Impact of Islamic Religion Stereotypes on the Status of Women

Abstract

The culture, gender and the status of women vary from one Muslim country to another depending on their interpretation of the Islamic law and religion. The law, perception, and attitude towards women vary considerably amongst many nations, both Arabic and non-Arabic. Nevertheless, many of the Islamic states have the beliefs of women’s status being restricted and segregated to specific treatments. Women face injustices, segregation, they are isolated and excluded from primary practices of in religious, social, economic and political podiums. The Islamic Personal Status Laws continually oppressed and discriminated women, thus inflicting suffering and harm to them and their children. Stereotyping and wrong interpretation of the Islam is the cause of the injustices and discrimination of women in the Muslim world. The laws have been interpreted to have the male species to be superior while women inferior and invisible persons. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate how gender stereotypes based on Islamic doctrines have affected the status of women in Islamic societies. Nasr looks into the interpretation of the Muslim doctrines about women as stipulated in the Quran and the transitions Islamic women have undergone since the time of Prophet Muhammad. Our primary focus anchors on the religious responsibility, marriage and divorce, inheritance, and custody of children.