Towards an islamic framework of women empowerment

Abstract

This paper argues there is a common view among the scholars, media and masses that Islam in general is the main obstacle for women empowerment. They argue that the Quran and the Prophetic tradition (hadiths) discourage women to work in the public arena. The paper takes the position that the Quran and the Prophetic tradition and activities of early Muslim shows that Islam favors empowerment i.e. allows women to work in public places but with certain conditions. In order to justify the argument the author has brought the Quranic verses with interpretations, Prophetic traditons, opnions of the past and present Islamic scholars as well as some examples of Muslim women activities in the public arena during and after prophetic period.