Introduction
Islam is a monotheistic religion, the most significant scripture of which is the Holy Book Quran. This doctrine firmly outlines gender roles, which is why most people consider that attitude towards Islamic women is the misogynistic one. However, the Quran declares that women and men are created to be equivalent partners, share the same religious responsibilities, but fulfill different social ones (“Women and Islam: Social role of Muslim women in Islam,” 2017). This essay will examine the role of Islamic women in society and the behavioral patterns, which they follow.
Social Status of Women in Islam
In the contemporary world, a variety of misconceptions about Muslim women exist. However, their authentic social role is similar to any other females one. Most individuals assume that Islamic men oppress their women. However, as Muslims are highly religious, it is necessary to apply to the Quran to understand how this scripture teaches individuals to behave. According to “The Noble Quran” (n.d.), “To whomever, male or female, does good deeds, we shall give a good life and reward them according to the best of their actions” (16:97). This evidence proves that Allah, the god in Islam, does not distinguish the importance between men and women and emphasizes their equality.
Moreover, the Islamic women’s position as daughters, sisters, and wives are also protected by the scripture. “The Noble Quran” (n.d.) claims that “he who brings up his daughters well and makes no distinction between them and his sons, will be close to me in Paradise (41:49). In addition, according to “The Noble Quran” (n.d.), “He created wives from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility, with them, and He put love and mercy between your” (30:21). It implies that females are as important as males and may enjoy absolute respect and protection. Therefore, there is no discrimination, and the social status of Islamic women is not different from the men’s one and is ensured by Quran.
Social Role and Behavioral perquisite of Women in Islam
Islam provides men and women with equal but different social responsibilities. The primary females duty is the nurturing the new generations, guiding, and transferring Muslim principles and faith. It also implies the females rights to get an education to fulfill their responsibility, making them equal to men, despite the common preconceptions, which claim the opposite. On the other hand, Quran defines women’s behavioral perquisites, which may seem unfair and rigorous. It can be explained with Islam’s initial intention to divide the specter of responsibilities to ensure their effective fulfillment. “The Noble Quran” (n.d.) states that “Men are the caretakers of women, as men have been provisioned by Allah over women and tasked with supporting them financially” (4:34). It implies that females are not obligated to work, but they should ensure that males are capable of fulfilling their responsibility. “The Noble Quran” (n.d.) claims that “righteous women are devoutly obedient and, when alone, protective of what Allah has entrusted them with” (4:34). This verse from Surah An-Nisa, written in Quran, proves that it is the women’s behavioral prerequisite to be dutiful.
Despite the age of this religion’s postulates, Muslims follow the principles they outline. The American society, which maintains the ideas of equality for males and females in all areas of activity, does not share the Islam’s vision that responsibilities should be divided. American women are capable of taking men’s work, while Islamic ones rely on their husbands. The social role of Muslim females is defined by Quran and includes caring about the new generation and men, while the behavioral prerequisite to be obedient assists their responsibilities fulfillment.
Behavioral Patterns of Women in Islam
Muslim Women have four patterns, which define their behavior towards others. These models specify females roles as mother, sister, daughter, and wife. The first behavioral pattern put women in a position of respect, as the future of humanity depends on mothers (“Women and Islam: Social role of Muslim women in Islam,” 2017). From this perspective, females should be caring, patient, attentive, and well-educated to ensure the adequate teaching of their children and possibly orphans to grow the dignified generation of Muslims. The second behavioral model determines for women their position as a sister or a daughter. Despite being dependent on fathers or brothers, females are expected to be responsible for them since young women also can express their care (“Women and Islam: Social role of Muslim women in Islam,” 2017). Older sisters usually help their mothers to educate younger children and do domestic work. The last pattern defines wives behavior towards their husbands, in the view of healthy relationship creating. In caring and loving, women are the supports for men, and Islam outlines their particular role of maintaining a good marriage (“Women and Islam: Social role of Muslim women in Islam,” 2017). The mentioned above behavioral patterns directly emphasizes women’s initial destiny to be caretaker of the family.
Conclusion
To conclude, Islam represents women as respectful new generation’s caretakers. Their social role is to protect children, teach them and maintain a healthy relationship with husbands. The women’s social status is equal to the men’s one, but Quran divides males and females responsibilities. Muslim women are subordinated to four behavioral patterns, which determine their roles as mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives. The behavioral perquisite of Islamic females, to be obedient, serves the purpose of ensuring their duties fulfillment.
References
Women and Islam: Social role of Muslim women in Islam. (2017). QuranReading. Web.
The Noble Quran. (n.d.). Quran.com. Web.