The professor asked her class: “What’s one thing you think you know about Islam?”
A student raised her hand immediately. “Women are oppressed. They can’t work, can’t drive, have no rights.”
Amina, the only Muslim student in the class, took a deep breath. She’d heard this a thousand times. And honestly? She was tired of explaining that what people see in certain Muslim-majority countries isn’t what Islam actually teaches.
So she asked a simple question: “Have you actually read what the Quran says about women’s rights? Or are you just assuming based on cultural practices you’ve seen?”
Silence.
Maybe you’re like that student—you’ve heard that Islam oppresses women, and you’ve seen examples from certain cultures that seem to confirm it. Or maybe you’re a Muslim woman who’s been told to “just accept” cultural restrictions as “Islamic” when you’re not sure they actually are. Perhaps you’re a man who’s never really studied what the Quran says about women’s rights because, well, you never had to.
Here’s what I discovered researching this from Quran and authentic hadiths: Islam granted women rights 1,400 years ago that Western countries didn’t recognize until the 20th century. But cultural practices in many Muslim communities have buried these rights under layers of patriarchy, tribalism, and ignorance.
This article breaks down what the Quran actually says about women—their spiritual status, their legal rights, their autonomy—and why there’s such a gap between Islamic teachings and how some Muslims treat women today.
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What You’ll Learn:
- What the Quran says about women’s spiritual equality with men
- Revolutionary rights Islam gave women 1,400 years ago
- How to distinguish Islamic teachings from cultural oppression
- Commonly misunderstood verses explained in context
- Why many Muslim cultures contradict Quranic teachings on women
Sources Referenced:
- Quran 33:35, 4:19, 4:32 on women’s rights and equality
- Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim hadiths
- Pre-Islamic Arabia vs. Islamic reforms
- Classical and contemporary scholarly perspectives
Read Time: 9 minutes
Women’s Spiritual Equality in Islam
Look, let’s start with the most fundamental point that many people miss: in Islamic theology, women and men are spiritually equal. Period.
The Quran states explicitly:
“Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so—for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” (Quran 33:35)
إِنَّ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِینَ وَٱلۡمُسۡلِمَـٰتِ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ وَٱلۡقَـٰنِتِینَ وَٱلۡقَـٰنِتَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰدِقِینَ وَٱلصَّـٰدِقَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِینَ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرَ ٰتِ وَٱلۡخَـٰشِعِینَ وَٱلۡخَـٰشِعَـٰتِ وَٱلۡمُتَصَدِّقِینَ وَٱلۡمُتَصَدِّقَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰۤىِٕمِینَ وَٱلصَّـٰۤىِٕمَـٰتِ وَٱلۡحَـٰفِظِینَ فُرُوجَهُمۡ وَٱلۡحَـٰفِظَـٰتِ وَٱلذَّ ٰكِرِینَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِیرࣰا وَٱلذَّ ٰكِرَ ٰتِ أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةࣰ وَأَجۡرًا عَظِیمࣰا
Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so – for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.
[33:35]
Notice how Allah (SWT) lists men and women side by side for every spiritual quality? That’s not accidental. That’s Islam affirming that women aren’t spiritually inferior, second-class believers, or somehow less capable of reaching the highest levels of faith.
Another verse drives this home even more clearly:
“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer—We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward according to the best of what they used to do.” (Quran 16:97)
مَنۡ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحࣰا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوۡ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنࣱ فَلَنُحۡیِیَنَّهُۥ حَیَوٰةࣰ طَیِّبَةࣰۖ وَلَنَجۡزِیَنَّهُمۡ أَجۡرَهُم بِأَحۡسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ یَعۡمَلُونَ
Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.
[16:97]
Gender doesn’t determine your spiritual worth or your reward in the Hereafter. Your faith and deeds do.
This was revolutionary 1,400 years ago—and honestly, it’s still radical in cultures that treat women as spiritually or intellectually inferior.
What Pre-Islamic Arabia Was Like for Women
To understand how revolutionary Islam’s treatment of women was, you need to know what life was like before Islam.
In pre-Islamic Arabia (Jahiliyyah—the Age of Ignorance), women had almost no rights. Baby girls were buried alive because they were considered a burden and source of shame. Women were inherited like property when their husbands died. They couldn’t own property, couldn’t divorce abusive husbands, and had zero say in who they married.
The Quran condemns this brutality directly:
“And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked for what sin she was killed.” (Quran 81:8-9)
وَإِذَا ٱلۡمَوۡءُۥدَةُ سُىِٕلَتۡ
And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked
[81:8]
On the Day of Judgment, those murdered baby girls will be asked what crime they committed. The answer? None. They were killed simply for being female.
Islam ended this practice completely. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “Whoever has three daughters or three sisters and fears Allah regarding them, and treats them well, will enter Paradise.” (Sahih Bukhari)
He honored daughters when Arab culture despised them. That’s how transformative Islamic teachings were.
