- Prophethood (Nubuwwah) is not a reward or a status earned by effort — it is a divine appointment based on Allah’s perfect knowledge and wisdom.
- Allah alone decides whom to entrust with the responsibility of revelation and leadership of nations.
- Maryam (Mary) - Chosen above all women, addressed by angels, given glad tidings of Jesus (ʿĪsā A.S.) - Surah Al-Imran 3:42–45, Maryam 19:16–21
- Mother of Mūsā - Allah inspired her to place baby Mūsā in the river — “We inspired the mother of Moses” - Surah Al-Qaṣaṣ 28:7
- Āsiyah (wife of Pharaoh) - Role model of faith — her prayer is recorded in the Qur’an. - Surah At-Taḥrīm 66:11
- Sarah (wife of Ibrāhīm) - Angels gave her glad tidings of a son (Isaac) - Surah Hūd 11:71–72
“All Prophets were men, as explicitly stated in the Qur’an (16:43, 21:7).
- Public Leadership and Physical Hardship:
- Prophethood required public leadership, including preaching to large crowds, leading armies, and serving as a judge, which were roles more commonly associated with men.
- The job was physically and emotionally demanding, requiring constant travel and confrontation with adversaries, which, according to some interpretations, was more feasible for men.
- And in line of duty as prophets, they had to confront tyrants, arrogant audience, that sometimes even resulted into physical assaults and extreme mental and psychological torture. Like for instance, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was stoned so much that his whole body was covered in blood. Such harsh treatment is far above the physical endurance of women.
- Thus, in historical contexts, a woman prophet might have been seen as more vulnerable and susceptible to attack or harassment from disbelievers than a male prophet.
- Therefore, Allah, in His mercy, did not assign women such burdens.
- Preservation of Family and Modesty: A woman’s role in nurturing future generations and maintaining moral sanctity is itself a pillar of faith.
- Biological and social limitations:
- Natural female biological functions such as menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, and infant care were seen as taking away from the time and energy required to fulfill the duties of a prophet.
- Some traditions also suggest that women were typically under the control of male family members, which would have hindered their ability to be an independent leader of a society.
- Complementary, Not Hierarchical:
- Islam never devalues women.
- The Qur’an equally promises: “Indeed, I do not waste the work of any worker among you, whether male or female.” — 3:195
- That is both genders are equal in worth, but different in duties.
“Many men attained perfection, but among women none attained perfection except Maryam, the daughter of ʿImrān, and Āsiyah, the wife of Pharaoh.” — (Sahih al-Bukhari 3411, Sahih Muslim 2431)
- Prophethood is a trust, not a privilege
- Prophethood is not a measure of value; taqwā (piety) is.
- Allah appoints messengers according to wisdom, not status. Thus all Prophets were men — by Allah’s decree (16:43).
- Women are honored differently, not less - Their spiritual rank and role in preserving faith are immense.
- Divine inspiration continues in lesser forms - True believers, both men or women, can be guided by ilhām (inner light from Allah). Women like Maryam, Āsiyah, and Mūsā’s mother received divine inspiration.
- Respect all divine choices - Submission (Islam) means accepting Allah’s decisions as wise and just.
- The Qur’an upholds full spiritual equality of men and women
- Each man and women with distinct, honored roles.
- “Whoever does good — male or female — while he is a believer, We will surely grant him a good life.” — Surah An-Naḥl (16:97)
This post is not a detailed study on the status of women inn the theological domain, but just a bird's eye view of a very in-depth study carried out many a scholars from all Divine religions. For those wanting more information, some of the links to this question are given in the links mentioned below.