Addressing Thousands, Ayatollah Khamenei Outlines Islamic Principles on Women’s Dignity, Rights, and Family
Leader Highlights Status of Lady Fatimah (sa), Women’s Rights in Islam, and the Failures of Western Cultural Models
Iran, PUREWILAYAH.COM — Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei delivered a comprehensive address on Wednesday morning at Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah before thousands of women and girls from across Iran.
His remarks focused on the spiritual rank of Lady Fatimah Zahra (sa), the dignity and rights of women in Islam, the importance of family and the dangers posed by Western cultural narratives.
Lady Fatimah (sa): The Supreme Celestial Model
Ayatollah Khamenei described Lady Fatimah Zahra (sa) as a figure whose virtues transcend human comprehension.
“If we want to describe her in one sentence, we must say she is an ‘Arshi’ human — a celestial being,” he said.
He highlighted her excellence in worship, humility, sacrifice, patience amid trials, defense of the oppressed and her presence in pivotal events of early Islamic history.
He said, “Fatimah Zahra (sa) is the Sun from whom Iranian women take their lessons and direction.”
Islam’s Elevated View of Women
The Leader affirmed that Islam grants women the highest human dignity.
“The Qur’an’s descriptions of a woman’s identity are among the highest and most progressive,” he said.
He explained that men and women share equal capacity for spiritual perfection and meaningful historical contribution.
These principles, he noted, stand in contrast to the misunderstandings of “those who have religion but do not understand it, as well as those who reject religion altogether.”
Equal Social, Political, and Economic Rights
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that women in Islam are entitled to full participation in society. Islam, he said, guarantees women’s rights in social, economic and political fields and permits access to most governmental responsibilities.
“In Islam, the path of progress is open for women in individual and social endeavors,” he said.
He further emphasized the need for equal pay, support for working women, insurance coverage and guaranteed maternity rights.
Islamic Boundaries and the Western Capitalist Model
The Leader contrasted Islamic teachings with Western cultural practices, criticizing the capitalist framework for degrading women.
“The corrupt Western capitalist culture is rejected,” he stated.
He noted that Islam prescribes specific limits in modesty, gender interaction and the encouragement of marriage as safeguards for personal dignity and social stability.
“The Western capitalist view turns women into a tool for material gain and lust,” Ayatullah Khamenei said, pointing to the widespread commercialization of sexuality in Western societies.
Family as the Foundation of Civilization
Ayatollah Khamenei underscored that family is a sacred institution and central to human civilization. Islam, he said, assigns clear and mutual rights to husbands, wives and children.
Women’s rights in the home include love and affection from the husband, freedom from violence, exemption from forced housework, support during childbirth and opportunities for education and career advancement.
Citing the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), he said:
“The Prophet described woman as a ‘flower,’ not a worker obligated to household tasks.”
He added: “The woman is the manager of the home.”
The Leader called for appreciation of women who manage households skillfully despite economic challenges.
Consequences of Western Cultural Norms
Ayatollah Khamenei warned that Western cultural models have caused widespread social decay.
“What they call ‘freedom’ is in fact captivity,” he said.
He pointed to family disintegration, fatherless children, exploitation networks targeting young girls and the rise of sexual disorder as symptoms of the Western approach.
“Capitalism names its massive corruption ‘freedom’ and tries to impose it even on our society,” he added.
Hijab and the Advancement of Women
Rejecting Western claims that hijab restricts women’s progress, Ayatollah Khamenei argued that Iran’s experience proves otherwise.
“The Islamic Republic nullified this false logic. A hijab-observing Muslim woman can excel beyond others,” he said.
He highlighted the unprecedented achievements of Iranian women in fields including science, research, sports, politics, social activism, health and medicine and community service.
“Never in Iran’s history have we had this many scholars, thinkers and accomplished women,” he affirmed.
Media’s Role in Preserving Islamic Perspective
In his concluding remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei urged media to refrain from adopting Western narratives related to hijab and gender issues.
“Do not echo Western ideas on hijab and gender interaction. Present Islam’s deep and effective view,” he said.
He added that accurate presentation of Islamic principles would naturally draw many people—especially women—toward Islam globally. (PW)