Women’s Rights in Islam AWARE Center www.dawahmemo.com

Magna Carta (1215): Only mention of women is in article 54:  "No one shall be arrested or imprisoned upon the appeal of a woman, for the death of any other than her husband."

Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men… (no mention of women)

Declaration of Universal Human Rights, the United Nations, December 10, 1948.  Woman is mention only once:  "Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution."

The Quran viewed as a declaration of rights and a legal document. It is ideal.

"So the two of them ate from it .. Adam disobeyed his Lord and became misled." (20:121)

"Anyone, male or female, who does right actions and is a believer, will enter the Garden."  (4:124) (9:72) (16:97) (48:5) (57:12).

"Men and women who submit themselves to God, men and women who are believers, men and women who are obedient, men and women who are truthful, men and women who are steadfast, men and women who are humble, men and women who give charity, men and women who fast, men and women who guard their chastity, men and women who remember God much:  God has prepared forgiveness for them and an immense reward." (33:35)

“Men stand (above, for) women because God has preferred some of them above others and because of what they spend from their wealth (to maintain women).” (4:34)

"It is not lawful for you to keep anything you have given them… (but) there is nothing wrong in the wife ransoming herself with some of what she received. (2:229).

"Mothers (can) nurse their children for 2 full years… It is the duty of the fathers to feed and clothe them to an acceptable standard…" (2:233)

"When you divorce women and they are near the end of their waiting period, then either retain them according to an acceptable standard or release them accordingly.  Do not retain them by force…" (2:231)

"…if they are pregnant, maintain them until they give birth.  If they are suckling for you, give them their wages and consult together…" (65:6)

"[Widows] should wait for 4 months and 10 nights "[Widows] should wait for 4 months and 10 nights.  When their waiting period comes to an end, you are not to blame for anything they do with themselves according to an acceptable standard… (2:234)

"Those of you who die leaving wives behind should make a bequest to their wives of maintenance for a year without them having to leave their homes." (2:240)

"Divorced women should receive maintenance…a duty for those who guard against evil." (2:241)

"Give women their dowry as an outright gift."  (4:4)

"If you desire to exchange one wife for another and have given your original wife a large amount, do not take any of it.  Would you take it by means of slander and outright crime?" (4:20)

Men receive a share of what their parents and relatives leave and women receive a share of that their parents and relatives leave… (4:7) … Allah instructs you regarding your children:  A male receives the same as the share of two females."   (4:11)

"If any of your women commit fornication, four of you must be (eye)witnesses against them." (4:15)

"Those who make accusations against chaste women and then do not produce four (eye)witnesses:  flog them with 80 lashes and never again accept them as witnesses."  (24:4)

"It is not lawful for you to inherit women by force "It is not lawful for you to inherit women by force.  Nor may you treat them harshly so that you can make off with part of what you have given them…" (4:19)

Why are the verses about women’s rights addressed to MEN??

Men are responsible to GIVE women their rights Men are responsible to GIVE women their rights. Women are not expected to have to fight for them. If women’s rights are withheld, the man in question is responsible before God.

The Quran is a declaration of rights and a legal document. It is ideal.