Islam gives women a really honourable position in the society, as
mother, wife, sister, daughter and individual. The Prophet, peace be upon him, is
reported to have said:
The world and all things in the world are precious but the most precious of all in the world is a virtuous woman.
(Muslim)
Islam regards men and women as being of the same essence created from a
single soul. The Qur'an declares:
O mankind! Reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single
person, created, of like nature, his mate, and from this pair scattered
(like seeds) countless men and women. Reverence God, through Whom you
demand your mutual (rights), and reverence the wombs (that bore you);
for Allah ever watches over you.
(4:1)
In Islam there is absolutely no difference between men and women as far
as their relationship to Allah is concerned, as both are promised the
same reward for good conduct and the same punishment for evil conduct.
The Qur'an says:
And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women.
(2:226)
For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men
and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient
and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and
women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and
women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much
in God's praise, for them has God prepared forgiveness and great
reward.
(33:35)
The Prophet of Islam, peace be upon him, said:
Women are the twin halves of men.
The Qur'an emphasises the essential unity of men and women in a most
beautiful simile:
They (your wives) are your garment and you are a garment for them.
(2:187)
And among His signs is this, that He has created for you mates from
among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity with them; and He
has put love and mercy between you. Verily in that are signs for those
who reflect.
(30:21)
