اسلام، عیسائیت اور یہودیت میں خواتین کی معاشی خودمختاری: نصوصِ مقدسہ کی روشنی میں تقابلی مطالعہ

Economic Autonomy of Women in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism: A Comparative Study in the Light of Sacred Texts

Abstract

This study examines the economic autonomy of women within the three major Abrahamic religions، Islam, Christianity, and Judaism، through a comparative analysis of their sacred texts. In Islam, the Qur’an and Hadith provide women with a clearly defined financial identity, including rights to inheritance, property ownership, and marital financial security, such as dower (mahr) and maintenance (nafaqah). Christianity emphasizes spiritual equality and ethical responsibility, linking economic engagement to moral accountability rather than mere legal entitlement. Judaism establishes legal safeguards through instruments like the Ketubah and inheritance laws, granting women protection and limited financial autonomy within familial and social structures.  The research highlights that while each tradition has developed its own framework, common principles emerge: women are recognized as independent economic actors with both rights and responsibilities, and financial participation is closely linked with social and ethical duties. Historical practices often imposed contextual restrictions, yet the foundational texts consistently affirm women's legitimate claims to property and resources. Contemporary implications reveal varying degrees of practical application: Islamic societies integrate classical jurisprudence with modern economic participation; Western Christian contexts combine ethical principles with secular legal systems; and Jewish communities blend traditional obligations with contemporary civil frameworks. The study demonstrates that religious precepts continue to shape women’s economic roles and that harmonizing traditional teachings with modern societal norms can enhance gender-equitable financial inclusion. This comparative analysis underscores the importance of understanding economic autonomy not merely as legal entitlement but as a multidimensional construct encompassing ethical, spiritual, and social dimensions across religious traditions.