The Contemporary Status of Working Women: A Comparative Study of Modern Society and Islamic Teachings

Abstract

In the recent societies women have entered the professional and social spheres more frequently, so they are redefining the social, economic and personal roles of women. Although this transformation gives women more opportunities to get an education, to work, and to control their finances, it gives rise to complex issues related to family living, emotional health, exploitation, and identity crisis at the same time. The western feminist narrative often promotes perfect equality and total freedom, sometimes at the cost of ignoring biological, emotional and family responsibilities of women. Islam on the other hand, provides an equal and decent paradigm that acknowledges women, their potentials and limits without violating their dignity, family roles and spiritual wellbeing. The paper is a critical assessment of the modern situation of women in the workplace and compares it with the Islamic doctrine based on the Quran and Hadith. The discussion argues that Islam does not bar women in the labour market; it controls this by moral, social and ethical codes that are meant to reconcile individual progress, familial stability and the security of the society.