Pathway to Paradise — Page 35
PATH WAY TO PARADISE 35 for her. The Holy Qur’an also states that: “…men are guardians over women, because Allah made some of them excel others and because they spend of their wealth” (4:35) This means that the husband is responsible for his wife’s needs and her protection, and he is to supply the money for the maintenance of his wife and their home. Islam further protected the economic status of woman by requiring a husband to give her a dowry at the time of marriage. This becomes part of her exclusive wealth, and her husband has no right over it, unless she wishes to share it with him. The Holy Qur’a n states: “And give the women their dowries willingly. But if they, of their own pleasure remit to you a part thereof, then enjoy it as something wholesome and pleasant. ” (4:5) Interestingly, this is addressed not only to the husband but also the woman’s relatives. They have no right over it. The common practice found in some Islamic countries today where the groom demands that his bride bring a dowry of gold and household items to the marriage is totally un - Islamic. Finally, Islam gave woman the right to inherit. She is entitled to inherit from the deceased in her role of mother, wife, daughter or sister. The Holy Qur’an makes clear that: “For men there is a share of that which parents and near