Women's Legal Status in Islam

• The legal status of women in Islam is often debated and misrepresented by the Western world.
• This misrepresentation portrays women as subservient and lacking legal, social, or economic rights.
• The moral and legal status of both men and women are determined by Allah.

Ibaadah (Worship)

• A woman's status in Ibaadah (worship) is equivalent to that of a man.
• Allah makes no distinction between them in terms of reward for good deeds.
• Women can appoint a representative to inquire about their concerns.
• Women fulfill duties as wives, bearing and raising children, and managing homes.
• Performing domestic duties and seeking the pleasure of her husband brings women the same reward as men get for all their services to Allah.

Inheritance

• Allah has stipulated the shares of inheritance according to His divine wisdom.
• The laws of inheritance must be studied within in the broader context of the social values in Islam.
• Women retain full ownership of their property after marriage.
• Any income a woman earns is solely hers, and she is not obligated to maintain herself or her family.
• Men are responsible for maintaining themselves, their parents, wives, children, and poor relatives.
• The share that a male inherits may have to be shared between five or more members of the family.
• Women get to keep their share and also receive a share in that of her male guardian.
• In most cases, females inherit half the share of a male relative.
• There are instances when females inherit equal shares, or even more than the male relative.
• The son's inheritance share will be used by giving a dowry to his wife.
• The son's inheritance share will be used by supporting the family, including the sister until she marries.
• The daughter's share remains as it is or might even increase if she invests it.
• When she marries, she receives a dowry from her husband and will be maintained by him.

Polygamy

• Polygamy is a form of marriage where a person has more than one spouse.
• Polygyny is when a man marries more than one woman.
• Polyandry is where a woman marries more than one man.
• Limited polygyny is permitted in Islam.
• Polyandry is completely prohibited in Islam.
• A man can marry up to four women, provided he treats them justly.
• Polygyny can strengthen the status of women and the family by ensuring welfare for single women and widows.
• Polygyny can help to ensure that there is support for women in society when there are more women than men.
• Polygyny preserves the honor and chastity of women, as the woman is a wife, not a mistress.
• In polygynous marriages, the husband is legally obligated to provide for his wives and children.
• Islam strictly prohibits and penalizes prostitution, fornication, and adultery, while permitting polygyny under specific conditions.

Testimony

• The Quran specifies guidelines for testimony in financial transactions.
• If there are not two men available, one man and two women can serve as witnesses.
• If one of the women errs, the other can remind her.
• Possibility of error in women is expected may be due to lack of experience in dealing with monetary transactions.
• There are instances where male testimony is not accepted, such as in cases related to feminine issues.
• Bearing witness in Islam is a sacred duty, with significant responsibility.
• Allah lightened the burden upon women by reducing the burden by one half.