SOCIAL STUDIES: Impact of Islam on Women

Before Islam, the position of women in Arab society varied. In some communities, women were active in religion, trade, or politics. As in most societies at the time, however, most women had limited rights. Arab women could not inherit property and had to obey a male guardian. Among few tribes, unwanted daughters were sometimes killed at birth.

Islam extended rights and protection to women by affirming the spiritual equality of all Muslims. The Quran teaches that “Whoever does right, whether male or female, and is a believer, all such will enter the Garden”. The Quran prohibited the killing of the daughters, granted women an inheritance, and allowed women to reject a marriage offer. Islam also encouraged education for men and women so that all Muslims could study the Quran.

Although spiritually equal under Islam, men and women had different roles or rights. For example, women inherited less than men and had a different time getting a divorce. As Islam spread, Muslims adopted practices of conquered peoples. For example, the practices of veiling upper-class women and secluding them in a separate part of the home were Persian customs. The Quran says that women should dress modestly, which has been interpreted in multiple ways. Still, women’s lives varied according to region and class. In rural areas, peasant women often needed to work and did not wear a veil, but took care to dress modestly.

Think about

-         How do you see the relationship between women and the Islam?

-         Culture and religion are both manifestations of human beings living in society, but they don’t always go towards the same direction. How do you think different cultures have shaped the Islam? How was this influence contrary to prior practices?

-         Some of the practices of the Islam have their origin in peoples all across the North of Africa and the Middle East, and are not necessarily related to the Quran. Which costumes Muslims follow and practice do not have an origin in the Quran but in local cultures? 

(BE PREPARED TO ADVANCE YOUR POINT OF VIEW IN A ROUND TABLE NEXT CLASS)