By Imam Mashood Dagbo, PhD
Introduction
Every nation seeking growth must answer: what is the place of its women and girls? No society can rise while half its population is silenced, denied education, or excluded. Islam answered this over fourteen centuries ago. It honoured girl and woman as trust, partner in family and society, and carrier of mercy, knowledge, and civilisation. Empowering women is not Western import. It is Islamic duty and strategy for national growth.
Islamic Concept of Empowerment
Empowerment in Islam does not mean stripping woman of faith, modesty, or family role. It means giving her what Allah gave her: dignity, education, protection, and opportunity. In Shariah, it means enabling woman to fulfil purpose as believer, mother, teacher, professional, and citizen without oppression. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim” (Ibn Majah, n.d., Hadith 224). Scholars explain this includes male and female. Al-Nawawi (n.d.) noted honouring women is sign of complete faith. Thus empowerment is worship, not rebellion.
Girl Education: Foundation of Growth
No nation grows beyond education of its girls. An educated girl becomes educated mother, and educated mother raises educated generation. Islam made knowledge a path to Paradise for women as for men. The first revelation, “Read in the name of your Lord who created” (Qur’an, 96:1), was not for men alone. Aisha (RA) became one of Islam’s greatest scholars, teaching men and women alike. Building schools, providing scholarships, ensuring safety, and keeping girls in school are Islamic responsibilities. A nation that educates its girls educates its future.
Protection, Care, and Dignity
Islam places girl child under divine protection. Before Islam, female infanticide was practised in Arabia. The Qur’an condemned it: “And when the girl child buried alive is asked, for what sin was she killed?” (Qur’an, 81:8-9). The Prophet (peace be upon him) reversed culture of shame. He said: “Whoever cares for two daughters with love and good upbringing will be with me in Paradise like this,” and he joined his fingers (Muslim, n.d., Hadith 2631). Protection means shielding girls from child labour, trafficking, abuse, early and forced marriage, and domestic violence.
Women as Partners in Growth
National growth is impossible when women are excluded from lawful economic participation. Islam allowed women to trade, own property, inherit, and contribute. Khadijah (RA), wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him), was successful businesswoman whose wealth supported Islam’s mission. Empowering women means supporting entrepreneurs, ensuring fair wages, protecting widows’ inheritance, and creating safe workplaces. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The best of you are those who are best to their women” (Al-Tirmidhi, n.d., Hadith 1162).
Correcting Misconceptions
Much blamed on Islam is culture, ignorance, or misuse of religion. Islam does not permit oppression, forced marriage, denial of inheritance, or silencing women. It forbids trafficking, selling a soul Allah made sacred. It forbids child labour that destroys childhood. It forbids violence. The Qur’an declares: “And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right” (Qur’an, 17:33). Correction must be done with wisdom, not hatred; knowledge, not rumour; mercy, not mockery. Ibn Qudamah (1997) explained reform must remove harm without creating greater harm. True reform protects girl without exposing her to exploitation, and empowers woman without removing her dignity.
Conclusion
Empowering women and girls is not threat to Islam; it is truly fulfilment of Islam. When we educate a girl, we enlighten a home. When we protect a girl, we preserve a nation. When we empower a woman, we strengthen economy, community, and civilisation. Nigeria will not rise by neglecting daughters; it will rise by honouring them as Islam honoured them. Let us build society where every girl can learn, every woman can contribute, and every family can flourish in faith and dignity.
Prayer:
O Allah! Jumua’h in Jumādā al-Ūlā, 1448, bless our women and girls with knowledge, protection, and dignity. May He remove poverty, ignorance, abuse, and oppression from our land. May He grant parents wisdom to raise righteous daughters, leaders justice to protect them, and nation growth through their contributions. May He make our daughters coolness of our eyes and leaders of goodness. Amin.
@ Imam Mashood Dagbo, PhD; Chief Imam, GGDSS Central Mosque, Okesuna, Ilorin & Director, YUMAD Consults.
