Women's Rights Broadened Or Restricted Dbq Analysis
Vananh Ly
Women’s Rights: Broadened or Restricted? Women’s rights have been a highly controversial topic throughout Islamic history. Historians to this day argue whether Islam broadens or restricts them. Some argue that women’s rights have expanded because they are considered equals in God’s eyes, are allowed to vote, and the government has attempted to broaden women’s rights. However, previous women rights have been taken away, laws favor men, and women are commonly valued for appearances. According to the Qur’an, Allah “shall not lose sight of the work of any of you who works…be it man or woman (Doc 1).” Women are considered equals among men, and play a crucial role in Islamic history. For example, Muhammad’s wives and daughters helped
record the hadiths and Qur’an (Doc 2). Some leaders, such as Reza Shah, recognized their crucial roles, and fought for their rights. In 1935, the Shah was able to outlaw the veil in his country, Iran (Doc 8). This later inspired other Islamic countries to expand women’s rights, including the Egyptian law passed in 1962 that allowed women to vote (Doc 6). Despite these changes, most practices discriminated women. Throughout Islamic history, they were required to obey their husbands, father, or any male relatives. A good, virtuous woman obeyed their husband, and would be rewarded when she died (Doc 3). Although these practices were discouraged in Reza Shah’s reign, they were reintroduced in 1979 when political upheaval in Iran was high (Doc 9). For example, women studying abroad, including Princess Ashraf Pahlavi, were denied a better education when their fathers ordered them to return home (Doc 10). This illustrates how women are inferior in Islamic society.
In addition, women are required to “cover their beauty.” The Qur’an says, “thy wives and daughters [should]... draw their veils close to them; so it is likelier they will be know, and not hurt" (Doc 1). This quote, along with the one in the second paragraph, demonstrates how certain interpretations are biased. One discourages gender inequality, while the other states that women need to wear veils: “[The Turks kept] their wives... at home and [hid] them away. But if they [had] to go into the streets, they [were] sent out so covered and wrapped up in veils..." (Doc 5). If they didn’t, men would be tempted, and prone to attack them (Doc 7). Women who were not covered were considered to be concubines or slaves (Doc 4). These days, women are under a stricter dress code; they are required to wear burqas with their veils (Doc 11). In conclusion, Islamic women face more prejudice than freedom. Numerous documents can be used to back up these sources, and a majority of them display sexism. They share similar points, including a preference toward patriarchy, a mindset that women are objects, and women do not deserve any rights. But without journal entries from both genders’ views on women, we may never get the full picture of gender inequality in the Islamic world.
Women’s Rights: Broadened or Restricted? Women’s rights have been a highly controversial topic throughout Islamic history. Historians to this day argue whether Islam broadens or restricts them. Some argue that women’s rights have expanded because they are considered equals in God’s eyes, are allowed to vote, and the government has attempted to broaden women’s rights. However, previous women rights have been taken away, laws favor men, and women are commonly valued for appearances. According to the Qur’an, Allah “shall not lose sight of the work of any of you who works…be it man or woman (Doc 1).” Women are considered equals among men, and play a crucial role in Islamic history. For example, Muhammad’s wives and daughters helped
record the hadiths and Qur’an (Doc 2). Some leaders, such as Reza Shah, recognized their crucial roles, and fought for their rights. In 1935, the Shah was able to outlaw the veil in his country, Iran (Doc 8). This later inspired other Islamic countries to expand women’s rights, including the Egyptian law passed in 1962 that allowed women to vote (Doc 6). Despite these changes, most practices discriminated women. Throughout Islamic history, they were required to obey their husbands, father, or any male relatives. A good, virtuous woman obeyed their husband, and would be rewarded when she died (Doc 3). Although these practices were discouraged in Reza Shah’s reign, they were reintroduced in 1979 when political upheaval in Iran was high (Doc 9). For example, women studying abroad, including Princess Ashraf Pahlavi, were denied a better education when their fathers ordered them to return home (Doc 10). This illustrates how women are inferior in Islamic society.
In addition, women are required to “cover their beauty.” The Qur’an says, “thy wives and daughters [should]... draw their veils close to them; so it is likelier they will be know, and not hurt" (Doc 1). This quote, along with the one in the second paragraph, demonstrates how certain interpretations are biased. One discourages gender inequality, while the other states that women need to wear veils: “[The Turks kept] their wives... at home and [hid] them away. But if they [had] to go into the streets, they [were] sent out so covered and wrapped up in veils..." (Doc 5). If they didn’t, men would be tempted, and prone to attack them (Doc 7). Women who were not covered were considered to be concubines or slaves (Doc 4). These days, women are under a stricter dress code; they are required to wear burqas with their veils (Doc 11). In conclusion, Islamic women face more prejudice than freedom. Numerous documents can be used to back up these sources, and a majority of them display sexism. They share similar points, including a preference toward patriarchy, a mindset that women are objects, and women do not deserve any rights. But without journal entries from both genders’ views on women, we may never get the full picture of gender inequality in the Islamic world.