In His farewell speech at Arafah in the tenth year of Hijrah, the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said, " O people, your wives have certain rights over you and you have certain rights over them. Treat them well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers." The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam also said, " The best among you is the one who is best towards his wife."

These sayings clearly prove the important position given to women in Islam. But there are still people, who have misgivings about the status of women in Islam. To these people, the Muslim woman is seen almost as a prisoner, and as someone who has no right and is always living under the domination of man. These notions are totally wrong, and are based on ignorance rather than knowledge of Islam.

One of the rites of Haj is a fast walk between Safa and Marwah, which is observed to remember the event of Hazrat Hajra, the mother of Hazrat Ismail Alayhis Salam, who ran between these two hills to find water. This is another proof of the importance given to women in Islam. This position is further supported by press reports that 10 000 German, single professional women have embraced Islam in the past few years because they found their rights were sanctified in Islam.

May Almighty Allah give us all the right understanding, AMEEN.