– Parveen Ameerah
Chennai
Feminism is a familiar term, right? Women empowerment, liberation, and equality but Feminism in recent years has been Influenced by western culture Pseudo-Feminism that dissociates the guidelines of Allah the Exalted.
If a Muslimah balances her faith and her liberty in the right way, she is a modernised version of “Muslimah Feminism”. Does the word Feminism describe equality in this modernised time? Or is it influenced by the Pseudo-Feminists theory? How can we identify the right way through the teachings of Islam?
Redefining Feminism
In the modern world, the term ‘feminism’ is often associated with a struggle for secular autonomy. However, for many Muslim women, true empowerment is not found in rejecting faith, but in returning to its authentic roots. Islamic teachings provide a model where equality is not just a social contract, but a divine right granted by the Creator.
The Core of Equality: Islamic feminism begins with the theological truth that men and women are created from the same essence. The Qur’an removes any historical “stigma” regarding gender by asserting that both sexes are equally capable of achieving the highest spiritual ranks.
“O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women.” (The Qur’an 4:1)
This verse establishes that gender is a biological distinction, not a hierarchy of soul or value. God measures human worth through Taqwa (piety) alone.
Islam granted them rights for women that are still being fought for in many parts of the world today.
Financial Autonomy: A woman’s wealth is her own. She is not obligated to spend it on the family; that is the legal duty of the husband.
“For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned.” (The Qur’an 4:32)
Legal Consent: A woman cannot be forced into marriage against her will.
“A previously married woman has more right regarding herself than her guardian, and the permission of a virgin must be sought [for marriage].” (Sahih Muslim)
Islamic feminism often differs from secular feminism in its approach to “equality.” It recognises that men and women may have different roles in a family structure, but those roles are complementary, not competitive. But recently, there has been a culture shift of women being Masculine and authoritative, neglecting the Sunnah.
These verses remind us that men and women are companions and to be in peace with each other.
“The believing men and believing women are allies of one another.” (The Qur’an 9:71)
This verse frames the relationship between genders as a partnership or “guardianship” (Awliya), where they protect and support each other in the pursuit of goodness.
Marital Respect: The Prophet ﷺ taught that the measure of a man’s character is his treatment of his wife.
“The best of you are those who are best to their wives.” (Tirmidhi)
Gentleness: He famously used the metaphor of “fragile vessels” to describe women, urging men to handle their hearts and rights with extreme care.
Significant Women in Islamic History
Islam is the first and only “way of life” that has honoured and advocated the upliftment of the condition of women in society, over 1400 years before. Many women are mentioned (though not by name) in the Qur’an and Hadith with honour.
Khadija رضی الله عنها: The Mother of the Believers and the first to embrace Islam. She was a great merchant and scholar who gave her entire wealth to support the mission of the Prophet ﷺ.
Aisha رضی الله عنها: A great scholar and jurist who was cleared of slander by Divine Revelation. (The Qur’an 24:11-23).
Mary (Maryam علیہ السلام): Accepted the order that she would be the mother of Jesus, despite knowing she would be ridiculed by her people for having a child without a father. (The Qur’an 19)
Beebi Aasiah رضی الله عنها: Wife of Pharaoh, she was tortured for accepting the God of Moses as the True God. Even under extreme suffering, she prayed: “O my Lord! Build for me, in nearness to Thee, a mansion in the Garden, and save me from Pharaoh and his doings.” (The Qur’an 66:11)
Beebi Fathima رضی الله عنها, daughter of the Prophet ﷺ, was promised Heaven, not because she was his daughter, but because she was staunch in her Faith.
Beebi Sumaya رضی الله عنها was the first woman to give her life for the sake of Islam when she was tortured and compelled to revert to the old ways of the pagans. Women used to rush to the battlefield to care for the wounded and sick, with no fear or hesitation of facing the enemy.
Beebi Hajar رضی الله عنها, wife of Prophet Ibrahim علیہ السلام, surrendered completely to Allah when she was abandoned with her child, in the desert of Makkah, by her husband.
Moosa علیہ السلام’s mother had full faith in Allah when she left her child in a basket in the river Nile by Allah’s order (The Qur’an 20:39)
Social Empowerment
Equality and Moral Characteristics: Islam alone says, man and woman, both will get reward according to their deeds, and that there is no discrimination between them.
“The believing man and believing woman, the obedient men and women, men and women who are truthful, men and women who are patient, men and women who are humble, men and women who observe fasting, men and women who give Sadaqua (Zakat and alms), men and women who guard their chastity, men and women who remember ALLAH much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward.” (The Qur’an 33:35).
Islam revolutionised the role of women by granting rights that were unheard of in pre-Islamic times.
Intellectual Rights: Seeking knowledge is a mandatory duty for every Muslim, male and female.
Social Rights: A woman has the right to choose her spouse; she cannot be forced into marriage. Within marriage, she is a “partner,” not a subordinate.
Legal Rights: The right to inherit property from parents and relatives was established by the Qur’an (4:7).
