We keep hearing stuffs like “Women in Islam are so oppressed!”

“Why do they have to wear the hijab and cover themselves?”

But is “freedom” only pertained to their dress? If we, women decide to not cover ourselves, then are we more free?

What people fail to see is that men are also said to be modest.

For men (24:30)

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their modesty. That is purer for them. Indeed, God is aware of what they do.”

For women (24:31)

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty… and not display their beauty except what is apparent…”

While different societies across history granted women certain rights, Islam was among the first to formally establish and protect women’s rights within a clear legal and moral framework.

In the Holy Quran, God clearly says:

“…And women have rights similar to those (of men) over them, according to what is fair…”

It gives the Right to inheritance of property:

“For men is a share of what parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what parents and close relatives leave—whether little or much—a fixed share.”

(4:7)

In a society where women still struggle to get a share in inheritance, The Holy Quran gave this rights over 1,400 years ago.

The Quran also regulates divorce with fairness and dignity, ensuring that women are not stripped off their financial rights or trapped in a harmful relationship .

“Divorce is not necessarily a bad thing, but it should be an amiable affair, and women have an absolute right to divorce, without giving any reasons: there is no blame in either of them if the woman gives back something in order to free herself”

(2:229)

Even in separation, Islam protects women from being discarded or exploited:

“And for divorced women is a provision according to what is fair—a duty upon the righteous.”

—(2:241)

This ensures that a woman is not left financially vulnerable after divorce, but treated with dignity and compassion.

Yet today, in some parts of the world, restrictions placed on women are justified in the name of religion. When women are denied education, silenced, or stripped of their rights, we must ask:

Is this truly religion?

Or is it culture, power, and control speaking through it?

In recent times, particularly in places like Afghanistan, restrictions on women such as limiting access to education and public life have often been justified in the name of religion.

This raises an important question: are these actions truly rooted in Islamic teachings, or are they shaped by cultural and political influences?

In fact the Holy Quran also warns us about this:

“Have you seen the one who takes his own desire as his god?”

— (45:23)

This verse clearly explains that when the greed for power of this world takes seed in the minds, religion is used as a tool to fulfil the egos.

It reflect human desires and ego dressed as religion.

Lastly I would also state one of my favourite verse from the Holy book:

“Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women… the truthful men and truthful women… the patient men and patient women… the humble men and humble women… the charitable men and charitable women… the fasting men and fasting women… the men who guard their chastity and the women who do so… and the men who remember God often and the women who do so , for all of them God has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.”

So when someone says “women are so oppressed in Islam” I look back at these verses and see otherwise.

Islam is perfect, the people are not.

Thanks y’all for reading!

Until next time💗