In Islam, women are created equal to men. Obviously, women are not the same as men, but they, as two different genders are equal. Equality and being the same are two different things. If we take a look at two men, they would not be the same. Just as two men cannot be a mirror image, a man and a woman can be the same. It is evident that equality and being the same are two different things.

Neither men nor women were given an advantage over one another in Islam. They are given two different parts. Both are needed for the procreation of life. In the Qur’an, there are several passages which carry out this message:

“O you mankind! We surely have created you out of a male and a female, and we have made you into nations and tribes that you may recognise one another.” (49:13)

When the Quran describes the process of creation, the role of both genders is given equal importance.

One of the most important ways Islam has elevated the status of women is by giving women the legal rights in domestic and public affairs. When granted these rights, the Quranic Ideology that men and women were created equal was proved through this practical demonstration.

Women did not ask or struggle for these rights. The Quran gave these rights on its own in order to end this social injustice.

Islam grants women the rights to inheritance, wealth and landed property. She has the right to enter any contract, business or transaction. Bear in mind, these rights do not get transferred to her husband when she gets married.

In Islam, a man gives a gift to his wife at the time of their marriage. This is not a symbolic gift, or a ‘price’ of the women getting married. It is a true gift ordained by Allah. It is said in the Quran that the wife has full rights over her gift:

“And give the women their dowers as a free gift” (4:4)

The ownership of the gift doesn’t transfer to any male family member such as the father or the husband. In the Quran it states this:

“…and it is not lawful for you to take back any part you have given them...” (2:229)

Some people may argue that everything I have said is false and that Islam is a religion that permits such atrocities to women and favours men over women. However that is not Islam, that is infact culture. I believe that the media today only shines a light on the injustice women serve in countries such as Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, South East Asian countries which have been deeply influenced by culture. Women have so many rights in Islam however, these countries (along with many other countries that have a large population of Muslims and that have been deeply influenced by culture) have a system in place that contradicts the true teachings of the Quran, given by Allah. Women in these countries are treated as second class citizens. Failure to understand the Quran and to implement its morals and teachings is not the Quran’s failure. It is not Islam’s failure. It is the people’s failure.

Thank you for reading the second and final part of my article about Women in Islam.