Report status of Woman

8/14/2019 Report status of Woman

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Preparedfor

MrAsimNaseem

Visiting faculty

Faculty of Livestock and Business Management (FLBM)

Prepared by

Mr Qaiser Hussain Mr Usman Zia Mr Muhammad Rizwan

Ist Semester -B Ist Semester-B Ist Semester-B

Roll #28 Roll #33 Roll #20

MBA (Life sciences) session (2008)

Department of Business Management

Date of Submission

January 28,2009

University of Veterinary and Animal

Sciences (UVAS) Lahore

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Dedication

To my beloved & parents

Q.H

To my parents

U.ZTo my lovely brother

M.R

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Acknowledgement

We would like to thank following people for their invaluable help

Dr Muhammad Imran for suggesting useful website

Mr Naveed Aziz for information about status of woman

Mr Faqeer Hussain who supported us to

work late night to complete this report

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23-Out Fall Road

Lahore

January 28, 2009

Mr Asim NaseemVisiting Faculty member

Department of FLBM

UVAS

23-Out Fall Road

Lahore

Dear Mr Naseem

Thank you very much for giving us an opportunity to prepare a report onsuch an interesting topic

Status of woman

We describe history of the status of woman and then explained the status of woman in the daysof ignorance after this we discussed in detail the status of woman in Islam and then we described

the status of woman in society and role of women in Pakistan and at last we conclude the topic.

Preparing this report was a great learning experience for us, and we once again thank you for

providing us this opportunity.

Yours sincerely

(UVAS)

Qaiser Hussain Muhammad Usman Zia Muhammad

Rizwan

MBA Ist Semester MBA Ist Semester MBA Ist Semester

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Table ofcontents

................................................................................................................................. 14

The Status of the Woman before Islam and other then Islam ...................................... i

Days of ignorance ....................................................................................................... ii

Woman in Arabs societies .......................................................................................... iii

Verses of Quran ......................................................................................................... iii

Female Child was buried ............................................................................................ iv

Score of Woman ......................................................................................................... iv

WOMEN IN THE PAST ................................................................................................ iv

THE PROPHET REGARDING WOMEN .......................................................................... v

DEPRIVING WOMEN ................................................................................................... vi

PARENT'S UPBRINGING OF A CHILD .......................................................................... vi

WHAT QURAN HAS REVEALED REGARDING WOMEN ................................................. vi

WOMEN AND THE MODERN SOCIETY ....................................................................... vii

THE FIRST PERSON TO ACCEPT ISLAM .................................................................... viii

Women In Ancient Civilization ................................................................................... xi

WOMAN IN ISLAM .................................................................................................... xvi

The Spiritual Aspect ................................................................................................ xvii

The Social Aspect ..................................................................................................... xix

The Aspect Economic ............................................................................................ xxvi

The Political Aspect ................................................................................................ xxix

Responsibility of a Woman ................................................................................... xxxiii

Rights of woman .................................................................................................. xxxiv

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Problems facing by woman .................................................................................. xxxv

WOMEN'S STATUS ................................................................................................ xxxvi

FIVE YEAR PLANS AND WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT ................................................. xxxvi

INTERNATIONAL POLICY FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN -2001 ................ xxxvii

Role of Women in Society ................................................................................... xxxviii

The role of Women in today's society ....................................................................... xli

APENDIX ................................................................................................................... xlii

BIBLIOGRAPHY ......................................................................................................... xliii

GLOSSERY ............................................................................................................... xliv

DEPRIVING WOMEN 5 ...................................................................................... xlviii

DAYS OF IGNORANCE 2 ................................................................................... xlviii

FIVE YEAR PLANS AND WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT 27 ...........................................xlviii

RESPONSIBILITY OF A WOMAN 20 ...................................................................... xlix

RIGHTS OF WOMAN 21 ...................................................................................... xlix

ROLE OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY 28,-30 .................................................................. xlix

Synopsis

The first part of this paper deals briefly with the position of various

religions and cultures on the issue under investigation. Part of this

exposition extends to cover the general trend as late as the nineteenth

century, nearly 1300 years after the Qur'an set forth the Islamic teachings.

In the second part of the paper, the status of women in Islam is briefly

discussed.

Emphasis in this part is placed on the original and authentic

sources of Islam. This represents the standard according to which degree of

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adherence of Muslims can be judged. It is also a fact that during the

downward cycle of Islamic Civilization, such teachings were not strictly

adhered to by many people who profess to be Muslims.

Such deviations were unfairly exaggerated by some writers, and the worst

of this, were superficially taken to represent the teachings of "Islam" to theWestern reader without taking the trouble to make any original and

unbiased study of the authentic sources of these teachings.

Even with such deviations three facts are worth mentioning:

1. The history of Muslims is rich with women of great achievements

in all walks of life from as early as the seventh century (B.C.)

2. It is impossible for anyone to justify any mistreatment of woman

by any decree of rule embodied in the Islamic Law, nor could

anyone dare to cancel, reduce, or distort the clear-cut legal rights of

women given in Islamic Law.

3. Throughout history, the reputation, chastity and maternal role ofMuslim women were objects of admiration by impartial observers.

It is also worthwhile to state that the status which women reached during

the present era was not achieved due to the kindness of men or due to

natural progress. It was rather achieved through a long struggle and

sacrifice on woman's part and only when society needed her contribution

and work, more especial!; during the two world wars, and due to the

escalation of technological change.

In the case of Islam such compassionate and dignified status was decreed,

not because it reflects the environment of the seventh century, nor underthe threat or pressure of women and their organizations, but rather because

of its intrinsic truthfulness.

If this indicates anything, it would demonstrate the divine origin of the

Qur'an and the truthfulness of the message of Islam, which, unlike human

philosophies and ideologies, was far from proceeding from its human

environment, a message which established such humane principles as

neither grew obsolete during the course of time and after these many

centuries, nor can become obsolete in the future.

After all, this is the

message of the All-Wise and all-knowing God whose wisdom and

knowledge are far beyond the ultimate in human thought and progress..

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Suggestions:

Islam orders us to respect the woman so we should respect her.

Woman should also do her duties according the principle of Islam.

Woman in society, facing many problems. Government should take steps for

the progress and welfare woman.

We should provide education, job opportunity and social respect to her.

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Conclusion:

While a number of legislative measures were adopted to guarantee legal equality to

women, in practice these measures could not reorient and redefine the new roles thatwomen are expected to take up. Legislation alone cannot create proper environments for

eliminating gender inequalities, and transform the unequal social relations based on

oppression and exploitation. We need a radical reformation in the organization o

economy along with a radical change in the structure of family, including reorganization

of our attitudes towards gender relations. Women should be perceived as producers and

participants, not merely clients for welfare.Mankind will continue to commit injustice

again and again, out of greed, out of hunger for power, out of selfish desires to conquer, to

possess, if we forget that there is always the Supreme power over us. No matter how

powerful we think we are, no one can escape death. Let us not forget that one day, rea

Justice will be brought to our reality. Ignorance caused Aminah Assilmi to suffe

oppression, ignorance caused Muslim women to suffer oppression, and women around the

world will continue to suffer oppression if we neglect our duty to find out what equity and

equality really mean. No one knows it better than the Creator Himself. For He is the Sole

Designer of the universe, the Creator of man and woman, Who alone has the definite

knowledge about how humans should best treat each other? Who knows the very purpose

of our existence? All we need to do is to submit. The many questions people have about life

have been answered to readers full satisfaction in the Quran, leaving many awestruck, a

the precision, the authoritative and majestic tone, and the many facts revealed so long ago

but have only been proven in recent years. The miracle of the Quran will continue to

convince those who look for answers about life, with a truly open mind.

