Alsiraj Official Website
Womens' Rights in Islam
Freedom of Opinion
In Islam, a woman has the basic freedoms of choice and expressing her opinion based on recognition of her individual personality. Below are some of the women rights in expressing their opinion
1. She is free to choose her religion. The Qur’an states;
"There is no compulsion in religion. Right has been made distinct from error". (2:256)
2. In Islam, women are encouraged to contribute their opinions and ideas, There are many stories of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, where women would pose questions directly to him and offer their opinions concerning religion, economics and social matters. There are lots of examples in Islam in which women expressed their opinion freely. One example is that of Asma Bint Hazid, may Allah be pleased with her, which we mentioned before. There is also the magnificent example of the woman who discussed the issue of putting away the wife by likening her back to the back of the mother. She discussed the issue with the noble prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, the discussion and Allah’s decision in the matter was discussed in Surah AlMujadalah (the argument) which starts with:
“Allah indeed knows the plea of her who pleads with you about her husband and complains to Allah, and Allah knows the contentions of both of you; surely Allah is Hearing, Seeing."
3. A right given to Muslim women by God 1422 years ago is the right to vote. On any public matter, a woman can freely express her opinion and participate in politics.
One example narrated in the Qur’an which states:
“O Prophet! When believing women come to you to give you the Bai'a (pledge), that they will not associate anything in worship with Allah, that they will not steal, that they will not commit illegal sexual intercourse, that they will not kill their children, that they will not utter slander, intentionally forging falsehood (i.e. by making illegal children belonging to their husbands), and that they will not disobey you in any Ma'ruf (Islamic Monotheism and all that which Islam ordains) then accept their Bai'a (pledge), and ask Allah to forgive them, Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Al-Mumtahinah:12)
Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is told that when the believing women come to him and swear their allegiance to Islam he must accept their oath. This established the right of women to select their leader and publicly declare so.
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