Background
By: Britney Niese, Sarah Debellis, Katya Kantar
Historically, the interpretation of Islam has been largely a male endeavor. Women have generally been marginalized from the male centers of Islamic interpretation, including both scripture and law, and leadership roles in public worship. But this has changed in recent times.Contrary to popular belief, Islam has a tradition of protecting the rights of women. In fact, Islam has specific provisions, which define the rights of women in areas such as marriage, divorce, and property rights. It is important to consider that the rights of women in Islam have evolved over time and vary depending on their geographical location. Click for more information
Women & The Quran (Click for more information)
Women’s Rights – Then and Now, Featuring: Afghanistan
Common myths of a Muslim woman’s rights
Truth: women are equal
– Women are seen as equals in the eyes of God and the government. The only way that a person would be seen as less than in the eyes of god is if their faith and devotion to God fall short. Women also have full legal rights. In fact, Muslim women gained equal rights far before most all women in western cultures. Any time that Muslim women are oppressed it does not stem from Islamic values or traditions, it is due to other confounding variables.
Truth: the dress code is not this strict
-There are three main rules that Muslim women must follow as outlined in the Qur’an
“(1) the best garment is the garment of righteousness,
(2) whenever we dress, we should cover our chest (bosoms), and
(3) to lengthen our garment.” (Tucson)
There are special circumstances where Muslim women must be fully covered, mostly in public, and you can learn more about such circumstances here. aside from such situations, it is not necessary to be fully covered at all times.
Truth: Women are free to leave the house as they please
Many people, especially here in America where we also believe that a woman’s place is in the home, believe that women are not allowed to leave their home without permission or the company of their husband/male family member. Women are allowed to come and go from the house as they please and they do not need to have special permission to do so. Many verses in the Qur’an clearly explain this. To see the specific verses click here.
References
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Bakhtiar, L. (n.d.). How Islam Confirms Women’s Rights. Retrieved from International Museum of Women Muslima: http://muslima.imow.org/content/how-islam-confirms-women%E2%80%99s-rights
Common Misconceptions About Islam. (n.d.). Retrieved 11 20, 2013, from ahlulsunnahwaljammah:http://ahlulsunnahwaljammah.wordpress.com/category/introduction-to-islam/common-misinterpretations-of-islam/
DeLong-Bas, N. J. (n.d.). Women, Islam, and the Twenty-first Century. Retrieved 23 13, 11, from Oxford Islamic Studies: http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/Public/focus/essay1107_women.html
female_dress_code_translations.html
Garcia, M. (2013). A Woman’s Voice Is Her Nakedness. Cineaste, 38(4), 34-37.
PBS. (n.d.). Retrieved from Global Connections: Middle East: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/questions/women/
Report on the Taliban’s War Against Women. (2001, November 17). Retrieved from U.S. Department of State: http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/6185.htm
Tucson, M. (n.d.). Female Dress Code and Common Errors in Translation. Retrieved November 20, 2013, from masjidtucson: http://www.masjidtucson.org/submission/perspectives/women/
WILLIAMS, M. (2013). Veiled meanings. National Catholic Reporter, 49(19), 1a-2a.
Women Confined to Houses. (n.d.). Retrieved 11 20, 2013, from Misconceptions About Islam: http://www.misconceptions-about-islam.com/women-confined-to-houses.htm
Women Must Fully Cover Up In Islam. (n.d.). Retrieved 11 20, 2013, from Misconceptions About Islam: http://misconceptions-about-islam.com/dress-code-women-veil.htm
Abussalam, A. (n.d.). A Life, Not Just a Coif. Retrieved from International Musuem of Women Muslima: http://muslima.imow.org/stories/life-not-just-coif#sthash.E1IROJtr.dpuf
Ahlawat, M. K. (n.d.). Make Space in Your Thoughtspace. Retrieved from International Museum for Women Muslima: http://muslima.imow.org/stories/make-space-your-thoughtspace
Ahmed, N. H. (n.d.). Redefine Limits and Courage to Strive for More. Retrieved from International Museum for Women Muslima: http://muslima.imow.org/stories/redefine-limits-and-courage-strive-more#sthash.bN997iwn.dpuf
Saffaa. (n.d.). I Am My Own Guardian. Retrieved from International Museum of Women Muslima: http://muslima.imow.org/stories/i-am-my-own-guardian#sthash.RQZuQNfV.dpuf
Schubert, D. (n.d.). A Blossom Out of Muddy Waters. Retrieved from International Museum of Women Muslima: http://muslima.imow.org/stories/blossom-out-muddy-waters#sthash.A5wSLZHe.dpuf
Tasveer, A. (n.d.). I Found the Path to Liberation. Retrieved from International Museum of Women Muslima: http://muslima.imow.org/stories/i-found-path-liberation#sthash.D9sCjVs4.dpuf