The ‘partners of men’ are judged as their equals

God has placed men and women in equal positions, as counterparts to each other in duties, rulings and performing good deeds, the sermon will tell worshippers on Friday.

Women are mentioned throughout the Quran. One instance is in the start of Surat An-Nisaa (Chapter of women): “Oh mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women.” (An-Nisaa: 1). Prophet Mohammed said: “Indeed, women are the partners of men.”

When it comes to actions, men and women are judged equally – as is mentioned by God in the Quran.

“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while they are a believer – We will surely cause them to live a good life and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.” (An-Nahl: 97).

Islam attributes many privileges to women. One is the right to protect her earnings.

A right to education, at a time when they were solely considered homemakers, was also protected.

One of the first women mentioned in the history of Islam is Khadija bint Khuwailid. She was the first to believe in the Prophet, helped him in his cause and supported him with her wealth after they married.

Her daughter, Fatima bint Mohammed, set an example in defending her father and supporting her husband.

Worshippers will be told that Islam has opened all the doorways of goodness for women to play a positive role in building society and women have seized this opportunity.

Women have left their remarkable footprints in every walk of life, the sermon will say, before enjoining worshippers to pray to Allah to bless, protect and honour them in this world and in the Hereafter.