Women in Islam (Coursework Sample)

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Women in Islam
Women in Islam had limited or no right and status long before Prophet Muhammad was born in the 7th century; this as a result of Arabia culture that oppressed women. Women were treated harshly even during the time of Prophet Muhammad because men embraced traditions that were oppressive to women (Pbs.org 1). Hence, women did not have basic rights like the right to live because many young girls were buried alive when there was famine. As a messenger of Allah, Muhammad begun preaching Islam that had different perception on women rights compared to traditional Arabia cultures. Prophet Muhammad preached to men about respecting women because they are Allah’s creation. In ancient Arabia, girls were seen a burden to their family, and many families got rid by burying them alive. The aspect of burying girls’ alive shows that men had little regard on woman, and such ill-treatment continues to affect women in the 21st century long after the prophet died. The Quran says that on judgment day girls who were buried alive will rise up from their graves, and inquire why they were killed (Pbs.org 1). Women in Islam continue to suffer today at the hand of their male counterparts even as Muhammad established clear rights of women in the Quran. This essay seeks to discuss the position and the rights of women in Islam during the times of Prophet Muhammad in terms of their dress codes, and the aspect of Muslim women growing up of America.
Rights of women
Islam is a religion that has for many centuries undermined the rights of women because of negative perception of men. Men regard women as inferior persons who should not be given equal right as them. The foundation of women right violation and discrimination starts from the Quran’s Sharia laws (Sakr 44). Sharia laws give men power to control women, and this has continued to suppress the freedom of Islam women. Sharia laws are widely used in Islamic nations, and they deny women equal rights and opportunities like men. The Sharia law gives men power to form patriarchal societies that undermine the position, and the rights of women (Engineer 184). For example, in Islam, women do not have the right of choosing a marriage partner most of the time. The selection is done by their parents, and they impose their will to the girl.
In the past centuries when the rights of women were not echoed like today, many Muslim girls were married off to much older men while they were still underage. Though this practice is slowly dying, there are some Islam believers that are still marrying off their underage girls to older men, and the end results have not been pleasant. For example, in 2013, Rawan, an eight year old Yemen girl died from excessive bleeding after she was repeatedly raped by her 40 year old husband. Rawan was sold off by her parents to an older man, and even after tragic death; the husband and the girl’s parents were not arrested (Religiousfreedomcoalition.org1). This barbaric practice of child marriage to older men is rooted in the Quran and it gives parents the right to marry off their children to older men. Prophet Muhammad married six years old Aisha, and consummated their matrimony when she was nine years (Pbs.org 1). Hence, as the respected Muslim prophet, his action of marrying a child has set foundation to Muslim believers that a woman has no right to herself; a woman is a mere tool of satisfying men, and she lives in the shadow of men because she has no power or rights.
According to Islam, both men and women were created equal by God, and they should be given equal rights. Islam gives women the permission to inherit property, the right to marriage and initiate divorce (Nasir 19). In ancient Islamic communities, women were property owners and professionals in many fields; this is still the case in some nations (Nasir 19). However, majority of women have never enjoyed any of these rights because male leaders undermine women because the Sharia law give men power over women (Esposito and Natana 43). For instance, though a woman has the right to initiate divorce, this is a challenge in many nations because men dominate legislation (Engineer 143). Since the word of a man is more respected than the word of a women, a divorce case always favor the man because his testimony is regarded factual even when he is lying (Nasir 19).
A patriarchal legislation always suppresses these inherent Islam rights to women, and this hinder achievement Islamic values. Muhammad had four daughters and he constantly advised Muslim men to treat, and respect women because both men and women have equal rights that should be upheld and not violated. Using Islam, the prophet taught men that a woman is human beings who need protection, and respect by the patriarchal society (Engineer 173). The Prophet advised men to treat women and girls fairly because on judgment day these girls might speak in their favor and save them from going to hell (Pbs.org 1).
Sharia law
The Sharia law as the foundation of Islam is very oppressive to women and men has for centuries denied women their rights. Even in the present day, men uses Sharia law to suppress women. From the time of Prophet Muhammad, gender inequality has been prevalent in Islamic nations, and women are unable to achieve their goals and dreams in the building of the nation. For instance, Islam allows early marriages to girls. Though the religion does deny women from getting education, marrying off girls denies them chance to study like the boy child to build a career, and better themselves (Nasir 15). Women were seen by many men as tools for pleasure and this explains why women are married off at tender age. This means that women are highly discriminated when it comes to education, and very few achieve their education goals.
Sharia law has strict rules that every Islam woman is obligated to follow or risk punishment or death (Ebersole et al 25). Unlike in the West where women have freedom to dress however they want, this is not the case in Muslim women especially in the Middle East or North Africa. Women are demanded to wear hijab to cover their head and long dress. This is a tradition dress code in Islam women that is passed from generation to generation since it is enriched in the Sharia law (Islamswomen.com 1). Failure to dress according to Islam law can lead to grave consequence such as honor killing where a family can decide to kill a girl or a woman for bringing shame to the family. Many Islam women have died from honor killings for refusing to honor arranged marriage, not dressing properly or having sex outside their marriages. Many women have fallen victim to this injustice though Islam as religion does not permit people from taking the law in their hands (Pbs.org 1).
Middle East nations such as Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iraq, and Iran have for many centuries relied on Sharia law, and this has affected women rights’ and status (Realislam.com 1). For instance, the issue of dress code is strict and all women including non-Muslim women living or visiting Saudi Arabia are demanded to dress according to the Islam religion or risk punishment. Hence, women are demanded to wear long dresses and hijab to cover their head and face if they are married. However, to the non-married women, they can cover only their head. The concept of covering head and faces among married women is to shield their faces from other men because only their husbands and family are allowed to see them (Sakr, 32). This is a tradition that women have been practiced since the era of the prophet, and failure to wear the right clothes such as hijab and has resulted to undesired consequence; in the extreme some women have been killed for shaming the family and Islam religion (Roald, 200).
Role in religion and family
Women played a critical role during the time of Prophet Muhammad. This is evident from Muhammad’s first wife Khadijah who spoke about Muhammad’s horrifying revelation experience. Khadijah consoled her husband and she was the first convert to Islam. She provided the prophet with the support he needed in their marriage, and in his religious path. His other wives also contributed positively in his life, and this shows that a woman had a crucial role in early Islam community (Pbs.org 1). For instance, in his subsequent marriages after Khadijah died, Muhammad married many wives for many reason such gaining political allies, and economic basis. His wife Aisha became the source of information about the Prophet’s life, religion; she was an expert in poetry and medicine (CIOGC.org 1). His daughters also played crucial roles in the social and religion foundation, and their deeds are preached today especially the Shiite Muslims. In the present day, a woman plays a critical role in shaping her children and husband religion path, and career. This is by providing necessary moral support, and this shows that a woman has a crucial position in Islam from the Quran (Pbs.org 1).
Women played a role in reproduction, and Islam gave men permission to marry about 4 wives if the man had the financial capability of taking care of them. The concept of polygamous marriage is a negative aspect that has affected many women across the world for many centuries. As the founder of Islam, Muhammad strived to improve the plight of women in the society, and his value of women rights is echoed by many Islam feminist advocates who have demanded equal rights to women as enshrined in the Quran (Whyislam.org 1).
In ancient Islam, women played a vital role in providing prophet’s hospitality and treating wounded servants of Allah. Muhammad received special care from his female companions, and this shows that a woman had a valuable position in the mission of prophet and imams by providing healthcare. Women in Islam also cared for wounded men in the war...