I shall not lose sight of the labor of any of you who labors in My way, be it man or woman; each of you is equal to the other (Quran 3:195)

Equality in Islam between men and women has been scrutinized greatly, especially in the decade post 9/11 and during these “Anti-Sharia” crazes. But what does the Quran really say about gender equality?

Adam and Eve

When looking for examples of how Islam treats gender equality, one must look no further than the Quranic story of Adam and Eve. He did not even mention what the two sexes were, and he certainly did not say that Eve was made of Adam’s rib, as many people often perceive. 

“O mankind! Be conscious of your Sustainer, who has created you out of one living entity (nafs), and out of it created its mate, and out of the two spread abroad a multitude of men and women. And remain conscious of God, in whose name you demand your rights from one another, and of these ties of kinship. Verily, God is ever watchful over you! (Quran 4:1)”

Furthermore, the Quran describes how Adam and Eve were both tempted by a tree in the garden, which they both approached and both had to ask for forgiveness for in the end. It does not mention that Eve tempted Adam or was the cause of the sin in any way.

Equality in Religious Obligations

Both women and men are required to carry out the Five Pillars of Islam: The Testimony of Faith, Prayer, Fasting During Ramadan, Obligatory Charity, and Hajj to Mecca. Women and men will be accounted for on their own on the last day, so ultimately, each is responsible for his or her own.

Surely for men who submit to Allah and for women who submit to Allah, for believing men and for believing women, for devout men and devout women, for truthful men and truthful women, for steadfast men and steadfast women, for humble men and humble women, for charitable men and charitable women, for fasting men and fasting women, for men who guard their chastity and women who guard their chastity, for men who remember Allah much and for women who remember Allah much, for all of them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a mighty reward. (Quran 33:35)

Finance and Property

In Islam, women are allowed and able to engage in financial dealings and own property. They do not need a “guardian” or male keeper to undertake any financial transactions. In fact, Prophet Mohammad’s (pbuh) first wife, Khadija, managed her father’s business interests and was very successful as a businesswoman. Such freedoms were unheard of for women till the modern era.

Men and women are each given a share in inheritance, depending on their roles in their household (which have changed in the past few decades):

There is a share for men from what is left by parents and those closely related, and there is a share for women from what is left by parents and those closely related, whether the wealth be small or large: a legal mandatory share. (Quran 4:7)

It is important to note here that a great misconception comes from this topic in Quranic verse (4:11), which states:

Education

In Islam, it is obligatory for both men and women to gain knowledge and be educated. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said:

Seeking knowledge is compulsory for each and every Muslim (both female and male). (Ibn Majah #224 al-Baihaqi)

More Quranic Verses on This Topic

Their Lord responded to them: I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you male or female - you are equal to one another. (Quran 3:195)

As for those who lead a righteous life, male or female, while believing, they enter Paradise; without the slightest injustice. (Qran 4:124)

Anyone who works righteousness, male or female, while believing, we will surely grant them a happy life in this world, and we will surely pay them their full recompense (on the Day of Judgment) for their righteous works. (Quran 16:97)

Again, there are many misinterpretations and misconceptions being thrown around the gender roles of men and women in Islam. One must see what the Quran and Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) say about such relations in order to completely understand them. 

Do not base your understanding of Islam on the locations in which it is commonly practiced. Many such practices are rooted deep within the cultures in which Islam flourishes. They are, however, not Islamic in nature, and must be treated as such.