Women in the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, are important characters and subjects of discussion in the stories and morals taught by the Qur'an.

Nature of Women

Regarding the nature of women, the Quran states: {{dablink|For alternative meanings, see nature (disambiguation). ... Image of a woman on the Pioneer plaque sent to outer space. ... The Quran (Arabic al-qurʾān أَلْقُرآن; also transliterated as Quran, Koran, and less commonly Alcoran) is the holy book of Islam. ...

"O mankind! Reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, his mate, and from this pair scattered (like seeds) countless men and women." (4:1)

The Quran also considers the love between men and women to be a Sign of Allah: The Quran (Arabic al-qurʾān أَلْقُرآن; also transliterated as Quran, Koran, and less commonly Alcoran) is the holy book of Islam. ... A cartoonish version of the heart, a frequent modern symbol of love. ... Several symbols are attributed to or said to have a special place in Islam. ...

"And among His signs is this, that He has created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity with them; and He has put love and mercy between you. Verily in that are signs for those who reflect." (30:21)

In a marriage, the Quran considers the husband and wife to be as close to each other as garments: The Quran (Arabic al-qurʾān أَلْقُرآن; also transliterated as Quran, Koran, and less commonly Alcoran) is the holy book of Islam. ...

"They (your wives) are your garment and you are a garment for them." (2:187)

Women Figures

In the Quran many female characters appear. Of them some are portrayed in a positive light, while others are condemned for their actions. The Quran (Arabic al-qurʾān أَلْقُرآن; also transliterated as Quran, Koran, and less commonly Alcoran) is the holy book of Islam. ...

Eve

The Quran makes no mention of Eve's alleged sin, rather puts the blame on Adam: The Quran (Arabic al-qurʾān أَلْقُرآن; also transliterated as Quran, Koran, and less commonly Alcoran) is the holy book of Islam. ... Extensible VAX Editor EVE stands for Extensible VAX Editor, a flexible text editor that is part of the VMS operating system. ... This article is about the biblical Adam and Eve. ...

"But Satan whispered evil to him: he said, "O Adam! shall I lead thee to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that never decays? In the result, they both ate of the tree, and so their nakedness appeared to them: they began to sew together, for their covering, leaves from the Garden: thus did Adam disobey his Lord, and allow himself to be seduced." (20:21-22)</

Mary

Mary is especially revered by all Muslims, and she is praised much by the Quran: Mary is a popular female given name. ...

"Behold! the angels said: 'O Mary! Allah hath chosen thee and purified thee- chosen thee above the women of all nations.'" (3:42)

Wife of the Pharoah

The wife of the Pharoah, known in some traditions as Asiyah, is mentioned in the Quran: This article refers to the historical Pharaoh. ... Asiyah is the 4th and last of the worlds in which exists the kabbalistic Tree of Life. ... The Quran (Arabic al-qurʾān أَلْقُرآن; also transliterated as Quran, Koran, and less commonly Alcoran) is the holy book of Islam. ...

And Allah sets forth, as an example to those who believe the wife of Pharaoh: Behold she said: "O my Lord! Build for me, in nearness to Thee, a mansion in the Garden, and save me from Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from those that do wrong";(66:11)

Spirituality

In Islam, there is absolutely no difference between men and women as far as their relationship to Allah is concerned, as both are promised the same reward for good conduct and the same punishment for evil conduct.

The Qur'an says: The , , (Arabic: recitation, also transliterated as Quran, Quran, Quran, Koran), is the holy book of Islam. ...

"For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward."(33:35)

At another point the Quran also points out:

Who so does that which is right, and believes, whether male or female, him or her will We quicken to happy life. (16:97)

Their Lord responds to them: "I will not let the deeds of any doer among you go to waste, male or female - you are both the same in that respect... "(3:195)

Allah also promises both men and women Paradise:

"Enter into Paradise, you and your wives, with delight." (43:70)

Rights of Women

The Qur'an does not grant women the same rights as men, as it argues that women are distinct from men. The Quran, however, argues that it grants women the rights they fully deserve. Thus the Qur'an says:

And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women. (2:226)

Financial Rights

The Quran commands men to cover the financial expenses of women: The Quran (Arabic al-qurʾān أَلْقُرآن; also transliterated as Quran, Koran, and less commonly Alcoran) is the holy book of Islam. ...

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women..." (4:34)

Regarding inheritance the Quran says:

"From what is left by parents and those nearest related there is a share for men and a share for women, whether the property be small or large,-a determinate share." (4:7)

Critics, however, point out later verses which, in some cases, grant women a lower share than men:

"Allah enjoins you concerning your children: The male shall have the equal of the portion of two females..." (4:11)

In response Muslims point out that men are granted of their responsibility to fulfill the financial needs of their female relatives. Women, however, are under no such obligation.

When a woman is married, the Quran makes it obligatory on a man to provide Mahr for her. A dowry is a gift of money or valuables given by the brides family to that of the groom to permit their marriage. ...

"Wed them with permission of their folk, and give them Mahr according what is reasonable..." (4:25)

The Quran makes it obligatory on men to provide for the woman they have divorced:

"For divorced women Maintenance (should be provided) on a reasonable (scale). This is a duty on the righteous." (2:241)

If the woman gains custody of a child then the man must provide for his offspring as well:

"And the mothers may nurse their children for two whole years, if they wish to complete the period of nursing; and it is incumbent upon him who has begotten the child to provide in a fair manner for their sustenance and clothing." (2:233)

A man is also ordered to make arrangements for his widow:

"Those of you who die and leave widows should bequeath for their widows a year's maintenance and residence..." (2:240)

Right of honour

The Quran mandates, that the will of the woman be honoured in marriage:

"O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will." (4:19)

In regards to the chastity of women, the Quran lays down severe punishments on those who verbally harass women:

"And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (to support their allegations),- flog them with eighty stripes; and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors." (24:4)

The Quran also commands men to honor thier mothers:

"Revere Allah and the wombs (that bore you)." (4:1)

Other rights

The Quran continues on to command husbands to:

On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take a dislike to them, it may be that you dislike something and Allah will bring about through it a great deal of good. (4:19)

See also

• Islam
• Islamic feminism
• Quran
• Women in Islam

Islam (Arabic: ; ) is a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the Quran. ... Islamic feminism is a term coined in the 1990s for a movement that has its roots in the early 20th century, but which expanded in the 1990s in response to the growth of Islamism throughout the Islamic world. ... The Quran (Arabic al-qurʾān أَلْقُرآن; also transliterated as Quran, Koran, and less commonly Alcoran) is the holy book of Islam. ... This article needs a complete rewrite for the reasons listed on the talk page. ...

External Links

• Women in the Quran and the Sunna