Are Muslim women oppressed and under curfew?

In the midst of the rise of assumptions that Muslim women are oppressed. I thought I would respond to this by writing an article about the importance and status of women in Islam using the evidence from two sources: Quran (the Book of Allah) and Sunnah (the sayings of Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him).

Allah created men and women as stated in the Glorious Quran equally for one sole purpose which is to worship Allah (The Most High) and follow His commandments and there is no superiority of one than the other.

"O Mankind, keep your duty to your Lord who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate (of same kind) and from them twain has spread a multitude of men and women...". [4:1]

In response to their adherent in performing positive contributions to mankind and performing good deeds, both will be rewarded abundantly by Allah (The Most High) as stated in the Quran:

“And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer - those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.” [4:124]

And their Lord responded to them, "Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another. So those who emigrated or were evicted from their homes or were harmed in My cause or fought or were killed - I will surely remove from them their misdeeds, and I will surely admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow as reward from Allah , and Allah has with Him the best reward." [3:195]

Belief
Both genders are obligated to do perform three aspects:

Islam – This is submission to Allah subhanahu wa taala.
There are five pillars:

1. Shahadah – This is testifying that there is no God but Allah and our Beloved Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him is our Messenger.

1. Salah – praying to Allah, the Most High

1. Zakat – to give charity

1. Fasting the holy month of Ramadan.

1. Hajj – a pilgrimage to Allah’s House which is the Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
   

Iman (faith in Allah subhanahu wa taala and the Unseen)
Both genders are required to believe in Allah, His angels, His scriptures, His messengers, the Last Day (Day of Judgement) and to believe in Allah’s decree (qadr) both good and bad.

Ihsan (perfection in worshipping Allah subhanahu wa taala).
To worship Allah, the Most High as if they can see Him, however, if they can’t they must realise that Allah, the Most High, is All-Knowing, All-seeing, All-hearing and knows the unseen.

This emphasises that both men and women have equality in Islam and both have the obligation to adhere to Islam, Iman and Ihsan and that Allah, the Most High does not favour one gender than the other.

In addition, it is important to state that there is equality even in race, whereby Allah (The Most High) says in the Quran, that the only difference from one race to another is the level of piety.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
{O people!  Your God is one and your forefather (Adam) is one.  An Arab is not better than a non-Arab and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a red (i.e. white tinged with red) person is not better than a black person and a black person is not better than a red person, except in piety.}

Money
There has been great distortion concerning the rights of women in Islam and this is due to some cultures that have been taken to represent what Islam teaches which in turn causes a lack of understanding of Islam.

For instance, in some cultures, they believe that men should have the money. Alternatively, in Islam, it states that a woman has the right to have her money within her hand and not be controlled over it. Allah (The Most High) stated:

"Whatever men earn, they have a share of that and whatever women earn, they have a share in that." [4:32]

This can be seen in many examples:

For instance during the period of engagement, a woman is to be on the receiving side of gifts.

At the time of marriage, it is the duty of the husband, not the bride's family to pay for a marital gift. She doesn't have to spend it on the household, she doesn't have to give it to her father or anyone else.

If the woman happened to own any property prior to marriage, she retains that property after marriage. It remains under her control.

In addition, the woman keeps her own last name, and her own identity.

Work
In relation to work, many cultures put an emphasis that women should not work and it is men who should work. However, in the Shariah (Islamic Law), there is no restriction that says a woman cannot work and that her place is only at home. She is entitled to equal pay and equal worth and deserves to pursue any career pathway that will benefit her in the duniya (this world) and the akhirah (afterlife).

Character
It is important to state that women and men are equally obligated to enjoin good and forbid evil and to adhere to noble behaviour such as modesty, self-respect, courage and honesty.

"Whose disbelieves in Allah, after he has believed - excepting him who has been compelled, and his heart is still at rest with the Faith - but whosoever's breast is expanded in unbelief, upon them shall rest anger from Allah, and there awaits them a mighty chastisement." [16:106]

Mother
Being kind to one’s parents is crucial especially our mother
"And we have enjoined upon man (to be good) to his parents: His mother bears him in weakness upon weakness..." [31:14]

"Your Lord has decreed that you worship none save Him, and that you be kind to your parents..." [ 17:23]

A man came to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) asking:
O Messenger of God, who among the people is the most worthy of my good company? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, Your mother. The man said then who else: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, Your mother. The man asked, Then who else? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, Your mother. The man asked, Then who else? Only then did the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say, Your father. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

A famous saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is:
"Paradise is at the feet of mothers." [In An-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, Ahmad]

"It is the generous (in character) who is good to women, and it is the wicked who insults them."

MARRIAGE
Marriage is not getting married to one’s slave or master, but to their partner. It is a sharing of a bond between two people that consists of perpetuating human life, emotional well-being and spiritual harmony. Its bases are love and mercy.

"Among His Signs is this, that he created for you mates from among yourselves, that they may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): Verily in that are signs for those who reflect." [30:21]

The woman has the right to say yes or no as the approval and consent of the girl to marriage is a prerequisite for the validity of marriage in Islam.

Ibn 'Abbas reported that a girl came to the Messenger of God, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and she reported that her father had forced her to marry without her consent. The Messenger of God gave her the choice... (between accepting the marriage or invalidating it). [Ibn Hanbal No. 2469]

In another version, the girl said:
"Actually I accept this marriage but I wanted to let women know that parents have no right (to force a husband on them)" [Ibn Majah, No. 1873]

It is important that one should treat their wives with kind treatment and companionship.

"...But consort with them in kindness, for if you hate them it may happen that you hate a thing wherein God has placed much good." [Noble Quran 4:19]

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and best of you are those who are best to their wives. [Ibn-Hanbal, No. 7396]

Even with children, Islam emphasises that both parents should have a mutual agreement in family decisions.

"...If they (husband wife) desire to wean the child by mutual consent and (after) consultation, there is no blame on them..." [2:233]
 
"Women have the same rights (in relation to their husbands) as are expected in all decency from them, while men stand a step above them." [2:228]

However, this is not in relation to privilege but the man’s responsibility as the leader, protector and provider for the family. Even when there are family disputes, the Quran states that one should reason and consider consideration of positive aspects of one's spouse:

"Dwell with your wives in kindness for even if you hate them, you might be hating someone in whom God has placed so much good." [4:19]

If this does not work, then the spouses should consider ways in how to save a marriage rather than break a family apart. If these techniques do not work, then a family council should occur whereby one member from his family and one member from her family should intervene and try to resolve the dispute. However, if it does not work then, divorce should take place.

"When you divorce women, and they reach their prescribed term, then retain them in kindness and retain them not for injury so that you transgress (the limits)..." [2:231]

Overall, the media has played a crucial role in perpetuating misconceptions. However, it is also important to state that there are fair individuals who work in the media and are receptive to correction of inaccuracies by presenting factual information. Thus, solely blaming the media is unfair, but it is a combination of factors that results in distorting the image of Islam. We as Muslims should respond by portraying our good character and promote peace, love and harmony within us, amongst us and to all.