Sacred Texts: The Status of Women

 

1.   Men are in charge of women, because God has made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which God has guarded. As for those from whom you fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them.

 

2.   O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognized and not annoyed.

 

3.   Marry of the women, who seem good to you, two or three or four; and if you fear that you cannot do justice (to so many) then one (only).

 

4.   A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing if they continue with propriety.

 

5.   Women should remain silent in the places of worship. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to enquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the place of worship.

 

6.   The head of the woman is man. Every woman who prays with her head uncovered dishonors her head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man. For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.

 

7.   She must on the death of her husband allow herself to be burnt alive on the same funeral pyre; then everybody will praise her virtue.

 

8.   Women’s duty is to serve meekly their men.

 

9.   A husband must be constantly worshiped as a god by a faithful wife.