Let me start by bringing forward clear evidence
to correct the misconceptions about the spiritual status of women, and whether
or not they have souls which might experience Paradise. The Qur'an states
categorically that men and women who practise the principles of Islam will
receive equal reward for their efforts:
"Surely for men who submit (to God) and for women who submit (to
God), for believing men and believing women, for devout men and devout women,
for truthful men and truthful women, for steadfast men and steadfast women. for
humble men and humble women, for charitable men and charitable women, for men
who fast and women who fast, for men who guard their chastity and women who
guard, for men who remember God much and for women who remember-for them God
has prepared forgiveness and a mighty reward" (Qur’an 33:35).
Again Allah (God) says:
'Whosoever performs good deeds, whether male or female, and is a
believer, We shall surely make him live a good life, and We will certainly
reward them for the best of what they did" (Qur'an 16:97).
Each of the Five Pillars of Islam: Belief, Prayer, Fasting, Poor-due and
Pilgrimage-is as important for women as for men, and there is no
differentiation of their reward.
As God says in the Holly Qur'an:
"The noblest among you before God is the most heedful of you" (49:13).
One may also mention that one of the most famous mystics in Islam,
Riibi'a al'Adawiyya, was a woman.
