Gender roles in Islam
Gender roles in Islam are based on
The
"Those who do good, whether male or female, and have faith will enter Paradise and will never be wronged; even as much as the speck on a date stone."[1]
— Quran: 4:124
However, this notion of equality has not been reflected in several laws in Muslim-based institutions.[2]
The Quran does not specify
In some Muslim-based countries, women are legally restricted from practicing certain rights.[7]
Traditional gender roles
Cultural traditions often impact gender roles, prevailing cultural norms, and the interpretation of the Quran and other Islamic texts.[8]
Family
Some
According to
In Islamic culture, the roles played by men and women are equally important. Gender roles viewed from an Islamic perspective are based on the Qur'an and emphasize the dynamic structure of the family.[17] As in any socio-cultural group, gender roles vary depending on the conservative or liberal nature of the specific group.
Although there are no elaborate roles for men and women in the Qur'an, it is strongly implied that each gender provides equally significant contributions to the family realm.
Chapter 4, in verse 34, in the Qur'an, states that "men are the maintainers of women,"[18] due to them providing for their family. It is implied that a noble "husband's responsibilities commit him to support his wife and children, provide education for his offspring, be kind and attentive to his spouse, and be good to his affine”.[19] These values have remained rather consistent throughout the history of Islam. It is culturally understood that women do, and should, rely on men. This is viewed not as a restricting reliance, but as an arrangement to protect women from the distress and inconveniences of the public arenas.[19] It is because of this ideology that women traditionally do not contribute to the household financially, leaving men to be the sole breadwinners.
The woman's role in the home, although different from that of men, is also of great value and importance in Islamic culture. In earlier times, from a very young age, girls traditionally grew up in the women's quarters of the house called the harem. The harem was that part of the house where the female members of the family and household lived. It was normally out of bounds to all males except the master of the house, his sons and perhaps a physician.[20] Here, young girls were familiarized with domestic activities[20] and were taught Islamic laws and values.
Femininity
What is deemed feminine, and the “ideal” Muslim woman, is constantly changing. These changes are influenced by many things, including the global market and modernization. The Quran requires Muslim men and women to dress modestly.[21] The law of the hijab states that the whole female body aside from the face and hands should be covered when a woman leaves her home[22][23] as a sign of modesty, obedience to God and respect for Islamic values. Modernization has changed many aspects of femininity, in the past, and in the present.[24] The global market is changing femininity by showcasing and promoting images that are desirable for an ideal Muslim woman,[25] and this change has caused certain traditions for women to become outdated and contested.[26] One tradition that is becoming less accepted is the veil; some women, though not all, now see this as degrading in today's world whereas in the past it was seen as a sign of respect.[26] Regardless of traditions, women have been used throughout history as a cultural symbol of Muslim religious values,[27] which has shaped what it means to be feminine in a society.
Clothing
Several passages of the Quran deal with acceptable dress standards for both men and women. Surah 24, Verses 30-31 states:
"And tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them and tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to [those relatives who fall within bounds of close relationship explained in the Qur’an (i.e. the Mahrams)]..."[28]
In Iran, breaking the Islamic dress code or participation in perceived cross dressing is a crime resulting in imprisonment.[29]
Prayer and Worship
For Friday prayers, by custom, Muslim's congregations segregate men, women, and children into separate groups. On other days, the women and children pray at home. Men are expected to offer the five times daily prayers at the nearest mosque. Muhammad specifically allowed Muslim women to attend mosques and pray behind men. Mohammad said, "Do not prevent your wife(s) from going to the mosque, even though their houses are better for them," which implies women are recommended to stay at home. "A woman’s prayer in her house is better than her prayer in her courtyard, and her prayer in her bedroom is better than her prayer in her house." (Reported by Abu Dawud in al-Sunan, Baab maa jaa’a fee khurooj al-nisaa’ ilaa’l-masjid. See also Saheeh al-Jaami‘, no. 3833).
Controversial practices
Female Genital Mutilation
Surveys have shown a widespread belief in a small minority of Muslim nations, particularly in Mali, Mauritania, Guinea, and Egypt, that FGM is a religious requirement.
Modern viewpoints
Viewpoints regarding gender roles vary with different interpretations of the Quran, different sects of the religion, and different cultural traditions and geographical locations.
