Male and Female Roles in Muslim Countries

Historically, “Women and Gender in Islam” discusses the social, political, legal, and religious discourses and structures that have shaped the experience of Muslim women

In a society, gender roles are the roles that are restricted to males or females on the basis of their sexism. Conventionally, in numerous societies including the western society, it is supposed that females are more encouraged at any platform than the males. It is believed that for the development of a society, females should be treated in an encouraged way because encouragement of the females help in the betterment of society. Earlier, it was considered that females should remain at home and they should maintain the household things rather than working outside because outside work is only for the males, but it was a traditional way of treating women, which has been changed now.

Women throughout time have experienced position changes more times than can be counted. Not just in modern times, gender roles began in the B.C.E era. In Egypt and India, gender roles were a huge part of society. In both locations, male’s word was law. What they said was the final answer and a woman could not change that. The gender distinctions were similar in ways that women had minimal power in familiar locations, like their homes. They had a small opinion about certain subjects, but they never ventured out of the comfort zone of subjects they were allowed to discuss. Men were treated better than women, yes, but the power women held was used for some of the most important topics.

There are many political, religious, and cultural factors that shape the lives of Islamic women many of them are completely different than factors in the lives of American women. Islam is one of the world’s fastest growing religions; however, Brooks argues that “Islam’s holiest texts have been misused to justify the repression of women, and how male pride and power have warped the original message of this once liberating faith.” The book also shows these factors have slowly been taking away women’s rights, rather than furthering them.

The Middle East consisted of Islam and Medieval Europe was Christian and both societies were dominated by a powerful religious head. Medieval Europe had less intellectual achievements than that of the Abbasids, whose dynasty was founded by his descendants. Yet Christianity was more centralized than the Islamic. There are many comparisons and contrasts among both Islamic and Medieval Europe societies in there statuses, genders, religions, and wealth. First off, Medieval Europe had less achievements than those in Islam.

Before venturing into the ideals and movements of Islamic feminism, it is important to recognize some of the biased views Westerners often take when it comes to women in Islam. Because of the portrayal of women in the Arab world through pop-culture and the media, some Westerners may believe that Islam creates a society in need of modernity. The concepts of religious government are also foreign to the Western world. Feminists often focus on the practice of veiling women in Islamic tradition as a law made to minimize the importance of women as citizens. It is important for us to recognize where our biased views exist, and what sorts of root assumptions we make about women in Islam.

Men and women of Iran are segregated in society, such as restaurants, buses, and schools. The whole aspect of defined gender roles relates to the subject of maintaining patriarchy. Islam fundamentals focus on traditional values of Arab society. In this case, men have always been in control throughout time. Historical context before and after the Islamic revolution provides a realization of how Iranian society and ideology was beginning to favor women compared to their traditional role. A society in the aspect of the patriarchy can “survive only by creating institutions that foster male dominance through sexual segregation” (Mernissi 32). Having established gender roles is the epitome of these created institutions, where women are seen as less and oppressed by society. They are seen to have fitna, inducing chaos and disorder amongst men and

Gender role goes beyond biological sex, it is more based to identify leadership as masculine and feminine gender stereotypes. In the middle east, women viewed as housewives, they can not be open with men, and they are not freely to wear what they want. That is because of the tradition, the culture, and the religion that everyone takes very serious. The patriarchy is well known in the Arab World It is getting better over time, but very slowly. Leadership, the final dissections, and all the power belongs to men. They have the freedom to do anything at any time. In the books of Season of Migration to the North and Miramar, genders play an important role in both of the novels.

