Many Western people think that Muslims are a backwards people since some countries with a majority Muslim population are at an earlier stage of technological development.
Sometimes people also jump to conclusions that the countries are not technically advanced because Islam is a backwards religion. It easy to extend these assumptions to saying Muslims mistreat and oppress women.
Here are some interesting facts about the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him regarding women.
In 7th century Arabia women had few if any rights. Boys were preferred at birth and small girls were often buried alive out of shame.
The Prophet Muhammad forbid infanticide and establish explicit rights for women.
The revelation the Prophet Muhammad received from God granted women the rights toinheritance, property, social and marriage rights, including the right to reject the terms of a proposal and to initiate divorce. The Prophet Muhammad and his followers implemented these rights and ushered in the modern era of empowerment of women.
Women during the time of the Prophet were active in all spheres of society. They participated in the social, economic and intellectual affairs of the day. The Prophet Muhammad had consultations with the women in the community regarding policies and legislation. Women had the opportunity to question the Prophet and the rulers concerning such legislation.
The women in the generations that followed could overturn wrong verdicts based upon evidence based practices.
The Prophet Muhammad continually strove to establish the rights of woman as equals before God. This included elevating the status of a woman many times above her husband. Women should receive much higher respect given the important role played in family and educating children. The Prophet Muhammad would continually reprimand men for their poor treatment of women and children.
One of the most famous sayings of the Prophet Muhammad was that, "Heaven lies at the feet of mothers." The meaning is that we must humble ourselves at the feet of our mothers in honor of the suffering of child birth and the importance of child rearing.