WOMEN IN ISLAM

rights to Muslim women over 1400 years ago.” (The Statesman, New Delhi, April 26, 1986) What is significant is that, in giving women equal status and proper rights, Islam set an important precedent, which in turn had a far-reaching effect on the civilization of the times. This raised the status of women without any sacrifice of femininity or traditional values and without creating any perversion in society. PROGRESS OF WOMEN IN ISLAMIC SOCIETY Islam also pays utmost importance to education. It is evident from the first revealed verse of the Quran, which says, “Read! In the name of your Lord who created man from a clot. Read! Your Lord is the most Bountiful One who taught by the pen, taught man what he did not know.” (96:1-5) According to the Quran, this shows the importance of reading and learning to read. The first command of the Quran was not to pray or fast but to read and to learn to read. We can see the examples of the Prophet’s wives, Khadijah and Aisha, who made a name for themselves. Khadijah was a successful businesswoman, while Aisha was a renowned Hadith scholar and leader after the passing away of the Prophet. About 2210 traditions of the Prophet were related by her, and she passed them on to about 100 of the Prophet’s Companions and their close associates. She was