Women make up half of society that plays a vital role in nurturing, guidance and reformation of the subsequent generations of men and women. It is the female who imbues principles and faith into the souls of the nation. The values and rights of Islam promote and honour the position of woman in society. Islam granted woman equal rights as their male counterpart, as Prophet Mohammad (SAW) has rightly said, “Women are the twin halves or sisters of men”. Women make up half of society and they are responsible for the nurturing, guidance and reformation of the subsequent generations of men and women. It is the female who imbues principles and faith into the souls of the nation. Islam has empowered women with the most progressive rights since 7th century. In Islam women are not inferior or unequal to men. All the time when female children were buried alive in some tribes of Arabia women were considered transferable property. Islam honoured women by elevating them and protected them with unprecedented rights. Right to education, marry to someone of their choice, retaining of identity after marriage, to divorce, to work, to own and sell property, to seek protection by law, to vote, to participate in civil and political engagements. Prophet Mohammad (SAW) in Macca called people towards the right path and belief and encourage them to be kind and merciful to one another. He reform the whole Arab society particularly transformed their mind-set regarding the treatment of women.
Islam has introduced such a family model that every member of the family has different duties and there is no injustice in those duties. Islam adopted a family model that launched a new era, eliminating all of the attitudes that could put pressure on women in the family and that could harm the family.
Islam all over abolished the system and practicing of killing girl child and raised the voice against the atrocities so that their dignity, esteem and privilege remain safe. Islam confirms that both men and women are equal in sight of Almighty Allah. Quran declares, “Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most Righteous of you”. It also mentions, “To whomever, male or female, does good deeds and has faith, we shall give a good life and reward them according to the best of their actions”. In Islam men and women are equal apart they are not identical. Both men and women have physiological and psychological attributes. In Islam the rights, roles and responsibilities of women are balanced with of men but are not necessarily same. The difference between man and woman originates from their bodies; it is stated that women are weak and delicate beings. Therefore, differences are seen in their functions in individual and social life; it is seen that women are protected there. Islam did not push women down as it was the case in Jahiliya life beliefs. Islam has introduced such a family model that every member of the family has different duties and there is no injustice in those duties. Islam adopted a family model that launched a new era, eliminating all of the attitudes that could put pressure on women in the family and that could harm the family. Islam gives the duty of being the head of the family to the man. Quran states that, “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means”.
