Introduction:

Women and rights in Islam are widely misunderstood these days. Modern feminists and Westerners accuse Islam of violating human rights.

Islamic law and women's rights is an important and complex issue. Islamic law, or Shariat, provides basic rights and protections for women, ensuring their dignity and freedom. However, the implementation of these rights may vary across cultures and societies. In today's world, the global movement for women's rights is growing, which is working towards establishing equal opportunities and status for women. If the fundamental principles of Islamic teachings are properly interpreted and applied, it can be a strong foundation for women's rights.

The Holy Qur'an, in addressing believers, often uses the expression "believing men and women" to emphasize the equality of both men and women in their specific duties, rights, qualities and qualifications. Islam is one of the first religions to give dignity and respect to women because before the advent of Islam, there was widespread discrimination against women. Islam has given a complete code of conduct for both men and women as well as eliminating inhumanity, discrimination, and discrimination against women. Before the advent of Islam, pagan Arabs buried their female children alive, danced naked around the Kaaba during their annual fairs, and treated women as slaves or chattel, and used women only for their sexual gratification. Who has no right, dignity, honor or position? Unlike other religions, which regard women as inherently sinful and wicked and men as inherently virtuous and noble, Islam regards men and women as equal essences created from one soul.

To understand the rights, honor, status and dignity of women in Islam, it is enough to judge the position of women before the advent of Islam. At that time, they were like slaves and in most cases, their condition was worse than animals. Rasool (PBUH) proposed to stop any form of torture, cruelty or inhumane treatment of women. He showed magnanimity towards them. But today in many Muslim communities women are not treated according to the rights given in Islam. In many societies Muslims are practicing their own culture and customs and women are suffering from cultural problems, patriarchal characteristics and political oppression of their society. As the majority of people in Bangladesh are Muslims, Islam plays an important role in the country. Although the Qur'an and the tradition of the Prophet (PBUH) emphasized gender equality and the rights, dignity and status of women. Some use it to exploit and discriminate against women after tampering with certain verses of the text to dehumanize them.

In the pagan society of pre-Islamic Arabia, women were treated as slaves with no rights or dignity. Women do not inherit from parents or spouses. But Islam guarantees women's share in the property of parents and husbands.

Under Mal Hindu law, women were treated as slaves with no right to inheritance. If a woman's husband died during her lifetime, he had to be burned alive during cremation. The widow had no right to remarry who had to endure unbearable hardships in her daily life. In Chinese culture, there were many cruel customs to be born a girl. A male child was considered an inalienable gift of God but a female was an acceptable degradation. In Greek society, women were considered the embodiment of evil and had no rights to inheritance, education, divorce, etc. They were considered as material goods who had no feelings and free will. Cruelty to women was intolerable in ancient Rome. Women had no rights, dignity or respect and the position of women was that of a slave. Men had the power to sell her or send her into exile, and even a husband had the power to summarily execute his wife for acts such as drinking, poisoning, and surrogacy. In Jewish society women lived without rights, dignity and respect. They had no right of inheritance and were considered the property of the male guardian.

Women's rights in Islamic law

• Equal Dignity and Rights: The core teachings of Islam recognize the inherent dignity and worth of all human beings, regardless of gender. According to the Qur'an, both men and women are created in one form, and there should be respect and justice between them.
• Economic Freedom: Islamic law gives women the right to own and manage property. Women can be economically independent, which ensures their right to business ventures, income generation and property inheritance. This economic independence is crucial for women's empowerment.
• Right to Education: Education is very important in Islam. Women are encouraged to seek knowledge. According to the hadith, acquiring knowledge is a must for every Muslim man and woman. Educated women can play a major role in the development of society. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) further emphasized the importance of education with sayings such as, "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim" (Sunan Ibn Majah). This inclusivity underlines that both men and women are equally encouraged to seek knowledge.
• Right to Marriage: In Islamic law, women's consent is essential in marriage. This right empowers women to choose their spouses, which enhances mutual respect and understanding in marital relationships. In the Dark Ages, when Islam had not appeared among the Arabs, only the husband had the power of divorce and that was so limited and unlimited that he practiced it in a very inhuman way. A husband can divorce his wife whenever he wants without any legal or reasonable cause. He also had the power to revoke the divorce and grant divorce as often as he chose can Furthermore, he could swear if he wished that he had not had any sexual relations with his wife, although still living with her. The husband exercises unlimited rights over the wife. If a man is angry with his wife, whether for any reasonable reason or merely to gratify his wish, he may divorce her at once, but the unfortunate wife may not have recourse to any legal procedure or receive any maintenance from her or Can't claim anything else. Regarding the right of divorce, men enjoyed great power who could easily get rid of their wives by making triple talaq against them.

Women's rights in the modern world

Significant progress has been made in increasing educational opportunities for women. Many countries are now prioritizing women's education, which is essential for economic and social development. Rights in the workplace: Women are increasingly participating in the workplace and demanding equal pay and opportunities. There is a growing awareness of women's rights in the workplace, which is challenging old gender roles. Political representation: Women's participation in political power is crucial. Many women are being elected to political office, advocating for women's rights and policies for the development of society.

Conclusion

The modern world faces both opportunities and challenges when it comes to Islamic law and women's rights. Islamic teachings uphold the rights and dignity of women, yet these ideals are often at odds with social norms and cultural interpretations. Proper understanding and use of Islamic literature is essential to ensure women's equality, economic independence and education.

Respecting the cultural environment is crucial to the efforts of the global women's rights movement to achieve equal status and opportunity. We can work towards a society where women can take their place as equal partners by blending contemporary concepts of gender equality with the core principles of Islam. We can then work towards a society that is just and equal.

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References:

The Holy Qur'an: Specific verses that highlight gender equality and women's rights, such as:

• Surah An-Nisa (4:32) regarding rights of inheritance.
• Surah Al-Baqarah (2:228) about the mutual rights and responsibilities in marriage.

Hadith Literature: Collections of sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that emphasize the importance of education for women:

• "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim." (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 224)
• Zakia, B. (2012). Gender equality and women’s rights in the Qur'an: The reinterpretation of controversial verses. Journal of Islamic Studies, 30(1), 1-25.
• Tajamul Ahmad Sheikh,Insight Islamicus Vol. 18, 2018 81. Gender Equality and Women’s Rights in Islamic Text (Qur’an and Hadith) https://shorturl.at/Snxk6
• Abu-Sahlieh, S. (1999). Women's rights in Islam: A comprehensive review of Islamic texts. Islamic Studies Review, 44(3), 215-235.
• "Believing Women" in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Qur'an Asma Barlas Austin: University of Texas Press,2002 https://www.jstor.org/stable/27933880
• Ahmed, Leila. Women and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a Modern Debate. (1992).