Many Westerners view Islam as particularly oppressive to women, or at least more so than the other monotheisms. This is not exactly true. Islam, like Judaism and Christianity, originated in a highly patriarchal culture where women had very little, if any, political or economic standing on their own. Furthermore, all three traditions originated in cultures that allowed plural marriage. Many of Judaism's patriarchs and kings had more than one wife, and Christianity reveres these figures as well. Muhammad himself had more than one wife, although tradition holds that he was extremely devoted to his first wife, Khadija, and did not take other wives until after her death. Therefore, Islam joins Judaism and Christianity in carefully prescribing the role women are to have in political, social, and family life, and most often this role is significantly limited when compared to the role of men.
Islamic scholars, however, are quick to point out that Islamic teaching is far more liberal toward women in some areas than Judaism and Christianity. Like the other two traditions, it exhorts women to dress modestly, including wearing head coverings and/or veils. Also, women are encouraged to make their husbands and families their chief priority; they are exempted from many religious duties so they may attend to household and family matters. The following passages, however, show that Islam gives women more standing in divorce proceedings and in inheritance and other property rights than, for example, allowed by Mosaic law in Judaism or by Jesus' revision of Mosaic divorce law. Also, the passages emphasize the equal standing of men and women before God and admonish men to bear this in mind in their dealings with women.
Finally, while the Qur'an allows plural marriage, it specifically exhorts men to marry more than one wife only if they can treat each wife equitably and provide well for them. Some liberal scholars suggest that passages like these imply that monogamy is the best choice since very few—if any—men can act with complete equanimity toward several wives. Other Islamic scholars interpret the Qur'an's support of plural marriage in the seventh-century context of possible hardship for and exploitation of widows or women without protection from men. Better to be one of several wives, it is said, than to be alone and vulnerable.
Women in Islam
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