The Koran is meant to be the everlasting word of God, and is the text that guides Islamic society. According to Tove Dahl, "women received through the Koran a religious status equal to that of men as believers, and in addition legal status as an independent subject ." In pre-Islamic society, wome

The word of the Koran states that the two sexes are to work in unison to make each other happy, while raising a family. The Koran also states that women are to be given the same religious and legal status as men. However, the Koran and Islamic society, despite making women equal in some regards, also downplays women in the society, making them virtual second class citizens. This is evident through the marriage and divorce laws, emphasis on education and work, and the traditional responsibilities of women. The Koran, despite being the ever-upholding word of God, sends mixed messages about the importance and worth of women in Islamic society. It is through these interpretations that women are pushed down below men, and an unjust standard of living is created between the sexes.

The inequality does not end upon being married. Even when married, men are allowed to have other wives. The Koran states in Verse 4:3, "Marry of the women, who seem good to you, two, three, or four ." The Koran legally gives men the right to marry up to four wives, as long as he treats them equally. No such powers are granted to women. The results of these polygamous relationships include conspiracies between women, quarrels, and sometimes beating, death threats, even poisoning and infanticide . Women living in polygamous situations are often humiliated, looked upon as slave girls, or even looked at as items rather than human beings. Jealousy is also a large factor in a polygamous relationship. As one woman states, "How can a man treat them equally, as a man often likes the one who is new and younger best. A wife would rather see her husband dead in his grave than in the arms of another woman ." If a woman were to commit adultery with another man there she would most likely be divorced. Here again the Koran elevates a man's status above a woman's by granting a man benefits from which a woman would never gain.

Aside form raising the family, the wife has a large responsibility to be obedient. In exchange for support, protection, and a certain degree of care, the husband receives his wife's obedience. According to Dahl, "The Prophet established obedience as one of the fundamental principles of Islam, and in appraising a woman's worth her obedience to her husband is such a central factor that it opens the way to paradise ." Obedience includes respecting the man's decision, following orders to an extent, and keeping the man happy. Dahl further argues, "Control by the husband of his wife's freedom of movement is a prerequisite for complete fulfillment of the duty of obedience ." Not only is the wife required to be obedient, but obedience includes the husband's control over her actions. Even though the Koran grants religious and legal rights to women, here is another example of how Islamic culture further limits the freedom of women.

Family is a big concept in Islamic culture. Just as most women desire marriage in their lifetime, they also desire a family. A family is the cooperation of the man and woman. As Rahman states, "Both of them together form one body, enabling the tree of humanity to grow and eventually bear fruit ." This mutual cooperation, however, seems to favor a man's power role once the family has children. Often times the woman is forced to remain at home and take care of the children. As Subbamma states, "Women were intended only for housekeeping and reproduction ." This limited role of women almost designates that women remain home with the children while the man goes off to work, giving women little option to work and become financially independent. Being the sole provider for the family gives the man undeniable power over the woman in the relationship, as he provides for the family financially.

Given that women were brought up with the intentions of r

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