Islam has gradually claimed its title as the second largest religion in the world after Christianity (Severson, 2011). Muslims make up majority of the population in 49 countries (Desilver, 2017), but within those countries, approximately forty-five of them are inhabited by half a billion Muslim women (Galloway, 2014). Throughout history, women have been disregarded, dehumanized, disenfranchised, and censored in society. Within Islam, it has been widely believed that Muslim women are secluded within their homes. To many, this seclusion highlights a religious culture that oppresses Muslim women. The controversy of gender inequality between Muslim men and women continues to derive from the historical inferior position of women (Galloway, 2014). Like other religions, there are several controversial aspects within the religion that contribute to growing issues of gender equality in society. In this case, Islam is perceived to be the backbone of gender inequality between Muslim men and women. It is important to put into context the social roles of women in the past, the inferior position of women, and the cultural and traditional aspects of Islam. Issues of gender equality within Islam are mainly derived from the interpretations of the Qur’an and their religious practices. This study will examine the effects Islam has on the role of women and how it can promote religious empowerment towards Muslim women, and cultivate equality between the genders.

In recent modern times, the Islamic faith and culture has been scarred by bad publicity and criticism worldwide concerning terrorism, fanaticism, and the treatment of women. All these issues have existed in most religions throughout time, but the treatment of women is different in which most other cultures and religions have minimized the issues and Islam, under its attempts to also end it, has failed to create a society in which the treatment of women is equal to that of men. The treatment of women, beginning from the time when they are born, to the time of their marriage, to the moment of their death, has not been equal to that of men despite the actions taken to end the injustice.

People when asked about Muslim women automatically picture an oppressed, mistreated, woman. One who doesn’t receive her rights and is not acknowledged in anyway. Which is all a misconception only conceived by non- muslims or people who might not have much knowledge in Islam. If they were to look deeper they would be astonished to see a womans worth in Islam and all the rights given towards women. And how women in Islamic history helped shape the religion. Some prominent Muslim women throughout Islamic history and modern times are from the following: Khadija b. Khuwaylid , Nusayba b. Ka’b al- Ansariyya, A’isha b. Abi Bakr, Al- Malika al- Hurra Arwa al- Sulayhi,

The arrival of Islam is what was crucial for women to be seen as human beings. Women were thought to have the same capabilities as men and seen to have the same chance as men at a fulfilling religious life. “Islam confirmed her capacity to carry out Allah 's commands, her responsibilities and observation of the commands that lead to heaven. Islam considered the woman as a worthy human being, with a share in humanity equal to that of the man.” Men and women also possessed equality within the context of religious duties required by Islam. Both genders shared the same responsibilities. “The woman is also required to perform religious ordinances and forms of worship the way the man is. Praying, fasting, Zakat (the alms sanctifying tax), pilgrimage and all the other fundamental practices in Islam are required of Muslims in their capacity, both men and women, as responsible humans.” While women were given many responsibilities to carry out, having equal humanity also gave them more rights than they had before.

The role of Muslim women in the Islamic world is one has been widely discussed criticized by many people. The most common perceptions are of women living under the oppressive dictatorships of their husbands, forced into marriage, and constantly covered under the veil. The discussion of Muslim women and their roles are an important, firstly because there have been many misconceptions by non-Muslims which needs to be corrected and addressed. Secondly, some Muslim countries treat women unjustly in the name of Islam when in reality their actions are often a result of cultural or tribal customs and not Islam. Despite the stereotypical belief that Islamic women are treated unequally and cruelly, many women today are challenging this stereotype and actively affirming their rights and responsibilities that they believe the Qur 'an affords to them.

The role of women in Islam has evolved over time. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as well as the era that shortly followed the Prophet’s death, women were given a great sense of power, freedom, and rights. However, because the Quran and hadith are open to many different interpretations, a male-dominated society began to slowly restrict the rights of women and slowly began to push their roles towards staying within the household and being protected by being secluded. This is evident in societies today such as Saudi Arabia. However, over history, as well as in modern times, numerous women have overcome these obstacles and made a clear difference in society.

In modern Muslim societies, family law tends to serve as a powerful tool, and its regulation as a political and social construction raises various questions about the political life and role for women. Since 1958, the debate about women and there family status has taken a critical role in how the family life in Muslim societies play out. Gender equality is a feature of the national constitution, yet the law tends to continually restrict women’s rights and their freedoms. It dictates the submissive role women hold relative to male counterparts and also how the law limits what women may inherit or own. Even when the law continues to