Legacy of Prophet Mohammed(pbuh) and Women and Children’s Rights

*(pbuh) = Peace Be Upon Him

Women’s RightsWhen the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) the state of religious belief in the Arabian peninsula varied. There were remnants of the Jewish and Christian faith practices as well as many pagan (idolatry) belief systems. In Islamic terms is was known as the “Age of Ignorance”. These practices and dogmas contributed to the diminutive status of women and children. The Quran, the Holy Book revealed by the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) through the Angel Jibrael, is considered the direct Word of God or Allah. It brought new rights and freedoms to women and children and were exemplified in the behavior of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) and his followers.

Original Sin equal for Adam and EveAge of Ignorance

The precepts of the Christian and Jewish faiths tell the story of the first human creation of God and their subsequent fall from His grace in much the same way. Eve ate the apple first and tempted Adam to eat from the tree of Knowledge as well.

What ISLAM says:Then Satan whispered saying: “Oh Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that will never waste away?” Then they both ate of the tree,……thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray. TaHa 121-123. The decision to eat from the tree came out of the free will both Adam and Eve had individually. Therefore, according to Islamic precepts, they will be individually judged for their actions. This is so emphasized by another verse in the Quran that states “…..No person earns any (sin) except against himself and no bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another….” Al-A’raf 164

MarriageAge of Ignorance

Women were considered property and often used in trade for marriage.

What ISLAM says:Once there was a girl who came to the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) complaining. She said ”My father has married me off to his nephew to elevate himself.” There upon the Prophet Mohammed(pbuh) gave her a choice (to accept or decline). She said “I accept what my father has done. But I wanted that women should know that fathers cannot compel them into marriage. (Ibn Majah and Ahmed)

DivorceAge of Ignorance

Women did not have the right to ask for a divorce, only the man could initiate this request. Divorce was forbidden under Christian and Judaic laws.

What ISLAM says:

If a couple fears separation, you shall appoint an arbitrator from his family and an arbitrator from her family; if they decide to reconcile, GOD will help them get together. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant. (An-Nisa’ 35) A second verse “And when you have divorced women and they have fulfilled the term of their prescribed period, either take them back on a reasonable basis or set them free on a reasonable basis….. (Al-Baquarah 231)Islam gave the wife the right to ask for ending the marriage by Khulu, which means she will return the dowry she received from her husband.

Inheritance

Age of Ignorance

Women were often considered the property of their fathers or husbands. Therefore, they did not own their own property and were often left penniless at the death of their fathers or husbands.

What ISLAM says:

“Men shall have a share in what parents and kinsfolk leave behind, and women shall have a share in what parents and kinsfolk leave behind." (Quran An-Nisa’ 7).

EducationAge of Ignorance

Little emphasis was put on the educating of women folk. Their primary role was as servant of the household and children. Today’s rights of women to be educated are a product of the Women’s Rights Movement of the last century while Islam gave these rights more than 1400 years ago.

What ISLAM says:

"The pursuit of knowledge is a duty of every Muslim, man and woman", said the Prophet (pbuh). Sahih Al-Bukhari. With this statement, the pursuit of knowledge became incumbent on every man and women and freed women to pursue an education.

Treatment of WomenAge of Ignorance

Women were often treated very poorly because of the overall notion that women were an inferior species and the property of men with very few rights.

What ISLAM says:

There are many verses in the Quran that elevate the status of women. The Prophet acknowledged this honor when he declared that “Paradise is The Prophet acknowledged this honor when he declared that “Paradise is under the feet of the mothers” (Ibn-Majid, Ahmed) She is entitled to three-under the feet of the mothers” (Ibn-Majid, Ahmed) She is entitled to three-fourths of the son's love and kindness with one-fourth left for their father. fourths of the son's love and kindness with one-fourth left for their father. The Prophet Mohammed said “ The most perfect believers are the best in The Prophet Mohammed said “ The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and best of you are those who are best to their wives.” (Ibn-conduct and best of you are those who are best to their wives.” (Ibn-Hanbal, No. 7396)Hanbal, No. 7396) The Quran states "...But consort with them in kindness, for if you hate them it may happen that you hate a thing wherein God has placed much good." (Qur'an An-Nisa: l9).

