1. WOMEN IN ISLAM Rabi’a Hakima

2. Contents WOMEN PRE-ISLAM Women’s Rights Women’s Rights Property Rights Divorce Polygamy Polygamy Veiling Veiling WOMEN POST-ISLAM Women’s Rights Property Rights Divorce Polygamy Veiling

3. Women Before Islam

4. Women’s Right to Property A daughter could inherit only if no male heirs existed (Numbers 27:8) A daughter could inherit only if no male heirs existed (Numbers 27:8) Among pagan Arabs, only males could inherit Among pagan Arabs, only males could inherit Women were considered property, were buried alive, had no rights, etc. Women were considered property, were buried alive, had no rights, etc.

5. Polygamy (Pre-Islam)  Monogamy protects men, allowing them to "play around" without responsibility  Many of the ancient Israelites were polygamous, some having hundreds of wives. King Solomon (peace be upon him) had 700 wives and 300 concubines.

6. Veiling (Pre-Islam) Veil in use before Islam Veil in use before Islam It was often a sign of class distinction It was often a sign of class distinction Slaves could be punished for veiling Slaves could be punished for veiling Before and after Islam, where it was a nuisance to labor, veil was not worn Before and after Islam, where it was a nuisance to labor, veil was not worn

7. What the Qu’uran (Koran) Says About Women

8. Women’s Rights-Property Woman’s Right to Property (Inheritance) Surah 4, Ayah 7: "From what is left by parents and those nearest related there is a share for men and a share for women, whether the property be small or large, a determinate share."

9. Women’s Rights-Property cont’d Woman’s Right to Property (Divorce) Ayah 20: “But if ye decide to take one wife in place of another, even if ye had given the latter a whole treasure for dower, take not the least bit of it back: Would ye take it by slander and manifest wrong?”

10. Women’s Rights-Divorce Surah 4, Ayah 20: “But if you decide to take one wife in place of another, even if you had given the latter a whole treasure for dower, take not the least bit of it back; Would you take it by slander and a manifest wrong?” “But if you decide to take one wife in place of another, even if you had given the latter a whole treasure for dower, take not the least bit of it back; Would you take it by slander and a manifest wrong?”

11. Women’s Rights-Support Woman’s Right to Support Surah 4, Ayah 34: “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means.”

12. Polygamy Surah 4, Ayah 3: "If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess. That will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice."

13. Veiling (For Women) Surah 24, Ayah 31: “ And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to [relatives]”

14. Veiling (For Men) Surah 24, Ayah 30: “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.”

15. Veiling Surah 33, Ayah 59: “O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.”

16. Muslim Women Today Questions?