Authorization:

We have written a report on Status Of Woman for the businesscommunication instructor Mr Asim Naseem

Outline:We describe history of the status of woman and then explained the status of woman in the

days of ignorance after this we discussed in detail the status of woman in Islam and after

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this we described the status of woman in society and the role of woman in Pakistan and at

the last we conclude the topic.

Problem:In this report we are providing information about the STATUS OF WOMAN inprevious era, Islam and in our society.

Purpose:We are writing this report only for the sake of information on Status of Woman

Scope:We are serving our best to describe the importance of woman in our society and her role

for the progress of society.

Methodology:We have collected information from Internet, friends and books by

searching, meeting with friends and reading books.

Sources:For primary recourses please see Appendix on pageAnd for secondary resources please see Bibliography on page

Definition of termsFor the meanings of words please see Glossary on page

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Limitations

While preparing this report we faced the following major problemsLimited time

Limited financeLimited resources

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THESTATUS

OF

WOMAN

BEFORE

ISLAM

AND OTHER

THAN ISLAM

IN ISLAM

IN THE

SOCIETY


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The Status of the Woman before Islam andother then Islam

History is silent as to whether there was any distinction in status between the

male and the female sexes during the beginnings of human civilization. In

later days no doubt the female sex was regarded as inferior to the male and

the idea of inferiority developed to such an extent that the male sex not only

claimed a complete superiority over the female sex, but further arrogated to

itself the right to utilise and employ the female sex as it liked.

Surveying the history of the world on this point we find that in pre-ChristianEurope and Greece, which was the centre of light and learning for a long

time and which provided philosophical and

scientific inspiration to the Europe of later days,

regarded woman as something definitely

inferior to man. She was a subservient creature

who had come into existence solely for the

purpose of breeding citizens for the state and

soldiers for the army. Their great dramatist

Euripedes puts into the mouth of Medea the

remark. "Women are impotent for good, butclever contrivers of all evils," Such degrading

conceptions led to a moral.degeneration which ultimately ruined the Greek

society. The names of virtuous women says Professor Lecky, scarcely appear

in Greek history." (History of European Morals, Vol:ll p. 307).

Conditions in Europe did not irnprove with the advent of Christianity. "Of

the woman came the beginning of sin and the wickedness of man and

through her we all die. " Consequently, Paul, the premier saint of

Christendom, proclaimed: "Let the woman learn in silence with all

subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the

man, but to be insilence, for Adam was first formed than Eve. And Adam

was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in transgression."

Other early Fathers were even more uncharitable and denounced women as


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"the lance of the demon," "the gate of the Devil," "the road of iniquity." "the

sting of the scorpion," a daughter of falsehood, the sentinel of Hell," "the

enemy of peace" and "of the wild beast, the most dangerous." Nay, they went

still further.

The Greek Orthodox Church denied that woman had a soul and at the

Council of Macon, a Bishop vehemently asserted that a woman did not

belong to the humanspecies. (Westermarck,p.663) A council held at

Auxierre prohibited women [from receiving] the Eucharist [with their bare]

hands [or] to [go] near the altar during the celebration of the Mass on the

ground that she was an "unclean thing". "Imay define man," says Principal

Donaldson (Woman,pp. 181, 182), "to be a male human being and woman tobe a female human being . . . Now what the early Christains did was to strike

the 'male' out of the definition of man and 'human being' out of the definition

of woman. Man was [a] human being made for the highest and noblest

purpose; woman was a female made to serve only. She was on earth to

influence the heart of man with every evil passion. She was a fire[storm]

continually striving to get alongside the male man-of-war to blow him up

into pieces."

In pre-lslamic Arabia, the general conception of womanhood was of such a

degraded type that her very existence was considered ignominious for thefamily. Female infanticide was consequently practiced on a wide scale.

Those women, however, who escaped early death were allowed to live only

on sufferance. For, an Arab woman "had no rights; she could not inherit

property; her person formed part of the inheritance which came to the heir of

her husband, and he was entitled to marry her against her will. Hence sprung

up the impious marriages of their sons with their stepmothers and others of

an even worse character. . ." "Polygamy was universal and quite

unrestricted; equally so was divorce at least as far as man was concerned;

(Mohammed and Mohammedanism; Bosworth Smith; p 82)

Days of ignorance


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What is meant "before Islaam" here is the period known as Jaahiliyyah(Days of Ignorance, before Islaam, and in between the Messengers, hence the

days of complete ignorance), which the Arabs used to live in specifically andthe people of the whole world in general. This was when the people did nothave any Messengers amongst them and they were void of any guidance.

And as is narrated to us by the Prophet Mohammed Peace be upon him,"Allaah looked at them both Arabs and Non-Arabs and hated them,

except for some remnants from the People of the Book (who stayed upon

the true message)."

Woman in Arabs societiesIn most cases, the woman of this time period lived under critical conditionsespecially those in the Arab societies, where they used to hate it when a girl

was born. So amongst the Arabs were those who would bury their daughter

while she was still alive until she died below the earth. And amongst themwere those who let them live only to find a life of humiliation and

degradation.

Verses of Quran

Allaah says: "And when news of the birth of a

female child was brought to any of them, his face

would become dark and filled with grief. He

hides himself from the people because of the evil

that he has been informed of. Shall he keep her

with dishonor or bury her in the earth?

Certainly, evil is their decision." [Surah An-

Nahl(Chapter of the Bee): 58-59]

And Allaah says: "And when the female child

who was buried in the ground will be questionedfor what sin was she killed?" [Surah At-

Takweer(The Folding up): 8-9]


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Female Child was buried

The word maw'oodah1(transliteration of the word used in the Koran) refers

to the baby girl that was buried alive and left to die inside the earth. And if

she was spared from being buried alive and allowed to live, then indeed shefound herself living a life of degradation. This is since she was not allowed

to inherit any portion of her relative's estate no matter how much money he

had and regardless of if she was suffering from poverty and dire need. The

reason for this is because they would make the inheritance specific for menin exclusion of women. In fact, she would be distributed as part of her

deceased husband's estate, just as his money would be distributed in

inheritance!

Score of Woman

And there would be found a score of women living under one man, since

they would not put any limits to the number of wives they could marry. So

they wouldn't show any concern for what occurred to the women as a resultof that, such as living under cramped conditions,

inconveniences and injustice.

WOMEN IN THE PASTPrior to Islam, a womans status in the sight of all nations of the World wasnothing more than the value of household goods. They were treated like

animals. They were bought and sold. They had no choice in the matter of

marriage; they had to silently accept the highest bidder. They never

inherited, even from their close relatives. In fact, she herself would becomean item of distribution just like any other commodity of inheritance in a

descendants estate. Women were regarded merely as properties and

possessions of men. Even in the so-called modern European countries theywere not even regarded as human. Even in religious matters women were

given no status by the men, for they were not considered to be

worthy of prayer or fit to be counted as human.

