Does the Qur’an’s address to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, instructing him to command his wives, his daughters, and the believing women regarding hijab, lowering their gaze, and prayer, indicate contempt for women, or does it signify emulation of him and the obligation of enjoining piety upon one another and saving souls from the Fire, as in the Almighty’s saying: "O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded"? And is a wife entitled to remind her husband of prayer, lowering his gaze, and fearing Allah, and of their right and their children’s right to be raised upon the Qur’an and Sunnah?
The verses do not indicate a disdain for women's status because the address was not directed to them explicitly. Allah honored the Prophet's wives and daughters, making them Mothers of the Believers, as stated in Surat Al-Ahzab. This was preceded by a direct address to the Prophet's wives (peace be upon him). Moreover, the verse in Surat An-Nur directed the command to lower the gaze and guard one's chastity to both men and women equally. As for the verse in Surat Taha, it emphasizes following the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the obligation to obey him, complying with his command to enjoin his family to prayer. Thus, the Quran does not demean women; rather, it elevates their status.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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