Women’s Status in Marriage

Course Overview

Islam has granted women immense rights within the spiritual, public, and private sphere. This course takes lessons from the Quran, the Prophet’s life, and the early history of Islam to highlight the status of women within Islam and to dispel common misconceptions.

The status of women and men as servants of Allah is explored through the Qur’an. The fundamental rights that Islamic Law grants women are discussed through fiqh (jurisprudence) including the topics of independence, inheritance, testimony, travel, prayer, and wilaya. Islamic teachings on the role and rights of women within marriage are also discussed in detail such as courtship, mahr (dowry), marriage, ʿawrah (covering), wilaya, and secret marriages. The responsibilities and rights that husbands must provide their wives are also discussed in detail.

This course has been created to equip Muslims with a complete understanding of women’s status withn Islam with additional focus given to their marital rights. It aims to dispel the many myths and misconceptions about women in Islam that have are commonly found and discussed.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course students should:

• Recognize the rights that Islam has given women
• Understand the impact of non-Muslim cultures and philosphies upon Muslim women throughout history
• Recognize how Islam sets up women and men as co-equals and partners
• Be acquainted with commonly misunderstood and misused ayat and hadith regarding women
• Understand Islam’s teaching pertaining to marriage such as courtship, mahr, residence, motherhood, secrecy, and divorce
• Learn the rights and responsibilities women have within their public and private lives
• Know the various details regarding ʿawrah for women
• Realize how the community of the Prophet and his companions viewed the role of women in public and in marriage

Be acquainted with the use, purpose, and limitations of wilaya