Background and purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify the challenges and barriers to the social empowerment of women in accordance with the creation and purpose of women's creation, from the perspective of the Quran and Islamic traditions.

 The main issue is the importance of women's empowerment in development programs and implementing these projects in the cities and villages of Islamic Iran based on Western principles without considering Islamic tenets. In comparison, we can provide solutions for the social empowerment of women based on the new Islamic civilization through Islamic sources.

Most women have been left out from effective social presence for various reasons, and we believe that the women 's role in this historical oppression of women has not been less than that of men. The basis for the claim is evident in the Quranic examples because, despite different cultures, there have always been women who have played an influential and history-making role in human society with a monotheistic view and a strong will; The Holy Quran depicts a woman in Pharaoh's house who is the savior of the life of Arch-Prophets (Ulul'azm) of God (''Do not kill him, hoping that it will benefit us" (Al-Qasas: 9))-and critic of her husband's actions in oppressing society ("and save me from Pharaoh and his actions" (At-tahrim: 11)). There are many such illustrations of the Holy Quran and Islamic traditions. Although Orientalists have linked Muslim women's religious beliefs and social behavior to men (Simonsohn, 2020, p9), there is a fact that is contrary to this view. This fact can be found in the challenges and solutions available in Islamic sources to empower women for social participation and have nothing to do with dependence on men. Given that international institutions pursue women's empowerment, it seems to be a management and sociological debate, as research on this subject all have been written in this area. Even sociological studies on this issue are limited despite the importance and application of this goal in the programs and perspectives of the country (Saffarian and Moradi, 2019: 186). Since, based on deism monotheism, the actual management of the universe by the creation and legislation system is in the hands of God Almighty, this concept, like other emerging concepts, must be explored in the world of legislation. Therefore, the main problem of this article is beyond the micro-management discussions and sociology related to a specific time and place. In fact, we aim to analyze the challenges that women face in gaining the necessary ability for appropriate social presence based on the Holy Quran and Islamic traditions, and finally, to highlight the strategies that the Quran and Itrat have provided for women's empowerment in society.

Empowerment is to giving people more power to control their lives or personal situations (Oxford Learner's Academic). In management science and sociology, empowerment refers to the ability of individuals, groups, or communities to manage their circumstances and achieve success in maximizing quality of life (Adams, Robert, 2008, p.6).

The realization of guidance, based on the Quranic principles, depends on achieving the goal. The guidance by the Quran outwardly means scientific and theoretical, and inwardly, it means delivery to de desired (Javadi Amoli, 2011: vol. 2, p. 145). Then, guidance is similar to the concept of empowerment; In fact, one example of guidance in the Holy Quran is the empowerment of human beings for desirable social participation. They indicate the empowerment and empowerment of humanity in advancing goals. In addition, the depiction of the final destination in each of the chosen aspects of good or evil by the autonomous human being "Anna Hedinah al-Sabeel but Shakra and Umm Kufra" (Man: 3), is one of the meanings of empowerment in the general sense. In fact, by giving authority on the one hand and by explaining the right way from the wrong on the other hand, steps of human empowerment in the divine path have been taken.

Also, the verses of conquest, "He conquered for you what is in the heavens and what is on the earth", (Luqman: 20), which explain the subjugation of the heavens and the earth for the human, indicate the empowerment and enabling of humanity in advancing goals.

Method

Using qualitative content analysis, we addressed the necessity of women's social empowerment as well as women's problems in the individual, family, and social dimensions of women for social participation proposed in Islamic sources.

Results

1. Given the concept of social participation, the social empowerment of women in the Holy Quran and Islamic traditions is not just a physical presence in society. Empowerment is geared towards any influence on the process of society and civilization.
2. Most of the Islamic edicts are framed in the social form, so being a Muslim requires performing social duties; In this context, men and women are equal in terms of the obligation of social participation, although they have different examples.
3. In the conflict between women's duties, empowerment in recognizing priorities is an essential strategy in Islamic sources.
4. Paying attention to all spiritual, physical, personal, family, and social dimensions have been included in women's effective and desirable participation in the Islamic social system.

Conclusion

In Islamic verses and hadiths, carnal desires and materialism, weakness of believing, personality weakness, and considering the physical condition of women are viewed as individual challenges in women's social participation. On the other hand, the conflict between women's duties and tasks in child, wife, mother's role with social tasks are considered as family challenges of women's social participation. In society, the humiliation of women in social presence, ignoring the necessity of the social presence of women, violating the boundaries, and disrespecting the privacy of men and women are some of the women's social challenges that have been addressed in the Holy Quran and Islamic traditions.

By limiting the boundaries of harming and vulnerability for women in society, the Holy Quran and Islamic traditions have provided solutions such as determining the confines of hijab, controlling the eyes, and setting severe punishment for illicit relationships. By explaining the correct purpose of women's social presence and existential values, they also provide theoretical solutions to problems such as women's personality weakness and their specific physical conditions. Proposing a female role model in management by the Holy Quran and Islamic traditions is one strategy for empowering women, which tackles challenges such as humiliating women in society and ignoring their participation. By explaining the value position of women in family roles and, consequently, defining women's rights and duties, especially in spouse role, and explaining the principles governing the family, the solution to women's family challenges is presented.

Ethical Considerations

 Compliance with ethical guidelines 

 Funding: The present study resulted from a doctoral dissertation at the Faculty of Islamic Thought and Education, University of Tehran, without financial support.

Authors’ contribution: The corresponding author and third author's contribution in this article was 5% and 95%, respectively.

Conflict of interest: On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments: To all those who have collaborated with me in this research.