Islam is a particularly hot topic in the world we live in today, however, our society has a false conception about the religion. Most of the misconceptions are regarding the rights of Muslim women. Our society has the idea that Muslim women are weak, denigrated, demeaned, neglected, and subjugated. If one took the time to research the religion before making an opinion of it, we could avoid these misunderstandings. Contrary to popular belief, Islam regards women as equal to men in many aspects of daily life and women have a unique place in Islam. For me, it was easier to understand their "place" in Islam by comparing it to the caste system of Hinduism. "And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them according to what is equitable; but men have a degree (of advantage) over them." (Qur"an 28:229). .
To better understand the place of women in Islam, one must have a basic understanding of the faith itself. The five pillars are the framework of Muslim life. The pillars are comprised of their testimony of faith (Sha"hadah), prayer (Salah), charity (Zakah), fasting (Sawm) and pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca. Both men and women have the same religious obligations to the five pillars. Women receive the same returns as men for compliance, and both will receive the same penalty for noncompliance. Both men and women are responsible for the same ethical duties concerning chastity, integrity, honor, and respect. If men or women engage in unethical moral behavior, both men and women will receive the same punishment. In this regard, there are no double standards in the religion of Islam. .
According to Islam, the woman's role of a mother and a wife is the most crucial role of the woman. However, Islam does not prevent women from working once they are of age, but women may only look for employment in positions that are fitting to their nature and where society needs them the most. Jobs that show off a Muslim woman's beauty or body are prohibited for Muslim woman.
