Islam

This particular work for Islam is taken out of their sacred book, the Koran. Women are mentioned often in the Koran, and below are just a few passages that mention women:

"Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them." -Chapter 4, Verse 34

"And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in kindness, and men are a degree above them." -Chapter 2, Verse 227

"They question thee (O Muhammad) concerning menstruation. Say: It is an illness, so let women alone at such times and go not in unto them till they are cleansed. And when they have purified themselves, then go in unto them as Allah hath enjoined upon you. Truly Allah loveth those who turn to Him, and loveth those who have care for cleanness." -Chapter 4, Verse 222

"O Prophet! Tell they wives and they 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." -Chapter 33, Verse 59

These verses in regards to women depict the beliefs of Islam at the time regarding the conduct of women and relations between a man and a women. These versus can also perhaps be reflections on the beliefs of certain cultures in Islam today.

As I was doing research and reading for this particular subject, I found a lot of anti-Muslim literature in which the Koran was scrutinized and made out to be extremely unjust and sexist. While after reading the above versus that accusation seems to be true, it is important to remember that often the context in a certain verse can often be misinterpreted. I feel like I am more empathetic towards believers of the Koran because of my own experience with my personal religious beliefs and dealing with the anti-Mormon literature that goes along with being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

While I do not agree that women are below men in any way, that a woman's menstrual cycle is an "illness" and men should keep away during that time of the month, or that women should constantly veil themselves in public, I am trying to give the Koran the benefit of the doubt and would like to think that those versus were intended for the overall protection and safety of women, not for their restriction or belittlement in society.