Furthermore, the example of ʿAbd Allāh ibn Masʿūd (Raḍiya Allāhu ʿanhu), a close companion of the Prophet
(peace be upon him), who did not oppose his wife’s engagement in productive work, further reinforces the
permissibility of women’s participation in economic activities. In this regard, Ibn Sa‘d reported that once Rayṭah
binti ʿAbd Allāh the wife of the famous companion, ʿAbd Allāh ibn Masʿūd complained to the Prophet about
their stringent income generated only from her handicraft works.
Translation: She said, “She was the wife of ʿAbd Allāh ibn Masʿūd and mother of his child. She was a
craftswoman. She said, “Messenger of Allah, I am a woman with work which I sell and neither me nor my
husband nor child have anything.” She asked him about maintenance for them and he said, “You will have a
reward for what you spend on them.””
(Aisha Bewley 2015, vol. 8, 202)
In line with this, Islam does not prohibit women from pursuing professions that align with their skills and
capabilities. Like men, women are granted the right to earn income, own property, and attain financial
independence. Moreover, women possess complete autonomy over their wealth and assets, granting them the
unrestricted authority to manage and utilize their property without external influence or interference (Kounsar
2017, 42).
Indeed, historical records from Islamic sources illustrate that, beyond their domestic duties, Muslim women have
participated in economic activities, adapting to societal and personal circumstances (Umri, 2008). They are also
entitled to independently acquire, trade, and engage in financial transactions, reinforcing their economic
autonomy (Al-Sheha, n.d.). This framework underscores the extensive financial rights granted to women,
allowing them to manage their assets and make meaningful contributions to economic life in accordance with
Islamic law.
Islam clearly upholds women’s rights to engage in business and economic activities (Kounsar, 2017). Historical
records from the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) show that many Muslim women engaged in business,
and the Prophet placed no prohibition on their participation. (Tehreem & Aqsa, 2022).
Throughout Islamic history, women have played diverse and significant roles across economic and social
domains. Khadījah bint Khuwaylid, the Prophet’s wife, participated in trade, setting a precedent for female
economic engagement (Cevherli, 2022). Similarly, Umm al-Mundhir bint al-Qays, prominent in the date trade,
and Asmāʾ bint Makhzūmah, involved in the perfume industry, were influential figures within Medina’s
commercial sphere (Ali, 2014). Another notable entrepreneur, al-Ḥawlāʾ, specialised in the sale of ʿiṭr oil (Nazim,
Sham, & Hamjah, 2012). In agriculture, Asmāʾ bint Abī Bakr, spouse of Zubayr ibn al-ʿAwwām, exemplified
women’s contributions to sustaining both domestic and agrarian economies during the early Islamic period (Ali,
2014). In artisanal production, Zaynab bint Abī Muʿāwiyah, wife of ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd, manufactured and
sold handmade goods to support her household (Tehreem & Aqsa, 2022). Women also held administrative
responsibilities; for instance, al-Shifāʾ bint ʿAbdullāh was appointed as the market supervisor in Medina,
overseeing commercial activities and ensuring adherence to ethical standards (Ridley, 2016). In healthcare,
Rufaydah al-Aslamiyyah, acknowledged as the first female nurse and surgeon, played a pioneering role in
medical care provision (Tehreem & Aqsa, 2022). These examples demonstrate that women throughout Islamic
history participated in a wide range of economic sectors, encompassing commerce, agriculture, administration,
artisanal production, and healthcare.
Regardless of the era, Muslim women continue to make significant contributions to the economy. The rapid
advancement of technology, along with a wide range of employment and economic opportunities, has not
hindered Muslim women from making significant contributions to the economy. They are permitted to work in
various fields, provided their work aligns with Shariah principles and they uphold the proper conduct and
etiquettes expected of them. (Adawiyah Ismail and Salasiah Hanin Hamjah 2012).
Building upon this historical and religious foundation, to this day, numerous Muslim women continue to
contribute to the economy, and the rapid advancement of technology has further expanded opportunities for their
economic participation. Technological progress has delivered substantial benefits across multiple sectors of