The Rights of Women in Islam

RIGHTS AND PROGRESS OF WOMEN dishonour them.” (Ibn Asakir, Tarikh Dimashq, Vol. 13, p. 313) He also said, “The perfect man of religion excels in character. The best among you is he who gives the best treatment to his womenfolk.” (Sunan At Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 1162) Islam confers on women all the political and social rights that man enjoys. She is entitled to all the privileges a man also has. The Quran says, “O humanity! Fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul. He created its mate from it, and the two spread countless men and women (throughout the earth). Fear God, in whose name you appeal to one another, and be mindful of your obligations regarding kinship ties.” (4:1) From these verses, we can see that a man and a woman were created from equal parts, and from them, both progenies spread. It also tells humanity to respect one another and fear God in this matter. Another verse of the Quran aptly describes the relationship between a man and a woman in this manner, “Another of His signs is that He created for you from among yourselves spouses so that you might find repose in them, and He created between you affection and kindness. Truly, there are signs in this for people who reflect.” (30:21) This verse brings out the need for love and respect of women, as created by God for its specific purpose. The discerning men must obey God’s command regarding women. In this regard, the famous historian and writer William Montgomery Watt says that concerning the historical