Does Islam oppress women?
No. On the contrary, Islam elevated the status of women and honoured them. At a time when other societies regarded women as inferior or as property, Islam established equality between men and women in dignity, rights, and responsibilities.
Islam grants women the right to own and manage property independently, keep their family names after marriage, and require their consent for marriage. Islam emphasizes the importance of education for both men and women.
Islam also grants women the right to seek divorce if they face injustice or cannot continue the marriage. They may work within ethical limits and have complete control over their earnings.
Additionally, Islam obligates men to provide for and protect women, ensuring their safety and dignity.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said :
"The best of you is the one who is best to his family, and I am the best among you to my family." .
[Reported by Al-Tirmidhi]
Islam emphasizes mercy, justice, and kindness in their treatment, as
Allah commands :
"And live with them in kindness."
(Quran 4:19, Surah An-Nisā’).
Not Islam, but some Muslim men, do oppress women today. This is because of their cultural habits or their ignorance about their religion.
While Western societies only began advancing women's rights in the 19th and 20th centuries, Islam granted them over 1400 years ago, emphasizing financial independence, education, and fair treatment from the very beginning.
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