(Printed in the Finger Lakes Times (New York), Nov 23rd 2007, as an Opinion-Editorial)

Montgomery Watt believed Islam granted women “rights of property ownership, inheritance, education and divorce.” While many recognize Muhammad as the supreme champion of women’s rights, others strongly disagree. But before assessing a Muslim woman’s status, one must examine a woman’s status prior to Islam’s advent. 

In pre-Islamic Arabia women were illiterate, abused, could not divorce or own property, and could not inherit upon the death of their husband or parents. Nor had they any share in God’s blessings, or any say in a child’s upbringing while assuming all burden of it’s care. A daughter’s birth was the ultimate humiliation, often resulting in the parents burying the infant alive to preserve family honor.

1400 years ago Muhammad declared, and indeed materialized, the idea that mankind is equal – an idea expounded by Rousseau c. 1750. He defined equality as the ability to develop one’s faculties within a defined framework. Consequently, the Quran highlights the specific strengths of women and men to ensure neither gender is expected to perform beyond their capacity. For example, women are better nurturers while men are physically stronger. Hence, while the father is responsible for the child’s upbringing, the mother, due to her loving nature, is awarded more authority in this regard. Similarly, while women are responsible for their family’s well being, as men can better perform physically demanding jobs, they become the primary provider. So, while mankind is equal, rights will differ based upon constitution. Thus, each gender possesses an equal amount of rights.

The Quran also stresses the spiritual equality of man and woman by repeatedly stating that mankind has been created from a “single soul,” and that mankind is judged on the same principles of piety. Islam is the first religion to permit women to participate in law making, and also granted women the right of suffrage – realized in America in 1920. While misconduct and abandonment allowed for divorce in the West in the early 1900’s, Islam permitted divorce 1400 years prior. Islamic history is also ripe with accounts of valor exhibited by women in the battlefield. American women, however, first enlisted in 1976.

Islam also mandates a man give his wife a dowry as her exclusive wealth, and grants her right to inherit from the deceased’s estate. If the husband passes without paying the dowry, the debt is paid out of his estate, taking priority over all debts. A Muslim woman may also pursue any business venture. Understand that until the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, European women could not even own property independent of their husband.

Many object that Islam awards a degree of advantage to men. Muslim men are indeed ‘guardians’ of their wives. As they are responsible for the entire household, the husband has more authority in certain administrative household decisions; yet the husband must consult his wife on all matters. This advantage does not even remotely allow for him to abuse or dominate his spouse.

Furthermore, Muhammad abolished female infanticide, and declared, “He who brings up his daughters well, and makes no distinction between them and his sons, will be close to me in Paradise .” Regarding education, Muhammad declared, “The pursuit of knowledge is the duty of every Muslim man and woman.” When he felt women were unable to hear him clearly, Muhammad would go to them and repeat himself. Compare this example with women during the Middle Ages who, if exhibiting any knowledge, were declared witches and burnt alive. Furthermore, most universities did not admit women until the 20th century.

Indeed, a Muslim woman enjoys a lofty status as Muhammad said, " Paradise lies at the feet of the mother” as women play a critical role in children’s upbringing and, consequently, that of mankind. Muhammad also defined men’s character by their treatment of women, "The best from among you is one who behaves best towards his wife.” In fact, the Quran declares the calumny of chaste women is tantamount to damnation.

Ultimately, true freedom is bestowed on mankind – an accomplishment exclusive to Muhammad. As American Justice Pierre Craibites rightly observed, “Muhammad, 1300 years ago assured to the mothers, wives, and daughters of Islam a rank and dignity not yet generally assured to women by the laws of the West.”