# What Does Islam Say About Women? > The Qur’an says God will not lose the work of a man or a woman, and that believing men and women are allies. It also gives men charge over women, a double share of inheritance to a son, and two women as witnesses for one man. - Canonical: https://apologetics.wiki/islam/women-in-islam - Religions: Islam - Denominations: none - Beliefs: none - Tags: islam, women - Updated: 2026-10-12 The Qur’an says a woman’s work is not lost, that believing men and women are allies, and that Mary was chosen above the women of the worlds. The same book puts men in charge of women, gives a son twice a daughter’s inheritance, and counts two women as witnesses where one man would do. Christians say male and female are both in the image of God, and that Jesus is God. ## Key Points - [Qur’an 4:1](https://quran.com/4/1) says God created mankind from one soul and from it its mate. [Qur’an 3:195](https://quran.com/3/195) says he will not lose the work of any worker, male or female. [Qur’an 9:71](https://quran.com/9/71) says believing men and believing women are allies. - [Qur’an 4:34](https://quran.com/4/34) says men are in charge of women, and it lists advise, forsake in bed, and strike. [Qur’an 2:228](https://quran.com/2/228) says the men have a degree over them. - [Qur’an 4:11](https://quran.com/4/11) gives the male a share equal to two females. [Qur’an 2:282](https://quran.com/2/282) says a debt may be witnessed by two men, or by one man and two women so that if one errs the other can remind her. - [Qur’an 4:3](https://quran.com/4/3) allows marriage to two, three, or four, or to those the right hand possesses if a man fears he will not be just. [Qur’an 4:19](https://quran.com/4/19) forbids inheriting women by compulsion and says to live with them in kindness. [Qur’an 33:50](https://quran.com/33/50) makes a wider list of wives lawful for the Prophet only. - [Qur’an 3:42](https://quran.com/3/42) says Mary was chosen above the women of the worlds. [Sahih al-Bukhari 3769](https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3769) names Mary and Asiya. [Sahih al-Bukhari 3815](https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3815) names Mary and Khadija. [Which Muslims Accept Which Hadith?](/islam/which-muslims-accept-which-hadith) - [Genesis 1:27](/bible/genesis/1/27) says God created male and female in his image. [Galatians 3:28](/bible/galatians/3/28) says in Christ there is neither male nor female. Husbands are told to love their wives as Christ loved the church ([Ephesians 5:25](/bible/ephesians/5/25)). ## One Soul, and Work That Is Not Lost [Qur’an 4:1](https://quran.com/4/1) says God created mankind from one soul and created from it its mate, and dispersed from both many men and women. [Qur’an 4:32](https://quran.com/4/32) says men have a share of what they earned and women have a share of what they earned. [Qur’an 16:97](https://quran.com/16/97) says whoever does righteousness, male or female, while a believer, will be given a good life and a reward. [Qur’an 33:35](https://quran.com/33/35) pairs Muslim men and Muslim women, believing men and believing women, and ends in forgiveness and a great reward. [Qur’an 3:195](https://quran.com/3/195) (Saheeh International) says: > Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another. [Qur’an 9:71](https://quran.com/9/71) says the believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, establish prayer, give zakat, and obey God and his messenger. Those lines are in the book. So are the lines below. [What Do Muslims Believe?](/islam/what-do-muslims-believe) ## Men in Charge [Qur’an 4:34](https://quran.com/4/34) (Saheeh International) says: > Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allāh has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allāh would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them [lightly]. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allāh is ever Exalted and Grand. The word “lightly” sits in the translator’s brackets. The sequence is advise, forsake in bed, and strike. [Qur’an 2:228](https://quran.com/2/228) says divorced women wait three periods, that husbands have more right to take them back in that period if they want reconciliation, that wives are due similar to what is expected of them, and that the men have a degree over them. Dress is a separate page. [Qur’an 24:31](https://quran.com/24/31) and [Qur’an 33:59](https://quran.com/33/59) are quoted on [Why Do Muslim Women Wear the Hijab?](/islam/why-do-muslim-women-wear-the-hijab). Those verses do not mention a bra. ## Inheritance and Witnesses [Qur’an 4:11](https://quran.com/4/11) says God instructs concerning children: for the male, a share equal to that of two females. If there are only daughters, two or more, they receive two thirds. One daughter receives half. Parents receive shares as well, after a bequest or a debt. [Qur’an 2:282](https://quran.com/2/282) is a rule for writing down a debt. It says to bring two witnesses from among the men. If there are not two men, then one man and two women from those accepted as witnesses, so that if one of the women errs, the other can remind her. The verse is about that contract. It is still a rule that counts two women for one man. [What Is Sharia Law?](/islam/what-is-sharia-law) is the path the Qur’an calls an ordained way, beside the later law books. ## Marriage [Qur’an 4:19](https://quran.com/4/19) says it is not lawful to inherit women by compulsion, and it says to live with them in kindness. [Qur’an 4:3](https://quran.com/4/3) says marry two, three, or four of the women who seem good, and if you fear you will not be just, then one, or those your right hand possesses. That last phrase is the Qur’an’s wording for