Abstract

The research paper includes the comprehensive study of role of women in Islam. As Islam has given importance to women and has soft corner for women. The women in Islamic society have various roles as a mother, wife, sister, and mother-in-law. The study has provided the information about the Islamic history and role of women. The era of Prophet Muhammad and the women is also discussed. The Quran and Hadith are the two primary source of learning for Muslims hence the study discussed the role of women in the light of Quran and Hadith.

Table of Contents

Introduction1

Discussion1

The Qur'an and Hadith1

Women as Mother in Islam2

Restrictions on Women and Mothers2

Procreation as Women3

Women and Mothers in the Qur'an3

Wives of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) as role model for Islamic Women5

Traditional Muslim Values5

Motherhood and Islam7

Problematic Issues for Mothers and Women7

Women as Mother-in-Law in Islam8

Muslim Immigration8

Women as Leaders: Power, Authority, and Influence9

The Two Important Leading Women of the Islamic Civilization10

Khadijah Bint Khuwalid10

'A'ishah11

Conclusion12

Role of Women in Islam

Introduction

The Qur'an is the foundational and most important textual source in Islam, considered the eternal word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The Qur'an is clear in its command for respect toward one's parents, but it also includes a specific reference to mothers: “We have entrusted man with care of his parents: his mother bore him, sapped and weakened, and his weaning takes two years: so be grateful to Me, and to your parents” (31:14). There are also a few teachings about specific issues related to mothers, like allowance for wet nursing along with mention of Muhammad's own wet nurse, and condemnation of those who grieve at the birth of a female child. In Islam both man and women have equal rights (Cooke, p.121-135).

Discussion

The Qur'an and Hadith

Islamic law and practices are authorized by the primary sources (also known as the legal proofs), which are the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Muslim scholars distinguish between these two sources in terms of weight and decisiveness, but, given that both are seen as revelations, statements in either source cannot be overridden by scholars' opinions. As such, the Qur'an becomes of paramount importance in deciding what is normative and what is not.

Much greater specificity about women and mothering is found in the Hadith, considered the second most important collection of textual sources for Muslims.

Hadith collections contain traditional teachings, transmitted by observers of what Muhammad said and did, as well as a general history of the early Muslim communities he initiated. Despite debates about the authenticity of sources for some of the Hadith, and varied interpretations over specific teachings, they remain a very important source for Muslim teaching, particularly about women and family, as the Qur'an has little to say in that regard. In fact, Aisha, often referred to as Muhammad's favorite wife, was a major source in the Hadith collection, recounting Muhammad's sayings and thereby defining many early Muslim practices and traditions.

Women as Mother in Islam

One well-known narrative in the Hadith underlines the respect paid to mothers. It tells of a man who ...