The Rights Islam Gave Women
So what specific rights did the Quran grant women? Way more than most people realize.
1. The Right to Inherit
Before Islam, women couldn’t inherit anything. Islam changed that:
“For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much—an obligatory share.” (Quran 4:7)
لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِیبࣱ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلۡوَ ٰلِدَانِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبُونَ وَلِلنِّسَاۤءِ نَصِیبࣱ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلۡوَ ٰلِدَانِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبُونَ مِمَّا قَلَّ مِنۡهُ أَوۡ كَثُرَۚ نَصِیبࣰا مَّفۡرُوضࣰا
For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much – an obligatory share.
[4:7]
Yes, women generally inherit half of what men inherit—but there’s context. Men are financially responsible for supporting their families (wife, children, elderly parents). Women’s inheritance is theirs alone; they’re not obligated to spend it on anyone.
Was this perfect gender equality? No. But it was light-years ahead of surrounding cultures where women inherited nothing.
2. The Right to Own and Control Property
The Quran affirms women’s financial independence:
“And do not covet what Allah has given some of you over others. Men will be rewarded according to their deeds and women equally according to theirs. Rather, ask Allah for His bounties. Surely Allah has perfect knowledge of all things.” (Quran 4:32)
وَلَا تَتَمَنَّوۡا۟ مَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ بَعۡضَكُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضࣲۚ لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِیبࣱ مِّمَّا ٱكۡتَسَبُوا۟ۖ وَلِلنِّسَاۤءِ نَصِیبࣱ مِّمَّا ٱكۡتَسَبۡنَۚ وَسۡـَٔلُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦۤۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُلِّ شَیۡءٍ عَلِیمࣰا
And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of his bounty. Indeed Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing.
[4:32]
Women can own property, earn money, run businesses, and manage their wealth independently. The Prophet’s (ﷺ) first wife, Khadijah (RA), was a wealthy businesswoman. He worked for her before they married. She proposed to him.
A husband has zero right to his wife’s money unless she gives it willingly. Her earnings are hers alone.
3. The Right to Consent in Marriage
Islam prohibits forced marriage. The Prophet (ﷺ) was explicit about this.
A woman came to him saying her father had forced her to marry someone she didn’t want. The Prophet (ﷺ) gave her the choice to annul the marriage. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Book 9, Hadith 1873)
Another hadith states: “The virgin should not be given in marriage until her permission has been sought.” (Sahih Muslim, Book 16, Hadith 9)
Any Muslim culture that forces women into marriage is violating Islamic law. Full stop.
4. The Right to Divorce
Women can initiate divorce (khul’) if they’re unhappy in the marriage. The Quran mentions this:
“If they fear they are unable to fulfill rights, there is no sin on the couple if she gives back [the dowry or part of it] for her divorce.” (Quran 2:229)
ٱلطَّلَـٰقُ مَرَّتَانِۖ فَإِمۡسَاكُۢ بِمَعۡرُوفٍ أَوۡ تَسۡرِیحُۢ بِإِحۡسَـٰنࣲۗ وَلَا یَحِلُّ لَكُمۡ أَن تَأۡخُذُوا۟ مِمَّاۤ ءَاتَیۡتُمُوهُنَّ شَیۡـًٔا إِلَّاۤ أَن یَخَافَاۤ أَلَّا یُقِیمَا حُدُودَ ٱللَّهِۖ فَإِنۡ خِفۡتُمۡ أَلَّا یُقِیمَا حُدُودَ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَیۡهِمَا فِیمَا ٱفۡتَدَتۡ بِهِۦۗ تِلۡكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَعۡتَدُوهَاۚ وَمَن یَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَ ٱللَّهِ فَأُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ
Divorce is twice. Then, either keep [her] in an acceptable manner or release [her] with good treatment. And it is not lawful for you to take anything of what you have given them unless both fear that they will not be able to keep [within] the limits of Allah. But if you fear that they will not keep [within] the limits of Allah, then there is no blame upon either of them concerning that by which she ransoms herself. These are the limits of Allah, so do not transgress them. And whoever transgresses the limits of Allah – it is those who are the wrongdoers.
[2:229]
Women aren’t trapped in marriages they don’t want.
5. The Right to Education
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Book 1, Hadith 224, authenticated)
“Every Muslim”—not “every male Muslim.” Education is mandatory for women too.
Aisha (RA), the Prophet’s (ﷺ) wife, became one of the greatest Islamic scholars. Thousands of Companions (RA) learned from her. She taught men. She corrected scholars when they were wrong.
6. The Right to Work
Nothing in Islam prohibits women from working. The Prophet’s (ﷺ) wives engaged in various activities. Women in early Islamic history were scholars, nurses, warriors, businesswomen.
