Understanding Islam — Page 132
ARE WOMEN VIOLENTLY OPPRESSED IN ISLAM? 130 Of the believers whoso acts righteously, whether male or female, We will surely grant such a one a pure life; and We will certainly reward them according to the measure of the best of their works. 2 The Holy Quran also assigns a very high status and position to mothers: And We have enjoined on man to be good to his parents. His mother bears him with pain, and brings him forth with pain. And the bearing of him and his weaning takes thirty months, till, when he attains his full maturity and reaches the age of forty years, he says, ‘My Lord, grant me the power that I may be grateful for Thy favour which Thou hast bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I may do such good works as may please Thee. And make my seed righteous for me. I do turn to Thee; and, truly, I am of those who submit to Thee. ’ 3 Prophet Muhammad sa was so ahead of his time that in a land where women were thought of as property and considered a dishonor, he gave them the rights and honor that would not be given to them by non- Muslims even centuries afterwards. He said: