Free Essay On “Muslim Society: Women And Slavery”

Introduction

During the 7th Century CE, Prophet Mohammed established one of the major religions in the world, called the Islam Religion. Mohammed received divine revelations after seeking for clarity which was given to him by the angel named Gabriel at Mecca. More revelations were revealed and there became the holy book named Qur’an. He began to invite followers and eventually spread the message of Islam.
Shi’a and Sunni are the two main sects, of which they were mutually share common beliefs. But the main difference of the two is the authority of the religion. The Shi'a Muslims believed that its leadership should by bloodline. However, the Sunni Muslims believed it should be on most adept head. The Muslims and its system of government evolved through years and range in many lands. The said religion is now found in the Middle East, Africa, other regions of North America and Europe, and even in South East Asia.

On Slavery

The literal meaning of Islam is submission or surrender which Prophet Mohammed taught as manifestation of submission to the will of the true and one God and the creator of the world, Allah. Most of the original Muslims and those who are children of the slaves or prisoners during the war were called slaves.
Some Muslims were economic slaves where they do domestic services which provide low-cost labour force in the house or in plantation. Another was the elite slaves in some Muslim societies which comprises their administrative and military group. They were the most trusted and loyal to their masters. They can obtain power and be free from the restrictions set by the system. With regard to sex slaves, it is believed that there are more woman slaves than man in Muslim cultures. The woman slave has become the sex workers called concubines.
Slaves have the rights and privileges and considered as human beings in Muslim society. They should treated well, not be overworked or abused, could obtain property or properties, business and even slaves of their own and can enter into a marriage under the consent of their owner. And of course, in due time, these slaves can obtain also their freedom. However, they cannot go to court as witnesses, cannot get religious roles and if they commit a crime, they can be punished by law.

Muslim Women

During the ancient times, in terms of education, power and status, Muslim women were treated as second-class peoples beneath the Muslim men excluding those women with high in status. They believe God created men superior over women so men have the power over women in their society. They have no rights as well as not considered human in nature. In marriage, the husbands take their wives as their possessions and necessity. Their main purpose is to serve the men and treated as slaves. Also, it is a practice that the wife should marry her son if her husband died and believed that the daughters were buried alive or sold because of their belief that those will give bad luck.

Conclusion

In the 19th Century, Muslim women became more visible and active. They are given the utmost respect as mothers and enjoy one and the same rights. Modern laws allow women to get a role in the society including position in government and politics, to inherit own property and have equal privileges to education. Thus, women could also have the employment opportunities, freedom of marriage and other legal rights, dress code, are among others.

Bibliography

Caner, Ergun Mehmer. “Voices Behind the Veil: The World of Islam Through the Eyes of
Women.” Kregel Publication. 2003.
Clarence-Smith, William Gervase. “Islam and the Abolition of Slavery.” Oxford University
Press, Inc. 2006.
Lapidus, Ira, “A History of Islamic Societies,”Cambridge Univeristy Press. October 31, 2014.
“Muslim Women Problems and Prospects.” Edited by Zakia Siddiqi and Anwar Jahan
Zuberi, MD Publications Pvt. Ltd. First Edition. 1993.