The Status of the Woman before Islaam:

What is meant “before Islaam” here is the period known as Jaahiliyyah (Days of Ignorance, before Islaam, and in between the Messengers, hence the days of complete ignorance), which the Arabs used to live in specifically and the people of the whole world in general. This was when the people did not have any Messengers amongst them and they were void of any guidance. And as is narrated to us by the Prophet Mohammed Peace be upon him, “Allaah looked at them both Arabs and Non-Arabs and hated them, except for some remnants from the People of the Book (who stayed upon the true message).”

In most cases, the woman of this time period lived under critical conditions especially those in the Arab societies, where they used to hate it when a girl was born. So amongst the Arabs were those who would bury their daughter while she was still alive until she died below the earth. And amongst them were those who let them live only to find a life of humiliation and degradation. Allaah says: “And when news of the birth of a female child was brought to any of them, his face would become dark and filled with grief. He hides himself from the people because of the evil that he has been informed of. Shall he keep her with dishonor or bury her in the earth? Certainly, evil is their decision.” [Surah An-Nahl(Chapter of the Bee): 58-59]

And Allaah says: “And when the female child who was buried in the ground will be questioned for what sin was she killed?” [Surah At-Takweer(The Folding up): 8-9]

The word maw’oodah(transliteration of the word used in the Koran) refers to the baby girl that was buried alive and left to die inside the earth. And if she was spared from being buried alive and allowed to live, then indeed she found herself living a life of degradation. This is since she was not allowed to inherit any portion of her relative’s estate no matter how much money he had and regardless of if she was suffering from poverty and dire need. The reason for this is because they would make the inheritance specific for men in exclusion of women. In fact, she would be distributed as part of her deceased husband’s estate, just as his money would be distributed in inheritance!

And there would be found a score of women living under one man, since they would not put any limits to the number of wives they could marry. So they wouldn’t show any concern for what occurred to the women as a result of that, such as living under cramped conditions, inconveniences and injustice.

The Status of the Woman after Islaam:

But when Islaam came, it uplifted these injustices from the woman and returned her honor and self-esteem in humanity back to her. Allaah says: “O mankind, indeed We created you from a male and a female.” [Surah Al-Hujuraat(Chapter of The Private Apartments): 13]

So Allaah mentions that she is the partner of man in the origin of humanity and likewise, she is partners with man in terms of being rewarded or punished for actions performed. Allaah says: “Whoever does good deeds, - whether male or female while he or she is a true believer, to him We will give a good life and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do.” [Surah An-Nahl(Chapter of The Bee): 97]

Allaah says: “So that Allaah may punish the male and female hypocrites and the male and female polytheists.” [Surah Al-Ahzaab(Chapter of the Clans): 73]

And Allaah made it forbidden to consider a woman as a possession to be inherited from her dead husband’s estate, as He says: “O you who believe, you are forbidden to inherit women against their will.” [Surah An-Nisaa(Chapter of the Women): 19]

So Allaah gave her independence in her individuality, such that she became one who can inherit as opposed to an object of inheritance. And Allaah gave the woman a right in the inheritance of her relative’s wealth. Allaah says: “There is a share for men and a share for women from what is left by their parents and close relatives, whether the property be small or large a legal share.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 7]

And Allaah says: “Allaah commands you as regards your children’s inheritance: to the male a portion equal to that of two females. If there are only daughters, two or more, their share is two-thirds of the inheritance; if only one, her share is a half.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 11]

And this goes as well for the other texts that state a woman can inherit whether she be a mother, a daughter, a sister or a wife.

In the area of marital affairs, Allaah limited a husband to marrying the maximum of four wives, on the condition that he treats all of his wives fairly and equally according to his ability. And He obligated to the husbands to live with them in kindness, as He says: “And live with them honorably.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 19]

And He made the dowry her right and He commanded that it be given to her in full except for that which she permits from her own good will. Allaah says: “And give to the women their dowry with a good heart. But if they, out of their own good pleasure, remit any part of it to you, take it and enjoy it without any fear of harm.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 4]

And Allaah made her the caretaker, commanding good and forbidding evil in the household of her husband and the leader over her children. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “A woman is the guardian of her husband’s household and she will be asked (on the Day of Judgement) concerning those under her care.” Also, Allaah made it obligatory for the husband to spend on her and to clothe her in a good manner.