Ownership of Women

The Qur'an emphasizes the equality and dignity of all human beings, regardless of gender. It teaches that men and women are created by Allah, who has endowed both with souls and honored them as His creations. The concept of "ownership" of another human being, particularly women, is contrary to the principles of Islam, which upholds the intrinsic worth and freedom of every individual.

Women and men are both honored creations of Allah, given souls and moral responsibility. It is incompatible with Islamic teachings to claim ownership over another person, as all individuals belong to Allah alone. Consequently, treating a human being as an object of ownership is fundamentally haram, as it goes against the principles of justice and dignity prescribed in the Qur'an.

Created in the Image of God

The Qur'an does not explicitly state that humans are made in the "image of God" as some other religious texts do, but it does affirm the inherent dignity and honor bestowed upon all human beings. In Surah Al-Isra (17:70), it says: "We have certainly honored the children of Adam." This honor is extended to both men and women equally, as they share the same spiritual nature and are both accountable for their deeds.

Equality of Souls

In Islam, both men and women are considered to have equal spiritual worth before Allah. The Qur'an states, "O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul" (Surah An-Nisa 4:1). This verse emphasizes that all human beings, regardless of gender, originate from the same soul, and thus share the same spiritual essence and status.

Ownership and Slavery

The concept of owning a person, especially a child of Allah, contradicts the core values of Islam. The Qur'an stresses the freedom and dignity of every soul. While historical contexts sometimes involved practices like slavery, Islam sought to gradually abolish these practices by encouraging the freeing of slaves and forbidding treating any human being as mere property.

Haram to Own Another Human

In Islam, it is haram (forbidden) to "own" another human being in a sense that reduces them to an object or mere property. The Qur'an and Hadith emphasize compassion, justice, and respect for the rights of others, prohibiting any form of exploitation or dehumanization.