The Distinctive Islamic View to Women

Islam sees women equal to men in regards to humanity; they are not less than men. They are also committed with religious rituals as well as men; their good deeds are also accepted. Allah says: “Whoever works righteousness — whether male or female — while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall certainly pay them a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter.” (An-Nahl: 97)
It is noted that the Holy Qur’an does not only use lexis which denote to men; nor does it use neutral words that could describe both men and women, but the Holy Qur’an addresses both men and women. Allah says: “Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam) men and women, the believers men and women (who believe in Islamic Monotheism), the men and the women who are obedient (to Allah), the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and the women who are patient (in performing all the duties which Allah has ordered and in abstaining from all that Allah has forbidden), the men and the women who are humble (before their Lord — Allah), the men and the women who give Ṣadaqat (i.e. Zakat, and alms), the men and the women who observe Ṣaum (fast) (the obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the optional Nawafil fasting), the men and the women who guard their chastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues. Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).” (Al-Ahzab: 35)
Is there any better or clearer reminder of the role of women and their participation than this repeated occurrences of these words (men and women)? This actually what made me call this verse as “the golden sacred text that makes women equal to men”, in addition to other texts mentioned in the same field. We truly have not seen any similar text in any other cultures, ancient or recent.
In respect to the women’s financial rights, Islam has given women their independent financial disclosure which is separate from their parents or husbands or any other relatives. A woman can manage her own wealth and property. Moreover, Islam does not ignore women’s rights or differentiate between men and women in terms of other financial transactions or contracts such as selling, renting, mortgage, deputy, partnership, Waqf or any other issues. However, many European societies kept preventing women from signing financial contracts claiming that women are not qualified to do so. But Islam has intended to give women their dues since its early days. This was achieved by correcting the historical unfair concepts which were attributed to women; Islam has also worked to implant positive and constructive concepts to describe women who has been put in a higher position which Allah wanted to put her in. 
One of the misconceptions which surrounded women, but Islam has modified it is feeling pessimist when one has a baby girl. Instead, Islam prevents people from hurting girls. Allah says: “And when the news of (the birth of) a female (child) is brought to any of them, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with inward grief. He hides himself from the people because of the evil of that whereof he has been informed* Shall he keep her with dishonor or bury her in the earth? Certainly, evil is their decision.” (An-Nahl: 58-59)
Allah also says: And when the female (infant) buried alive (as the pagan Arabs used to do) shall be questioned*For what sin, was she killed?” (At-Takwir: 8-9). This fair treatment which was given to women contradicts with what was practiced by the ignorant Arabs and ignorant nations.
The influence of customs and traditions on women:
There is no doubt that the Islamic instructions in regards to women face several challenges. Some are related to western concepts that were brought to us by foreign nations and cultures. Others are related to the inherited traditions which, to a big extent, contradict with Islamic teachings.
It is certain that customs and traditions have their positive and negative impacts on women’s status. Thus, we are all invited to review or examine our traditions to know whether they are appropriate to our contemporary life or not and to know whether they are matching with our religion or not. Once we do this, we serve women and contribute in developing our community, and we also understand our religion in a better way.
However, even if our traditions have some defects, we should not be so aggressive towards such traditions and cultural and intellectual systems. This is because some of these traditions and customs were derived from Islamic values and Islamic teachings. 
Moreover, the others’ traditions and customs are not any better than ours. Some traditions which were brought to us are filled with some philosophies which we do not take them for granted. We accept some of them and disagree with others.
Written by:
Dr. Nasser Ed-Din Shaer, Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence in the Faculty of Shari’ah, ANNU