Role of Women in Islam

Women in Islam demonstrate diversity. The religion of Islam, without exception, can effectively be practiced anywhere in the world. Thus the roles of women in this religion vary with the local culture and climate in certain ways. But when it comes to worship of the Creator and kindness to the creation the role of women in Islam follows universal themes. Islam teaches that a husband and wife are like garments to each other. They live in peace together and are the builders of a harmonious society. While Islam continually asserts the absolute spiritual equality of men and women, it also differentiates certain preferred roles in society. The notion by some that Muslim women are oppressed is debunked when modern history gives us many examples of women in Islam who are not only educated but also have held leadership positions. In 239 years of America’s history we have not seen a woman as commander-in-chief. Yet there have been and still are Muslim women who are the heads of states. One such example is Benazir Bhutto who was the first female leader of a Muslim country in modern history. Sheikh Hasina, who is the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the fourth largest Muslim country, is another example of a Muslim woman leading a nation.

The Holy Qur’an relates the accounts of profoundly influential spiritual leaders granted special revelations and visits from angels. But the recipients of such honor are not exclusively men. Women too have been honored with high spiritual status. These examples include the mother of Moses, the wife of Pharaoh, and of course the mothers of Isaac, Ishmael, Mary, John, and Jesus (peace be upon them all). In the acceptance of women’s prayers, the Merciful God raised prophets in times of great spiritual darkness. In the families of these great women of faith spiritual leadership became fruitful in carrying faith from one generation of people to the following generations. The women fulfilled their roles as wives, mothers, and spiritual mentors for men who led revolutions in social justice.

Through the ages and all across the world, the woman carries the child in her womb, nurses the baby, and establishes the bonds of love with God and His creation. It is through the sacrifices of the women that productive societies come into existence. Islam is a way of life which enables the followers to do good deeds and shun evil. It grants humanity the keys to develop beautiful civilizations with structure and loving harmony. As a Protestant in Eastern Washington when I accepted the Signs of God’s support for Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s claim to be the Promised Messiah of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), I became sisters in faith with women from around the world-a Nigerian journalist, an elderly independent farmer in Turkestan, a Dutch woman providing optometry services in Benin while building an orphanage. And we are sisters in faith with the coffee plantation owner in Guatemala and the Chinese woman working in Egypt. As we commemorate Women’s History Month, I celebrate the achievements of all my sisters in faith however small or large they might be. This is how I see my role as a member of the multicultural Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.