Women’s Right to have a Role in Society Outside the Home

Age of Ignorance“In Roman Law a woman was even in historic times completely dependent. If married she and her property passed into the power of her husband . . . the wife was the purchased property of her husband, and like a slave acquired only for his benefit. A woman could not exercise any civil or public office . could not be a witness, surety, tutor, or curator; she could not adopt or be adopted, or make will or contract.” Encyclopedia Britannica

What ISLAM says:Ayisha, the Prophet's other wife was one of his most important advisers and consultants. In the early Islamic history women not only participated in various aspects of their society's public sphere, they also had the right to be elected to political offices. For example, Omar the second Khalif appointed a woman to oversee the affairs of the marketplace. The women also participated in wars and fought in the battles. Financial contracts can be witnesses by 2 males or 1 male and 2 females. In matters concerning herself, he testimony is equal to that of her male counterpart.

Women’s Right to WorkAge of Ignorance

While there is evidence that women did work, it was mostly to assist with family businesses as a part of the overall structure of the household.

What ISLAM says:“And in nowise covet those things in which Allah hath bestowed His gifts more freely on some of you than on others: to men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn: But ask Allah of his bounty. For Allah hath full knowledge of all things.” Quran An-Nisa 32The prophet was employed by Khadeejah, a successful business women of the time. He later married her and that was his first marriage.

The Prophet’s

Love & Mercy to Children

Treatment of OrphansProphet Mohammad would tell his people to treat orphans with care and kindness. He once said, “He who takes care of an orphan whether he is his relative or a stranger, will be with me in Paradise like these two (showing his forefinger and middle finger),” (Muslim)

Once a man came to the Messenger of Allah, (pbuh) and complained that he feels hardness in his heart.  The Messenger of Allah said, "Would you like that your heart becomes soft and that you acquire what you need?   Be merciful with the orphan, pat his head and feed him from what you eat.  This will soften your heart, and enable you to get what you need." [At-Tabaraanee & As-Silsilah as-Saheehah]

Show Love to Children

While receiving his daughter, Fatima, Mohammad (pbuh) used to rise from his seat, kiss her on the forehead, and make her sit in his own place. There was great love and respect between father and daughter.

Once Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) kissed his grandson Hassan in the presence of Al-Aqra bin Habis, an Arab leader, when he remarked, “I have ten children and I have never kissed any of them.” Allah’s messenger looked at him and said, “He who does not show mercy to others, will not be shown mercy.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

At another occasion, some bedouin Arabs asked the Prophet SW if he kissed his children and he said, “Yes.” They said, “By Allah, we do not kiss them.” The Prophet replied, “I cannot help you if Allah has snatched kindness from your heart.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

His love for his grandsons, Hassan and Hussain, was proverbial. He used to carry them on his shoulders. When an onlooker once remarked, “What a ride he is having!”, the Prophet (pbuh) promptly said, “and how majestic is the rider.” (Tirmizi)

Ayesha, Prophet’s (pbuh) wife narrated the story to him about the woman who divided the date into two pieces and gave one each to her children. He said, “A person who cherishes love for his children and does his duty to them, shall be saved from the Hellfire.” (Bukhari)

Considerate for children’s comfort

Allah’s messenger once said, “As I stand up to lead the Salat (prayer) with the intention of prolonging it, I hear the crying of an infant and I shorten the Salat lest I should make it burdensome for the mother.” (Bukhari)

At another occasion when he was carrying one of his grandsons on his shoulders during the Salat (prayer), he made a long Sajda (prostration). As he finished the Salat, the people asked him, “O messenger of Allah, you prostrated for so long that we got worried.” He said, “My son was resting and I hated to rush him until he finished what he had desired.” (Ahmad & AnNasai)

Put an end to InfanticideProphet Mohammad (pbuh) came as a mercy to end the brutality of killing young females alive. He said that whoever raises one, two or three girls with proper upbringing, education and conduct, he will attain paradise. Allah SWT says in Quran which can be translated as, “Whenever the news of a female child is announced to any one of them, his face darkens and he chokes with inward gloom. He hides himself from his people because of the bad news he has heard, asking himself whether he should retain her with disgrace or bury her in the dust.” (16:56-59)Prophet Mohammad once carried his great granddaughter, Umamah, on his shoulder during Salah (prayer) to show people that having daughters and carrying them around was not shameful.