Answer
Salam (Peace) Olivia,
Thank you for contacting Ask About Islam with your question.
Even though there are so many who would have us believe that Islam oppresses women, it is quite clear in the Quran and the Prophet’s tradition (Sunnah) that there is no basis whatsoever for the superiority of one gender over the other.
On the contrary, unlike the Bible, the Quran does not blame woman for mankind’s original sin and subsequent Fall, nor does it view pregnancy and childbirth as punishments for “eating from the forbidden tree.”
In fact, when Islam first dawned upon the Arabian Peninsula it granted to women unheard of rights and a status they had hitherto not enjoyed. The same Islam extends the same rights to women today.
We read in the Quran:
{For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who are humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah’s praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward.} (33:35)
Over and over again, Allah repeats that the promise is for both men and women.
Justice is for all and is to be denied to none:
{If any do deeds of righteousness, be they male or female, and have faith, they will enter paradise and not the least injustice will be done to them.} (4:124)
Cultural and historical practices may be one thing, but it is of the very essence of Islam that Allah Almighty created all people equal in dignity. In the Quran He says:
{O People! We created you from a single pair, male and female, and made you into nations and tribes that ye may know one other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the greatest of you in piety. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.} (49:13)
In terms of spirituality and basic humanity, male and female are equal before Allah. The only basis for superiority in Islam is of those who are the most humble before Him.
Put very simply, Muslim women cover their heads as a sign of modesty, not as a symbol of oppression.
For those who take their faith seriously, the headscarf is a way of declaring to the rest of the society that a Muslim woman belongs to God Alone and is not to be seen as an object or the property of anyone else.
Muslim women do not cover their heads to please their husbands, but to please Allah. Far from being oppressed, it gives them great dignity.
I hope this helps answer your question.
Salam and keep in touch.
Please continue feeding your curiosity, and find more info in the following links:
https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/about-muhammad/prophet-muhammad-respect-and-love-for-women/