A page from Arabic manuscript back to the 12th century where a man playing the oud among women.Before Islam, women in the Arabian Peninsula followed the cultural bonds of the tribe. Each tribe had its own laws regarding women. Some were emancipated even in comparison with many of today's standards; others,however, lived in very chauvinistic societies.They were denied their rights to act freely.They were perceived as essentially inferior to men. Correspondingly, they were controlled by male characters within their families. They were under the authority of the father, brother and husband[2]. In some instances, women were chattels and men often buried their newly-born daughters alive.[3] A woman had no share in inheritance because she was regarded as unwise and uncapable of effectively managing her inherited property.
Arab women after Islam
Islam was introduced in the Arabian peninsula in the seventh century. According to the Qur'anic decrees,both men and women have the same duties and responsibilities in their worship of God. As the Qur'an states: "I will not suffer to be lost the work of any of you whether male or female. You proceed one from another".(Qur'an 2:195)
The Qur'an rejected the traditional and cultural practice of killing unwanted female children soon after birth. As it appears in (Qur'an 16:58-59),the religious message states: "With shame does he hide himself from his people because of the bad news he had! (the new-born is a female rather than male) Shall he retain her on and contempt, or bury her in the dust? Ah! What an evil (decision to bury his daughter alive) they decide on?"
Islam is the only religion which gave equal rights centuries ego. When evil practices are spreads.
