What does the Quran say about women?

The Quran says women and men come from one soul, are equal before Allah in faith and reward, and have rights over each other. It gives women their own property, inheritance, a say in marriage and the right to leave a bad one. Some verses about family roles are read differently by scholars, so they're best understood with context.

Created from one soul

The Quran's chapter on women, Surah an-Nisa, begins by reminding all people where they came from:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَآءً "O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women." Quran 4:1

Unlike some older traditions, the Quran never blames Eve alone for leaving the Garden; it says Adam and his wife both slipped and both were forgiven (2:36–37, 7:23).

Equal in faith and reward

Again and again, the Quran speaks to "believing men and believing women" together. Surah al-Ahzab lists ten qualities, such as faith, patience, charity and fasting, for men and women side by side, and promises both forgiveness and a great reward (33:35). Another verse is just as clear:

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ "Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer, We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward according to the best of what they used to do." Quran 16:97

Maryam (Mary) is the only woman named in the Quran, a whole surah carries her name, and she is held up as an example for all believers. See What does the Quran say about Mary?

Rights the Quran gives women

Life: it condemns the Arabian practice of burying baby girls alive (81:8–9).
Money and property: a woman owns her mahr (marriage gift) (4:4), her earnings and her inheritance (4:7).
Marriage: she can't be inherited or forced against her will, and husbands are told to live with wives in kindness (4:19).
Mutual rights: "they have rights similar to those over them, in kindness" (2:228).
Divorce: she can seek to end a harmful marriage (2:229). See Can a Muslim woman ask for a divorce?

The Prophet ﷺ added, "The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best of you to my family" (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895).

The harder verses

Some verses, like 4:34 on a husband's responsibility in the family, or the inheritance shares where a brother gets twice a sister's share (4:11), raise questions for many readers. Scholars explain them within the whole system: for example, men must provide for the family while a woman's money stays hers. Interpretations differ, and modern scholars stress that the Prophet ﷺ never struck a woman. See What should I do if a Quran verse feels harsh or confusing?

Key points

Men and women come from one soul (4:1) and earn the same reward (16:97).
Women have their own property, inheritance and mahr.
Marriage is built on kindness and mutual rights (2:228, 4:19).
Difficult verses are best read with context and trusted scholars.

Tip: Read Surah an-Nisa and Surah Maryam with a good translation and tafsir. Reading the verses yourself is the best answer to claims you hear online.

What does the Quran say about women?

Created from one soul

Equal in faith and reward

Rights the Quran gives women

The harder verses

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