Early Years of Women in Islam
The Islamic faith has historically upheld tenets that respect women and
their role in society, although these teachings have been
misrepresented and misinterpreted by Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
-
When Islam first developed on the Arabian Peninsula 13 centuries ago, women and girls faced oppression in many forms
such as female infanticide, sexual slavery, and denial of basic human
rights. The guidance and influence of Muhammad led to drastic legal and
societal changes that addressed these misogynistic customs.
-
Through the early teachings of Islam, women gained many rights,
such as the right to: inherit property from their parents; assume the
assets of their deceased husbands; keep the revenues from their labor;
marry according to their preference; vote and be involved in
decision-making; and acquire an education.
For more information about the role of women in Islam, please explore our Recommended Reading section.
Origin of Wearing Hijab
The origin of hijab, women’s head and body covering, dates back to
ancient times and the teachings of the Qur'an. The Qur’an encourages
both men and women to dress modestly and to avert their eyes when
encountering each other—in order to understand each other first as
human beings, not sexual beings.
-
In Islamic scholarship, hijab also refers more broadly to modesty, privacy, and morality.
-
The Qur’an does not include any reference to a facial veil, which is a tribal Arab custom practiced in many Gulf countries as a personal and cultural choice.
-
Today, Muslim women from different countries and cultures adopt many varieties of hijab, ranging from a simple head scarf to a full-length robe.
-
Many Muslim women choose not to wear any head covering. In the United States, about as many Muslim women wear hijab as those who don’t.
American Muslim Women Today
Today’s American Muslim women hold leadership positions at a range
of socially conscious organizations, such as civil rights groups and
cultural societies. They also work as doctors and nurses, college
professors, corporate executives, fashion designers, musicians, and a
host of other careers. They even lead Islamic prayer sessions.
To learn more about real-life American Muslim women, please see our Meet American Muslims section or check out our Find an Expert section.
|
