As a recent convert to Islam, I have often been asked one question in particular by those whose knowledge of Islam has been developed through information provided primarily through non-Muslim sources.  The question comes in a couple of different varieties, but the essence of it is this: "Isn't Islam oppressive to women?" My immediate reaction is to want to declare an expressive, "NO!," but I always take a step back, understanding through my own experience as a non-Muslim that there is so much about Islam that is not known and that is misunderstood.

In the Quran, Allah (God) provides mankind with instruction for the manner in which life is to be lived in anticipation for the Hereafter, and part of this instruction is directed toward the relationship between men and women.  While men and women have different roles to fulfill, neither has a preferred status in the eyes of Allah. Men and women are to live together harmoniously and in a manner whereby differences are complementary, each contributing in equal amounts to a whole.  On the spiritual level, there are no differences whatsoever. Mankind is judged by its actions, thoughts, faith, and deeds, and it is this combination - not the fact of gender, or race, or nationality - that will determine one's reward or punishment in the Hereafter.  

Men and women have different social roles that they fulfill, but they are roles that compliment one another, as is expressed in 30:21, "And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): Verily in that are Signs for those who reflect."  Clearly, woman is man's companion and help-mate, contributing a different kind of role to the family unit, but one that is of equal value to the man's.

While in the physical and social realm, there are certain differences that are expressed between men and women, there are no such differences when it comes to spiritual matters.  All of mankind was created from a single pair and is equal in the eyes of Allah; judgment is made and value determined by the nature of one's actions, as is stated in 49:13:

"O mankind!  We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into Nations and tribes, that Ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you.  And Allah has full knowledge and is well-acquainted (with all things)."

This applies to punishment, as well as to reward, as can be seen in 33:73, "...Allah has to punish the Hypocrites, men and women, and the Unbelievers, men and women, and Allah turns in Mercy to the Believers, men and women: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."  Men and women are to be rewarded or punished based upon their deeds, thoughts, faith, and actions, not in accordance to their status as males or females: "If any do deeds of righteousness - be they male or female - and have faith, they will enter Heaven, and not the least injustice will be done to them" (Quran 4:124). (4:32, 9:71, 9:72)  

According to the Quran, men and women have been created from one source and are of a similar nature, as is stated in 4:1, "O mankind!  Reverence your Guardian-Lord, Who created you from a single Person, created, of like nature, his mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women...."  The same idea is expressed in 16:72 ("And Allah has made for you Mates (and Companions) of your own nature, and made for you, out of them, sons and daughters and grandchildren.") and 39:6 - "He created you (all) from a single Person: then created, of like nature, his mate...."). 

While verses such as these seem to favor the idea that mankind has been created on equal terms, what is one to make of a verse such as 2:228: "...And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable; But men have a degree (of advantage) over them.  And Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise?"  The "advantage" that is spoken of here has nothing to do with man's superiority over woman, but rather, speaks to the different social roles that males and females fulfill based upon their individual natures.  As Allah states clearly in 4:34, "(Husbands) are the protectors and maintainers of their (wives) because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means."  In a family unit, men are to be the protectors of, and providers for, their families and are granted certain rights to ensure that this is possible (ie. the set terms for inheritance as are laid out in Surah (Chapter) 4: Al Nisā' (women), whereby men receive more from its portion than women).  Or, as Allah states in 66:6, "O ye who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones...."  Man must protect his family from all forms of harm, including that which could result in punishment in the Hereafter.

In the way, though, that men are granted certain rights in accordance with their natures, so are women.  Women are responsible for their households and for the upbringing of their children and in no way is this role devalued compared to that which men do.  In order to highlight the importance of women and to ensure that rights be granted to them that had not been present prior to the message of Islam, Allah sets out specific legal and moral rights that are due to women in Surah (Chapter) 4: Al Nisā'(women).  And indeed, the Surah opens with the instruction to mankind to first and foremost give reverence to Allah, but is then followed up with a reminder as to the equal nature of mankind: "O mankind!  Reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single Person, created, of like nature, his mate...."  Legal rights such as the keeping of their dowry (4:4, 4:19), or a set portion of inheritance (4:7), are ensured to them, as well as a guarantee that they cannot be inherited like pieces of property.  In addition to this, man is reminded that he must treat woman fairly and justly, receiving instruction to "...live with them on a footing of kindness and equity..." (Quran 4:19). 

As mothers, women are to be revered and respected, as is stated in 4:1, "...And (reverence) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you."  Similarly, in 46:15, Allah instructs Mankind to show kindness toward its parents, specifically mentioning the mother as the vessel of man's creation:  "We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents: in pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth" 

Through the message of the Quran, Allah instructs mankind as to the proper way to live one's life, and does this very clearly with respect to the relationship between men and women.  While men and women might have different social roles, this difference does not translate into the superiority of male over female or vice versa.  Indeed, where things matter most - in the spiritual realm, in striving and working in one's life for the Hereafter - there is no distinction made whatsoever.  Men and women will be rewarded (or not) based upon their actions during their lifetimes, the only true measure of value or worth in any individual. 

As is summed up very distinctly in 33:35, "For Muslim men and women - for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women..." who are patient, constant, humble, give in charity, fast, guard their chastity, and praise Allah often, "for them has Allah prepared Forgiveness and a great reward."