Please note that my answer is based on the philosophy of Islam and not on the very patriarchal practices of Muslim communities who literally treat women as man's property and abuse her on a daily basis. Ideally, in Islam a woman is not considered a property of any other creation; this includes her husband. She and her husband both are Allah's property and on the earth they are two independent creations of the Creator brought together through a worldly paper contract. Bear in mind that islam is the first religion that instituted divorce rights for women. Therefore it must be understood that islam does not promote marriage as something that is other-worldly, and where people can brand one another (eg sindoor) because they have signed a piece of paper. Islam take on marriage is curt and practical. Both men and women are bound only to Allah as two distinct individuals. They are bound to each other because of the awareness that on the Day of Judgment they would be made answerable for their deeds, behaviours towards one another.
