One of the most common criticisms brought forward by modern feminists against Islam is that it supposedly denies women their rights. They point to differences in certain rulings, such as inheritance shares, leadership roles, or the requirement of a wali (guardian) in marriage, as evidence of inequality. However, these arguments often come from viewing the world through a lens of identical treatment, rather than balanced justice.
Equality Is Not Sameness
In Islam, men and women are equal in worth, dignity, and spiritual accountability before Allah. The Qur’an is explicit:
“Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.” (Qur’an 49:13)
Yet equality in value does not mean sameness in function. Islam recognizes that men and women have different physical, emotional, and social strengths — and that a fair society is one that assigns rights and responsibilities according to these differences, not in denial of them.
Roles and Responsibilities
In Islam, men are given the role of qawwam — protectors and maintainers of women. This means that the financial burden, protection, and provision for the family are placed upon men, not women. A woman’s earnings are entirely her own, while a man’s income must be shared to provide for his dependents.
Some feminists point to differences in inheritance shares as unfair, but this is only when viewed without the context of responsibilities. A man may receive more in inheritance, but he is obligated to use that wealth for the benefit of others. A woman, by contrast, has no such obligation — what she inherits belongs to her alone.
The Wisdom Behind Different Rulings
The differences in rulings are not about superiority or inferiority — they are about aligning rights with responsibilities, and responsibilities with the inherent nature of men and women. For example:
- Men are physically stronger on average, and Islam tasks them with physical protection, public defense, and heavier financial obligations.
- Women have unique strengths in nurturing, emotional intelligence, and the shaping of future generations, and Islam grants them security, financial freedom, and social honor to fulfill that role.
Protection, Not Restriction
Many criticisms — such as the requirement for a wali in marriage — are misunderstood as restrictions, when in fact they are safeguards. A wali’s role is to ensure that a woman is entering a marriage with full protection of her rights, not to deny her autonomy.
Justice Over Ideology
The modern feminist idea often measures fairness by whether men and women are treated identically. Islam measures fairness by whether each person’s rights and duties are proportionate to their God-given role and capacity. It’s not about erasing differences, but about harmonizing them so that society functions with mercy, balance, and justice.
When viewed in this light, the supposed “lack” of women’s rights in Islam is not a deficiency — it is a tailored system of rights, responsibilities, and protections designed by the One who created both men and women.
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