The only Islamic requirement is that work doesn’t interfere with religious obligations and maintains Islamic modesty standards.
The Verses People Misunderstand
Alright, let’s address the verses critics always bring up.
“Men are in charge of women” (Quran 4:34)?
ٱلرِّجَالُ قَوَّ ٰمُونَ عَلَى ٱلنِّسَاۤءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بَعۡضَهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضࣲ وَبِمَاۤ أَنفَقُوا۟ مِنۡ أَمۡوَ ٰلِهِمۡۚ فَٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتُ قَـٰنِتَـٰتٌ حَـٰفِظَـٰتࣱ لِّلۡغَیۡبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ ٱللَّهُۚ وَٱلَّـٰتِی تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَٱهۡجُرُوهُنَّ فِی ٱلۡمَضَاجِعِ وَٱضۡرِبُوهُنَّۖ فَإِنۡ أَطَعۡنَكُمۡ فَلَا تَبۡغُوا۟ عَلَیۡهِنَّ سَبِیلًاۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِیࣰّا كَبِیرࣰا
Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband’s] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance – [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand.
[4:34]
The full context matters. The verse discusses family leadership structure within marriage—not that men rule over women in all aspects of life. It’s about complementary roles within a household, where men bear financial responsibility.
And that phrase about “striking” women? Classical scholars explain this was never meant as permission for abuse. The Prophet (ﷺ) never hit his wives and said: “The best of you are those who are best to their wives.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, authenticated)
“A woman’s testimony equals half a man’s” (Quran 2:282)?
یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوۤا۟ إِذَا تَدَایَنتُم بِدَیۡنٍ إِلَىٰۤ أَجَلࣲ مُّسَمࣰّى فَٱكۡتُبُوهُۚ وَلۡیَكۡتُب بَّیۡنَكُمۡ كَاتِبُۢ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِۚ وَلَا یَأۡبَ كَاتِبٌ أَن یَكۡتُبَ كَمَا عَلَّمَهُ ٱللَّهُۚ فَلۡیَكۡتُبۡ وَلۡیُمۡلِلِ ٱلَّذِی عَلَیۡهِ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَلۡیَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ رَبَّهُۥ وَلَا یَبۡخَسۡ مِنۡهُ شَیۡـࣰٔاۚ فَإِن كَانَ ٱلَّذِی عَلَیۡهِ ٱلۡحَقُّ سَفِیهًا أَوۡ ضَعِیفًا أَوۡ لَا یَسۡتَطِیعُ أَن یُمِلَّ هُوَ فَلۡیُمۡلِلۡ وَلِیُّهُۥ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِۚ وَٱسۡتَشۡهِدُوا۟ شَهِیدَیۡنِ مِن رِّجَالِكُمۡۖ فَإِن لَّمۡ یَكُونَا رَجُلَیۡنِ فَرَجُلࣱ وَٱمۡرَأَتَانِ مِمَّن تَرۡضَوۡنَ مِنَ ٱلشُّهَدَاۤءِ أَن تَضِلَّ إِحۡدَىٰهُمَا فَتُذَكِّرَ إِحۡدَىٰهُمَا ٱلۡأُخۡرَىٰۚ وَلَا یَأۡبَ ٱلشُّهَدَاۤءُ إِذَا مَا دُعُوا۟ۚ وَلَا تَسۡـَٔمُوۤا۟ أَن تَكۡتُبُوهُ صَغِیرًا أَوۡ كَبِیرًا إِلَىٰۤ أَجَلِهِۦۚ ذَ ٰلِكُمۡ أَقۡسَطُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَأَقۡوَمُ لِلشَّهَـٰدَةِ وَأَدۡنَىٰۤ أَلَّا تَرۡتَابُوۤا۟ إِلَّاۤ أَن تَكُونَ تِجَـٰرَةً حَاضِرَةࣰ تُدِیرُونَهَا بَیۡنَكُمۡ فَلَیۡسَ عَلَیۡكُمۡ جُنَاحٌ أَلَّا تَكۡتُبُوهَاۗ وَأَشۡهِدُوۤا۟ إِذَا تَبَایَعۡتُمۡۚ وَلَا یُضَاۤرَّ كَاتِبࣱ وَلَا شَهِیدࣱۚ وَإِن تَفۡعَلُوا۟ فَإِنَّهُۥ فُسُوقُۢ بِكُمۡۗ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَۖ وَیُعَلِّمُكُمُ ٱللَّهُۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَیۡءٍ عَلِیمࣱ
O you who have believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it down. And let a scribe write [it] between you in justice. Let no scribe refuse to write as Allah has taught him. So let him write and let the one who has the obligation dictate. And let him fear Allah, his Lord, and not leave anything out of it. But if the one who has the obligation is of limited understanding or weak or unable to dictate himself, then let his guardian dictate in justice. And bring to witness two witnesses from among your men. And if there are not two men [available], then a man and two women from those whom you accept as witnesses – so that if one of the women errs, then the other can remind her. And let not the witnesses refuse when they are called upon. And do not be [too] weary to write it, whether it is small or large, for its [specified] term. That is more just in the sight of Allah and stronger as evidence and more likely to prevent doubt between you, except when it is an immediate transaction which you conduct among yourselves. For [then] there is no blame upon you if you do not write it. And take witnesses when you conclude a contract. Let no scribe be harmed or any witness. For if you do so, indeed, it is [grave] disobedience in you. And fear Allah. And Allah teaches you. And Allah is Knowing of all things.
