The Quran, the holiest book in Islam, indicates that men and women are spiritual equals. The Quran 4:124.5 states:
"If any do deeds of righteousness be they male or female and have faith, they will enter Heaven, and not the least injustice will be done to them."
But this notion of equality has not been reflected in many of the laws in Muslim-based institutions.
The Quran does not specify specific gender roles for women.However, in Islamic practice, gender roles manifest themselves, partially because men and women are sometimes allotted different rights and different cultural expectations.
In some Muslim-majority countries, women are legally restricted from practicing certain rights.
In chapter 4 verse 34 in the Qur'an, it states that "men are the protectors and maintainers of women",clearly placing men in a leadership role within the household. As the head of the household, a man is therefore expected to adequately provide for wife and children. 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 affines”. These values have remained rather consistent throughout the history of Islam. It was the husband’s job to protect his wife(s), as it was culturally understood that women do, and should, rely on men. This is viewed not in a restricting reliance but as an arrangement to protect women from the distress and inconveniences of the public arenas. It is because of this ideology that women traditionally do not contribute to the household financially, leaving men to be the sole breadwinners.
The woman’s role in the home, although different from men, is also of great value and importance in Islamic culture. From a very young age, little girls traditionally grew up in the women’s quarters of the house: the harem. The harem was the part of the house where the female members of the family and the household lived. It was normally out of bounds to all males except the master of the house, his sons and perhaps a physician.Here, young girls are familiarized with domestic activities[ and were taught Islamic laws and values.
Several passages of the Quran deal with acceptable dress for both men and women. Sura 24, Verses 30-31 states:
Women wearing burqas in Afghanistan
"And tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! Allah is aware of what they do. 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]..." Chapter 24, Verses 30-31.
