The creation of woman from man was a token of Allah's mercy upon man. But showing no discrimination between the purposes of the two, by stating all of mankind share the same common purpose to worship and serve Allah, states the equal worth of both before the Creator.

Allah (SWT) created the first man Adam (AS) and then made the first woman to be his soul mate and companion through the journey of life.

"O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, who created you from a single person and from him created his wife and from them both scattered many men and women; and fear Allah through whom you demand (your mutual rights) of each other, and the wombs (that bore you). Surely Allah is ever a watcher over you." - Qur'an, 4:1.

Further to that Allah stated:

"I have created Jinn and Mankind that they serve me." - Qur'an, 51:56

Women In Islam - A comparative look...

Before the advent of Islam, women were considered to have only one purpose all over the world - To serve Men. It was the Qur'an that declared that she too was only created for Allah (as seen in the above verse) - in that regard, was a complete equal to man.

The Messenger of Allah said clearly - "Women are the twin halves of men." - at Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud

It was also through Allah's final word that women for the first time were given constitutional rights as in marriage, divorce and the ability to own possessions.

Yet at the same time, Islam does not mistake equality of worth for  sameness in roles. Since it is obvious that men and women have been created differently both physically and psychologically, it is also clear that both have been made for distinct, though equally important, roles. In Islam - Allah dignifies both men and women in their distinctiveness, not sameness, while maintaining that in the most meaningful sense of equality, before the Creator - they both are the same.

"And whosoever does deeds of righteousness, whether male or female and has faith, these will enter Paradise and not the least injustice will be done to them." - Qur'an - 4-124

From the glance at history it becomes clear that the female gender was held in very low esteem indeed in almost all societies. In pre Islamic Arabia fathering a daughter was considered to be such a loss and an insult that men would often bury their daughters alive. It's worth mentioning that the fact that women in the modern world are able to work and own property etc.. is not due to the kindness of the men of the West. It is actually achieved through long and painful struggle on the part of woman and then, too, only when society needed her contribution. Islam had first liberated women before the word 'liberate' even came into fashion.

Islam was aware of the injustices that male dominated societies historically had been guilty towards the weaker sex. Women the world over were treated so inferior to men that it was almost as if they did not belong to the human race.  Physically not having the strength to stand up for themselves and being therefore subjected to men, women were in many  places, still are today overlooked and treated with harshness and cruelty. It is for this reason that Islam emphasised compassion towards women so strongly to men, declaring it even a part of faith itself.

Islam recognised the fundamental differences between men and women - that the needs of each were different to the other. Modern research has arrived at the same conclusion that traditional wisdom had always held. That while a man's primary need is to be respected, a woman's primary need is to feel cherished. So the teachings of Islam emphasised at every juncture kindness to and good treatment of women. It is interesting to note that some women (who have no problem with the idea of keeping the boss and clients happy at work with painted smiles and short skirts) may object to statements like this as sexist. The fact of the matter is Allah has placed duties and responsibilities on every human being in the context of his or her relationship to others. Discharging one's duties to Allah and to those whose duties one has been charged with by Allah is what earns one Allah's pleasure and with it the triumph of Jannah.

In conclusion - in Islam the role of women is unique. If we are to look historically at the different empires and nations and even religions that have had their rise and fall, it can be clearly noted that including the prominent ones like the Roman, Greek, Babylonian, Persian and Indian empires none of them had any recordable contributions made by women. The situation of Islam is different. Without any exaggeration a massive contribution was made by women. It is quite possible that this has created a sense of belonging for women towards Islam, as it would explain why yearly we see that the majority of converts in many areas are women, despite all the negative portrayals by the media and also many Muslims in their promoting their national customs in the guise of Islam. In this day and age the role of women in Islam is thought of as restricted, whereas this is not the case. Women are recognised as a nation and standard builders, and their ability of being better teachers and instructors than men, for younger children especially, is unparalleled. They are the ideal teachers of the leaders of tomorrow.

Thus did the final revealed guidance to mankind, Islam - restore to women the wholeness that Allah had created them with. The whole of nature testifies to the balance of Allah's creation. Where there is Heaven there is Earth, where there is night there is day, where there is fire there is water. Neither is more important than the other. Each is vital to maintain the harmony of being. It is  the same balance that Allah made man and woman. To live together in a mutual exchange of gifts. Allah has vested each with and establish peace. The teachings of Islam, therefore reflect the balance, justice and wisdom one would expect from the Creator of man and woman.

"Glory be to Him who created all pairs from that which the Earth produces, and from their own selves, and from that of which they have no knowledge." - Qur'an: 36:36

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