According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, empowerment is defined as “the act or action of empowering someone or something”, “the granting of the power, right, or authority to perform various acts or duties” or “the state of being empowered to do something”. Thus, this term carries different meanings and interpretations depending on the context.
Similarly, the term “Women Empowerment”, which has become a buzz word in the current times, has different meanings in different religious and cultural contexts. It is generally defined as “promoting women’s sense of self-worth, their ability to determine their own choices, and their right to influence social change for themselves and others”. Although the concept of women empowerment can be perceived in various ways, I would like to throw light on women empowerment within the framework of Islam.
Islam is the religion of humanity and thus addresses the social, political, economic, spiritual, ethical, legal, biological (and other) aspects of humans—both male and female. Rather than offering a singular definition, Islam empowers women through diverse means—be it that the woman is a mother or a sister or wife. That is to say, Islam believes in equality, as all human beings have sprung from the common ancestor (Adam and Hawwa/ Eve), and therefore stand equal in their status. The Qur’an says: “O Mankind! Be conscious of your Sustainer, who has created you out of one living entity” (Surah al-Nisa, 4: 1) and “O mankind! We have created all of you from a single male and a female” (Surah al-Hujrat, Q. 49: 13). These verses not only affirm the single source of our creation but also highlight that every person, be it a man or a woman, is equal in the eyes of Almighty and of the law.
In other words it means that in Islamic perspective, man and woman have been created from same source; that there is no difference between a man and woman on the grounds of their status, rights and blessings; and that both men and women are equal contributors so far as the carrying out of the functions of daily living is concerned.
Islam liberated women from the slavery of men and gave her equal rights and recognized her individuality as a human being. Islam improved the status of women by instituting rights of property ownership, inheritance, education, marriage and (even) divorce. In the Qur’an a full surah is named as “Women/ an-Nisa” (Q. 4); another surah is named after a woman (Maryam/ Mary, Q. 19); in many verses the Qur’an refers men and women separately (e.g., Q. 9: 71-72 and 33: 35); and many believing women are mentioned by name in the Qur’an and are portrayed as “role models”.
During the golden period of Islamic history, women enjoyed their real status and rights and if we look into the pages of history, we come across a number of Muslim women who have made a significant contribution to various fields of knowledge. Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid (RA), the first wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was a successful business woman, who was known for her intelligence, wisdom and generosity. Aisha Bint Abu Bakr (RA), wife of the Prophet (PBUH), and the daughter of first Caliph of Islam Abu Bakr, is reported to have narrated over 3,000 Ahadith (Prophetic sayings) and played a significant role in educating both men and women in matters of faith and jurisprudence. Ummi Salma (RA) was known for her wisdom, diplomatic skills, insightful advice and for her role in resolving the conflicts within the Muslim Community.
Moving ahead, one also finds many examples of Muslim female spiritual personalities like Rabia al-Basri and Fatima Binte al-Muthanna; acclaimed teachers of Islamic sciences like Umm Hani; rulers like Razia Sultana, ruler of the Delhi Sultanate in India; the Mamluk queen Shajarat al-Durr in Egypt. In the modern period, to speak in the Indian context, one finds a number of Muslim women who have been at the forefront in various fields—art and science, politics and nation-building, socio-educational reform and literature, etc.— For example, in literature we come across the names like Ismat Chughtai, Attia Hossein and Qurratulain Hyder. In Kashmir too, we come across names like Habba Khatoon and Lala Ded in pre-modern times and educationists like Ateeqa Bano in the present times.
Therefore, it becomes evident that Islam treats men and women alike, and Islam has not oppressed, but liberated women, which is empowerment of women in the actual sense.

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