With the increasing number of women embracing Islam, one might wonder: Why might women in Arab society have welcomed Islam? This article explores eight reasons why women are drawn to Islam and delves into the pre-Islamic conditions—which may even persist in some modern societies far from Islamic principles—to provide a clearer understanding. Keep reading to learn more!
Why Might Women In Arab Society Have Welcomed Islam?
Women in Arab society, as well as in modern Western societies, have welcomed Islam and continue to embrace it in increasing numbers for various reasons, including:
- Soul: Islam fulfills the spiritual needs of the soul.
- Body: Islam protects women’s bodies from being treated as commodities for men.
- Intellect: Islam encourages both men and women to seek knowledge and spread it.
- Freedom in Marriage: Women are given the right to choose their spouses with consent.
- Unique Parenting: Islam offers mothers a unique position with their sons and daughters.
- Financial Liberation: Islam grants women financial independence and rights.
- Equal Reward System: Islam promises equal rewards for men and women based on their deeds.
Let’s explore these points in detail.
1. Islam Saves Women from Infanticide and Encourges Well-treatment
Before Islam, some pagan Arabs practiced infanticide by burying their infant daughters alive due to fear of shame or poverty. The Quran highlights this practice:
“Whenever one of them is given the good news of a baby girl, his face grows gloomy as he suppresses his rage. He hides himself from the people because of the bad news he has received. Should he keep her in disgrace, or bury her alive in the ground?”
Islam abolished this inhumane practice, encouraging parents to treat their children well. It also motivated raising daughters by promising rewards, such as being with the Prophet in Paradise. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever supports two girls till they attain maturity, he and I will come on the Day of Resurrection like this,” and the Prophet joined his fingers to explain the near position of this person to him.[Sahih Muslim]
Read more: History of pre-Islamic Arabs
2. Islam Values Women’s Minds and Protects Their Bodies and Honor
Islam respects women by safeguarding their bodies, honoring their dignity, and valuing their intellect:
A. Strict boundaries to protect women:
Islam sets rules for interactions, requiring modest dress, forbidding unnecessary contact between men and women, and disallowing unrelated men and women to be alone together.
B. Respect for intellect:
Islam addresses women equally with men in learning and spreading knowledge. For example, Prophet Muhammad PBUH encourages all Muslims to learn saying:
“Whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him.”
[Sahih At-tirmidhi]
C. Role models in Islamic history:
The Quran encourages the Prophet’s wives to learn and teach representing them as role models for Muslim women:
“˹Always˺ remember what is recited in your homes of Allah’s revelations and ˹prophetic˺ wisdom.”
For example, A’ishah, the Prophet’s wife, became a great scholar known for her expertise in Islam, medicine, and Arabic. The Prophet also consulted his wives, showing their opinions mattered.
Before Islam, women were treated as mere objects for men’s desires, with no respect for their opinions or intellectual growth.
Read also: The Story of Umm Salama with Prophet Muhammad
3. Women in Islam Are Free to Choose Their Husbands
Before Islam, women were often married off based solely on their guardian’s decision. Islam introduced a revolutionary principle requiring the woman’s consent for marriage while maintaining the guardian’s advisory role keeping his permission for the official declaration of marriage. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“A woman who has been previously married should not be married until her permission is asked, nor should a virgin be married without her permission.”
Read more:
4. Islam Honors Mothers
Islam places immense importance on mothers and urges children to treat them with kindness and respect.
A man once asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), “Who among people is most deserving of my fine treatment?” He (ﷺ) replied, “Your mother.”
[Bukhari & Muslim]
Additionally, Islam promises mothers a great reward for raising children, starting from the hardships they endure during pregnancy.
Read more: Status of parents in Islam
5. The Right of Women to Inheritance Is Guaranteed in Islam
In pre-Islamic Arabia, women were denied inheritance, as it was reserved for men who could fight in wars. The Quran eliminated this injustice by allocating specific shares to men, women, and children:
“For men there is a share in what their parents and close relatives leave, and for women there is a share in what their parents and close relatives leave—whether it is little or much.” [Quran, 4:7]
Islam also prohibited treating women as part of the inheritance passed to heirs.
Read more:
6. Islam Gives Women Financial Liberation
Islam honors women financially in two major ways:
Financial support from male guardians: Fathers, husbands, or brothers are responsible for providing for women. Women are not obligated to contribute financially unless they choose to.
Independent financial rights: Islam grants women the right to possess money separate from that of her father or husband and recognizes her transactions in dealing with this money.
7. Equal Rewards for Men and Women in Islam
Islam ensures equal rewards for men and women for their good deeds, as stated in the Quran:
“So their Lord responded to them (believers): ‘I will never deny any of you—male or female—the reward of your deeds. Both are equal in reward.’”
8. Islam Fulfills the Requirements of the Soul
Women find in Islam a perfect balance between the needs of the body and soul, enabling them to navigate life’s heavy responsibilities. Islam offers women the opportunity to express their complaints and suffering directly to Almighty God, elevating them spiritually through prayers and various acts of worship.
This balance of rights, respect, and equality offered by Islam made it appealing to women in Arab society.
Do you want to know why Islam is the fastest-growing religion? Read these articles:
- The Spread of Islam With Timeline and Map!
- Why is Islam the Fastest-growing Religion?
- 8 Reasons Why You Should Be a Muslim?
Conclusion
To conclude, do you know that the number of women embracing Islam in the West is increasing, much like their early acceptance of Islam in Arab society? This article highlights the key reasons women are drawn to Islam, supported by Islamic principles and traditions from the Quran and the Prophet’s teachings.
Do you want to learn more about the status of women in Islam? Send your questions now!
