UAE Friday sermon: the equal role of women in Islam

Mosque-goers will be told that Islam gave women their rights, and they have gone on to do great things

God has placed men and women in equal positions, as counterparts to each other in duties, rulings and performing good deeds, the sermon will tell worshippers on Friday.

performing good deeds, the sermon will tell worshippers on Friday.

Women are mentioned throughout the Quran. One instance is in the start of Surat An-Nisaa (Chapter of women): “Oh mankind, fear you Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women.” (An-Nisaa: 1). Prophet Mohammed said: “Indeed, women are the partners of men.”

When it comes to actions, men and women are judged equally – as is mentioned by God in the Quran.

“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while they are a believer – We will surely cause them to live a good life and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.” (An-Nahl: 97).

Islam attributes many special privileges to women. One of them is the right to protect her financial earnings.

Islam also made it obligatory for women to be granted part of an inheritance, as specified in the Quran: "for men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much — an obligatory share." (An-Nisaa: 7).

Women's right to education, at a time when they were solely considered homemakers, was also safeguarded by Islam.

The Quran mentions many women as examples of strong role models. Among them is Sayida Mariam (Mary) the mother of Isa (Jesus). Another is Queen Balqees (the queen of Sheba) who was known for her wisdom and rigorous decisions.

One of the first women mentioned in the history of Islam is Khadija bint Khuwailid. She was the first to believe in the Prophet, helped him in his cause and supported him with her wealth after she became his wife. Her daughter, Fatima bint Mohammed set another example in defending her father and supporting her husband.

Worshippers will be told that Islam has opened all the doorways of goodness for women to play a positive role in building society and women have seized this opportunity and many of them became innovators. The idea for the first pulpit made for the Prophet came from a woman and the pulpit went on to become an integral part of all mosques.

Women have left their remarkable footprints in every walk of life, the sermon will say, before enjoining worshippers to pray to Allah to bless, protect and honour them in this world and in the Hereafter.