Islam granted women full financial independence long before modern legal systems.
Right to Earn and Own: “To men is a share of what they earn, and to women is a share of what they earn.” (The Qur’an 4:32).
Financial Protection: A woman’s wealth is her own. She is not obligated to spend it on the family; that is the husband’s mandatory responsibility.
The Mahr (Dowry): This is a mandatory gift given to the woman at the time of marriage. It belongs exclusively to her as a symbol of her financial security.
The “Twin Half” Doctrine: Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated: “Women are the twin halves (shaqā’iq) of men.” (Abu Dawood).
Hijab
Hijab is also called oppression against women of Islam by the Western Pseudo Feminists. They always target dress codes. They advocate masculinity in women, immoral activities which support drinking and smoking in women, abortion, and the westernised cultural preference of work culture, which ruptures the professional work and disturbs the balance of the family, and everything is disturbed around it. The social values, status, education, and work-life balance are differentiated by these Pseudo Feminists who lack morals and discipline. They influence Young Minds and corrupt them, leading them to trial and error.
Hijab is a symbol of virtue and Modesty, and if the Hijab is not accompanied by the nobility of the inner self, then it is just a piece of cloth. It distinguishes “believing, chaste women” so they can navigate in society safely and honourably. It is viewed as a preventive measure against Zina (immoral sins), starting with the Zina of the eyes. It serves as a visual signal that a woman is to be treated with respect and honour, not as an object of desire. The Qur’an (33:59) commands believing women to wear an outer covering (Jilbab) so they are recognised as honourable.
The Path to Excellence
Islam redefines “success” not by one’s ability to mimic the opposite gender, but by one’s character and devotion. The Qur’an 33:35 is often cited as the “Magna Carta” of spiritual equality.
While secular feminism often views traditional family structures as inherently oppressive, Islam redefines the “Guardian” (Qawwam) role not as one of power, but of service and protection. The best of you are those who are best to their wives.” (Tirmidhi)
The Message: Character in Islam is measured by how one treats those “under their care.” True Islamic masculinity is defined by gentleness, provision, and respect toward women, rather than domination.
Educational Mandate: “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” (Hadith, Ibn Majah)
Islamic education is built on the belief that knowledge (‘Ilm) is the light that guides humanity out of darkness.
The First Revelation: The very first word revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was “Iqra” (Read/Proclaim), emphasising that the foundation of the faith is literacy and learning. So, we encourage women to learn and educate in a modest way, where they balance both Dunya and Aakirah.
Remarkable Scholars and Activists of This Era
In the Recent Era: The remarkable women scholars and activists encourage us in all aspects of being educated, balancing work life and family, engaging in social work too. They taught us to connect spiritually and follow the guidance of Allah. They all have one thing in common mark of Faith; it’s HIJAB – The symbol of MODESTY AND DIGNITY.
Malala Yousafzai: Education as a Human Right: Malala’s activism is deeply rooted in the Islamic principle that knowledge is a duty for all, regardless of gender.
Divine Right: Malala often cites the Qur’anic command to seek knowledge to counter extremist ideologies. She famously said, “Islam says that every girl and boy should go to school.” Her Nobel Peace Prize serves as a global reminder that a single voice, backed by truth, can challenge an entire regime. She quoted the importance of Education.
“One child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the world”.
“I truly believe the only way we can create global peace is through not only educating our minds, but our hearts and our souls.”
Spiritual Empowerment: Ustada Yasmin Mogahed focuses on the psychological and spiritual empowerment of women, redefining how they view their self-worth. She teaches that a woman’s value is not measured by her physical appearance or societal standards, but by her Taqwa (God-consciousness) and character. She advocates for women to have a voice in community leadership, arguing that since women are often the “drivers” of the community, they must be part of the decision-making process.
Dr. Haifaa Younis is a prominent scholar who perfectly embodies the “redefinition” of feminism we have been discussing. She represents a unique bridge between high-level professional success and deep traditional Islam. She often lectures on the “diseases of the heart,” such as pride and showing off (Riya), guiding women toward spiritual maturity.
The remarkable women scholars and activists encourage us in all aspects of being educated, balancing work life and family, engage in social work too, they taught us to connect spiritually and follow the guidance of Allah. They all have one thing in common: the mark of Faith, it’s “HIJAB” – The symbol of MODESTY AND DIGNITY.
Unique Perspective on Gender Equality
In a world where feminism is often viewed through a purely Western lens, Islamic teachings offer a unique perspective on gender equality. Islam does not seek to make men and women identical, but rather recognises their shared spiritual essence and provides a system of rights and responsibilities that ensures the dignity of both. A woman who wears Hijab as a Crown, well-educated, works in her professional life, cares for her family, balances everything through teachings of Islam, not influenced by the western pseudo-feminists, rather carries herself with MODESTY AND DIGNITY to earn the love of the Creator Allah the Almighty. She is indeed crowned as “MODESTY MUSLIMAH” and “MODERNISED MUSLIMAH”.
