⫷ The True Honor and Rights of Women in Islamic Teachings ⫸
In contemporary discourse, many voices echo the claim that Islam fails to provide women with rights equal to those offered by Western societies. But the critical question remains: Can the West truly serve as a model for women’s rights?
The Western civilization, under the guise of granting freedom, has burdened women with countless responsibilities. Developing nations, particularly Muslims, face intense pressure to conform to Western ideals, while the West struggles to tolerate any society that dares to diverge from its worldview.
Former Soviet Prime Minister Mikhail Gorbachev, in his book Perestroika, frankly acknowledged that following wartime manpower shortages, the West compelled women to enter the workforce. Under the false promises of equality, freedom, and financial independence, women were drawn into offices and factories. While this fueled industry, it destroyed the family system. Gorbachev admits that one of the West’s greatest current dilemmas is how to bring women back to their rightful role within family life.
While answering a student’s question at a Pakistani school, former U.S. First Lady Hillary Clinton admitted that one of their gravest concerns is the rising number of unwed mothers among young girls, who then face a myriad of complex problems. Her statement clearly indicates that the Western lifestyle fails to offer women true peace and security.
Islam’s foremost contribution was granting women the right to life itself. In the age of ignorance (Jāhiliyyah), daughters were buried alive out of fear of poverty or disgrace. The Qur’an outlines the reasons:
Islam abolished these inhumane practices, and instead gave respect, affection, and security to girls. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ nurtured his four daughters, showing the world that daughters are a source of pride and blessing.
An Arab poet praised this revolution:
"غدا الناس مذ قام النبي الجواريَا"
“Since the Prophet ﷺ appeared, the world has been filled with daughters.”
In Europe, during the time when women were considered impure and unworthy of touching the Bible, in the Muslim city of Cordoba, there were 170 female calligraphers of the Qur’an.
(Source: Shams al-ʿArab Tastaʿ ʿala al-Gharb)
When King Philip V of France ordered the burning of lepers in 1313 CE, Damascus was home to the world’s first hospital, providing treatment for all patients regardless of class or condition.
One of the greatest tragedies of today is that Muslims have abandoned their glorious civilizational legacy. It is essential that we remember our history and adhere to our faith, for nations that forget their foundations inevitably fall into decline.
Scholars like Zāhid al-Rāshidī and Hāmid Kamāl al-Dīn emphasize that the world judges you not by your past, but by your present state. We must realize that our success lies in devotion to the religion of Muhammad ﷺ. Abandoning it leads to loss in both this world and the hereafter.
Islam granted women the right to life, honor, security, and true equality—rights that the West merely claims to provide, but has failed to uphold in practice. Rather than taking pride in Western ideals, Muslims must return to their true identity and the timeless teachings of Islam, where the honor and dignity of women are divinely protected.
◈ Islam and Women’s Rights: A Realistic Analysis of Western Claims
In contemporary discourse, many voices echo the claim that Islam fails to provide women with rights equal to those offered by Western societies. But the critical question remains: Can the West truly serve as a model for women’s rights?
The Western civilization, under the guise of granting freedom, has burdened women with countless responsibilities. Developing nations, particularly Muslims, face intense pressure to conform to Western ideals, while the West struggles to tolerate any society that dares to diverge from its worldview.
◈ The Reality Behind the Western Claim of Women’s Freedom
✿ Mikhail Gorbachev’s Admission
Former Soviet Prime Minister Mikhail Gorbachev, in his book Perestroika, frankly acknowledged that following wartime manpower shortages, the West compelled women to enter the workforce. Under the false promises of equality, freedom, and financial independence, women were drawn into offices and factories. While this fueled industry, it destroyed the family system. Gorbachev admits that one of the West’s greatest current dilemmas is how to bring women back to their rightful role within family life.
✿ Hillary Clinton’s Admission
While answering a student’s question at a Pakistani school, former U.S. First Lady Hillary Clinton admitted that one of their gravest concerns is the rising number of unwed mothers among young girls, who then face a myriad of complex problems. Her statement clearly indicates that the Western lifestyle fails to offer women true peace and security.
◈ Islam’s First Gift to Women: The Right to Life
Islam’s foremost contribution was granting women the right to life itself. In the age of ignorance (Jāhiliyyah), daughters were buried alive out of fear of poverty or disgrace. The Qur’an outlines the reasons:
- "خشيَة إملاقٍ" – The fear of poverty, leading to the perception of daughters as a burden.
- "عار" – The belief that a daughter's birth brought dishonor.
Islam abolished these inhumane practices, and instead gave respect, affection, and security to girls. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ nurtured his four daughters, showing the world that daughters are a source of pride and blessing.
An Arab poet praised this revolution:
"غدا الناس مذ قام النبي الجواريَا"
“Since the Prophet ﷺ appeared, the world has been filled with daughters.”
◈ Islamic Civilization vs. Western Decline
In Europe, during the time when women were considered impure and unworthy of touching the Bible, in the Muslim city of Cordoba, there were 170 female calligraphers of the Qur’an.
(Source: Shams al-ʿArab Tastaʿ ʿala al-Gharb)
When King Philip V of France ordered the burning of lepers in 1313 CE, Damascus was home to the world’s first hospital, providing treatment for all patients regardless of class or condition.
◈ The Tragedy of Today’s Muslim Ummah
One of the greatest tragedies of today is that Muslims have abandoned their glorious civilizational legacy. It is essential that we remember our history and adhere to our faith, for nations that forget their foundations inevitably fall into decline.
Scholars like Zāhid al-Rāshidī and Hāmid Kamāl al-Dīn emphasize that the world judges you not by your past, but by your present state. We must realize that our success lies in devotion to the religion of Muhammad ﷺ. Abandoning it leads to loss in both this world and the hereafter.
◈ Conclusion
Islam granted women the right to life, honor, security, and true equality—rights that the West merely claims to provide, but has failed to uphold in practice. Rather than taking pride in Western ideals, Muslims must return to their true identity and the timeless teachings of Islam, where the honor and dignity of women are divinely protected.