It was generally accepted that it was permissible for men tobury their daughters alive, and this heartless act of inhumanity


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was regarded as an act sight of humanity and respect. Further more, it wasgenerally accepted that if a lady was murdered then her murderer could not

be punished in any way. Neither was he to be killed in retaliation nor was heto pay blood money. According to many religions, when a man dies, his wifehas to burn herself to death.

WOMEN & MAN

In fact, it was as late as 586 AC that a little concession was given

to women and after much arguing, debates and disputes,revolution was passed stating that a woman was a human but that

she was created and born only to serve man. As late as 1856

women in Britain were not allowed their earnings and had no

right to inheritance. In that year women perhilitioned pastinantwhich was composed safely of male members to allow married

women to keep their own earnings and inherit property. In 1857

divorcee women were given the same rights as single woman butmarried women had to wait until 1893 to receive the same

rights.

Testullion, a religious leader of the early period of Christianity interprets the

Christian idea of women in these words: She is the gate through which thedevil enters she is the beginner of man to the forbidden tree, she is the

breaker of the law of God and is the plunderer of man who is the image of

God.

THE PROPHET REGARDING WOMEN

May our lives be sacrificed for that mercy unto mankind the Prophet

Muhammad and the religion of truth which he brought and which opened

the eyes of the World. He , with divine guidance taught mankind the realvalue of humanity. From the swarm of darkness and polytheism into the

paradise of light and monotheism.

He enforced justice, making it obligatory for men to fulfill the rights ofwomen. Just as it is necessary for them to fulfill the right of men. He freed

women from the slavery of man. A woman was granted the ownership of her

life and property. Thus, no man not even a father or a grand father could


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force a mature woman to marry against her wishes and desires, nor withouther consent.

No person has the right to use her wealth without her permission. Just as

males are entitled to their share in the estate of their relatives, females also

have their own rights. To spend upon ones wife and to keep them happywithin the boundaries of Islam is regarded as an act of worship. The blessed

Prophet has stated:

To have intercourse with ones wife is charity and a means of reward".

The Sahabah ? inquired. O Prophet ? is there a reward for fulfilling your

desires also? The Holy Prophet replied, Had he fulfilled his desires in

the wrong place would he not have sinned? The Sahabah answered

Yes. So the Prophet then said, In order to safeguard oneself from sin

one will undoubtedly attain reward.

DEPRIVING WOMEN

To deprive a woman of her rights is undoubtedly a severe oppression, which

Islam has wiped out by means of very just and moderate laws. The so-calledlifestyle of women is also a form of injustice to give them a free right

depriving them of the guided authority of men and making them equally

responsible to pursue their own livelihood to lead them to their destruction.

PARENT'S UPBRINGING OF A CHILD

Unfortunately, nowadays, the parents themselves encourage their young

daughters to go and earn their own livelihood and when things go wrong

they question themselves as to how the situation came about. They will cryfor months on end little knowing that they themselves sent their daughters to

the fire.

WHAT QURAN HAS REVEALED

REGARDING WOMEN


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Allah states in the Qurn: And stay in your houses and do not display

yourselves like that of the time of ignorance.

(Surah Ahzab)

And at another place: And tell the believing women to lower their gazes

(from forbidden things) and protect their private parts and not to show off

their adornments only that which is apparent.

(Surah Nur)

In Surah Baqarah Allah has declared: And the men have superiority over

the women. In other words, men are their guardian governors. Thedifference could be likened to the necessity of appointing a captain in a

football team, where the captain is subjected to the same rules and privileges

of his teammates. But a greater responsibility and a higher rank have beenconferred upon him in order to maintain a proper system for the smooth

running of the team.

WOMEN AND THE MODERN SOCIETY

During the pre-Islamic era women were treated like animals and householdgoods. Unfortunately today the modern world has ushered in a second period

of ignorance in which, in its attempt to rectify the folly of the pre-Islamic

times.

Some of the ill effects created by removing women from under theguardianship and authority of men:

a) The respect for women has been lost.

b) Marked increase in the divorce rate.

c) Neglect of children.d) Children are not being educated and trained in an Islamic way.

e) Jobs of male personnel being taken by females, resulting in the increase of

unemployment.f) Increase in the instances of rape.

g) The rise in the unemployment amongst males

leads to loafing idleness which encouragesalcoholism, drug abuse, rape, murder, robbery and

a host of other social evils.


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All this in the name of liberation.

Nowadays, there are some misguiding and misleading notions regarding thestatus of the rank of women in Islam. This information is given by people

who consider women in Islam to be prisoners and someone who has no

rights and is always under the domination of man. The importance given to awoman can be deduced from the following Hadith:

PROPHET WORDS REGARDING WOMEN.

The Holy Prophet has stated :

The best amongst you is the one who is the best towards his wife.

(Tirmidhi, Ibne-Majah, Dasimi.)

On another occasion the Prophet stated: Paradise lies under the feet of

mothers.(Bukhari)

On another occasion the Prophet was questioned, Who deserves the best

care from me? The Prophet replied, Your mother. He repeated this

three times. When he was asked a forth time he replied, Your father and

your near relatives.

(Adab-ul-Mufrad)

THE FIRST PERSON TO ACCEPT ISLAM

Also, the first person to accept Islam was not a man, but it was a woman.

Hazrat Khadija the wife of the Prophet .

THE FIRST MARTYR.The first person to get martyred was also a woman. Abu-Jahal tied the rightarm and leg onto one camel and tied the left arm and leg to another camel

and shouted out:

O Sumayyah radiallhu anha forsake the religion of Muhammad ?.She replied,

O Abu-Jahal make this camel run one-way and the other camel in the


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opposite direction, but I will never forsake the religion of Muhammad She was then martyred.

From the above it is clearly proven just what an important position is given

to women in Islam. May Almighty Allah guide both the Muslim men and

women and grant them the correct understanding of the true religion.Aameen

The Status of the

Woman in Islam:

But when Islaam came, it uplifted these

injustices from the woman and returnedher honor and self-esteem in humanity

back to her. Allaah says: "O mankind,

indeed We created you from a male anda female." [Surah Al-Hujuraat(Chapter

of The Private Apartments): 13] ./So Allaah mentions that she is the partner

of man in the origin of humanity and likewise, she is partners with man interms of being rewarded or punished for actions performed. Allaah says:

"Whoever does good deeds, - whether male or female while he or she is a

true believer, to him We will give a good life and We shall pay them

certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do." [SurahAn-Nahl(Chapter of The Bee): 97]

Allaah says: "So that Allaah may punish the male and female hypocrites and

the male and female polytheists." [Surah Al-Ahzaab(Chapter of the Clans):

73]

And Allaah says: "Allaah commands you as regards your children's

inheritance: to the male a portion equal to that of two females. If there are

only daughters, two or more, their share is two-thirds of the inheritance; ifonly one, her share is a half." [Surah An-Nisaa: 11]


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And this goes as well for the other texts that state a woman can inheritwhether she be a mother, a daughter, a sister or a wife.

