Muhammad the Liberator of Women — Page xiii
xiii Foreword We are pleased to publish the English translation of an Urdu article of Hadrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad ra , the second Successor of the Promised Messiah as , entitled, ‘Aurtoń ko Ghul a m i sei Nij a t Dil a nei w a l a Nab i. When discussing the rights of women it is believed that the western countries are the flag bearers by granting women certain rights in the latter half of the 19 th century. However, the teachings of the Holy Prophet saw elevated the spiritual and social status of women. Prior to the revelation of the Holy Quran and establishment of Islam, women were treated as second or third class citizens, behind slaves and even animals. They had no claim over their lives, bodies, children or property. In many other societies, there was no real basis governing social or moral behaviour. Consequently the treatment of women throughout the world, religious or not, was abhorrent. The teachings of Islam presented through the Holy Quran and the noble and perfect example of the Holy Prophet saw ushered in a new era for women-kind. This brief article demonstrates how the Founder of Islam was truly ‘The Liberator of Women’. Please note that, in this translation, words given in parenthesis ( ) are the words of the author. If any explanatory words or phrases are