Treatment of Arab and Muslim Women

Women's Rights Before Islam

• Was a patriarchal society before the rise of Islam
• Women also had several rights that other regions didn't allow such as: inheritance of property, being able to divorce, and engage in businesses.
• Women also had several rights that other regions didn't allow such as: inheritance of property, being able to divorce, and engage in businesses.

How Islam Values Protected Women

• They were not portrayed as property of their men but individuals with rights
• Muhammed was kind and generous towards his wives resulting in an influence on men to their wives
• Women were equal to men under religious terms
• The Quran directed dowries to the brides instead of the grooms

How Islam Limited Women

• Law of Sharia reinforced male dominance
• Restricted the freedom that women had, such as social and sexual interactions
• The sharia allowed men to have multiple wives, while women could only have one husband

The Veiling of Women

• Muslims adopted the long-standing tradition when they expanded into the Byzantine and Sasanid empires
• Upper-class urban women veiled themselves and only travelled with chaperones as a sign of modesty
• Discouraged attention of men from other families
• Constant symbol of male authority