WOMEN IN ISLAM

marriage. No one can force her to marry against her will. At the time of the marriage, she is required to give her consent, failing which the marriage would be invalid. Marriage, according to Islam, is a bilateral contract based on the free consent of the two contracting parties. The Prophet of Islam said, “An unmarried girl should not be married until her permission has been taken.” (Sahih alBukhari, Hadith No. 5136) We can see that besides giving respect and equality to women, Islam gave them many rights. Attributes of Men and Women The characteristics of true believers, both men and women, are depicted in the Quran in the following words: Men and women who have surrendered, believing men and believing women, obedient men and obedient women, truthful men and truthful women, enduring men and enduring women, humble men and humble women, men and women who give in charity, men who fast and women who fast, men and women who guard their chastity, men and women who remember God in abundance: For them, God has prepared forgiveness and a great reward. (33:35)