Some people who are not well acquainted with the true Islamic teachings think that Islam has not provided for all Muslims equal social rights. And on account of the fact that Islam has made some distinctions between men's and women’s rights they conclude that the same distinctions are made in their social rights. As a result, the picture of women in Islam to them is usually the stereotype of an oppressed, inferior figure and bereft of any right.

The Concept of Gender Equality in Society

Islam is the religion of equality and gender is not a standard for the preference of one over another. In fact, Islam has not only taught the equality of all humans before God but also promoted it in the social sphere. Consequently, in the Islamic social system men and women are granted equal rights and there is no difference between them about their gender.

But, the point is that “equality” does not mean the “similarity” of their rights, since men and women are not identical to one another in many respects [1]. Therefore, we can deduce, although through comparing their rights a kind of disparity appears at the individual level, both of them privileges equal rights on the social scale.

The concept of women’s equal social rights is practically extended in all aspects of social life, and meanwhile, the “equality” does not reflect the meaning of “sameness.” Instead, it means that their social rights are equated in the matters related to self-worth and individual value to those of men.

Women’s Rights & The Right of Seeking Employment

Women are given a free hand to choose the occupation they want. But they have to note that their occupations should neither be incompatible with their physical and spiritual characteristics [2] nor in conflict with their duties towards their families.

This is why Islam has absolved them from providing for the family in the first place so that they become able to take care of their household as best as possible [3]. However, they are entitled to receive a fair wage by their works either outside the house from their employers or inside the house from their husbands if they ask for it [4].

The Right of Traveling and Activity in An Ethical Society

There is no restriction on women traveling alone if it is not inconsistent with the interests of their families. And regarding their social presence, it is a women’s right to be protected from men’s malicious eyes, whose obligation is casting his eyes down towards them [5].

The Social Security, Juridical and Political Rights of Women in Islam

In the Islamic social system, an equal emphasis is given to women for benefiting from social security systems and social services [6]. Also, women’s right in benefiting from Islamic legal and juridical systems is equally safeguarded.

Many stories from the early period of Islamic history deal with women who referred their disputes to the Prophet (PBUH&HP) in the same way as men sought his judgment [7]. Moreover, not only they share the right of election and the nomination to political offices with men but also can access the highest levels of political authority due to the Islamic laws, provided that it is not inconsistent with their physical and spiritual capacities and their responsibilities towards their families [8].

The Right to Have Education

This right is so much important that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) once commanded that even slaved girls should be educated [9] and in one famous narration he considered seeking knowledge an essential task for both sexes [10].

Women’s Social Obligations

In the light of the above facts, we can conclude that the idea of inferiority of the social status of women in Islam to men is void and baseless. However, as it was mentioned earlier, men's and women’s social rights are “equal” and not “similar” due to great differences between their characteristics.

That is why the social obligations of women in Islam are narrower than those of men; as Islam has exempted them from the burden of providing maintenance for the family [11] and even some religious practices.

References:

1. Mutahhari, Murtadha, The Rights of Women in Islam.
2. Amini, Ibrahim, An Introduction to the Rights and Duties of Women in Islam.
3. Penny, Sue, Islam, p.39.
4. Lois, Beck, Women in Iran from 1800 to the Islamic Republic, pp. 165-166.
5. Muhammad Javad, Bahonar, Islam and Women’s Rights.
6. Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Rights; this article is available at https://www.whyislam.org.
7. Johnson, Andy, Religion and Men’s violence against Women, pp. 322-325.
8. Mahmudi, Hassan, Issues in Women’s rights: A Practitioner’s Resource Book, p. 47.
9. Nasir, Jamal, The Statue of Women Under Islamic Law and Modern Islamic Legislation, p. 15.
10. social rights 
11. Cornell, Vincent, Voices of Islam: Voices of life: family, home, and society, p. 85.

A very significant aspect of Islamic life is “modesty.” According to the Islamic application of the term, modesty is a state of self-restraint which helps us check our manners and appearance, and correct them when necessary.

This general principle is also the main source of Islamic dress code or “Hijab”  in Islam which has nowadays caused a lot of questions and contradictions both among Muslims and non-Muslims. 

Hijab in Islam, the Real Meaning

When talking about hijab in Islam, maybe the first thing that comes to your mind is women’s wearing a headscarf. But is it all that the word refers to? Does hijab also have something to do with our manner and behavior? Does it concern Muslim men as well as women?

You can read this article to find out what hijab in Islam is really all about.

Can I Convert to Islam and not Wear Hijab?

Well, hijab is an Islamic ruling which is also mentioned in the Quran [i]. And submission to God, of course, means that we should follow His advice even if –or especially when—it is not really easy for us to do so!

Still, if a woman, for example, thinks that she can preserve her modesty without wearing a headscarf and is not quite convinced to conform to the Islamic cover limits –we all have our failures or our personal ideas, don’t we?—it doesn't mean that she cannot be a Muslim, or that she will not receive God’s mercy!

You can read this article to find out if wearing hijab in Islam is actually a matter of choice!

Is Wearing Makeup and Jewelry Allowed in Islam?

Islam has stressed on cleanness and tidiness maybe more than any other religion in the world. But does Islamic dress code or hijab place any restrictions on wearing makeup or jewelry? Are there special occasions where Muslims are prohibited from or, to the contrary, prompted to make themselves up?

This article tries to answer your questions with regards to wearing make-up and jewelry.

Hijab in Islam and other Abrahamic Religions

Some people think that Hijab and its implications are only related to Islam and Muslims. Well, it’s not. It may be the case that the special form of Hijab which is used by Muslims has some differences with other religions.

Have a look at this article, If you want to know more about the history of Hijab and modesty in the Abrahamic religions before Islam.

Why Muslim Women Cover their Hairs?

Really, why would women cover their hair? Why don’t men do this? What is that they are hiding beneath this Hijab? What is the philosophy behind it?

Is it useful for Muslim women or men? Is it only related to appearance and observing some religious etiquette? This article provides answers to this questions based on Islamic sources. 

Notes:
[i] Quran 24:30,31