There is no doubt that history is the mirror of cultures and civilizations throughout the world. Without people’s real actions and application, the reality of people’s thoughts and beliefs would not be recognized. The place of these thoughts and beliefs are the minds and the hearts. The elements of the environment for applying these actions and following these beliefs are people, place, time and circumstances.

This application is the real interpretation of the theory from whose words many meanings could be understood. Based on this meaning, jurists in some cases have given priority to the Prophet’s [pbuh] actions over his sayings. Rather, they sometimes regard the actions of his companion’s as clear proof of the ruling.

We have discussed the status of women in the Qur’an and the Sunnah, and I have dealt with many misconceptions about woman from the perspective of the juristic legacy, which have arisen intentionally or unintentionally by the West who sees them as weak views in Islam.

Now, let us review the condition of woman throughout Islamic history that proves the dignity and protection of woman and her equality with men as they are the two pillars of humanity. In fact, history presents many women who have had an impact on the Muslim Ummah and have made great contributions in all fields of life.

The glorious role of woman started in the very early stage of Islam. She was the first to believe in Prophet Muhammad [pbuh], the first martyr, and the first person after Prophet Lut [pbuh] to immigrate for the sake of God [swt]. ‘Aishah [raah] was the most beloved person to the Prophet [pbuh]. Khadijah [raah], his first wife, was the first person to believe in him. She was his supporter and protector; and the mother of his children. He called the year in which she died the Year of Grief.

Sumayyah [raah], daughter of  Al-Khayyat , wife of Yasser, and mother of Ammar [raa] was the first martyr in Islam. She was stronger than her son in faith when she refused, under torture, to insult the Prophet [pbuh] or to utter words of disbelief. Rather, she held on to her faith in the Prophet [pbuh] till she was killed. Ruqayyah [raah], daughter of the Prophet [pbuh], was the first to immigrate for the sake of God [swt], with her husband ‘Uthman Ibn ‘Affan [raa]. [At-Tabarani]

Fatimah and ‘Aishah [raah] were the most loved ones to the Prophet [pbuh]. It is narrated that the Prophet [pbuh] said when he was asked, ‘Who do you love the most, O Messenger of Allah?’ He [pbuh] replied, ‘Fatimah’. In another narration from Anas [raa], he said when he was asked, ‘Who do you love the most, O Messenger of Allah?’ He replied: ‘A’ishah.’ The man said, ‘And from men.’ The Prophet [pbuh] said, ‘Her father, Abu Bakr.’

The status of woman in Islam is not only restricted to their being the first believer, martyr or immigrant or the most beloved of the Prophet [pbuh]; rather, she has been elevated throughout the ages, and became a ruler, a judge, a teacher, a soldier, a mufti, a scholar, a leader of Hisbah [executive authority], and other positions which are all recorded in Islamic history.