In the area of marital affairs, Allaah limited a husband to marrying the

maximum of four wives, on the condition that he treats all of his wives fairly

and equally according to his ability. And He obligated to the husbands to livewith them in kindness, as He says: "And live with them honorably." [Surah

An-Nisaa: 19]

And Allaah made her the caretaker, commanding good and forbidding evil in

the household of her husband and the leader over her children. The Prophet(Peace be upon him) said: "A woman is the guardian of her husband's

household and she will be asked

(on the Day of Judgement) concerning those under her care." Also, Allaah

made it obligatory for the husband to spend on her and to clothe

her in a good manner.

The status of women before Islam can be viewed through this tale.

A companion of the prophet Mohammad(PBUH) was sat with him one day

and the prophet Mohammad (PBUH) asked what is the one thing that youhave done in your life for which you think you may not be forgiven. THe

companion became sad and began his tale. At the time the companion was

about to leave his family and begin his travels, his wife was pregnant. Beforebidding her farewell he clearly stated if you have a boy you may keep it but

if you have a girl you must bury her before I return. The companion returned

to his house after a period of approx seven years. As he drew closer to thehouse he could hear voices inside. One of the voice belonged to his wife and

the other he did not recognise. It was that of a small girl.

As he entered the house he was warmley greeted and after having a drink of

water he sat down. The child asked the mother. Mummy who is this person.The mother replied. Sweetheart this is your father. The child was so happy

and ran to embrace her father. Later when the child had gone to sleep the

companion addressed his wife in an angry manner and asked her why shehad not burried the child. The wife started to cry and said she could not bring

herself to do it. The companion then made up his mind that the following day

he would do just that. The wife begged him to spare the child but he wouldnot listen. The wife then asked if she could be wih her daughter for another


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week before he took her away. The companion agreed.On the seventh day the mother bathed the little girl and dressed her in the

best dress she had. The child was excited and asked her mother. Mummywhy am i wearing new clothes today. The mother told her that today herfather was going to take her out. The child could not contain her excitement.

Women In Ancient Civilization

Describing the status of the Indian woman, Encyclopedia

Britannica states:

In India, subjection was a cardinal principle. Day and night must

women be held by their protectors in a state of dependence saysManu. The rule of inheritance was agnatic, that is descent tracedthrough males to the exclusion of females.2In Hindu scriptures, the description of a good wife is as follows:

"a woman

whose mind, speech and body are kept in subjection, acquires

high renown

in this world, and, in the next, the same abode with her husband."3

In Athens, women were not better off than either the Indian or the

Roman

women."Athenian women were always minors, subject to some male - to

their

father, to their brother, or to some of their male kin.4

Her consent in marriage was not generally thought to be

necessary and "she

was obliged to submit to the wishes of her parents, and receive

from them

her husband and her lord, even though he were stranger to her."51 "C.E." throughout the paper stands for Christian Era (A.D.).

2 The Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed., 1911, Vol. 28, p. 782.

3 In Mace, David and Vera, marriage East and west. Dolphin Books, Doubleday

and Co., Inc., N.Y., 1960.

4 Allen, E.A., history of Civilization, Vol. 3, P.444.

5 Ibid., p. 443.


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A Roman wife was described by an historian as: "a babe, a minor,

a ward,

a person incapable of doing or acting anything according to her

own

individual taste, a person continually under the tutelage and

guardianship of

her husband."6

In the Encyclopedia Britannica, we find a summary of the legal

status of

women in the Roman civilization:7

In Roman Law a woman was even in historic times completely

dependent. If married she and herproperty passed into the power ofher husband . . . the wife was the

purchased property of her

husband, and like a slave acquired onlyfor 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. Among theScandinavian races women were:

under perpetual tutelage, whethermarried or unmarried. As late as

the Code of Christian V, at the end of the 17th Century, it was

enacted that if a woman married without the consent of her tutorhe

might have, if he wished, administration and usufruct of her

goods

during her life.8According to the English Common Law:

...all real property which a wife held at the time of a marriage


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became a possession of her husband. He was entitled to the rent

fromthe land and to any profit which might be made from operating

the

estate during the joint life of the spouses. As time passed, theEnglish

courts devised means to forbid a husband's transferring realproperty without the consent of his wife, but he still retained the

right to manage it and to receive the money which it produced. As

toa wife's personal property, the husband's power was complete.

Hehad the right to spend it as he saw fit.9Only by the late nineteenth Century did the situation start to

improve. "By

a series of acts starting with the Married women's Property Act in

1870,

amended in 1882 and 1887, married women achieved the right to

own

property and to enter contracts on a par with spinsters, widows,

and6 Ibid., p. 550.

7 The Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed., 1911, op.cit., Vol. 28, P.782.

8 Ibid., p.783.

9 Encyclopedia American international (edition), Vol. 29, p. 108.

divorcees."10 As late as the Nineteenth Century an authority in

ancient

law, Sir Henry Maine, wrote: "No society which preserves any

tincture of

Christian institutions is likely to restore to married women the

personal

liberty conferred on them by the Middle Roman Law."11In his essay The Subjection of Women, John Stuart Mill wrote:

We are continually told that civilization and Christianity have

restored to the woman her just rights. Meanwhile the wife is the


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actual bondservant of her husband; no less so, as far as the legal

obligation goes, than slaves commonly so called.12Before moving on to the Qur'anic decrees concerning the status of

woman,

a few Biblical decrees may shed more light on the subject, thus

providing a

better basis for an impartial evaluation. In the Mosaic Law, the

wife was

betrothed. Explaining this concept, the Encyclopedia Biblica

states: "To

betroth a wife to oneself meant simply to acquire possession of

her bypayment of the purchase money; the betrothed is a girl for whom

the

purchase money has been paid."13 From the legal point of view,

the

consent of the girl was not necessary for the validation of her

marriage.

"The girl's consent is unnecessary and the need for it is nowhere

suggested

in the Law."14

As to the right of divorce, we read in the Encyclopedia Biblica:

"The

woman being man's property, his right to divorce her follows as a

matter

of course."15 The right to divorce was held only by man. "In the

Mosaic

Law divorce was a privilege of the husband only .... "16

The position of the Christian Church until recent centuries seems

to have

been influenced by both the Mosaic Law and by the streams ofthought that.


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it should be noted here that such interpretation by religious

institution

do not necessarily conform to what the Muslim believes to be the

original

version of all revealed religions, which is believed to be

essentially the same

throughout history.

were dominant in its contemporary cultures. In their book,

Marriage East

and West, David and Vera Mace wrote:17

Let no one suppose, either, that our Christian heritage is free of

such slighting judgments. It would be hard to find anywhere acollection

of more degrading references to the female sex than the early

Church Fathers provide. Lecky, the famous historian, speaks of(these fierce incentives which form so conspicuous and so

grotesque

a portion of the writing of the Fathers . . . woman wasrepresented

as the door of hell, as the mother of all human ills. She should be

ashamed at the very thought that she is a woman. She should livein

continual penance on account of the curses she has brought uponthe

world. She should be ashamed of her dress, for it is the memorial

ofher fall. She should be especially ashamed of her beauty, for it is

the

most potent instrument of the devil). One of the most scathing of

these attacks on woman is that of Tertullian: Do you know thatyou

are each an Eve? The sentence of God on this sex of yours livesin


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this age: the guilt must of necessity live too. You are the devil's

gateway: you are the unsealer of that forbidden tree; you are thefirst deserters of the divine law; you are she who persuades him

whom the devil was not valiant enough to attack. You destroyed

soeasily God's image, man. On account of your desert - that is

death -even the Sop of God had to die). Not only did the church affirm

the

inferior status of woman, it deprived her of legal rights she hadpreviously enjoyed.