[2:282]
This verse is about financial contracts specifically. In a time when women weren’t typically involved in business dealings, having two women meant one could remind the other if needed. It’s not a statement about women’s general credibility.
In other legal matters, women’s testimony is fully accepted. The entire religion relies on transmission from Aisha (RA)—a woman.
“Women are deficient in intelligence and religion”?
This is from a hadith often quoted out of context. The Prophet (ﷺ) was explaining why women can’t pray or fast during menstruation (the “religion” part) and was making a light-hearted comment about decision-making, not declaring women intellectually inferior.
If women were truly deficient in intelligence, Allah (SWT) wouldn’t have commanded seeking their consent for marriage, allowed them to run businesses, or praised their spiritual equality.
Cultural Oppression Isn’t Islamic Teaching
Here’s what honestly frustrates me: many Muslims defend oppressive cultural practices as “Islamic” when they directly contradict the Quran and Sunnah.
Not Islamic:
- Forcing women to marry against their will
- Denying women education
- Prohibiting women from working when the family doesn’t need them home
- Beating or abusing wives (the Prophet (ﷺ) never did this)
- Preventing women from attending mosques (the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from attending the mosques of Allah.” Sahih Muslim)
- Denying women their inheritance
- “Honor killings” (absolutely haram—murder is murder)
Actually Islamic:
- Women choosing who to marry
- Women owning and controlling their own wealth
- Women seeking education and knowledge
- Women working if they choose to (within Islamic guidelines)
- Husbands treating wives with kindness, respect, and patience
- Women praying in mosques and participating in community
- Women inheriting their rightful shares
- Women’s voices being heard and respected
When you see oppression of women in Muslim communities, don’t blame Islam. Blame cultural baggage, patriarchy, ignorance, and people who twist religion to maintain power.
FAQ Section
Did Islam liberate women or oppress them?
Islam dramatically improved women’s status in 7th-century Arabia by granting rights to property, inheritance, education, and choice in marriage. However, many Muslim cultures have since adopted pre-Islamic or non-Islamic patriarchal practices that contradict Quranic teachings.
Why do women inherit less than men?
Because Islamic law obligates men to financially support their families while allowing women to keep their earnings for themselves. The inheritance difference reflects different financial responsibilities, not different worth.
Can Muslim women work outside the home?
Yes. Nothing in the Quran or authentic Sunnah prohibits women from working. The Prophet’s (ﷺ) first wife was a businesswoman. The restriction is cultural, not religious, in most cases.
Are Muslim women forced to cover their hair?
The Quran commands modesty for women (including hijab), but forcing someone to wear it contradicts Islamic principles of “no compulsion in religion” (Quran 2:256). The decision should be between a woman and Allah (SWT).
Why can men have multiple wives but women can’t have multiple husbands?
Islamic law permits men to marry up to four wives (under strict conditions of equal treatment and financial capability), primarily to protect widows and orphans in societies where men died in wars. Women having multiple husbands would create paternity confusion and isn’t permitted.
Conclusion
Women’s rights in Islam aren’t perfect by modern Western feminist standards. Islam isn’t Western feminism, and it doesn’t claim to be.
But the Quran granted women revolutionary rights 1,400 years ago—rights to property, inheritance, education, choosing their spouses, initiating divorce, and spiritual equality with men.
The problem isn’t Islam. It’s Muslims who’ve buried these rights under cultural oppression and ignorance.
When you see women treated poorly in Muslim-majority countries—denied education, forced into marriage, beaten by husbands, excluded from mosques—that’s culture violating Islam, not Islam being practiced correctly.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) honored women, elevated their status, and commanded men to treat them with kindness. Any Muslim claiming to follow him while oppressing women is contradicting his example.
So when someone asks, “Does Islam oppress women?”—the honest answer is: “Read the Quran and study the Prophet’s (ﷺ) life. Then tell me if oppression is what you find.”
May Allah (SWT) grant Muslim women their full Islamic rights. May He guide Muslim men to treat women as the Prophet (ﷺ) did—with respect, kindness, and honor. May He free Muslim communities from cultural oppression disguised as religion. Ameen.
This article presents Quranic teachings. For specific personal situations, consult qualified scholars.
