– Faheemida Naaz Shaik
Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
“True strength lies in self-mastery, not in overpowering others.”
In every generation, society sets rules and says this is how a woman becomes independent. Many women try to meet these standards to fit into society and end up forgetting their real purpose. But true power and independence come from consistency, emotional balance, and staying on the right path.
In today’s modern world, femininity is often thought of as sensitivity, and very few agree on it; mostly, it is argumentative. And also to appear as independent women, many women are taught to appear loud and hustling in everything, just wanting to show up without understanding and realising the real me. Ultimately, it makes women lose confidence, and they cannot be themselves truly. Due to this, for Muslim women, the pressure can become high.
Islam teaches women to be both strong and feminine according to the situation. This kind of worldview can worsen the thoughts of a Muslim woman.
Unlike the worldly view, Islam tells women not to limit themselves only to femininity but also grants them the rights to be like themselves and be “strong”. This “strength” is used for nurturing and also protecting themselves and to stand still from the evilness of the world.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا يَحِلُّ لَكُمْ أَن تَرِثُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَآءَ كَرْهًۭا ۖ وَلَا تَعْضُلُوهُنَّ لِتَذْهَبُوا۟ بِبَعْضِ مَآ ءَاتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ إِلَّآ أَن يَأْتِينَ بِفَـٰحِشَةٍۢ مُّبَيِّنَةٍۢ ۚ وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ فَإِن كَرِهْتُمُوهُنَّ فَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَيَجْعَلَ ٱللَّهُ فِيهِ خَيْرًۭا كَثِيرًۭا
“O believers! It is not permissible for you to inherit women against their will or mistreat them to make them return some of the dowry as a ransom for divorce – unless they are found guilty of adultery. Treat them fairly. If you happen to dislike them, you may hate something which Allah turns into a great blessing.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:19)
This verse explains how Islam gives equal rights to women. Most people believe that Islam only highlights men’s rights. But these verses strongly prove the meaning of feminism.
Feminism is the belief that women deserve respect, dignity, and fair treatment. In the same way, Islam gave this fair treatment over 1400 years ago, like the right to education, inheritance, consent in marriage, and independent property ownership when no one had given them. These are the rights given to ensure equality.
Centuries before modern feminist movements emerged, Islam granted women rights that were revolutionary for their time. However, modern feminism often emphasises sameness and being competitive, and acting like men.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌۭ
“Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13)
Islam does not tell you to act like a man to attain femininity, but to be feminine and enjoy the rights given to you, which are similar to those of men. Men and women hold the same value before Allah, but the responsibilities given to them are complementary rather than the same.
As it was started, femininity is thought to be fragile. In these modern days, soft voice, dressing completely, being modest, and following religion are said to be boring, which does not align with feminism. Because of this, women feel pressured to be the opposite of these thoughts to attain femininity.
Islam challenges this mindset. Femininity is not fragility; it is a source of strength. By valuing and applying feminine traits, Islam ensures that women are respected for their achievements but not for their outer appearance. Softness and strength are not different; on the contrary, they can go hand in hand. Emotional intelligence, patience, and independent thinking are some forms of power that are treated as strengths in Islam.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The strong one is not the one who overcomes people by strength, but the strong one is the one who controls himself when angry.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6114)
Strength in Islam doesn’t mean only physical strength. But the true strength in Islam is defined as being patient in every situation, controlling the nafs, and maintaining dignity. Islam acknowledges emotional and spiritual resilience as true strength. Caring for and nurturing families and being patient in hardships require deep inner strength. Strength in Islam focuses on these rather than imitating others.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The best of you are the best to their women.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi, 1162)
Islam is often labelled as patriarchal because it defines specific roles for men and women. But Islam tells us to respect and care for women. This ideology is often misunderstood as inequality.
Islam recognises that men and women are different physically and mentally. Men are given roles of leadership and financial services, while women are granted protection and respect. Neither of these roles implies superiority. When Islamic ideology and the world’s ideology are compared, misinterpretations will occur.
Islam is not the religion that oppresses women, but rather helps to make them independent and give them their rights.
Historical examples show that Islam empowered women to be strong while embracing their identities.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“She believed in me when people disbelieved; she supported me with her wealth…” (Musnad Ahmad, 24864 – Hasan)
In this hadith, “she” refers to Khadijah رضی الله عنها, the wife of the Prophet ﷺ. She was a successful businesswoman who was taught to be financially independent. Though she was an independent woman, she never became proud of that and never left her beliefs but provided emotional support for the Prophet ﷺ when no one was there to believe in his dawah. Her life is an example that strength and femininity can coexist.
Aisha رضی الله عنها, another influential figure and the wife of the Prophet ﷺ, was a scholar whose insights shaped generations. Her intelligence proved that women were never kept from leadership or education.
These women did not mimic men; they embraced their nature and responsibilities fully. Their strength was increased because of balance, faith, and integrity.
Today, women have greater access to education, careers, and opportunities than ever before. Islam does not oppose progress but encourages women to remain rooted in their values. Islam offers guidance that allows women to strengthen themselves without losing their identities. The true gift of Islam is balance. The ability to pursue ambition without over exaggerating in every situation, but to be humble and patient.
Islam does not force women to choose between femininity and strength. Both are essential and complementary. When women find this balance, they stop striving to prove their worth, competing with men to be equal with them, and begin living with confidence and purpose, and start contributing.
In a world that continually redefines womanhood, Islam provides stability, clarity, and wisdom. It does not limit women; it teaches them how to live fully, embracing ambition, integrity, and femininity together. In this balance lies the true power of Muslim womanhood.
“The perfection of character is found in balance, not in excess.” – Imam Al-Ghazali
Instead of following what others say is the correct path to independence, let us show the world true feminism by balancing femininity and strength as Allah has guided us.