17 Mace, Marriage East and West, op.cit. pp. 80-81.

WOMAN IN ISLAM

In the midst of the darkness that engulfed the world, the divine

revelation

echoed in the wide desert of Arabia with

a fresh, noble, and universal

message to humanity: "O Mankind, keep

your duty to your Lord whocreated you from a single soul and from it

created its mate (of same kind)

and from them twain has spread a

multitude of men and women" (Qur'an

4: 1).18

A scholar who pondered about this verse

states: "It is believed that there is

no text, old or new, that deals with the humanity of the woman

from all

aspects with such amazing brevity, eloquence, depth, and

originality as this

divine decree."19


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Stressing this noble and natural conception, them Qur'an states:

He (God) it is who did create you from a single soul andtherefrom

did create his mate, that he might dwell with her (in love)...

(Qur'an7:189)

The Creator of heavens and earth: He has made for you pairsfrom

among yourselves ...Qur'an 42:1 1

And Allah has given you mates of your own nature, and has givenyou from your mates, children and grandchildren, and has made

provision of good things for you. Is it then in vanity that theybelieveand in the grace of God that they disbelieve? Qur'an 16:72The rest of this paper outlines the position of Islam regarding the

status of

woman in society from its various aspects - spiritually, socially,

economically and politically.18 "From it" here refers to the kind, i.e. "from the same kind, or of like nature,

God created its mate." There is no trace in the Qur'an to a parallel of Biblical

concept that Eve was created from one of Adam's ribs." See Yousuf Ali, The

Holy Qur'an, note No. 504.

19 El-Kouly, Al-Bahiy, "Min Uses Kadiyat Almar'ah," Al-Waa'y Al-Islami,

Ministry of Wakf, Kuwait, Vol. 3, No. 27, June 9, 1967, p. 17. translated by the

writer.

The Spiritual Aspect

The Qur'an provides clear-cut evidence that woman is completely

equated

with man in the sight of God in terms of her rights and

responsibilities. The

Qur'anstates:"Every soul will be (held) in pledge for its deeds" (Qur'an 74:38).

It

also states:


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...So their Lord accepted their prayers, (saying): I will not suffer

tobe lost the work of any of you whether male or female. You

proceed

one from another ...(Qur'an 3: 195).Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith,

verilyto him will We give a new life that is good and pure, and We will

bestow on such their reward according to the their actions.

(Qur'an16:97, see also 4:124).

Woman according to the Qur'an is not blamed for Adam's firstmistake.

Both were jointly wrong in their disobedience to God, both

repented, and

both were forgiven. (Qur'an 2:36, 7:20 - 24). In one verse in fact

(20:121),

Adam specifically, was blamed.

In terms of religious obligations, such as the Daily Prayers,

Fasting, Poordue,

and Pilgrimage, woman is no different from man. In some cases

indeed, woman has certain advantages over man. For example,

the woman

is exempted from the daily prayers and from fasting during her

menstrual

periods and forty days after childbirth. She is also exempted from

fasting

during her pregnancy and when she is nursing her baby if there is

any

threat to her health or her baby's. If the missed fasting is

obligatory(during the month of Ramadan), she can make up for the missed

days


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whenever she can. She does not have to make up for the prayers

missed for

any of the above reasons. Although women can and did go into

the mosque

during the days of the prophet and thereafter attendance at the

Friday

congregational prayers is optional for them while it is mandatory

for men

(on Friday).

This is clearly a tender touch of the Islamic teachings for they are

considerate of the fact that a woman may be nursing her baby or

caring forhim, and thus may be unable to go out to the mosque at the time

of the

prayers. They also take into account the physiological and

psychological

changes associated with her natural female functions.

The Social Aspect

a) As a child and an adolescentDespite the social acceptance of female infanticide among some

Arabian

tribes, the Qur'an forbade this custom, and considered it a crime

like any

other murder.

"And when the female (infant) buried alive - is questioned, for

what


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crime she was killed." (Qur'an 81:8-9).Criticizing the attitudes of such parents who reject their female

children,

the Qur'an states:

When news is brought to one of them, of (the Birth of) a female(child), his face darkens and he is filled with inward grief! With

shame does he hide himself from his people because of the badnews

he has had! Shall he retain her on (sufferance) and contempt, or

buryher in the dust? Ah! What an evil (choice) they decide on?

(Qur'an16: 58-59).Far from saving the

girl's life so that she

may later suffer

injustice and

inequality, Islam

requires kind and just

treatment for her.

Among the

sayings of Prophet

Muhammad (P.) in this

regard are the following:

Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does

not

insult her, and does not favor his son over her, God will enterhim

into Paradise. (Ibn Hanbal, No. 1957).

Whosoever supports two daughters till they mature, he and I will

come in the day of judgment as this (and he pointed with his twofingers held together).A similar Hadeeth deals in like manner with one who supports

two sisters.


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(Ibn-Hanbal, No. 2104).

The right of females to seek knowledge is not different from that

of males.

Prophet Muhammad (P.) said:

"Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim".(AlBayhaqi).

Muslim as used here including both males and females.2020 Some less authentic

versions add "male and

female." The meaning,

however, is sound

etymologically even as it is

consistent with the over-all

b) As a wife:The Qur'an clearly

indicates that

marriage is sharing

between the two

halves of the society,

and that its

objectives, beside

perpetuating human

life,

are emotional well-

being and spiritual

harmony. Its bases

are love and

mercy.

Among the most impressive verses in the Qur'an about marriage

is the

following."And among His signs is this: That He created mates for you

fromyourselves that you may find rest, peace of mind in them, and He


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ordained between you love and mercy. Lo, herein indeed are

signsfor people who

reflect." (Qur'an 30:2 1).According to Islamic Law, women cannot be forced to marry

anyone

without their consent.

Ibn Abbas reported that a girl came to the Messenger of God,

Muhammad

(P.), and she reported that her father had forced her to marry

without her

consent. The Messenger of God gave her the choice . . . (betweenaccepting the marriage or invalidating it). (Ibn Hanbal No. 2469).

In

another version, the girl said: "Actually I accept this marriage but

I wanted

to let women know that parents have no right (to force a husband

on

them)" (Ibn Maja, No. 1873).

Besides all other provisions for her protection at the time of

marriage, it

was specifically decreed that woman has the full right to her

Mahr, a

marriage gift, which is presented to her by her husband and is

included in

the nuptial contract, and that such ownership does not transfer to

her father

or husband. The concept of Mahr in Islam is neither an actual or

symbolic

price for the woman, as was the case in certain cultures, but rather

it is agift symbolizing love and affection.

