Key Takeaways
- The Quran lists the same virtues for believing men and believing women, and promises both forgiveness and a great reward (Quran 33:35).
- It states that Allah will not let the work of any worker be lost, "whether male or female" (Quran 3:195).
- The Quran praises character, such as truthfulness, patience, humility, charity, and remembrance of Allah, rather than a single lifestyle.
- Cultural expectations of women differ widely, and it helps to separate them from what the Quran and authentic hadith actually say.
- For specific questions about rulings, your local imam is the right person to ask.
The Quran describes the qualities it values in believing women in the same terms as believing men: faith, obedience, truthfulness, patience, humility, charity, fasting, modesty, and remembrance of Allah. It focuses on character and worship, not a single template.
The Qualities the Quran Lists
"Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so, for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward" (Quran 33:35, Sahih International). The same list, and the same promise, applies to both.
Equal Reward
In another verse, Allah says, "Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another" (Quran 3:195, Sahih International). This states that the reward for good work is not reduced by gender.
Character Over Cliché
When people talk about an "ideal woman," they often mean a cultural picture of how a woman should behave. The Quran is more focused on the inner and outer qualities listed above. Whether a woman is a student, a mother, a professional, or a carer, the same virtues apply.
Separating Culture From Religion
Many expectations placed on women are inherited from culture and family customs, and they vary from place to place. It helps to ask two questions: what does the Quran say, and what does an authentic hadith say? Where you are unsure, ask a knowledgeable teacher or your local imam, rather than assuming a custom is a religious requirement.
Learning and Growth
Sincere learning strengthens all of these qualities. Our page for female students offers one to one lessons with female teachers, and our Islamic Studies course covers character and belief. A free trial lesson is an easy place to start.