Women in Islam

1. Identify the status of women in pre-Islamic societies.
2. Explain the evolutionary impact of Islam on the status of women.
3. Compare women's status across ages and religions.
4. Clarify misconceptions about Muslim women.
5. State the rights granted to women by Islam.
6. Explain the concepts of motherhood and widowhood in Islam.
7. Discuss the concept of gender equality in Islam.
8. Explain the facts and fallacies of feminism.
9. Discuss the challenges confronting Muslim women.

13 weeks, about 30 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1:

   • Unit 1: Women in the *Jāhiliyyah* Societies · 2 hours

     Read the introduction to understand the historical context of women in pre-Islamic societies.. Define Jāhiliyyah and identify its key characteristics.. Analyze the treatment of women in pre-Islamic Arabia and early civilizations..

2. Week 2Module 1:

   • Unit 2: Evolution of Women Status by Islam · 2 hours

     Examine the evolutionary changes in women's status brought about by Islam.. Compare the status of women in Islam with that in other religions.. Discuss the strategies used for the evolution of women's status..

3. Week 3Module 1:

   • Unit 3: Comparative Study of Women Status · 2 hours

     Compare the status of women in Islam with that in Judeo-Christian traditions.. Analyze the views on Ḥawwā' (Eve) and the position of female children.. Discuss women's education, purity, and rights in Islam..

4. Week 4Module 1:

   • Unit 4: Misconceptions about Muslim Women · 2 hours

     Identify the causes of misconceptions about Muslim women.. Discuss misconceptions related to purdah, female circumcision, and inheritance.. Analyze misconceptions about wife's corporal punishment and polygamy..

5. Week 5Module 1:

   • Unit 5: Dress Code (*Ḥijāb*) of a Muslim Woman · 2 hours

     Define Ḥijāb and its purpose.. Examine the requirements for Ḥijāb.. Discuss the justifications for Ḥijāb and the dangers of disregarding it..

6. Week 6Module 2:

   • Unit 1: Islam and Sex Segregation · 2 hours

     Understand the Islamic concept of life and the spirit of Islamic law.. Examine the basic ethics of the Islamic social system.. Discuss the reasons for sex segregation and areas of exception..

7. Week 7Module 2:

   • Unit 2: Islam and Gender Equality · 2 hours

     Explore the concept of gender equality in Islam.. Discuss the humanity of women and equality of origin.. Analyze the status of mothers and the importance of seeking knowledge..

8. Week 8Module 2:

   • Unit 3: Rights of Women in Islam · 2 hours

     Examine the framework of the Sharī'ah and its perspectives on women's rights.. Discuss spiritual, legal, and economic rights of women in Islam.. Analyze social and political rights of women..

9. Week 9Module 2:

   • Unit 4: Motherhood in Islam · 2 hours

     Explore the Qur'anic and Prophetic positions on motherhood.. Discuss the four stages of motherhood and its role in Islam.. Analyze the division of labor within the family..

10. Week 10Module 2:

    • Unit 5: Widowhood in Islam · 2 hours

      Understand the concept of widowhood in Islam.. Examine the stages of women's lives and the challenges of widowhood.. Discuss the waiting period (ʿIddah) and its significance..

11. Week 11Module 3:

    • Unit 1: Feminism and Muslim Women · 2 hours

      Define feminism and its viewpoints.. Explore the Islamic perspective on feminism.. Analyze the Islamic responses to feminist claims..

12. Week 12Module 3:

    • Unit 2: Muslim Women and Politics · 2 hours

      Examine the task of vicegerency and its relation to women.. Discuss the political rights of Muslim women.. Analyze the concept of headship of a woman in Islam..

13. Week 13Module 3:

    • Unit 3: Muslim Women and Education · 2 hours

      Understand the place of education in Islam.. Discuss the purpose of education for Muslim women.. Examine the general precepts of women's education and the roles of early Muslim women.. Analyze Muslim Women and Western Civilization. Modern Society and Abuse of Women.

    • Unit 4: Muslim Women and Western Civilization · 2 hours

      Understand the place of education in Islam.. Discuss the purpose of education for Muslim women.. Examine the general precepts of women's education and the roles of early Muslim women..

    • Unit 5: Modern Society and Abuse of Women · 2 hours

      Understand the place of education in Islam.. Discuss the purpose of education for Muslim women.. Examine the general precepts of women's education and the roles of early Muslim women..