The Qur’an is the Islamic version of the Holy Bible. It is a divine book of Islam revealed by God to the Prophet Mohammed through angel Gabriel. The Book, according to the Islamic religion, brings peace and tranquility among people that adopt Islam as a system in their daily lives. It contains one hundred and fourteen chapters. In addition, it took about twenty years to reveal itself to the whole of humanity. Like the book of Genesis, the first Sura (chapter) of the Qur’an is Fatiah and the last chapter is Anaas. Using cross references, the Qur’an includes several biblical narratives from the Old Testament that relates to the creation of the world, the story of Mary (Sura 19), Noah and Abraham.
Even though it includes these biblical references, it is different from other religious texts because it dedicated a specific chapter (Sura 4) on women’s rights and obligations. It cites that women are entitled to “one quarter” of their husband’s property if he dies childless. In addition, it also provides women with a position of honor and respect, but considers them has weak-minded individuals. It cautions men not to trust women with property that God has given them to support women. For instance, in Sura 4, it clearly cites that men should not “…give the feeble-minded the property with which God has entrusted [them] for their support” (Sura 4). The phrase “feeble minded” implies that women should not be entrusted possibly with major power in society because they are soft minded. I suppose that this statement could possibly be a reaction to the Old Testament narrative about the incident that occurred in the Garden of Eden between Eve and the serpent.
Moreover, the Qur’an favors women less over men when it comes to property inheritance. It states that a man “shall inherit twice as much as a female” (Sura 4). This statement clearly shows the injustices to women because of the imbalance in property distribution. Women are also not treated equally when it comes to laws spelled out in the Qur’an regarding indecent act. For instance, the Qur’an states that women who are guilty of indecent behavior or “lewd act” should be put indoor until death overtakes them, but men should be pardoned because “God forgives those who commit evil acts in ignorance.” This implies that God only forgives men and not women. Scriptures in the Qur’an could serve as prove of how Muslim women are generally regarded in their society. Though it guarantees honor and respect to women, they are repressed by traditions of which men are most dominant.
1. Based on the statement that men should inherit more than women, do you think that is fair?
2. The Quran reference women as “feeble-minded” do you agree or disagree with this statement?
3. Based on the readings, what are some similarities between the Quran and the Book of Genesis?
Smith, Jane I. “Women in Islam: Equity, Equality, and the Search for the Natural Order.” Journal of the American Academy of Religion, Vol. 47, No. 4 (Dec., 1979): pp. 517-537. JSTOR. Web. 11 Oct 2010.
Smith’s essay addresses the role of feminism in the Islamic culture with specific focus on equity and equality. A clear understanding about women’s role is spelled out in the Qur’an. It provides women a position of honor and respect with clearly stated rights and obligations. Smith argued that these stated rights and obligations restrict the roles of Muslim women in the Islamic society. According to the essay, “Predominant traditions of male authority and honor have made it difficult for women to avail themselves of the right guaranteed by the Qur’an,” (Smith). Other Muslim writers have made similar arguments about the female-male relationship in term of gender roles in the Islamic society.
1. Do you agree with Smith argument that traditions of male authority have made it difficult for women to press for their rights as stated in the Qur’an?
2. Do you think female roles in the Islamic culture have change? Why or why not?
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