THE REVIVAL OF WOMEN'S STATUS IN ISLAM: BEYOND CULTURAL DISTORTIONS

Abstract:The status of women in Islam has long been subject to misinterpretation, often distorted bycultural traditions and patriarchal norms rather than Islamic teachings themselves. This paperexplores the original rights and dignified status Islam granted women—such as the right toeducation, inheritance, ownership, consent in marriage, and participation in public life—contrasting these with the restrictive practices that emerged later due to socio-culturalinfluences. Through a historical and textual analysis of the Qur’an and Hadith, the studyreveals a consistent emphasis on justice, equality, and human dignity. The paper also examinesthe ways in which Islamic reformers and scholars are reclaiming women's roles in society byreturning to authentic sources. It argues that the revival of women’s status in Islam is not amodern invention but a restoration of foundational principles, offering a more inclusive andempowering understanding of Islamic gender ethics