as daughters, as wives and as separate human beings, and gives them rights accordingly. Mothers contribute enormously to society. Their love and sacrifice for the offspring cannot possibly be ignored. The Quran recognises the pain and hardship the mother experiences while keeping the human race alive in the following words: “for his mother bears him, in hardship upon hardship, and his weaning takes two years.” (31:14) Keeping this noble service in view, the mother is evaluated to the highest pedestal of human glory. “Paradise lies at the feet of Mother,” taught the Prophet. Islam makes it compulsory for children to obey their mothers. A mother’s interest and welfare must be preferred thrice before a father’s. A mother deserves gratitude, respect, love, kindness and obedience. As daughters, women always belong to the paternal family.