captives. [What Does the Qur’an Say About Slavery?](/islam/what-does-the-quran-say-about-slavery) [Qur’an 33:50](https://quran.com/33/50) makes a longer list of wives lawful for the Prophet, and it says this is only for him, not for the other believers. The wives and the report about Aisha’s age are on [How Many Wives Did Muhammad Have?](/islam/muhammads-wives) and [How Old Was Aisha When She Married Muhammad?](/islam/how-old-was-aisha). Marriage between a Christian and a Muslim is [Can a Christian and a Muslim Marry?](/islam/can-a-christian-and-a-muslim-marry). [Qur’an 2:228](https://quran.com/2/228) also says it is not lawful for a divorced woman to conceal what God has created in her womb. That is the verse’s pregnancy line. It is about the waiting period, not a separate medical code. ## Mary, Khadija, and Aisha [Qur’an 3:42](https://quran.com/3/42) says the angels told Mary that God had chosen her and purified her and chosen her above the women of the worlds. [Qur’an 3:36](https://quran.com/3/36) includes “the male is not like the female” in the mother’s words at Mary’s birth. [Sahih al-Bukhari 3769](https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3769) (Muhammad Muhsin Khan) says: > Many amongst men attained perfection but amongst women none attained the perfection except Mary, the daughter of `Imran and Asiya, the wife of Pharaoh. The same report says Aisha’s superiority to other women is like the superiority of tharid to other meals. [Sahih al-Bukhari 3815](https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3815) says the best of the world’s women is Mary in her lifetime, and the best of the world’s women is Khadija in her lifetime. These are Sunni hadith. They praise those women. They do not cancel 4:34 or 4:11. ## The Christian Claim The Qur’an really does say a woman’s work is not lost, and it really does say men are in charge and may strike. Christians start from a different sentence. [Genesis 1:27](/bible/genesis/1/27) says God created man in his own image, male and female. [Galatians 3:28](/bible/galatians/3/28) says there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [Ephesians 5:25](/bible/ephesians/5/25) tells husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it. [1 Peter 3:7](/bible/1-peter/3/7) tells husbands to dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor to the wife as the weaker vessel and as heirs together of the grace of life. The Christ of those verses is God the Son, not a later prophet. [The Deity of Christ](/christianity/deity-of-christ) [What Is the Difference Between Islam and Christianity?](/islam/islam-vs-christianity) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Does Islam Respect Women? [Qur’an 3:195](https://quran.com/3/195) and [Qur’an 9:71](https://quran.com/9/71) honor a woman’s work and call believing women allies. [Qur’an 4:34](https://quran.com/4/34) and [Qur’an 4:11](https://quran.com/4/11) give men charge, a strike, and a double share. Both sets of verses are in the book. ### Is Wearing a Bra Compulsory in Islam? [Qur’an 24:31](https://quran.com/24/31) and [Qur’an 33:59](https://quran.com/33/59) set covering. They do not mention a bra. [Why Do Muslim Women Wear the Hijab?](/islam/why-do-muslim-women-wear-the-hijab) ### Who Are the Best Women in Islam? Bukhari 3769 names Mary and Asiya, and compares Aisha to other women as tharid to other meals. Bukhari 3815 names Mary and Khadija. [Qur’an 3:42](https://quran.com/3/42) says Mary was chosen above the women of the worlds. ### Why Do Women Follow Islam? The Qur’an promises believing women the gardens ([Qur’an 9:72](https://quran.com/9/72)) and sets the rules on this page. It does not publish a survey of why a woman joins. ### What Aren’t Women Allowed to Do in Islam? The Qur’an does not print one list under that heading. It does set the inheritance share, the two-woman witness in a debt contract, the degree in 2:228, the charge and the strike in 4:34, and the hijab verses linked above. ### What Is the Worst Sin in Islam? [Qur’an 4:48](https://quran.com/4/48) says God does not forgive association with him, and he forgives what is less than that for whom he wills. [Sahih al-Bukhari 4761](https://sunnah.com/bukhari:4761) calls the biggest sin setting up a rival to God, though he alone created you. [Do Muslims Believe in Heaven?](/islam/do-muslims-believe-in-heaven) ## Keep Reading - [Why Do Muslim Women Wear the Hijab?](/islam/why-do-muslim-women-wear-the-hijab) - [How Many Wives Did Muhammad Have?](/islam/muhammads-wives) - [How Old Was Aisha When She Married Muhammad?](/islam/how-old-was-aisha) - [Can a Christian and a Muslim Marry?](/islam/can-a-christian-and-a-muslim-marry) - [What Is Sharia Law?](/islam/what-is-sharia-law) - [What Do Muslims Believe?](/islam/what-do-muslims-believe) ## Passages Quoted on This Page ### Qur’an 4:1 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/4/1) > O 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. And fear Allāh, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allāh is ever, over you, an Observer. ### Qur’an 3:195 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/3/195) > And their Lord responded to them, "Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another. So those who emigrated or were evicted from their homes or were harmed in My cause or fought or were killed - I will surely remove from them their misdeeds, and I will surely admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow as reward from Allāh, and Allāh has with Him the best reward." ### Qur’an 9:71 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/9/71) > The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakāh and obey Allāh and His Messenger. Those - Allāh