You are on page 1of 5

Hay 1

Ian Hay

Professor Thomson

Ancient World History

23 April 2017

Status of Women Under Sharia Law

Sharia Law has been a part of Muslim culture for a very long time. It holds men and

women to very specific standards/rules. These standards/rules are very hard on women and put

them through very unfair treatment.

Sharia Law allows women to be beaten by their husbands with no consequence for the

husband. According to the Quran, women are called to fear disobedience. Muslim men are

justified in their abusive ways. Verse 4:34 of the Quran says Men are in charge of women by

[right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from

their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence

what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first]

advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they

obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand.

(Sahih International Version)

Women are also given much less rights than men are under the Sharia Law. Verse 2:282

of the Quran sends the message that the testimony of a women in court is only equal to half of a

mans word in court or anywhere. A mans word is always taken over a womans. O you who

have believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it down. And let a scribe
Hay 2

write [it] between you in justice. Let no scribe refuse to write as Allah has taught him. So let him

write and let the one who has the obligation dictate. And let him fear Allah , his Lord, and not

leave anything out of it. But if the one who has the obligation is of limited understanding or

weak or unable to dictate himself, then let his guardian dictate in justice. And bring to witness

two witnesses from among your men. And if there are not two men [available], then a man and

two women from those whom you accept as witnesses - so that if one of the women errs, then the

other can remind her. And let not the witnesses refuse when they are called upon. And do not be

[too] weary to write it, whether it is small or large, for its [specified] term. That is more just in

the sight of Allah and stronger as evidence and more likely to prevent doubt between you, except

when it is an immediate transaction which you conduct among yourselves. For [then] there is no

blame upon you if you do not write it. And take witnesses when you conclude a contract. Let no

scribe be harmed or any witness. For if you do so, indeed, it is [grave] disobedience in you. And

fear Allah. And Allah teaches you. And Allah is Knowing of all things. This verse goes into

great detail explaining all the rules on how to handle a case that involves a woman. The only

time a woman should be brought in is when there are no other men available to give a testimony.

According to Inside Islam, Saudi Arabia is notorious for not allowing women to drive or

go out in public alone. There are so many different regulations on the way women have to live

under Sharia Law. There is no opportunity for them to try and go against the laws or rebel against

their husbands because the punishments are so severe, some of which are death. (Inside Islam)

Often times women get stuck in abusive relationships that they want to get out of. All of

the Sharia Laws keep the women stuck in abusive relationships with no way out. On the other

hand, if a man grows tired of his wife all he has to do is say that he wants a divorce. According to

Counter Jihad Under Sharia Law a husband his wife simply by stating you are divorced 3
Hay 3

times in the presence of two adult mentally sound males, without even having to justify his

decision. What are the women that want a divorce supposed to do? They are supposed to do

nothing, because thats all they can do. (Counter Jihad)

Marriage in the Muslim culture differs greatly from marriage in other societys. When a

Muslim woman marries a Muslim man she is basically selling herself into slavery. Once the two

are married, the husband has complete control of the wife. He controls her entire life. The

woman cannot leave the house without first getting permission from the husband. If she does so

without permission she will be beaten.

Overall the status for women under the Sharia Law is close to nothing. They have no

power over their lives and spend their whole lives being told what they can and cant do. The

treatment they are given is unfair and they deserve justice.

Works Cited
Hay 4

Al-Manteeqi, Immanuel. "A Woman Under Sharia: 8 Reasons Why Islamic Law Endangers

Women." Counter Jihad, 6 Sept. 2016, https://counterjihad.com/women. Accessed 21 Apr.

2017.

This website contained a lot of information about the most common ways women are

mistreated under The Sharia Law. This website contained a lot of helpful information that

helped me write my paper. I trust this source because they backed up all their information

with explanations and historical facts.

"Womens Rights Under Islamic Law." Inside Islam: Dialogue and Debates , 25 Nov. 2008,

https://insideislam.wisc.edu/2008/11/womens-rights-under-islamic-law/. Accessed 23 Apr.

2017.

I trusted this website for information because the url address ended in edu. The website

contained facts about marriage in the Muslim culture. It had information on the rules of the

Sharia Law for married women.

The Qur'an: Sahih International Version. Birmingham, Maktabah Booksellers and Publishers,

2010, pp. 82-83.


Hay 5

The Quran was helpful for backing up the information that I stated in the essay. The

Quran is a sacred text that dates way back in history. The information can be trusted

because it is backed up by historical teachings.

The Qur'an: Sahih International Version. Birmingham, Maktabah Booksellers and Publishers,

2010, p. 57.

The Quran was helpful for backing up the information that I stated in the essay. The

Quran is a sacred text that dates way back in history. The information can be trusted

because it is backed up by historical teachings.

You might also like