Women Of Islam And Religion

CONTENTS

* Introduction

* Role of Women in Religion

* Independence and Freedom of Choice

* Gender Equality

* Equality in Practice

* Equality and Feminism

* Restrictions on Women

* Role as Vicegerents

o What does this mean for women?

* Women as leaders of Prayer

* Women's role in Religious activities and Friday Prayer

* Equality of Women and Combat

* Examples of Women

o Queen of Sheba's example of Spirituality and Leadership

* Bibliography

Introduction

Islam was first known as a faith of a small community in the 7th century and quickly

became a top world known religion. Robert Wuthnow says the central core of the

Islamic faith, is the belief that Muhammad received a revelations from God that have

been preserved in a book called the Koran. (Encyclopedia of Politics and Religion, 1998

ed., vol.2 "Islam"). [1]

Religion and prayer in Islam cannot be understated. Prayer for all Muslims is an

obligation and is part of their way of life. The women of Islam were announced, just like

men, to be full human beings, and were obligated with all three degrees of this religion;

Islam (outward submission to Allah), Iman (inward faith in Allah), Ihsan (perfection of

worship of Allah). They are required to testify that no other is deserving of worship other

than Allah, Muhammad is Allah's messenger; they are obligated to pray, give charity,

fast and make pilgrimage to Allah's house if she has he means.

The book of Koran explains this as follows:

"And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women."

(Koran 2:226) [2].

The treatment of women in Muslim nations had been a controversy to the world since it

the creation of Islam in the 7th century. Their treatment is based upon local, social and

cultural practices that are interpreted as Islamic. However, a low place in their culture for

women is not new in most Arab countries, and will be explained in this analysis. By

examining the status of women in Islam, it will be clear how they are treated, looked

upon, presented and what their role in Islamic society is.

Role of Women in Religion

Muslims seek guidance from Allah through His book, the Qur'an, and His messenger

Mohammed. Muslims believe that the word of Allah is supreme and takes precedence

over all traditions cultures.

Muslim women were expected to participate in the prayer sessions as the Mosque along

with that of the men. Not only were women granted equality like the men, the women

were given the same spiritual status as men.

"Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, Verily, to

him will We give new Life, and life that is good and pure, and We will

bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions."

(Koran, Sura 16, Verse 97) [3].

As the Islamic state and religion expanded, interpretations of the gender roles laid out in

the Quran varied with different cultures. [4]

In modern contemporary times, some Muslim women, as well as men, have rejected the

limitations put on them and have begun to re-interpret the Qur'an.

"I shall not lose sight of the labor of any of you who labors in My way,

be it man or woman; each of you is equal to the other (3:195)" [5]

"Spiritual equality, responsibility and accountability for both men and women is a well

developed theme in the Quran. Understanding the spiritual equality of women in Islam is

to understand that equality between men and women in the sight of God is not limited to

purely spiritual, religious issues, but is the basis for equality in all temporal aspects of

human life." [6]

Independence and Freedom of Choice

As for what Muslim feminists argue women should wear to conform to Islamic ideals:

unlike Islamists, who maintain that the hijab stands as the very symbol of Muslim piety;

the most important