The status of Muslim women in neither a new nor a fully settled issue(Baldawi 131). Contrary to popular belief, the status of women in Islam is not the abuse and horror one might think. Most stereotypes of Islamic women are a result from the way women are treated in Arabian times. Prior to Islam and Muhammad, women were regarded as a threat to family honor and infant girls were buried alive at birth. As an adult they were viewed as sex objects and property that could be bought, sold or inherited (www.whyislam.com). Today, women share the same rights as men in the spiritual aspect, the social aspect, and the economical aspect.
The Qur"an states: "Never will I waste the work of a worker among you, weather male or female, the one of you being from the other" (Al-Qur"an 3:195). This passage clearly shows the equity between a man and a woman of the Muslim faith. The holy book of Islam is know as the Qur"an, which means recitation, since the book is meant to be read aloud. The Qur"an has a somewhat different interpretation of the Adam and Eve story. In Islam, it is said that instead of blaming eve for tempting Adam with the fruit, they both ate it and were both equally guilty for disobeying God (Badawi 131). As far as prayer is concerned, women participate in the same rituals and traditions. When certain customs such as the fasting of Ramadan take place, women are not forced to participate if they are pregnant, nursing, or having their menstrual cycle (Badawi 131). There are nt Mosques in Islam that women are not allowed to enter or forced to attend. On Fridays at noon is an important time for all Muslims to gather in the local mosque and pray. If a women doses not wish to attend the noon time prayer she is not required. Overall, a women has an independent identity in the Muslim tradition. She is a responsible being in her own right and carries the burden of her moral and spiritual obligations (www.
