A woman plays an important part in society, cultures and religions including Islam. The roles vary from different experiences whether if it’s a housewife, a pharmacist, a teacher or as a mother. Women continue to contribute towards the welfare of the community and society at large. The modern era has dedicated many opportunities for women to continuously grow and achieve their goals.
Islam promoted women’s rights 1400 years ago which included education, rights to inheritance, dignity, protection etc. The rights of women in Islam have not changed and continue to coexist within today’s modern society. It honours women as mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, aunts etc.
وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّۢ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًۭا كَرِيمًۭا
(Surah Al Isra, Ayah 23) “And your Lord has decreed that you do not worship except Him, and good treatment to [your] parents. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], “uff,” and do not repel [yell at] them but speak to them a noble word”.
The following verse from the Quran further proves that in the eyes of Allah both men and women are equal:
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًۭا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌۭ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةًۭ طَيِّبَةًۭ ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
(Surah An-Nahl, Ayah 97) “Whoever does good, whether male or female, and he is a believer, We will surely bless them with a good life, and We will certainly reward them according to the best of their deeds.”
History has been able to see many successful women including Fatima bint Muhammad Al-Fihriya Al-Qurashiya, who founded the university of Al Qarawiyyin in Morocco which is now recognised as one of the oldest existing universities in the world. (For more information visit https://www.dw.com/en/fatima-al-fihri-founder-of-the-worlds-oldest-university/a-53371150 ).
Emmeline Pankhurst was one of the most influential women in the history of the UK. She is remembered for being the founder of the UK suffragette movement which promoted women’s right to vote. (For more information visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmeline_Pankhurst ).
To celebrate the achievements of many successful women throughout history, the modern era has now dedicated a day known as International Women’s Day. It is celebrated on the 8th of March to promote the rights of all females regardless of background. The growth of successful women is the growth of a successful nation.