Since International Women's Day (March 8) is being celebrated this week, we decided to take a closer look at the "Muslim women are oppressed" narrative we hear so often. 

But first some truths. Islamic law can be interpreted in a way that allows for child marriage, allots daughters half the inheritance of sons, considers a woman's testimony in financial matters worth half that of a man's...

However, there is more to Islam than that, and there is more to Islam than the way people and governments choose to apply it.

Here's a look at the side of women's rights in Islam that is often overlooked:

1. Islam gave women their basic rights centuries before the West did

RT "@Roxyzo: Islam gave women their full rights 1500 years ago yet women in the present time are struggling to fight for their basic rights"

— إزميرالدا (@Patiimaa) June 22, 2013

"Women in 7th century Arabia had rights not extended to most women in the West till recent centuries over 1,000 years later," writes Huffington Post's Jim Garrison.

Women in pre-Islamic Arabia were reportedly barred from basic human and civil rights. They were considered inferior to men, and therefore treated as property. Women had very little control over their marriages and could not inherit property. 

When Islam was introduced in the sixth century, women's status improved substantially.

Islamic law made the education of girls a sacred duty and gave women the right to own and inherit property. Islam also imposed women's consent as a condition for legitimate marriage contracts.

Islam was actually the first religion to give women rights of inheritance.

Meanwhile, women in America and Europe were denied the right to own and manage property until the 18th century. 

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