Seyedeh Nahid Mousavi, a researcher in Quranic sciences, stated in an interview :
in religious teachings, both men and women share the same essence of humanity. They are of the same origin, created from one source, and are imbued with the divine nature of monotheism.
First View: Women as object
She continued by stating that throughout history, many schools of thought, ideologies, and discussions have emerged about the status of women. Western perspectives and non-Islamic philosophies have often been skeptical about whether women should even be considered fully human, viewing them as mere tools or commodities, devoid of value or identity.
Second View: Women Equal to Men
Mousavi added that another viewpoint focuses on individual rights and women’s freedom, where women are pushed to work and become equal to men in order to make a living. This perspective has led women to enter new fields and redefine their roles. However, in Islam, women are equal to men in fulfilling personal and collective responsibilities, as well as in receiving rewards for good deeds. A woman is recognized as an independent entity with human qualities, neither inferior nor deviant compared to a man.
She remarked that radical feminists consider pregnancy a physiological trait that creates inequality between men and women, forcing women into the roles of motherhood and nursing. In contrast, Islam recognizes women as equal partners with men in the reproduction of humanity. Both men and women are necessary for life; men are fathers, and women are mothers.
Third View: Islam’s Respect for Women’s Nature
Mousavi pointed out that Islam offers women a role and a life that align with their natural disposition, providing them complete security. Western critics, through projection, have continually accused Islam of subjugating women, yet the Quran, in recognizing the essence and human identity, treats both men and women as equals.
She further explained that Islam does not reject clear logical or experiential truths, citing the verse of the Quran: “The male is not like the female” (Al-Imran 3:63). Islamic texts discuss the similarities and differences between men and women and their implications in various fields.
She stressed that the distinction between equality and similarity is crucial. Equality is desirable and just, while similarity is not. People are not created identical but are created equal. Recognizing this distinction leaves no room for the belief that women are inferior to men.
Mousavi added that there is no justification for the belief that a woman’s importance is lesser than a man’s simply because she does not have the same rights. If a woman’s role were identical to that of a man, she would become just another version of him. The fact that Islam grants women equal but not identical rights is a sign of Islam’s correct understanding of women’s roles, recognizing them as independent and valuable individuals.
She further pointed out historical evidence showing that women in early Islamic society actively participated in public life, especially in times of crisis. They accompanied the Islamic army in wars, tending to the wounded and providing supplies, proving that they were not confined or considered less important or soulless.
Women as Role Models for Society
Mousavi, a cultural activist, noted that a Muslim woman can undoubtedly be an exemplary figure for all humanity, regardless of religious affiliation. Feminism, she explained, is a natural reaction to the status of women in the West. While we do not deny the historical oppression of women, we differ in the methods used to address this issue. Western civilization seeks to elevate men as the superior gender, leading women to adopt male roles as their model, often pursuing what are considered “male” endeavors.
Regarding women who serve as role models in the Quran, Mousavi mentioned that the Quran in Surah At-Tahrim presents the wives of Prophet Noah and Prophet Lot as examples of disbelieving women, despite being married to prophets. In contrast, Allah elevates Asiya, the wife of Pharaoh, and Maryam (Mary), the mother of Jesus, as exemplary models for all believers, men and women alike. If all men of the world seek to be devout, their role models should be these two women.
She also reminded that the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, during a meeting with various groups of women in 2022, stated: “In contrast to the Western civilization that elevates the ‘man’ as the role model, the Quran has placed the ‘woman’ as the role model—not just for women but for all of humanity, both in disbelief and faith.”
The Role of Women in the Family is Irreplaceable
Mousavi emphasized that employment should not be a woman’s primary focus since she is the cultural and emotional center of the family. Her natural role in the family is irreplaceable, and earning a living is not a religious or legal obligation for women. The current trend of women feeling the need to work as a necessity is a false notion, stemming from the displacement of values and imitation of Western culture and modernity.
The writer and researcher concluded that the Islamic legal system upholds the dignity and integrity of women, and any societal practices that degrade or belittle women, especially legal systems that undermine women’s rights, lose their validity in the light of Islam. The differences in rights are not meant to subjugate women or diminish their femininity; rather, they are rooted in natural differences and the various paths toward achieving perfection.