Salafiyyah
The ideas of
Wasatiyyah
The Qur'anic and prophetic terms for "moderation" are reflected in the word "wasatiyyah," which means the "middle way between extremes" and "upright without losing balance."[41]
Muhammad
Fatema Mernissi
In her writings, Fatema Mernissi said that “if women's rights are a problem for some modern Muslim men, it is neither because of the Qur'an nor the Prophet Muhammad, nor the Islamic tradition, but simply because those rights conflict with the interests of a male elite”.[43] She questions the social norm that a man is dishonored if a woman in their family works outside of domestic space. She asserts that in the male mind, society is divided into an economically productive section that is public and male and, a domestic sphere that is private and female, and that these two areas should not mix.[8]
Heba Ra'uf
Heba Ra'uf (born 1965) stresses the importance of new interpretations of the Quran and Sunnah (traditions and sayings of Muhammad). Ra'uf argues that the advancement of women's causes in Arab and Muslim societies requires a reworking of Islamic thought. She criticizes the efforts of those who draw their inspiration exclusively from Western feminism.[8] On the other hand, some feminists like Nawal El-Saadawi severely criticize the veil: “veiling and nakedness are two sides of the same coin. Both mean women are bodies without mind … ”.[44] But Ra'uf sees wearing a veil as a means of liberation: “the veil neutralizes women's sexuality in the public sphere, making clear that they are citizens – not sexual objects”.[45]
Ra'uf acknowledges that women belong in the public sphere, and she challenges any gender-based separation between the public and private spheres.[46] She has asserted that “breaking the dichotomy would give housewives more social esteem and would encourage working women to fulfill their psychological need to be good mothers and wives,” [46] emphasizing that women's work should extend both into the private and the public sectors.
Countries
Saudi Arabia
As of June 2018, women are allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. They were the only country in the world which banned woman from driving.[47][48] In some areas, such as Mecca, they are expected to cover their hair as well.[8] While they have gained increased access to education and a few gender-segregated job opportunities, their representation in the labor market has increased from just over 10 percent in 2002 to 33 percent in 2021[update].[49][50]
Women's development in Saudi Arabia has been relatively slower than in its neighboring Arab countries, especially regarding the improvement of female participation.[8] In 2004, the fifth Jeddah Economic Forum held in Saudi Arabia had its first ever woman in key activities, with Lubna Olayan delivering the keynote speech.[8]
Iran
The
Afghanistan
In the Afghanistan, women's rights have oscillated back and forth depending on the time period. After the fall of Kabul in 2021 during the Taliban insurgency and subsequent takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban, concern about the future of women in the country increased.[58] For the past 18 years, there were improvements in girls' education in which 4 out of 10 children were girls, according to a report by UNESCO. Due to the pressure from United Nations and International Organizations, Talibans were forced to allow women for education including under-graduate and post-graduate.[59]
Apart from the education rights, the Women's Ministry was also replaced by the Ministry of Vice and Virtue. These groups of
See also
Notes
- ^ Gerry Mackie, 1996: "FGM is pre-Islamic but was exaggerated by its intersection with the Islamic modesty code of family honor, female purity, virginity, chastity, fidelity, and seclusion."[33]
- ^ Gerry Mackie, 1996: "The Koran is silent on FGM, but several hadith (sayings attributed to Mohammed) recommend attenuating the practice for the woman's sake, praise it as noble but not commanded, or advise that female converts refrain from mutilation because even if pleasing to the husband it is painful to the wife."[34]
References
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- ^ ul Haq, Ikram. "Is it a woman's duty to cook for her husband?". Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
- ^ Salih, Su`ad . Onislam, "Women Working as TV Announcers." Last modified June 18, 2002. Accessed March 14, 2014. http://www.onislam.net/english/ask-the-scholar/financial-issues/earning-livelihood/175434.html.
- ^ "Sahih al-Bukhari 7138 - Judgments (Ahkaam) - كتاب الأحكام - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)". sunnah.com. Retrieved 2022-03-02.
- ^ "Second-Class Citizenship". The Century Foundation. April 4, 2017.
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- ^ Jivraj; de Jong; Suhraiya; Anisa (2003). "A Resource on Sexuality, Gender and Islam". kar.kent.ac.uk. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
- ^ "It is not compulsory upon the wife to do the housework".
The Majority of Muslim scholars think that serving one's husband is not compulsory...Imaams Maalik, Ash-Shaaf`i and Abu Haneefah may Allah have mercy upon them support this. Al-Qayyim may Allah have mercy upon him cited that marriage contract enables a husband to enjoy his wife; it does not enable him to engage her in housework.
- ^ "Women's Issues". Retrieved September 7, 2017.
...cooking, sewing, cleaning, laundry, etc. These things are not an obligation on her [the wife]
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- ^ "Selected Rulings". Retrieved September 8, 2017.
It is necessary for women to cover their whole bodies from strangers except for the face and hands. No special kind and color of dress is recommended; anything with which the body can be covered would be sufficient.
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- ^ Gruenbaum (2001), 50; Mackie and LeJeune (UNICEF) 2008, 8–9.
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- ^ a b Mackie (1996), 1004–1005.
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- ^ a b El-Gawhary, K. (1994), "It is time to launch a new women's liberation movement – an Islamic one (an interview with Heba Ra'uf)", Middle East Report, pp.26-7.
- ^ "Saudi women to be allowed driving licences". BBC. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
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- ^ Jalabi, Raya (2021-11-04). "Saudi women barrel into workforce in changing kingdom". Reuters. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
- ^ "Adult education offers new opportunities and options to Iranian women". Ungei.org. March 6, 2006. Archived from the original on October 5, 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
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Works cited
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- Gruenbaum, Ellen (2001). The Female Circumcision Controversy: An Anthropological Perspective. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 978-0-8122-1746-9.
- (PDF) from the original on 20 July 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- Roald, Ann-Sofie (2003). Women in Islam: The Western Experience. London: Routledge.