Prior to the advent of Islam, women in Arabia had few rights. Female slaves were traded, sons inherited the wives of their father, and newborn daughters were on occasion buried alive as families desired the birth of sons. Islam sought to abolish these practices and Muslim women were granted rights by the Quran.

Religious equality

Whoso does good works, whether male or female, and is a believer, such shall enter Heaven, and shall not be wronged

- Quran 4:125

Their Lord answered their prayers, saying, ‘I will allow not the work of any worker from among you, whether male or female, to be lost. You are from one another.

- Quran 3:196

Men who submit themselves to God and women who submit themselves to Him, and believing men and believing women, and obedient men and obedient women and truthful men and truthful women, and men steadfast in their faith and steadfast women, and men who are humble and women who are humble, and men who give alms and women who give alms, and men who fast and women who fast, and men who guard their chastity and women who guard their chastity, and men who remember Allah much and women who remember Him - Allah has prepared for all of them forgiveness and a great reward.

- Quran 33:36

Economic rights

Covet not that whereby Allah has made some of you excel others. Men shall have a share of that which they have earned, and women a share of that which they have earned. And ask Allah of His bounty. Surely, Allah has perfect knowledge of all things and to every one We have appointed heirs to what the parents and the relations leave, and also those with whom your oaths have ratified a contract. So give them their portion. Surely, Allah watches over all things.

- Quran 4:33

Prohibition Against Abusing Women

Those who accuse chaste, unwary, believing women are cursed in this world and the Hereafter. And for them is a grievous chastisement.

- Quran 24:24

I declare inviolable the rights of two weak ones: the orphans and women.

- Nasai

Treat women kindly.

- Tirmidhi

Rights of Mothers

Jahimah came to the Prophet^sa and said: "O Messenger of Allah! I want to go out and fight and I have come to ask your advice." He said: "Do you have a mother?" He said: "Yes." He said: "Then stay with her, for Paradise is beneath her feet."

- Nasai

Rights of Sisters & Daughters

There is no one who has three daughters, or three sisters, and he treats them well, except that he enters paradise.

- Tirmidhi

Rights of Wives

Women in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Lajna Imaillah is the name given to the women's organisation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Typically, Ahmadi mosques are divided into two sections with women having their own independent facilities which are organised and maintained by them independently. Local women's presidents and secretaries are elected on a regular basis, as well as a national president. The women's organisation is also responsible for collecting donations from Ahmadi women, creating its own budgets and organising its own events and schemes.

Education is greatly promoted among Ahmadi girls. The Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community annually distributes prizes among women who have excelled in higher education.

Numerous schools and colleges have been established by the community to provide a secular education to girls in disadvantaged parts of the world. Moreover, a theological institute called the Aisha Academy has been dedicated for women and offers three-year degrees in Toronto, Canada. Over six semesters, students study seven compulsory subjects including the Quran, Ahadith, fiqha [Islamic jurisprudence], Comparative Religions, History, Arabic, Urdu and the writings of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.

See also

• Marriage in Islam
• Beliefs