Unveiling Islamic Perspectives on Women’s Rights in the Family: Duty, Honour, Equality and Human Dignity

Ashraf Booley

 

Abstract: The emergence of Islam as a mainstream religion took place midway through the seventh century in the Arabian Peninsula, a land sparsely occupied by people, composed of deserts and oases, with a notable absence of organised political structures. The prevailing legal and political system was distinctly tribalistic, with justice often being administered by the affected party in the event of a crime. The society was male-dominated, women were relegated to the status of sexual objects, especially in marriage; and the absence of a fixed limit in the number of wives a man could have reinforced a patriarchal order. Justice was often decentralised, reflecting the prevailing tribal ethos. In addition, an entrenched custom of polyandry was prevalent. Furthermore, a grim practice by some Bedouin Arabs involved infanticide, particularly the burial of female infants alive, driven by the then societal pressures and notions of honour. This practice persisted despite some individual reservations, underscoring the deeply rooted social norms of the time. In addition to infanticide, a further illustrative example of the societal norms in pre-Islamic Arabia was the absence of legal protections of vulnerable members, such as orphans, and widows. Their precarious status often left them at the mercy of societal whims, emphasising the need for a transformative legal and ethical framework. Examining the concepts of duty, honour, equality, and human dignity within the context of Islamic tenets, this article unravels the extent to which these principles provide safeguards and inalienable rights to women. Through an exploration of Islamic perspectives, this article challenges misconceptions on women’s rights in Islam and encourages a nuanced understanding of Islam’s stance on fostering constructive dialogue and promoting duty, honour, gender, equality, and human dignity within the broader context of human rights.