The rules for married life in Islam are clear and in harmony with

upright


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human nature. In consideration of the physiological and

psychological

make-up of man and woman, both have equal rights and claims

on one

another, except for one responsibility, that of leadership. This is a

matternature of Islamic duties in applying equally to males and females unless

special exemptions are specified.

which is natural in any collective life and which is consistent with

the

nature of man.

The Qur'an thus states:

"And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) overthem,

and men are a degree above them." (Qur'an 2:228).Such degree is Quiwama (maintenance and protection). This

refers to that

natural difference between the sexes which entitles the weaker

sex to

protection. It implies no superiority or advantage before the law.

Yet,

man's role of leadership in relation to his family does not meanthe

husband's dictatorship over his wife. Islam emphasizes the

importance of

taking counsel and mutual agreement in family decisions. The

Qur'an gives

us an example:

"...If they (husband wife) desire to wean the child by mutual

consentand (after) consultation, there is no blame on them..." (Qur'an 2:

233).Over and above her basic rights as a wife comes the right which is


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emphasized by the Qur'an and is strongly recommended by the

Prophet

(P); kind treatment and companionship.

The Qur'an states:

"...But consort with them in kindness, for if you hate them it mayhappen that you hate a thing wherein God has placed much

good."(Qur'an 4: l9).

Prophet Muhammad. (P) said:

The best of you is the best to his family and I am the best amongyou

to my family.The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and best of youare those who are best to their wives. (Ibn-Hanbal, No. 7396)

Behold, many women came to Muhammad's wives complaining

against their husbands (because they beat them) - - those(husbands)

are not the best of you.As the woman's right to decide about her marriage is recognized,

so also

her right to seek an end for an unsuccessful marriage is

recognized. To

provide for the stability of the family, however, and in order to

protect it

from hasty decisions under temporary emotional stress, certain

steps and

waiting periods should be observed by men and women seeking

divorce.

Considering the relatively more emotional nature of women, a

good reason

for asking for divorce should be brought before the judge. Likethe man,

however, the woman can divorce her husband with out resorting

to the


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court, if the nuptial contract allows that.

More specifically, some aspects of Islamic Law concerning

marriage and

divorce are interesting and are worthy of separate treatment.21

When the continuation of the marriage relationship is impossible

for any

reason, men are still taught to seek a gracious end for it.

The Qur'an states about such cases:When you divorce women, and they reach their prescribed term,

then retain them in kindness and retain them not for injury so that

you transgress (the limits). (Qur'an 2:231). (See also Qur'an2:229

and 33:49).

c) As a mother:Islam considered kindness to parents next to the worship of God.

"And we have enjoined upon man (to be good) to hisparents: Hismother bears him in weakness uponweakness..." (Qur'an 31:14)

(See

also Qur'an 46:15, 29:8).Moreover, the Qur'an has a special recommendation for the good

treatment

of mothers:21 A separate paper clarifying the position of Islam with regard to polygamy

(polygyny) is available from the M.S.A. Islamic Book Service, P.O.Box 38,Plainfield, IN 46168. It is sufficient to say here that polygamy

existed in almost

all nations and was even sanctioned by Judaism and Christianity

until recent

centuries. The Qur'an is the only revealed scripture that

explicitly limited

polygamy and discouraged its practice by various stringent

conditions. Onereason for not categorically forbidding polygamy is that in

different places at


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different times, there may exist individual or social exigencies which make

polygamy a better solution that either divorce or hypocritical monogamy

while indulging in all types of illicit relations."Your Lord has decreed that you worship none save Him, and

thatyou be kind to your parents. . ." (Qur'an 17:23).

A man came to Prophet Muhammad (P) asking:O Messenger of God, who among the people is the most worthy of

my good company? The Prophet (P) said, Your mother. The man

said then who else: The Prophet (P) said, Your mother. The manasked, Then who else? Only then did the Prophet (P) say, Your

father. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

A famous saying of The Prophet is "Paradise is at the feet ofmothers." (In

Al'Nisa'I, Ibn Majah, Ahmad).

"It is the generous (in character) who is good to women, and it is

the

wicked who insults them."

The Aspect Economic

Islam decreed a right of which woman was deprived both

before Islam and

after it (even as late as this century)22 , the right of

independent ownership.

According to Islamic Law, woman's right to her money,

real estate, or

other properties is fully acknowledged. This right

undergoes no change

whether she is single or married. She retains her full rights

to buy, sell,

mortgage or lease any or all her properties. It is nowheresuggested in the

Law that a woman is a minor simply because she is a female. It is

also


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noteworthy that such right applies to her properties before

marriage as

well as to whatever she acquires thereafter.

With regard to the woman's right to seek employment it should be

stated

first that Islam regards her role in society as a mother and a wife

as the

most sacred and essential one. Neither maids nor baby-sitters can

possibly

take the mother's place as the educator of an upright, complex

free, and

carefully-reared children. Such a noble and vital role, whichlargely shapes

the future of nations, cannot be regarded as "idleness".22 For example, it was not until 1938 that the French Law was amended so as to

recognize the eligibility of women to contract. A married women, however,

was still required to secure her husband's permission before she could

dispense with her private property. See for example Al-Sibaa'i, op.cit., pp. 31-37.

However, there is no decree in Islam which forbids woman from

seeking

employment whenever there is a necessity for it, especially in

positionswhich fit her nature and in which society needs her most.

Examples of

these professions are nursing, teaching (especially for children),

and

medicine. Moreover, there is no restriction on benefiting from

woman's

exceptional talent in any field. Even for the position of a judge,

where

there may be a tendency to doubt the woman's fitness for the postdue to

her more emotional nature, we find early Muslim scholars such as

Abu-


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Hanifa and Al-Tabary holding there is nothing wrong with it. In

addition,

Islam restored to woman the right of inheritance, after she herself

was an

object of inheritance in some cultures. Her share is completely

hers and no

one can make any claim on it, including her father and her

husband.

"Unto men (of the family) belongs a share of that which Parents

andnear kindred leave, and unto women a share of that which

parentsand near kindred leave, whether it be a little or much - adeterminate

share." ((Qur'an 4:7).Her share in most cases is one-half the man's share, with no

implication

that she is worth half a man! It would seem grossly inconsistent

after the

overwhelming evidence of woman's equitable treatment in Islam,

which

was discussed in the preceding pages, to make such an inference.

This

variation in inheritance rights is only consistent with the

variations in

financial responsibilities of man and woman according to the

Islamic Law.

Man in Islam is fully responsible for the maintenance of his wife,

his

children, and in some cases of his needy relatives, especially the

females.This responsibility is neither waived nor reduced because of his

wife's


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wealth or because of her access to any personal income gained

from work,

rent, profit, or any other legal means.

Woman, on the other hand, is far more secure financially and is

far less

burdened with any claims on her possessions. Her

possessions before

marriage do not transfer to her husband and she even

keeps her maiden

name. She has no obligation to spend on her family out of

such properties

or out of her income after marriage. She is entitled to the"Mahr" which

she takes from her husband at the time of marriage. If she

is divorced, she

may get an alimony from her ex-husband.

