Rights do not come alone; they are a package with corresponding sets of responsibilities. Hence, women do have their rights and duties under Islam. The legal status of a woman is the same as that ‘ofaman in Islam, Both ae subjected tothe same kind ‘ofpunishment fora particularcrime. "As for male and female thiews, cut off their hands for what they have done—a deterrent from Allah. And Allahis Almighty Al-Wis.”(AFMaidah:38) ‘Awomanhasaright tobe witness in cour. Islamasa political and social system isthe fist and the ‘nly religion that gives respectable status to women. Islam gives complete protection to women against all ‘unfounded allegations and accusations. No-one can accuse chaste woman so easily and wth impunity. “Those who accuse chaste women ofadulteryand alto produce four witnesses, give them eighty lashes each. And do not ever accept any testimony from them—for ‘theyare indeed the rebeliou.”(An-Nur:4) Islam defined the rights of women in the following four capacities: ‘As a mother: she enjoys extreme respect from her children. ‘As a daughter: her upbringing, education and Iaintenance is the responsibilty of her parents and other members of her famly. ‘Asa sister: she is the custodian of the honour of herbrothers, © Asa wife: she has the right tobe looked afer by | erhusband. _ Islam granted a numberof rights to women. “These rights have been explained one by ‘advent of Islam, the Sfemicide (remale Rights of WOMEN in Islam wow jworltimes.com January 2023 CSS PMS Books On Sale STEDE AGREE com Muhammad Asim Jasra stigma for the parents. slam declared it an inhuman practiceand putanend toit. Now see the situation in the First World ~ wealthy Industrialized capitalist countries. On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned the 1973 ruling known as Roe v Wade that had allowed women the right to choose abortion, The US Supreme Court held that abortion was ilegal. This is what Islam had declared more than fourteen centuries ago. Islamic principles are universal and valid for all the times to In the following verse of Holy Quran, Allah Almighty has categorically declared that the life of one persons equal t0 the Ilfe of the whole of mankind. No distinction has been made on thebasis of gender. “That is why We ordained fr the Children of frael that whoever takes a Iife—unless as a punishment for ‘murder or mischief inthe land—it willbe asf they killed allof humanity; and whoever saves aif, wil be asf they saved al of humanity. Although Our messengers already came to them with clear proofs, many of them sill transgressed afterwards through the land.” (Al Maidal:32) Similarly, Allah Almighty has forbidden the believers from doing certain things; taking life without legal rightis also mentioned inthe following verse: “Say, O Prophet, *Come! Let me recite to you what your Lond has forbidden to you: do not associate others with ‘ie ia worship. Do no fail t honour your parents. Do ‘ot kl your children for fear of poverty. We provide ‘or you and for them. Do not come near Indecencies, openly oF secretly. Do not take a 2x human tfe-made sacred by Alah—except AE with legal right. This Is what He has (commanded. you, 50 aa you will understand *(ALAnamet5Y ight to fie upbringing ‘Narrated agra 0332-5339708 BB canscannersme Aisha) asking fr some as, but She found nothing with me except one date which T ave to her and she ‘vided it benveen her two daughters, and dd not eat arthing here and thenshe gotupand went vey. Then the Prophet (PRU) came in and T informed hin about ths str. The Holy Prophet Pau sa “Whoever is put to trial ty having to. raise daughters and he treats them ‘generously (wth Benevolene), then these daughters wilacasa shield for him from HeltFie” (AbBukhar, Hadith-s309) Mighttoknowiedge Infim saneoned that twas the dy of every believer to acquire Knowledge irrespective of one's gender, fight to choorethe spouse ISlam has pram a woman the ight to choose her ie partner. A woman cannot be compelled to marry aman Saint her il imadattion to iis, women have the right to take Khullah by which they fan. get_seParated. from their hnusbandsinease they think that they Cannotlivetogether. Fight totnneritnce Tee Holy duran gives clear Instructions on the lay. of inheriiance., Women have been granted theright of inbertance whieh foothersystemhad ever ranted "ah commands you as. regards our children's tinhertance: 9 the mate, portion equal to that of 0 fematesiithere are oni dager, two or more ther share two-thirds of AghAzeieeihltom the inheritance; ifonly one, her share fs half. For parents, a sixth share of inheritance to each of the deceased left children; if no children, and the parents are the (only) heirs, the ‘mother has a third; if the deceased left brothers or (sisters), the mother hhas a sixth. (The distribution in all ‘eases is)after the payment of legacies hhe may have bequeathed or debts. You know not which of them, whether your parents or your children, are nearest to you in benefit, (these fixed shares) are ordained by Allah. And Allah is Ever AlLKnower, AIl-Wise.” (AnNisa11) Other detailed law has been laid down in verse 12 of Surah An-Nisa as unde ‘nv that which your wives leave, your share isa half if they have no child; tut if they leave a child, you get a fourth of that which they leave after payment of legacies that they may hhave bequeathed or debts. In that which you leave, their (your wives) share isa fourth i you leave no child; but if you leave a child, they get an eighth of that which you leave after payment of legacies that you ‘may have bequeathed or debts. If the man or woman whose inheritance ts in question has left neither ascendants nor descendants, but has left a brother or asster, each one of the two getsa sith; but if more than two, they share Ima third; after payment of lagacies he (or she) may have bequeathed or debts, so that 1 loss 1s caused (0 anyone), This bs a wor jwordtimes.com January 2023, CSS PMS Books On Sale Commandment from Allah; and Allah ts Ever All-Knowing, Most. Forbearing.” ‘These commands of the Almighty are binding upon all the believers, and there!s no exception toit. "These ‘entitlements’ are the limits set by Allah. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be admitted into Gardens under which rivers flow, to stay there forever. That is the ultimate triumph!” (Surah An- Nisa:13) “But whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger and exceeds their limits will be cast into Hell, to stay there forever. And they will suffer a /humaliating punishment." (Surah An- Nisact4) Restrictions on having more than fourwives Before the advent of Islam, men used to have many wives. Islam laid down the rules of marriage, and imposed a restriction that a man could not have ‘more than four wives at one time. Righttofalrtreatment “O believers I is not permissible for you to inherit women against their ‘will oF mistreat them to make them return some of the dowry as aransom for divorce—unless they are found guilty of adultery. Treat them fairly. If you happen to dislike them, you may hate something which Allah tums into a great blessing.” (Surah An-Nisa:19) Conclusion Islam is the only social and political system that has granted rights to ‘women. The rights granted by Islam are universal and valid for all times to come, Certain cultural practices that discourage or deny rights t0 ‘women should not be construed as Islamic teachings. would conclude my articte with the following verse of Holy Quran. Allah Almighty says in Surah ALBagarah verse 187: “They are a clothing for you and you aareaclothing forthem.” 8 The writer is a civil servant, belonging to Police Service of Pakistan (PSP. He ‘an be reached at asimjasraazgmail.com 0332-5339708 BB canscamer