will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise. ### Qur’an 2:228 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/2/228) > Divorced women remain in waiting [i.e., do not remarry] for three periods, and it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allāh has created in their wombs if they believe in Allāh and the Last Day. And their husbands have more right to take them back in this [period] if they want reconciliation. And due to them [i.e., the wives] is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable. But the men [i.e., husbands] have a degree over them [in responsibility and authority]. And Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise. ### Qur’an 4:11 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/4/11) > Allāh instructs you concerning your children [i.e., their portions of inheritance]: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females. But if there are [only] daughters, two or more, for them is two thirds of one's estate. And if there is only one, for her is half. And for one's parents, to each one of them is a sixth of his estate if he left children. But if he had no children and the parents [alone] inherit from him, then for his mother is one third. And if he had brothers [and/or sisters], for his mother is a sixth, after any bequest he [may have] made or debt. Your parents or your children - you know not which of them are nearest to you in benefit. [These shares are] an obligation [imposed] by Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise. ### Qur’an 2:282 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/2/282) > O you who have believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it down. And let a scribe write [it] between you in justice. Let no scribe refuse to write as Allāh has taught him. So let him write and let the one who has the obligation [i.e., the debtor] dictate. And let him fear Allāh, his Lord, and not leave anything out of it. But if the one who has the obligation is of limited understanding or weak or unable to dictate himself, then let his guardian dictate in justice. And bring to witness two witnesses from among your men. And if there are not two men [available], then a man and two women from those whom you accept as witnesses - so that if one of them [i.e., the women] errs, then the other can remind her. And let not the witnesses refuse when they are called upon. And do not be [too] weary to write it, whether it is small or large, for its [specified] term. That is more just in the sight of Allāh and stronger as evidence and more likely to prevent doubt between you, except when it is an immediate transaction which you conduct among yourselves. For [then] there is no blame upon you if you do not write it. And take witnesses when you conclude a contract. Let no scribe be harmed or any witness. For if you do so, indeed, it is [grave] disobedience in you. And fear Allāh. And Allāh teaches you. And Allāh is Knowing of all things. ### Qur’an 4:3 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/4/3) > And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hands possess [i.e., slaves]. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice]. ### Qur’an 4:19 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/4/19) > O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion. And do not make difficulties for them in order to take [back] part of what you gave them unless they commit a clear immorality [i.e., adultery]. And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them - perhaps you dislike a thing and Allāh makes therein much good. ### Qur’an 33:50 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/33/50) > O Prophet, indeed We have made lawful to you your wives to whom you have given their due compensation and those your right hand possesses from what Allāh has returned to you [of captives] and the daughters of your paternal uncles and the daughters of your paternal aunts and the daughters of your maternal uncles and the daughters of your maternal aunts who emigrated with you and a believing woman if she gives herself to the Prophet [and] if the Prophet wishes to marry her; [this is] only for you, excluding the [other] believers. We certainly know what We have made obligatory upon them concerning their wives and those their right hands possess, [but this is for you] in order that there will be upon you no discomfort [i.e., difficulty]. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful. ### Qur’an 3:42 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/3/42) > And [mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allāh has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds. ### Sahih al-Bukhari 3769 Muhammad Muhsin Khan. [Open on sunnah.com](https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3769) > Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Many amongst men attained perfection but amongst women none attained the perfection except Mary, the daughter of `Imran and Asiya, the wife of Pharaoh. And the superiority of `Aisha to other women is like the superiority of Tharid (i.e. an Arabic dish) to other meals." ### Sahih al-Bukhari 3815 Muhammad Muhsin Khan. [Open on sunnah.com](https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3815) > Narrated `Ali: I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying (as below) Narrated `Ali: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The best of the world's women is Mary (at her lifetime), and the best of the world's women is Khadija (at her lifetime). ### Genesis 1:27 King James Version. > So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. ### Galatians 3:28 King James Version. > There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. ### Ephesians 5:25 