Assalamualaikum wbt,

Thank you to Mr. Chairperson, honorable judges, time keeper, teachers and friends.

The beauty of a woman

must be seen from her eyes;

Because that's the doorway to her heart,

the place where love resides.

It's the caring that she cares to give,

the passion that she shows;

And the beauty of a woman

with passing years only grows.

Today, I would like to deliver a speech entitle “The Role of Women in Islam”.

Ladies and gentlemen,

What is the meaning of role?

Role means the degree somebody or something and the effect that, they have on it. Hence, the

role of women in Islam can be summarized as how the Muslim women give impacts or effect

to the whole nation.

Allah the Almighty stated many times in the holy Quran about the role of women an

even dedicated a whole surah which is Surah An-Nisa’. Therefore here I will highlight

women’s role in Islam in the field of society, economy and politics.

Ladies and gentlemen,

First and the most important role of women in Islam is as a mother. Islam holds great

respect for mother and commands the followers to respect them as they are the one who are

facing the most difficulties in rising kids until reach adulthood. Women are responsible for

nurturing, guidance and reformation of generations.

It is the women who educate and install principles and faith into one’s soul. Mothers

are the silent workers who are responsible for building character of the next generation. She

will raise children with honesty, truthfulness, patience, love and kindness. On the other hand,

a society without mothers and home-makers will produce at-risk youth.

It is narrated in a hadith the prophet says:

‫الجنة تحت أقدام األمهات‬

“PARADISE LIES UNDER HER FEET” (Reported By Al Tabrani).

And In Authentic Hadith, The Prophet (Pbuh) Was Asked By A Man: “Who Is The One Most

Worthy Of My Care?” The Prophet Replied three times: “Your Mother”. The Man Asked:

“Then Whom” And In This Fourth Time The Prophet Replied: “Then Your Father”.

Thus, it shows that Islam holds great respect for mother and commends us as the

followers to respect our mothers the most.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The second role of women which bring respect to them is the role of wives. A woman

is the source of comfort for her husband. Allah almighty says in the Quran Surah Ar-Rum:

“And among His signs is this that He created wives from among yourselves, that you may

dwell in tranquility, with them, and He put love and mercy between your hearts.”

From this Quranic verse it is clears that Allah the Almighty is the one who has provided

wives to men. Islam is the first religion that established the right of women as wives, not only

to please men, but the objective is that both man and woman must live in tranquility with

each other. Hence, husband and wife both have the duty of caring and loving each other to

create a family with SAKINAH, MAWADDAH and RAHMAH.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The other role that women have to play in a Muslim society is as the daughters. In

Islam both male child and female child are equal and a parent is as responsible for the

education and upbringing of female children as they are responsible for male children. In

Quran, Allah Almighty says in Surah As- Syura verse 49.

‫ور‬ ُ ‫ب ِل َم ْن يَشَا ُء إِنَاثًا َويَ َه‬

َ ‫ب ِل َم ْن يَشَا ُء الذُّ ُك‬ ُ ‫يَ َه‬

“He bestows female offspring upon whom He wills, and bestows male offspring upon

whom He wills.”

Now, I would like to share how to be a better daughter!

a) Shower them with gifts and du’a

The best thing you can give them is your prayers, as Allah says we should always recite these

verse from Surah Al- Isra verse 24:

‫ير‬ َ ‫ار َح ْم ُه َما َك َما َربَّيَانِي‬

ً ‫ص ِغ‬ ْ ‫ب‬ِ ِّ ‫َوقُل َّر‬

“Oh My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up when I was small”.

We must remind ourselves that making du’a for our parents is one of the best actions we can

do for them whether our parents are still with us today or have departed from this world as

the Prophet Muhammad said:

،‫ أ َ ْو ِع ْل ٍم يُ ْنتَفَ ُع ِب ِه‬،ٍ‫ار َية‬ َ ‫ إِالَّ ِم ْن‬:‫ط َع َع َملُهُ إالَّ ِم ْن ثَالَث َ ِة‬

ِ ‫صدَقَ ٍة َج‬ َ َ‫ان ا ْنق‬
ُ ‫س‬َ ‫اإل ْن‬
ِ ‫ات‬َ ‫إذَا َم‬

ُ‫عو لَه‬ َ ‫أ َ ْو َولَ ٍد‬

ُ ‫صا ِلحٍ يَ ْد‬
“When a human being dies, all of his deeds are terminated except for three types: an ongoing

sadaqah, knowledge from which others benefit, and a righteous child who makes du’a for

him.”(Muslim) .

Ladies and gentlemen,

Now I would like to focus on the role of Muslim women in economy and political

matters. In Islamic history, it shows that women took part in economic activities such as

trading and business. Khadijah the closest person to the Prophet, the wife of the prophet is a

wealthy and successful business woman. With her wealth, she is able to help our prophet in

Dakwah, gives earnings to the poor and orphans, to the widow and sick. This is a clear prove

that women in Islam also play an important role in economy. Women also allowed to work

outside house with permission to help husbands and families to improve their economy.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Aishah r.a is famously known as a political figure in Islam. She has been involved in

many political issues and even contributes in giving fatwa, advice and making decision. She

had a great political background and even participates in battle. Indeed, women are active in

social and political activities since the beginning of Islam. This indicate that women possess

important role in politic.

Ladies and gentlemen,

To conclude, I would like to stress that women play many important roles in Islam.

Islam 1000 years ago, has given a special right and role for women in society, economy and

politics. Muslim women throughout the history until nowadays achieve great success by

following the teaching of Islam in their own fields, as a mother, wife and their contribution to

the nation.

Role of a woman is like the archers in the battle of Uhud. It looked less important, but was

the key to the fate of the entire army.

I would like to end my speech with a quote.

“The Muslim woman clothed in strength and dignity,

She trusts in Allah and smiles without the fear of the uncertainty”.

Thank you for lending me your ears. Wabillahi Taufiq Wal Hidayah Wassalamualaikum

Warahmatulahhi Wabarakatuh.