Page 29 - Status of Women in Islam

Status of Women in Islam

and dispose of property without surveillance or control by

any man, to conduct business; trade and all transactions
relating to profit and loss; including the execution of deeds
and gifts without having to check with anyone. Whatever
a woman earns is her own and she has complete control
over that as mother, wife, sister or daughter.

It is quite clear that Islamic Law has given woman the
right of inheritance and warned against depriving her of her
shares in the inheritance of the family (Qur’an 4:19) and

specifies that her dowry (mahr) should belong to her alone
and never be taken by her husband (Qur’an 2:229, 4:19-
21,25) unless offered by the woman as a free gift.

It is also obvious that under Islamic Law parents cannot
force their daughters to marry against their will or without
their consent, such a marriage is regarded as invalid.

In her marriage she should be protected by her husband
and feel safe. Additionally, she has the right of retaining her
maiden name. No matter how independently wealthy the
wife may be, the husband should support her and provide
her with the necessities of life to the best of his financial
capacity. Also, in some cases, Islam says that if necessary
the husband must employ a servant for his wife.

28