Lily Jay, a well-known Instagram influencer, ignited a lively debate on social media by posing a provocative question about women’s rights in Islam to the AI language model GPT.
Jay sparked the heated discussion by asking GPT a sensitive and often misunderstood question: “Does Islam oppress women?”
In response, GPT provided a thorough explanation based on Islamic principles, clarifying that Islam does not oppress women. Instead, it emphasized that the religion grants women significant rights and protections, many of which were revolutionary at the time of its revelation.
Key points raised by GPT included:
- Right to education: Islam encourages both men and women to pursue knowledge. GPT referenced a saying of Prophet Muhammad that urges all Muslims, regardless of gender, to seek education.
- Economic rights: Women in Islam have the right to own property, run businesses, and earn their own income—rights that were granted long before other societies recognized women’s legal status.
- Marriage and divorce: Women have the right to choose their spouse and give consent to marriage. Islam also grants women the right to seek a divorce (khula) if they are unhappy, a progressive concept for its time.
- Inheritance rights: Islam introduced the concept of inheritance rights for women, allowing them a share of family wealth, a practice unheard of at the time.
- Spiritual equality: GPT emphasized that, in Islam, men and women are equal before Allah, with judgment based on their actions and piety, not their gender.
Jay, known for engaging with socially relevant topics on her platform, has thousands of followers. Her question about Islam and women’s rights has sparked widespread conversation across social media, promoting a deeper understanding of Islamic values.