What does Islam say about educating
women about their religion?
Allah's Messenger himself designated a special day for teaching the women their religion: Some women requested the Prophet to fix a day for them as the men were taking all his time. On that he promised them one day for religious lessons and commandments. Once during such a lesson the Prophet said, "A woman whose three children die will be shielded by them from the Hell-fire." On that a woman asked, "If only two die?" He replied, "Even two (will shield her from the Hell-fire). (Sahih al Bukhari #103) This narration shows the concern and respect that the Prophet Muhammad showed towards the women. While being the leader of the Muslims, he fixed a certainday in which he, himself would give them religious instructions and guidance. Allah's Messenger also said:
"Three persons will have a double reward: (One of them being) A master of a woman-slave who teaches her good Muslim Women, Best Women on the Face of the Earth manners and educates her in the best possible way (the religion) and manumits her and then marries her. (Sahih al Bukhari #97)
The Messenger of Allah also said: "If the wife of any one of you asks permission (to go to the mosque), do not forbid her." (Sahih al Bukhari #873) Islam encourages the woman to learn her religion, as they are responsible for the raising and educating of their children. It is well known that after the death of Allah's Messenger, his companions used to seek religious verdicts and education from Aishah (wife of the Prophet) who was considered to be one of the most knowledgeable people regarding the authentic traditions of Allah's Messenger. What does Islam say about the killing and burying of baby girls alive? The Quran severely condemned this heinous practice:
"And when the news of the birth of a female child is brought to any of them, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with inward grief. He hides himself from the people because of the evil of that whereof he has been informed. Shall he keep her with dishonor or bury her in the earth? Certainly, evil is their decision." (16:59).
It has to be mentioned that this sinister crime would have never stopped in Arabia were it not for the power of the scathing terms the Quran used to condemn this practice (16:59, 43:17, 81:8-9). The Quran, moreover, makes no distinction between boys and girls. In contrast to the Bible, the Quran considers the birth of a female as a giftand a blessing from God, the same as the birth of a male.
The Messenger of Allah said: "Allah has forbidden to you disobedience to mothers, burying daughters alive, and withholding the rights of others and asking of them.(Sahih Muslim, Book of Judicial Decisions #12)The Quran even mentions the gift of the female birth first:
" To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female children to whomever He wills and bestows male children to whomever He wills" (42:49).
In order to wipe out all the traces of female infanticide in the nascent Muslim society, Prophet Muhammad promised those who were blessed with daughters of agreat reward if they would bring them up kindly: "He who is involved in bringing up daughters, and accords benevolent treatment towards them, they will be protection for him against Hell-Fire" (Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
The Prophet Muhammad also said:
"Whoever maintains two girls till they attain maturity, he and I will come on the Resurrection Day like this; and he joined his fingers" (Sahih Muslim)