There has been a lot of negativity and misconceptions going around as of late with regards to issues concerning race and religion. The perception of Islam has not been spared from such misconception, and I often find that I am called to defend my religion. I am no expert, but from the little that I do know, women in Islam are not oppressed, backward and submissive as others may think or make us out to be.

If there is one thing that I know, it is the beautiful and privileged position of women in Islam. I have always felt that way growing up: protected, loved, secured and respected. I knew being a woman was special and I cherished the privileged that I was born into. Witnessing the way my father treated my mother and all his four daughters, I never doubted that Islam enjoined the treatment of women with kindness, love and most importantly, justice.

The coming of Islam has actually revolutionized the rights and elevated the status of women; bringing about changes in a time where women were never even considered worthy of basic fundamental rights such as the right to property and the right to life.

In Islam, women are given the same status as men in terms of spirituality and are equally esteemed in the eyes of Allah SWT. The myths that dominated the minds of medieval society whereby women were considered the root of all evil were thoroughly rejected in Islam. If we were to really learn about our religion, we would come to the realization that Islam recognizes women for what they are: the other half of men worthy of love, protection and above all, honour and respect.

The Prophet (PBUH) is quoted to have said that the best of us are those who are good to our wives. Unfortunately, there are many Muslims who do not practice this very fundamental aspect of Islam. The same goes for any religion; sometimes its adherents fail to practice the essence of their religious values.

Muslims are the same, imperfect just like any other human but what must be remembered is the actions of man do not always conform to what has been enjoined in Islam. If we want to understand the position of women in Islam, the best reference is always the Quran and the actions and sayings of the Prophet. Never be deceived by the negative messages others may throw your way. This is only part of the trials and tribulations Muslims must face, and we must be steadfast in our faith when others try to shake it.

To be honest, when I was growing up and I learned of certain Islamic laws that I felt were “unfair” towards women, I did not simply say what was on my mind. At the tender age of 7, I knew that it was wise to seek clarification. I remember asking my father why daughters received a lesser portion of inheritance than their male siblings. He explained to me the reason and wisdom behind this perceived “unfairness.” Women are given slightly less than men not because they are less important. Women are to be protected and taken care of in Islam. The bigger portion received by a son is not meant for him to keep in his pocket, it is not meant to enrich him to the detriment of his sisters but it is meant for him to provide and spend for the care and keep of the women he is responsible for: his mother, wife, daughters, sisters. This system Islam has designed was to ensure everyone is provided for.

The conventional system of wills and inheritance has no such rules; it is entirely up to the individual. This may seem “fair” but would it be fair to leave the mother of your children out of the will in favour of your younger wife? Or would it be just to bequeath your possessions to your pet cat, while your children get nothing? That is the danger in allowing the law of inheritance to be decided based on the whims and fancies of man. And it must be remembered that in Islam, the inheritance of women are for her alone, she is under no obligation to spend it for others. Islam gave women rights to property and inheritance in a time where many other cultures and religions did not. While there are those that do not understand the wisdom of this system, and are not responsible when it comes to the spending of their inheritance, it is the individual’s mistake which he will be made accountable for. It is not the mistake of Islam.

As a Muslim woman, I feel so blessed. When I doubt myself and feel that I do not do much for my family or society, I remember how much Islam reveres mothers and I am calm and contented. I also have much more appreciation for my own mother, as I have realized the pain she must have endured in giving birth to us, and nursing us for two years, and unselfishly sacrificing her time, and putting her dreams on hold just to raise us. No wonder Islam states that heaven under the feet of mothers, MasyaAllah. Nothing we children do could ever compensate for the difficulties our mothers had to go through in carrying us for 9 months, giving birth to us and raising us to become who we are today.

Islam recognizes and values the sacrifices of mothers, which is why mothers have a very special place in society and are to be treated with the highest respect. The prayers of a pregnant woman are 80 times better than that of the woman who is not. A woman who breastfeeds gets pahala for every drop of milk she feeds the child. A woman that does not sleep well at night because she tends to her sick child receives pahala as though she has freed twenty slaves. And when the Prophet was asked by a man who had the greatest right over him, the Prophet SAW replied, “Your mother,” three times before finally saying “Your father.”

We will see what we want to see. If we already have the misconception that Islam is unjust and treats women unfairly, then that is how we will see the Shariah to be. But if we were to try to understand, seek knowledge and learn why Allah has provided certain rules, then we would come to appreciate our faith even more. There are so many Quranic verses and Hadith demonstrating the importance of women, if only we choose to see. If we take the unprejudicial view and open our hearts to the truth, we would see that Islam is a religion that upholds the rights of all, including women who are, in Islam, the other half of men.

Despite the negative comments people may have of Islam and the misunderstandings concerning the position of women, I am extremely, unreservedly proud to be a Muslim woman, and I would gladly defend my beliefs. Being a Muslim woman? Truly, truly a blessing. May I be worthy of this great privilege. Amin.

Murni binti Wan Mohd Nor is a UPM lecturer in the field of government, civilizations studies. She is passionate about human rights issues and works towards promoting peace, understanding, respect and tolerance in a multi racial and multi religious country. She is the founder of the community group, The Middle Community. She is a Muslim, wife and mother first, above all else.