Gender roles in Islam

[8] Some reformist and feminist scholars argue that the concept of guardianship has formed the basis of particular gender roles in Muslim societies.

[12] Until the period of the rise of Islam, there were many ideas of certain actions and behaviors of women that should be expected that were considered traditional gender roles.

[13] According to Sayyid Qutb, a prominent member of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in the 1950s and 1960s, the Quran "gives the man the right of 'guardianship' or 'superiority' over the family structure to prevent dissension and friction between the spouses.

The equity of this system lies in the fact that God both favored the man with the necessary qualities and skills for the 'guardianship' and also charged him with the duty to provide for the structure's upkeep.

"[14] Qutb's ideologies are still impactful for radical Islamists today, influencing such prominent Middle Eastern leaders as Ayman Zawahiri and terrorists as Osama bin Laden.

Although there are no elaborate roles for men and women in the Qur'an, it is strongly implied that each gender provides equally significant contributions to the family realm.

It is implied that a noble "husband's responsibilities commit him to support his wife and children, provide education for his offspring, be kind and attentive to his spouse, and be good to his affine".

[21] The law of the hijab states that the whole female body aside from the face and hands should be covered when a woman leaves her home[22][23] as a sign of modesty, obedience to God and respect for Islamic values.

That is purer for them and tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to [those relatives who fall within bounds of close relationship explained in the Qur’an (i.e. the Mahrams)]..."[28] In Iran, breaking the Islamic dress code or participation in perceived cross dressing is a crime resulting in imprisonment.

[30][better source needed] Surveys have shown a widespread belief in a small minority of Muslim nations, particularly in Mali, Mauritania, Guinea, and Egypt, that FGM is a religious requirement.

[32] FGM's origins in northeastern Africa are pre-Islamic, but the practice became associated with Islam because of that religion's focus on female chastity and seclusion.

[34] It is praised in a few daʻīf (weak) hadith (sayings attributed to Muhammad) as noble but not required,[35][b] although it is regarded as obligatory by the Shafi'i version of Sunni Islam.

[37] Viewpoints regarding gender roles vary with different interpretations of the Quran, different sects of the religion, and different cultural traditions and geographical locations.

[8] He believed that women entering “male domains” posed a danger to Muslim society, eventually causing it to fall into moral decay.

[8] He viewed the involvement of women in male domains as a detriment to the next generation, which he says may receive a worse education and less compassion from their mothers.

[39][40] Bin Baz also thought that women should only work in certain fields, those that are within a woman's domain, such as female education, nursing, and medical care.

[40] The Qur'anic and prophetic terms for "moderation" are reflected in the word "wasatiyyah," which means the "middle way between extremes" and "upright without losing balance.

[8] He maintained that there are traditions created by people and not by God that slow women's development and keeps them in religious ignorance, which he believes results in the degradation of the whole Muslim community.

[49][50] Women's development in Saudi Arabia has been relatively slower than in its neighboring Arab countries, especially regarding the improvement of female participation.

[8] In 2004, the fifth Jeddah Economic Forum held in Saudi Arabia had its first ever woman in key activities, with Lubna Olayan delivering the keynote speech.

[8] The Islamic Republic of Iran has witnessed several advancements and setbacks for women's roles in the past 40 years, especially following the Iranian Revolution in 1979.

Due to the pressure from United Nations and International Organizations, Talibans were forced to allow women for education including under-graduate and post-graduate.

These groups of Islamic religious police were considered very harsh and even beat women if they were spotted without male guardians or dressed immodestly.