Islamic Gender Roles

Gender roles and marriage structure and their impact on Islamic Societies

The Islamic civilization started during the 7th century with Muhammad, the prophet’s first experience, in connection to God. It consists of many aspects that define it, such as the rituals, the Ka’aba, the calligraphy, the Quran, the arabesques and gender roles and marriages, which are two of the most intriguing, stressed subjects of the Islamic religion. They are discussed in our daily life from many perspectives. Words like ‘unequal’ or ‘oppressed’ are some you might hear when it comes to women in Islam. Though, these stereotypes are never really proven. These aspects have had a huge impact on the Islamic community.

Gender roles are a very important feature in Islam.

The Quran states two main points about the role of women: men and women are not equal in terms of inheritance, but are equal in the eyes of God, and their religious duties. Back in the early- Islamic societies, women were to marry whomever they were told to, be deprived of financial security, stay home, do housework and take care of their children. Also, female infanticide was very common in the early Muslim customs, which left women with no privileges whatsoever. Their position varied; the upper class would have an economic position, as the lower class would have no rights. Although they were treated well, women were not at all equal to men: their status changed in each clan, which would mostly favor men and give them the right to own or inherit

Because marriages lead to family, they are a ‘social necessity’. Plus, since sexual relations are forbidden before marriage, it is the Muslim society’s only way to ‘intimacy’. During the early- Islamic years, weddings were arranged: women had no say regarding whom they married; relatives would fix the ceremony for them. In addition, although it was discouraged, men were given the right to polygamy: they were allowed to marry up to four women, as long as they could support and treat them equally. On the other hand, women were not allowed to do so; they were to stay faithful to the one they