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The structures and features of society are central to the Islamic worldview. Much is said about the
relationship of the individual to the society as well as the relationships of men and women, husbands
and wives, and so forth. Like Christianity, the family, worship of God, and the state are central to
Islamic teachings, yet there are substantial differences between the two worldviews in each area.
Thus the Muslim view of sociology is summarized as revolving around the polygamous family, the
mosque, and the state.
The Qur’an also declares that men and women are spiritual equals before God (33:35): “For Muslim
men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and
women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble
themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast (and deny
themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage
much in God’s praise, for them has God prepared forgiveness and great reward.”
Further, the Qur’an states the differences between men and women: “Men are the protectors and
maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because
they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and
guard in (the husband’s) absence what God would have them guard” (4:34).
Muslim apologists explain these passages as indicating that men are to care for women, not that
women are essentially inferior. But other statements in the Qur’an seem to challenge that notion. For
example, one passage says, “And get two witnesses, out of your own men, and if there are not two
men, then a man and two women, such as ye choose, for witnesses” (2:282), indicating that the
testimony of a woman is worth half of the testimony of a man.
Additionally, a tradition in the Sunnah describes women as having less intelligence than men:
“Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: Once Allah’s Apostle went out to the Musalla (to offer the prayer) to
‘Id-al-Adha or Al-Fitr prayer. Then he passed by the women and said, ‘O women! Give alms, as I have
seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you (women).’ They asked, ‘Why is it so, O
Allah’s Apostle?’ He replied, ‘You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not
seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be
led astray by some of you.’ The women asked, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! What is deficient in our intelligence
and religion?’ He said, ‘Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?’ They
replied in the affirmative. He said, ‘This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isn’t it true that a woman
can neither pray nor fast during her menses?’ The women replied in the affirmative. He said, ‘This is
the deficiency in her religion.’”3
Again, while the Qur’an seems to set men and women on equal spiritual footing before Allah, some of
the teaching in the Sunnah contradicts it. Muhammad said he had the opportunity to view the people
in hell and recorded that the majority of its inhabitants were women! “Narrated `Imran bin Husain:
The Prophet said, ‘I looked at Paradise and found poor people forming the majority of its inhabitants;
and I looked at Hell and saw that the majority of its inhabitants were women.’”4
A Muslim man may marry up to four wives, granted that he treat them equally and provide for
each of them (4:3).
A Muslim man may have an unlimited number of concubines (including slaves) with whom he
has sexual relations, though such women do not have the same rights as wives.
A Muslim man may marry a woman temporarily, a marriage lasting a relatively short time
(4:24).
Muslim men may marry Jewish or Christian wives (5:5)—though not women from other
religions (2:221), and, yet, Muslim women may never marry non-Muslims (2:221).5
“Your wives are as a tithe unto you; so approach your tithe when or how ye will . . .” (2:223),
meaning men may have sexual access to their wives whenever they please, except when the
wife is menstruating (2:222).
Adultery is severely punished (4:15–18; 17:32; 24:20), but in common practice the application
of punishment often falls much harder on women than men, since the value of a woman’s
testimony is discounted.
Men may divorce their wives (60:1–2; 65:1–2; 226:242), though reconciliation is to be sought
(4:35). The Qur’an makes no allowance for a woman to divorce her husband, although some
Muslim countries have permitted it.
Muslims educated in Western universities often realize that these traditions conflict with genetics
and other physical concerns. Nevertheless, male expectations for their wives to bear male children,
and female fears of failing to fulfill these expectations, persist widely throughout Muslim countries.
Muslims who favor a pan-Islamic community are troubled by this and tend to respond with various
expressions of disapproval. Sometimes this disapproval takes the form of verbal denouncement of
the nation. Sometimes it takes the form of individuals within the government seeking to reform it.
The media, however, most often focuses on those who engage in armed protest and terrorist
activities, such as often happens in Turkey and Egypt.