Feel the passion of Islam

Spiritual equality, responsibility and accountability for both men and women is a well developed theme in the Quran. Understanding the spiritual equality of women in Islam is to understand that equality between men and women in the sight of God is not limited to purely spiritual, religious issues, but is the basis for equality in all temporal aspects of human life.

Gender Equality in the Qur'an

The concept of gender equality is best exemplified in the Quranic rendition of Adam and Eve. The Bible explains that "the Lord God said: 'it is not good for the man to be alone; I will make a suitable partner for him'... then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man."1 In contrast, the Quran states that both sexes were deliberate and independent and there is no mention of Eve being created out of Adam's rib or anything else. Even the issue of which sex was created first is not specified, implying that for our purposes here on earth it may not matter.

O mankind! Be conscious of your Sustainer, who has created you out of one living entity (nafs), and out of it created its mate (zawj), 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! (4:1)

             Is Hijab Compulsory?               

        The Quran, the Muslim's holy scripture, clearly enjoins Muslim men and women to dress and behave modestly. Muslim women are specifically instructed to cover their heads when in the presence of non-mahrem (potentially marriageable) men:

. Surah Al-Nur (the Light) (24:31) in the Quran states: "They (the believing women) should draw their head coverings over their bosoms...". . Surah Al-Ahzab (33:59) states: "O Prophet [PBUH] Tell thy wives and daughters and the believing women that they should put on their outer garments; that is most convenient in order that THEY MAY BE RECOGNIZED (as Muslims) and not be molested."