Role of Muslim women in marriage (Part 2)

 In Islam, marriage is a sacred bond based on mutual love, compas­sion, and responsibility. The Qur’an describes spouses as “garments for one another” (Qur’an 2:187), symbol­ising protection, comfort, and dignity. Within this partnership, the role of the Muslim woman is vital for nurtur­ing both the husband and the wider family.

Her responsibilities to her husband include fostering mutual respect, sup­porting him emotionally, safeguarding the home, and preserving his honor in his absence, as enjoined in Qur’an 4:34. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasised kindness and mutual care, reminding husbands and wives that “the best among you are those who are best to their wives” (Tirmidhi, Hadith 3895).

To her children, a Muslim woman is the first teacher and nurturer, instill­ing faith, morality, and discipline. Her role extends beyond physical care to building strong spiritual foundations for future generations.

For the family as a whole, she cul­tivates an environment of mercy, pa­tience, and cooperation, ensuring the home remains a sanctuary of Islamic values. Thus, in marriage, the Muslim woman’s role is not one of subservi­ence, but of partnership and leadership in nurturing a righteous family, the cornerstone of a strong society.

Influential women in early Islam

Numerous women in Islamic history shaped the faith’s intellectual, social, and political foundations:

• Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA): A successful merchant and the Prophet’s first wife, she financed the early Muslim community and offered emotional support during the Prophet’s first revelations (Al-Bukhari, Sahih, Book 58).
• Aisha bint Abu Bakr (RA): Among the most influential scholars of Islam, narrating over 2,000 Hadiths, and teaching compan­ions jurisprudence, theology, and ethics (Abbott, 1985).
• Nusaybah bint Kaʿb (RA): A cou­rageous warrior, she protected the Prophet during the Battle of Uhud (Ibn Sa’d, Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir).
• Rufayda al-Aslamiyya (RA): Re­garded as the first Muslim nurse, she pioneered organized medical care during battles (Al-Tabari, History of the Prophets and Kings).

These examples challenge the stereotype of passive Muslim women; instead, they reveal active partici­pants in religious, economic, intel­lectual, and political life.

Contemporary challenges and misunderstandings

Although Islam introduced revo­lutionary rights for women, in many societies cultural traditions and patriarchal practices have overshad­owed its principles. This has led to widespread misunderstandings of women’s roles.

Hijab and public life: The Qur’an commands modesty in dress and be­haviour (Qur’an 24:31), but modesty is not intended as a barrier to education, professional careers, or community engagement. Many scholars emphasise that hijab symbolises dignity, identity, and moral consciousness rather than exclusion from public life (Cooke, 2004).

Women as homemakers only: While the role of a homemaker is deeply re­spected, Islam does not confine women to domestic spaces. Khadijah (RA), the Prophet’s first wife, was a prominent entrepreneur, and historical records show women in Medina engaging in trade and agriculture without restric­tion (Haddad & Esposito, 1998).

Economic dependency: Economic hardship makes exclusive dependency unrealistic. Islam permits women to work and support families, especially in cases of widowhood or financial strain (Qur’an 4:32).

By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author

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