Women in Islam

Godhra in Gujarat reminds one of the horrific “burning train” in 2002 after which, the state-sponsored riots resulted in the massacre of thousands of Muslims. The town wears a depressing look, though the normal hustle and bustle of daily life goes on here. Amidst this gloom, live two Muslim women whose courage of conviction has helped them to fight against all odds. They have undergone personal traumas, but yet today they are busy spreading the message of peace and doing all they can to strengthen communal harmony in this town. We bring you their brief story in first person. Names of the women have been changed to protect their identity.

My name is Rashida Banu. I am 35 years old. I was born in Harsol, a village in Himmatnagar. I was fourth in a line of five sisters and four brothers. As a child, I was quite domineering and could never accept injustice. I studied upto the seventh standard in a government school in Himmatnagar. I had to give up studies as my family was poor and could not afford the cost of education. So when I was 19, I got married. Initially life was fine with my husband. The doctors confirmed that I could never bear a child. But there was constant pressure from my in-laws who wanted a grand-child. I finally adopted my husband’s sister’s son. I took care of this child, but when he was around 8 years, the mother came and claimed her child back. There was an “andolan” of sorts at home as again the “demand” for a grand-child began. Succumbing to this pressure, I requested my husband to take a second wife. I myself looked around for a bride for him. After I had chosen a girl for him, the wedding took place and then began my troubles and traumas. While feminists around the world write reams and reams of books on polygamy, here I was fighting my own internal battle at home. My husband’s second wife wanted me out of the way! For all my sacrifices I had made, I had to suffer mental torture. I was not allowed to see my husband or even talk to him.


Around this time, came the horrific riots. My house was completely burnt down. I moved to my parent’s house, while my husband and his second wife moved elsewhere. They had a child by then. I took care of this child, but the second wife did not accept this. She distanced the child away from me. Completely disgusted, I decided to live with my parents for good. Today, I speak to my husband over the phone as I am not allowed to meet him.


My personal trauma has not made me bitter. I have now joined an NGO which is working for the relief measures of those families who have lost their near and dear ones in the riots in 2002. I visit villages, go from home to home talking to them about the importance of communal harmony. The local Muslim clergy would often mock me as they would say that as a Muslim woman I should stay at home and not go around in the streets doing this work. But I am least affected by their attitude. I have decided to live an independent life working towards the cause of peace and also provide solace through my advice to women who must have gone through the same story as mine. I advice women not to shed tears, but fight back the male domination.

I am Sameena Anwar Khan Pathan. I am 50 years old. I was born in Ahmedabad in a Hindu family. I was named Hema. I was the only daughter and I have three brothers. I completed my graduation (B.A) in Ahmedabad. It was in college that I met Anwar Khan Pathan. He traced his origins to the Afghani Pathans. His etiquette and respect for women impressed me. There was mutual admiration as we both believed in harmony of religions. We decide to have a court marriage and this was followed by the Nikah. My family boycotted me. I had embraced Islam We wanted to live away from this chaos. So we migrated to Dehradun, lived there for a month and then again camped in Jaipur. My husband’s father finally persuaded us to live in his house in Ahmedabad. My husband had just one brother. It took me some time to adjust myself to their cultural and social lifestyles. I brought up my son and daughter teaching them Islamic principles. I myself learnt about Islam from the women in the locality I lived in Ahmedabad in my in-laws house. My father-in-law bought me many books on Islam in Gujarati. My husband passed away after 20 years of marriage. Now my children are married. My parents and brothers still boycott me.


After the riots in 2002, in which my house was also burnt down, I began to take an active part in the rehabilitation efforts. I work with an NGO here which focuses on empowerment of women and communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims.

(As told to a Staff Writer)

The modern day Muslim woman can wisely and carefully invest her money in stocks / securities that are risk free.


Every known society has stratified its members on a number of considerations. Gender has been the main criterion for such stratifications. There is a prevalent prejudice against a woman’s ability to play fair. “Just because as a sex, we are prone to reveal emotions more openly than men, doesn’t mean we always think with our hearts!” this very thought had found a place in Islam centuries ago!


Unlike other religions of the world, Islam has granted women vast economic rights to elevate her status. It is Islam which revolutionised this state of affairs not only legally, but also practically and intellectually. The concept of giving a woman her rights and a place of honour in society has in fact been created in man’s mind by Islam. The jargon “woman’s emancipation” is an echo of the revolutionary call of the holy prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). It was he who first taught that a woman is as much a human being as a man. 


The holy Qur’an says” the men shall have their due share according to what they have earned and the women according to what they have earned.” (4:32)


Islam grants extensive rights of inheritance to women. She accords her share of inheritance from her father, husband and offspring. Besides, she is entitled to receive nuptial money from her husband. All the wealth that she thus receives is her own property and she possesses full proprietary rights over it without any right of interference by the father, husband or any other relative. Then, if she invests her money in business or earns with her own hand, she is the sole owner of the fruits of her labour.


While enjoying such economic rights, the modern day Muslim woman can avail abundant opportunities and make profitable investments. She can wisely and carefully invest her money in stocks / securities that are risk free and earn rich dividends. Instead of buying expensive jewellery with her just pooled savings, she can always opt for a safe investment. These investments certainly would not just give her returns, but can also prove to be an additional source of income to her family.


It is high time Muslim women prioritize intelligently and do not waste time moping over all those fabulous missed opportunities.