Muslim women were granted complete financial independence in the seventh century. They controlled their earnings, owned property, kept their inheritance, and received mahr as a binding marital gift. Centuries later, cultural practices buried most of these rights. In this episode of WISE Women with Daisy Khan, Dr. Daisy Khan sits down with Dr. Rabab Gomaa-Razik, scholar of Islamic law and author of The Wealth of Women, to expose the gap between what Islamic texts promise and what women actually receive. Dr. Gomaa-Razik spent 33 years interviewing women trapped in joint accounts they cannot access, denied mahr until divorce, and shamed for claiming inheritance. She reveals the concept of "invisible labor" and why domestic work remains voluntary under Islamic law despite cultural expectations. Learn the practical steps families can take before marriage to protect women's financial rights and why younger Muslims show more promise for change. When women gain financial security, entire families and societies prosper. This is WISE Women with Daisy Khan – because every story matters. The journey ends not with what we acquire but with what we become. The qualities that sustain us through difficulty often become the very gifts we offer to the world. For more such inspiring stories and discussion, like, follow, and connect with Dr Daisy Khan. #WISEWomenwithDaisyKhan #WISEWomen #MuslimWomen #IslamicFinance #WomensRights #FinancialIndependence #Mahr #Inheritance #RababGomaRazik #TheWealthOfWomen #IslamicLaw #MuslimMarriage #FinancialEmpowerment #InvisibleLabor #WomensEmpowerment #IslamAndWomen #MuslimFamilies #KedWesai #MarriageRights #FinancialSecurity Connect with Dr. Daisy Khan: Websites: https://daisykhan.com/ https://www.wisemuslimwomen.org/ Podcast: https://wisewomenwithdaisykhan.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdaisykhan/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WISEWomenwithDaisyKhan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WISEwomenwithdaisykhan/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576656401275 Connect with Dr. Rabab Gomaa-Razik: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubydo/ Facebook: https://github.com/RababGomaa Twitter/X: https://x.com/rubysdo YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@rababgomaa2396 Dr. Rabab Gomaa-Razik Bio: Rabab Gomaa (maiden name Razik), a University of Houston graduate, began her career as an architect. However, over the past 33 years, she has devoted her life to the study and teaching of Islamic Studies. She holds an Islamic Studies degree from Islamic American University, a Master's in Islamic Studies from American Open University, and a PhD in Islamic Law from American University for Human Sciences. Dr. Gomaa has a deep-rooted interest in women's studies under Islamic law, general Islamic law, Islamic history, and comparative fiqh. She is a frequent speaker and guest at churches and on interfaith panels, as well as a sought-after speaker at colleges and universities in the Chicagoland area, where she addresses topics such as spirituality, Islamic law, women's rights in Islam, and Islamic creed. Her fluency in Arabic enhances her research and communication skills. Dr. Gomaa is and has served as a member of various institutions. At Northwest Suburban College, she taught courses such as Qur'anic Arabic and Religion in Architecture. She is also affiliated with the Arab Academy for Shari'a Sciences in Beirut, Lebanon, where she specializes in Comparative Fiqh and serves as a PhD Thesis Review Advisor and Academic Dissertation Panelist. She taught Principles of the Islamic Faith at American Open University and recently taught Comparative Fiqh at the Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs in Rolling Meadows, IL. Dr. Gomaa is actively engaged in teaching at various times of the year in community centers, mosques, and organizations, including the Islamic Foundation in Villa Park and Al-Huda Academy in Schaumburg, IL. Her dedication to teaching and her ability to make learning an enjoyable experience for her students define her teaching philosophy. Her recent debut book, "The Wealth of Women: Understanding Islamic Financial Laws" summarizes the fiqh opinions of various classical and traditional scholars, and also highlights areas of controversy. The book also features the diverse stories of 21 women, showcasing the extent to which Islamic financial laws are commonly upheld in practice. Rabab Gomaa-Razik was born in Cairo Egypt and her parents immigrated to the U.S. when she was eight years old. She is married and has four children and four grandchildren. She resides in South Barrington, IL. WISE Women with Daisy Khan Where Muslim voices rise, bridges are built, and history's unsung heroines reclaim their light. WISE Women with Daisy Khan gives voice to Muslims sharing their experiences with anti-Muslim bias, educates non-Muslims to become upstanders against discrimination, and spotlights extraordinary women throughout history whose contributions have been erased. We reclaim faith as a force for good while building bridges between East and West—transforming fear into understanding, one conversation at a time. In a world where misinformation silences too many voices, we break through the noise by creating space for authentic dialogue. Muslims share their experiences, grievances, and hope for a better future, turning pain into a powerful conversation that demands to be heard. Our episodes are designed to educate and empower non-Muslims to reject stereotyping and discrimination when they see it. We believe understanding begins with listening, so we challenge disinformation with knowledge and empathy, equipping people to become courageous upstanders. We revive the legacy of luminary women who shaped civilizations yet were erased from history's pages—a reminder that women have always been shapers of civilizations, despite attempts to erase their contributions. At its heart, WISE Women confronts the distortion and weaponization of religion for political gain, reclaiming faith as a force for justice, equality, and empowerment. This isn't just another podcast—it's a bridge between communities taught to fear each other, between the world as it is and the world as it could be. We're opening hearts and minds, building the understanding our divided world desperately needs. Welcome to WISE Women. Where wisdom meets courage, and voices become bridges. News [Source: CBS Evening News] A man sent a hateful message to a Muslim candidate. He responded with a call for help, article by Steve Hartman https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-man-sent-a-hateful-message-to-a-muslim-candidate-he-responded-with-a-call-to-help/