King James Version. > Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; ### Qur’an 4:32 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/4/32) > And do not wish for that by which Allāh has made some of you exceed others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned. And ask Allāh of His bounty. Indeed Allāh is ever, of all things, Knowing. ### Qur’an 16:97 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/16/97) > Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him 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. ### Qur’an 33:35 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/33/35) > Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allāh often and the women who do so - for them Allāh has prepared forgiveness and a great reward. ### Qur’an 24:31 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/24/31) > And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment [i.e., beauty] except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess [i.e., slaves], or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allāh in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed. ### Qur’an 33:59 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/33/59) > O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful. ### Qur’an 3:36 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/3/36) > But when she delivered her, she said, "My Lord, I have delivered a female." And Allāh was most knowing of what she delivered, and the male is not like the female. "And I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge for her in You and [for] her descendants from Satan, the expelled [from the mercy of Allāh]." ### 1 Peter 3:7 King James Version. > Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. ### Qur’an 9:72 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/9/72) > Allāh has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence; but approval from Allāh is greater. It is that which is the great attainment. ### Qur’an 4:48 Saheeh International. [Open on quran.com](https://quran.com/4/48) > Indeed, Allāh does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allāh has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin. ### Sahih al-Bukhari 4761 Muhammad Muhsin Khan. [Open on sunnah.com](https://sunnah.com/bukhari:4761) > Narrated `Abdullah: I or somebody, asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) "Which is the biggest sin in the Sight of Allah?" He said, "That you set up a rival (in worship) to Allah though He Alone created you." I asked, "What is next?" He said, "Then, that you kill your son, being afraid that he may share your meals with you." I asked, "What is next?" He said, "That you commit illegal sexual intercourse with the wife of your neighbor." Then the following Verse was revealed to confirm the statement of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ): "Those who invoke not with Allah, any other god, nor kill life as Allah has forbidden except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse." (25.68) ## Sources Numbered to match the HTML References list. Item 1 is `#ref-1` under `#references`. Scripture links to the King James Version on this site. 1. [Qur’an, 3:195; 4:1; 9:71; 33:35; 4:34; 2:228; 4:11; 2:282; 4:3; 4:19; 33:50; 3:42; 4:48](https://quran.com/3/195) (Saheeh International, as published on Quran.com. The link is the first passage. Square brackets are the translator’s explanations. In 4:34, “lightly” is the translator’s bracket.) 2. [Sahih al-Bukhari 3769, Mary and Asiya](https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3769) (Muhammad Muhsin Khan. Sunni hadith.) 3. [Sahih al-Bukhari 3815, Mary and Khadija](https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3815) (Muhammad Muhsin Khan.) 4. [Sahih al-Bukhari 4761, The greatest sins](https://sunnah.com/bukhari:4761) (Muhammad Muhsin Khan.) 5. [Genesis, 1:27](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/genesis/1/27). King James Version 6. [Letter to the Galatians, 3:28](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/galatians/3/28). King James Version 7. [Letter to the Ephesians, 5:25](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/ephesians/5/25). King James Version 8. [First Letter of Peter, 3:7](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/1-peter/3/7). King James Version ## See Also - [Can a Christian and a Muslim Marry?](https://apologetics.wiki/islam/can-a-christian-and-a-muslim-marry) — Qur’an 5:5 permits marriage to chaste women from the People of the Scripture. Qur’an 2:221 and 60:10 restrict marriage to polytheists and disbelievers. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says not to be unequally yoked. - [Can God Have a Son?](https://apologetics.wiki/islam/can-god-have-a-son) — The Qur'an condemns the claim that God has taken a son, especially a son by a consort. Christians deny that picture and still confess the eternal Son. - [Did Jesus Die on the Cross?](https://apologetics.wiki/islam/did-jesus-die-on-the-cross) — The Qur'an is widely read as saying Jesus was not crucified. The Gospels, Paul, and two Roman-era historians say he was. - [Did Paul Invent Christianity?](https://apologetics.wiki/islam/did-paul-invent-christianity) — Muslims often say Paul turned the prophet Jesus into a divine saviour. The creed he says he received, and the apostles he names, are the test of that claim. - [Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God?](https://apologetics.wiki/islam/do-muslims-and-christians-worship-the-same-god) — Is Allah the same God? Muslims and Christians both confess one Creator, the God of Abraham. They do not confess the same account of who that God is: Christians say Jesus is God, and the Qur'an denies it.