Woman from the Viewpoint of the Qur'an and the Culture of the Revelation Time (Part One)

The writer, in this article, intends to compare the status of woman in the Qur'an and in the culture of the age of Jahiliyyah (Paganism) before the revelation of the Qur'an and tries to demonstrate that the Qur'an has repudiated the false belief's of Jahiliyyah about the woman, and has taken well-thought measures in fighting against them. Accordingly, first the status of woman in the Qur'an expounded, and then the Qur'an's viewpoint about the superiority of boys over girls is analyzed. Further on, the reason for the philosophy of man's double share of inheritence as compared to that of the woman is expressed, and the error that the above decree is a recommendation by God rather than a necessity is criticized. Then, in two chapters, the role and status of woman both in witnessing and in judgment from the viewpoint of the Qur'an is reviewed; and finally, corporal punishment of women is considered - like slavery - among customs on which Islam has made time - tabled arrangement in order to gradually abolish it. To this end, the holy Prophet (S.A.W.) has first interpreted the above punishment as non - presecutive and unpainful in ayah 34, surah of Nisa' and in later ayahs along with the recommendation from the Prophet (S.A.W.) and the infallible Imams (A.S.) on treating women, The issue of punishment of women has totaly been ruled out.