An examination of the inheritance law within the overall

framework of the

Islamic Law reveals not only justice but also an

abundance of compassion

for woman.23

The Political Aspect

Any fair investigation of the teachings of Islam into the history of

the

Islamic civilization will surely find a clear evidence of woman's

equality

with man in what we call today "political rights".This includes the right of election as well as the nomination to

political


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offices. It also includes woman's right to participate in public

affairs. Both

in the Qur'an and in Islamic history we find examples of women

who

participated in serious discussions and argued even with the

Prophet (P)

himself, (see Qur'an 58: 14 and 60: 10-12).

During the Caliphate of Omar Ibn al-Khattab, a woman argued

with him in

the mosque, proved her point, and caused him to declare in the

presence of

people: "A woman is right and Omar is wrong."Although not mentioned in the Qur'an, one Hadeeth of the

Prophet is

interpreted to make woman ineligible for the position of head of

state. The

Hadeeth referred to is roughly translated: "A people will not

prosper if

they let a woman be their leader." This limitation, however, has

nothing to

do with the dignity of woman or with her rights. It is rather,

related to the

natural differences in the biological and psychological make-up of

men and

women.

According to Islam, the head of the state is no mere figurehead.

He leads

people in the prayers, especially on Fridays and festivities; he is

continuously engaged in the process of decision-making

pertaining to the

security and well-being of his people. This demanding position,or any

similar one, such as the Commander of the Army, is generally

inconsistent


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with the physiological and psychological make-up of woman in

general. It

is a medical fact that during their monthly periods and during

their

pregnancies, women undergo various physiological and

psychological

changes. Such changes may occur during an emergency situation,

thus

23 For a good discussion of this point, also for the acceptance of

women's

witness according to Islamic Law, see Abd al-Ati, Hammudah,

Islam in Focus, pp. 117-118 and Al-Sibaa'i, Mustafa, Al-Marah Baynal Fiqh

WalQanoon (in

Arabic) pp. 31-37.

affecting her decision, without considering the excessive strain

which is

produced. Moreover, some decisions require a maximum of

rationality and

a minimum of emotionality - a requirement which does not

coincide with

the instinctive nature of women.

Even in modern times, and in the most developed countries, it is

rare to

find a woman in the position of a head of state acting as more

than a

figurehead, a woman commander of the armed services, or even a

proportionate number of women representatives in parliaments, or

similar

bodies. One can not possibly ascribe this to backwardness of

variousnations or to any constitutional limitation on woman's right to be

in such a


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position as a head of state or as a member of the parliament. It is

more

logical to explain the present situation in terms of the natural and

indisputable differences between man and woman, a difference

which does

not imply any "supremacy" of one over the other. The difference

implies

rather the "complementary" roles of both the sexes in life.

The Place of Women in OurSociety & The Duties of Women

Women play a very vital role in human progress and have a

significant place in the society. They are not at all inferior to men.


47/63

They are capable of sharing all the responsibilities of life. Man

and woman have been rightly compared to the wheels of the samecarriage. Islam has accorded an equal position to women in the

society. Islam realized the importance of women and granted

them a very dignified position equal to man.

Responsibility of a Woman

The main responsibility of a woman is to preserve the human

race. As a mother, her position is unique. She brings up thechildren with extreme care. The first school of a child is the lap of

his mother. It is quite true that great man had great mothers.

Napoleon said:

Give me good mothers and I will give you a good nation.

The progress of nation depends upon the way the mothers bring

up their children. If the mothers are

educated, the whole society will

progress. Women have always played

an important role in the progress of a

nation. In the early days of Islam,

women worked side by side with men.

In the battlefield, they nursed the

injured, kept up the supplies and in

certain cases even fought bravely.

Florence Nightingale was the woman,

who led a very successful campaign for

the reforms of hospitals and nursing

profession. Women had been great saints, scholars, poets, writers,


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reformers and administrators.

Rights of woman

Women should be given proper education and

training. They should known what life is and

how it should be lived. Educated women can

do much to reform the society. Many

disturbances in the society is created by those

anti-social persons, who were brought up by

wrong hands. In modern age, women are

going very well in all the fields of progress.

They are demonstrating their talents in best.

They are serving as teachers, doctors,

Engineers, Administrators and even head of the states. The

literacy rate among the women so in Pakistan is very low. The

need is to increase this ratio. More education among the women

means the more progress of the society.


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The Status of Women in Pakistan:

"All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of la

There shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex alone".

"No citizen otherwise qualified for appointment in the service of Pakistan shall

discriminated against in respect of any such appointment on the ground only of

sex"

"Steps shall be taken to

ensure full participation of

women in all spheres of

national

life".

"The state

shall

protect

themarriage,

the

family,

the

mother

"The state

shall

[ensure]

thatwomen

are not

employed in vocations unsuited to their sex alone

Constitution of Pakist

Articles 25, 27, 35, 37.

"Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person. Men and wom

of full age without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the rig

to marry or to have a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage a

its dissolution. Marriage shall be entered in to only with the free and full conseof the attending spouses. The family is the natural and fundamental group, unit

society and is entitled to protection by society and state."

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 3 & 16.

According to Farkhanda Lodhi; a spirited feminist writer and an ex-chief librari

at the Government College, Lahore says in an interview with The Daily Daw

November 27, 2001:

"Man is a moment but woman is life."

All these beautifully constructed sentences take a180 degrees turn wh

' '


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WOMEN'S STATUS

According to 2001 census the sex ratio is 933 females per 1000

males. The adverse sex ratio and its decline age groups has

emerged as matter of concern in India. Preference for sons, intra-

household gender discrimination and limited access to health care

can explain this trend. India has enacted legislation banning the

use of prenatal diagnostic techniques for sex determination.

Efforts are being undertaken for implementing a master plan of

action to tackle the problems of violence against girl children

through infanticide, sex selection and trafficking.

FIVE YEAR PLANS AND WOMEN'SDEVELOPMENT

The approach to women's development in first five year plan

(1951-1956) was not clear. Women were projected as beings in

need of education, health and welfare services only. The Central

Social Welfare Board (CSWB) set up in 1953, undertook to

promote a number of welfare measures through voluntary

organisations. Manila Mandals were promoted for renderingessential services of education and health both by the CSWB and

community Development program through the first and second

five year plans. The third, fourth and fifth plans continued the

same approach without giving any support to the strategies of

development perspectives and empowerment of women. The sixth

five year plan (1979-84) failed to remove disparity and injustice

in both social and economic life. The seventh five year plan

(1985-90) highlighted the strategy of direct attack on the

problems of poverty, unemployment and the provision of gainful

employment to the women and youth.


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The strategy in eighth plan (1993-97) was "to ensure that the

benefits of development from different sectors do not by-pass

women and special programmes were implemented to

complement the general programmes". Education and nutrition,

legal literacy and "changes in social attitudes and perceptions in

regard to the role of women were mentioned as essential for

empowerment. The most dramatic development during this period

was the passing of 73 rd and 74th (constitutional) amendment in

1992 making provision for reservation of one third of seats for

women in the local bodies. The Ninth plan (1997-2002) declared

the empowerment as one of the objectives of the plan. The

strategy of empowerment of women was through women's Self-Help Groups.

