Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and dispose of her property and earnings.A Muslim woman chooses her husband and keeps her name after marriage.
Participation in Society
Women are encouraged in Islam to contribute their opinions and ideas. There are many traditions of the Prophet (pbuh) which indicate women would pose questions directly to him and offer their opinions concerning religion, economics and social matters. A Muslim woman's testimony is valid in legal disputes.
Woman as a Mother
The first and greatest influence on a person comes from the sense of security, affection, and training received from the mother.Mother is particularly honored in Islam, and the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught that Paradise lies under the feet of mother.
A man came to the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and said: "O Messenger of Allaah! Who from amongst mankind warrents the best companionship from me?" He replied:
"Your mother."
The man asked, "Then who?" So he replied:
"Your mother."
The man then asked, "Then who?" So the Prophet replied again:
"Your mother."
Then the man asked, "Then who?" So he replied:
"Your father." [ Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 5971) and Muslim (7/2), from Abu Hurayrah (radiyallaahu 'anhu). ]
Woman as a Wife
In Islam marriage is a relationship of mutual love and respect between husband and wife. Quran says :"...They are your garments and you are their garments..." [2:187]. Clothing provides physical protection and covers the beauty and faults of the body. Likewise, a spouse is viewed this way, each protects the other and hides the faults and compliments the characteristics of the spouse.. Towards her husband, a Muslim lady is friend, lover, advisor confidante, help-mate, and supervisor of his home.
Muslim wives have various rights. She is entitled to receive "mahr", a gift from the husband which is part of the marriage contract and required for the legality of the marriage. Another right of a wife is maintenance by husband. Despite any wealth she may have, her husband is obligated to provide her with food, shelter and clothing. He is not forced, however, to spend beyond his capability and his wife is not entitled to make unreasonable demands. The Qur'an states:
"Let the man of means spend according to his means, and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him. Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him." [65:7]. She has the right to kind treatment. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "The most perfect believers are the best in conduct. And the best of you are those who are best to their wives."
Islam gives guidlines about responsibilities of wife. Therefore, wives have certain obligations to their husbands. The Qur'an states: "The good women in the absence of their husbands guard their rights as Allah has enjoined upon them to be guarded." [4:34]. A wife is to keep her husband's secrets and protect their marital privacy. Issues of intimacy or faults of his that would dishonor him, are not to be shared by the wife, just as he is expected to guard her honor. A wife must also guard her husband's property. She must safeguard his home and possessions, to the best of her ability, from theft or damage. She should manage the household affairs wisely so as to prevent loss or waste. he should not allow anyone to enter the house whom her husband dislikes nor incur any expenses of which her husband disapproves. A Muslim woman must cooperate and coordinate with her husband.
"And from His signs is this: That He created for you wives amongst yourselves, so that you may find serentiy and tranquility in them. And He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in this are signs for those who reflect." [Sooratur Room 30:21]
Fundamental Responsibilities of Women
Maintenance of a home, providing support to her husband, and bearing, raising and teaching of children are among the first and very highly regarded roles for a woman in Islam, if she has the skills to work outside the home for the good of the community, she may do so as long as her family obligations are met. This is because some types of work are more suitable for women and other types for men. This in no way diminishes either's effort nor its benefit. God will reward both sexes equally for the value of their work, though it may not necessarily be the same activity.
Economics Stauts of Women
In general, Islam upholds that women are entrusted with the nurturing role, and men, with the guardian role. The Qur'an states: "Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend of their wealth (for the support of women)." [4:34] This guardianship and greater financial responsibility is given to men, requires that they provide women with not only monetary support but also physical protection and kind and respectful treatment. The Muslim woman has the right to earn money, the right to own property, to enter into legal contracts and to manage all of her assets in any way she pleases. She can run her own business and no one has any claim on her earnings including her husband. The Qur'an states:
"And in no wise covet those things in which Allah hath bestowed His gifts more freely on some of you than on others; to men is allotted what they earn, and to women, what they earn; but ask Allah of His bounty, for Allah hath full knowledge of all things." [4:32]
A woman inherits from her relatives. The Qur'an states: "For men there is a share in what parents and relatives leave, and for women there is a share of what parents and relatives leave, whether it be little or much - an ordained share." [4:7]