Woman in Islamic Shari‘ah
4. The status of woman
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THE CONTRACT OF LIFE
The relationship formed by marriage in Islam is
described in the Qur’an as a “firm contract.”
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It is
exactly the same as any ordinary contract in that it
is bilateral in nature: where it differs is in its
spelling out of the rights and responsibilities which
bind a man and a woman together in a vital
partnership, making them companions for life.
There is a saying of the Prophet Muhammad on this
subject: “Beware, your women have rights over you
and you have rights over your women.”
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45. Qur’an, 4:21.
46. Ibn Majah,
Sunan, Kitab an-Nikah,
1/593.
WOMAN - SOURCE OF GOODNESS
Here are some verses from the Qur’an and some
traditions which elaborate this point.
Live with them on a footing of kindness and
equity. If you take a dislike to them, it may
well be that you dislike a thing which God has
meant for your own abundant good.
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