INTERNATIONAL POLICY FOR THEEMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN -2001


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The policy document is devised into seventeen sections. A

number of steps were taken to build a strong foundation for

empowering women and making them participants in decision

making. The goal of the policy is to bring about the advancement,

development and empowerment of women. The objectives of this

policy include full development of women, enjoyment of all

human rights and fundamental freedom, equal access to

participation and decision making to health care, quality

education, employment, elimination of all forms of discrimination

against women, changing societal attitudes, elimination of all

forms of violence against women and building and strengthening

partnership with civil society particularly women's organisations.

Role of Women in Society


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The role of women in society has been greatly overseen in the last

few decades but now are coming to a more perspective to people.In the early days women were seen as wives who were intended

to cook, clean, and take care of the kids. They were not allowed to

vote while men took care of having jobs and paying any bills that

had to be paid. Soon enough it caught on that women should

have a bigger role than what other people thought women should

have. Women would have strikes and go on marches to prove that

they should have rights just like everyone else. They faced

discrimination like and other race that faced it. Women would

voice their opinion in any way possible so that they could reach

their goal.


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Without women a man wouldnt be a man at all and not have the

comfort of having someone by his side through the rough and badtimes. Society is also a lot more diverse as a womans opinion is

like no other. Morality is an issue with this as women are

sometimes not ready to be a mother and their husbands or

boyfriends have already left them. Men usually just walk away

from the situation but women have to choose to either have the

baby or have it aborted. Some people say it is a sin to let a

women have an abortion because they say they are killing a baby

and the baby is still innocent and has nothing to do with it.

Women have made vast improvements in their lifestyles in the

past few decades from holding positions in governments to simple

things like getting a job and supporting themselves.


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Regardless women will always be important to society because

they bring a sense

of love, lust and emotion to society.

Abortion is also another problem that women are faced with.

People also say that the baby is not yet developed and the women

should have a choice to either stay with the baby or have the right

to walk away just like the fathers.

Women are faced with more responsibly than men but also arefaced with a lot more problems than men because they are looked

at like a woman a bearer of children. It is a fact that men

shouldnt abuse their wives and its true, but they still are. Men

have a tendency to leave their wives due to the fact that they had

their child and the father was not committed enough or not ready

to be a father. Thousands of legal cases of domestic violence are

seen throughout the country.

The role ofWomen intoday'ssociety

Sophie Edwards The

role of Women in

Today's society

Women in today'ssociety have

certainly gained

influence when we


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compare them to the females of yesterday; yet there is still far to

go until a complete balance between the genders is achieved.

Although it is fair to say that women, in the broadest sense have

more freedom, this is not true in all cases because prejudice still

remains. I have researched some sources which give an idea of

how women are viewed in the present day. Using the pages of

two magazines featuring women, however with varying thoughts

I have put together a few examples of what the woman is today.

Women have always been treated as the inferior sex, and perhaps

this is because this is the way it has been since the beginning of

time. When the first human, Adam was a man. Eve was created as

a companion for Adam,...

APENDIX

(All reference are published)


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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Verses from The Holly QURAN

HADITH from BUKHARI SHERIFIbn-Hanbal

Ibn Maja,

Daily Dawn Newspaper

Book review of A landmark Book on status of women in

religions

"Women in Islam versus Judaeo-Christian Tradition:

Myth and Reality", 1996,

Author Sheriff Mohammad
http://www.ummah.com/what-is-islam/authors/sherif.htmhttp://www.ummah.com/what-is-islam/authors/sherif.htm


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www.google .com/pk

www.wickipidia.com

Report on Status of woman in Islam By Jamal A.

Badawi

10 Encyclopedias Britannica, 1968, Vol. 23, P. 624.

11 Quoted in Mace, marriage east and west, op.cit. p.

81.

12 Ibid. pp. 82-83.

13 Encyclopedias Biblical, 1902, Vol. 3, p. 2942.

14 Ibid. p.2942.

15 Ibid., p. 2947

16 The Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed., op.cit. p. 782.

GLOSSERY
http://www.wickipidia.com/http://www.wickipidia.com/


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Adolescent Ajuvenile between the onset of puberty and maturity

Amendment The act of amending or correcting

Athenian Of or relating to or characteristic of Athens or its inhabitants

Agnatic Related on the father's side

Arrogated Demand as being one's due or property

Adornments A decoration of color or interest that is added to relieve

Plainness

Bidding A request to be present

Cramped Prevent the progress or free movement of

Cardinal A variable color averaging a vivid red

Curator The custodian of a collection (as a museum or library

Conspicuous Without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious

Chauvinism Fanatical patriotism

Demonstrating Show or demonstrate something to an interested audience

Echoed To say again or imitate

Empowering Give qualities or abilities to

Grossly In a gross manner

Hypocrites professes beliefs and opinions that he does not hold

Harassment The act of tormenting by continued persistent attacks andcriticism


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Inspiration A product of your creative thinking and work

Illicit Contrary to or forbidden by law"illicit trade"

Loafing Be lazy or idle

Mawoodah1 (transliteration of the word used in the Koran) refers to thebaby girl that was buried alive and left to die inside the earth.

Monotheism Belief in a single God

Monogamy." Having only one spouse at a time

NuptialOf or relating to a wedding"nuptial day

Oppressor A person of authority who subjects others to undue pressures

Polygamy Having more than one spouse at a time

Permissible That may be accepted or conceded

Pertinent Being of striking appropriateness and pertinence

Polytheism Belief in multiple Gods

Penance Remorse for your past conduct

Pondered Reflect deeply on a subject

Pledge A deposit of personal property as security for a debt

Prosecuted Conduct a prosecution in a court of law

Retrogressive Going from better to worse

Solely Without any others being included or involved

Scandinavian An inhabitant of Scandinavia


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Spouses A person's partner in marriage

Spouses A person's partner in marriage

Stoicism An indifference to pleasure or pain

Submissive Willing to submit without resistance to authority; deferent

Stereotypical Lacking spontaneity or originality or individuality

Tutelage Teaching pupils individually (usually by a tutor hiredprivately)

Tendency An inclination to do something

Tertullian Carthaginian theologian whose writing influenced early Christiantheology(160-230)

Vehemently In a vehement manner

Validation The cognitive process of establishing a valid proof

Virginity The condition or quality of being a virgin


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INDEX

ADAB-UL-MUFRAD 6

BUKHARI 6

DEPRIVING WOMEN 5

DAYS OF IGNORANCE 2

FIVE YEAR PLANS AND WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT

27

INCONVENIENCES 3

INSPIRATION 1

IBN HANBAL, NO. 1957: 2104: 2469

13-14

MAW'OODAH 3


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RESPONSIBILITY OF A WOMAN20

RIGHTS OF WOMAN

21

ROLE OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY

28,-30

SURAH AN-NAHL(CHAPTER OF THE BEE): 58-59:97

2,-7

SURAH AT-TAKWEER(THE FOLDING UP): 8-9 3

SURAH AHZAB 5-

7

SURAH NUR, 5

SURAH BAQARAH, 5

SURAH AL-HUJURAAT(CHAPTER OF THE PRIVATE

APARTMENTS),13-7

SURAH AN-NISAA: 11:19 7-

7

THE PROPHET REGARDING WOMEN 4

TIRMIDHI, IBNE-MAJAH, DASIMI 6

Documents

Report status of Woman