Page 117 - Pure Life 40

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92 / International Multidisciplinary Journal of Pure Life, 11(40), 2024
Introduction
The role of women in human societies
has always been one of the most
significant social and cultural issues. In
the modern era, societies face
numerous social challenges, such as
gender inequalities, identity crises, and
the diminishing role of spirituality in
daily life. These challenges necessitate
the development of practical models
and theories in the humanities that can
promote a virtuous and meaningful life
in contemporary times. In this regard,
the Quran, as a rich source of divine
teachings, offers models that can
effectively address these challenges.
In Islam, women are considered a
central element of society, endowed
with a sublime status that is deeply
connected to their identity and human
dignity as outlined in the Quran. The
Quranic perspective on women is not
gender-based but humanistic and
divine, recognizing them as equal to
men in the pursuit of human
perfection (Moṭaharī, 1997, p. 45).
Historical examples, such as the
comparison of women's status before
and during the early Islamic era,
illustrate this transformation. At a
time when the buying and selling of
women, their inheritance, and their
humiliation were common practices,
not only among Arabs but also among
other nations, Islam introduced a
revolutionary change. The condition
of women in medieval Europe, where
they endured physical hardships,
heavy domestic labor, and sexual
exploitation, was even worse than that
of women in pre-Islamic Arabia
(Lloyd, 2001, pp. 52-57).
By breaking with tradition and
establishing a new foundation, Islamic law
portrayed women as beings no different
from men in their essential human
identity. It granted them a renewed
identity in achieving human excellence
and divine values. As Ibn Sīnā stated, the
distinction between male and female
arises after realizing the human essence
and is not intrinsic but rather an accidental
attribute (Ibn Sīnā, 1956. p. 224).
From the early days of Islam to the
present, Muslim women have played a
significant role alongside men in
preserving and sustaining the Islamic
community (Maẓāherī, 1991, p.34).
This article focuses on the status of
Muslim women in the Quran, examining
how Quranic models of resilient women
can serve as practical frameworks in the
humanities to address contemporary
social challenges and achieve a virtuous
life in the modern era. This research
analyses Quranic verses and Islamic
traditions to propose a practical model
for gender equality and spiritual
empowerment. By reinterpreting the
Quranic perspective on women, this
study provides a framework for
addressing contemporary social and
identity challenges in the modern world.