Women in the Time of the Prophet Muhammad (saw)

In Islam, men and women coexist in social life. It is possible to see the best example of this in the civilized society that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) created in Medina. Many women such as Umm Kulthum bint Uqba and Khawla Bint Tha'labah both took part in social life and were mentioned in the Qur'an. 

Umm Kulthum bint Uqba is a woman who gave bayʿah to the Messenger of Allah (saw) in Mecca and migrated alone for the sake of her faith. When she came to Medina, she was alarmed when she learned that she would be returned to the Meccans as per the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. After the 10th verse of the Surah Mumtahanah was revealed, she remained in Medina and became one of the personalities that the Qur'an praises. 

"O you who have believed, when the believing women come to you as emigrants, examine them. Allah is most knowing as to their faith. And if you know them to be believers, then do not return them to the disbelievers." 

Another woman appreciated and set as an example by the Qur'an is Khawla Bint Tha'labah. This woman was also the subject of divine revelation because of her persistent question to the Prophet Muhammad (saw) about the negative behavior of her husband:  “Certainly has Allah heard the speech of the one who argues with you, [O Muhammad], concerning her husband and directs her complaint to Allah. And Allah hears your dialogue; indeed, Allah is Hearing and Seeing." (Mujadila, 58/1)   

In addition to these female Companions, who are the subject of the Qur'an, the active participation of women in all areas of life, from science to commerce during the Prophet Muhammad's era, sheds light on the understanding of women in Islam. 

In social life, men and women should coexist, and they should pay attention to the principles and limits of mahramiyya. Prophet Yusuf (as) is mentioned in the Qur'an as the best example of iffah (chastity). His example in this regard is an indication that the feeling of chastity is necessary not only for women, but also for both men and women, contrary to popular belief. 

For centuries, all believers, men and women, have been performing the duty of sa'y in pilgrimage worship, and they have been taking the rush of Hajar, a slave woman, between Safa and Marwa while searching for water for her son Isma'il as base of this worship. This shows that it is our behavior, not our gender,  that gives us value. Verse 35 of the Surah Ahzab points to this as follows: 

“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 Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.”