Women in Islamic Society
History of Women in Islam
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Islam began in Arabia in the
early 600s, ever since then
there have been shifting social,
economic, and political views
about women
Women were caught between
traditionalists and reformers
There was a strong patriarchal
government that discriminated
against women in politics
Women were viewed as a man’s
property not as an individual
History continued
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Women didn’t have a say in
who they married
Dowries were always paid to
male relatives of the bride
Women were not educated
Female infanticide was a
common tradition
Polygyny was practiced
widely throughout Islamic
societies
A Brief Definition of Polygamy
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Polygamy is the practice of
having multiple spouses
Polyandry is the practice of
having multiple husbands
Polygyny is the practice of
having multiple wives
Women and the Quran
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The Quran says that men and
women are equal in the eyes of
Allah however men are “a
degree above” women
It also says that women must
be respectful of men and dress
modestly unless in the company
of their husband, servants, or
children
A woman who’s husband goes
to hell must accompany him to
hell no matter her actions
One man is equal to two women
Marriage
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Women are married often as
teens
Marriage is viewed as a legal
contract not a religious
sacrament
Betrothal is allowed only
with the consent of both the
man and the woman
One man may have up to
three partners but legally
only one wife
The dowry is paid to the
bride not her father
Divorce
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If a man wants to divorce his
wife he must announce it
three times then wait three
months to divorce his wife
unless she is pregnant in
which case he must wait
until the child is born
Women may remarry
Ill-treated women may
divorce their husbands
Family
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Women are expected to
control the affairs of the
home
Children are taught that they
must obey and respect their
mothers
Birth control is now
acceptable in Islamic society
Education
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In recent years girls are now
given full time education
Girls attend Mosque schools
and attend separate classes
than boys
Women are now permitted
to attend universities
The Tradition of Dress
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Hijab is the veil used to
cover the head that
originated from the
Byzantines
The Tradition of Dress
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Chadors are a type of dress
that leaves the face open but
covers the entire body
The Tradition of Dress
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Burkas are a type of dress
that covers the entire body
and face with the idea that
women are should be able to
see but not be seen
Modern Dress
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Modern versions of
traditional dress include
head scarves and long
sleeves
More Modern Dress
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Modern dress is also colorful
opposed to the black robes
of classical times
Politics
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During the 20th century the
majority of Muslim countries
gave women the right to
vote
In 1988 Benazir Bhutto was
elected prime minister of
Pakistan becoming the first
women to lead a Muslim
country
She was followed by
Khalaeda Zia in Bangladesh
and then Tansu Ciller in
Turkey
Religion
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In mosques there are usually
separate rooms where men
and women pray; if not the
women must sit behind the
men
Women are now allowed to
worship at home so they
may care for their children
Women must follow the rules
of fasting like the men
unless they have young
children or are pregnant
In the Workplace
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Women are not forced to
work but rather they choose
to get jobs to help support
their families
Many women work in
factories because they were
not educated otherwise
Women’s Rights
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Own land
Inherit property from
deceased relatives
Divorce husbands
Run businesses
The End