Morals and Manners in Islam. Marwan Ibrahim Al-Kaysi

hands so as to protect the woman from the gaze of men and to protect men from exposure to her charms. There is no doubt that clothes convey inter-personal attitudes among which is that of sexuality.

       (b) The separation of the sexes is necessary in Islam. This helps to ease sexual tension.

       (c) A Muslim woman should not adorn her face with cosmetics nor use perfume outside the home. Such actions should be confined to her home and for her husband.

       (d) Women are not allowed to bathe in a public bath used by men.

       (e) When a woman speaks to a man other than her husband or relatives whom she is forbidden to marry (maḥram), her speech should not be inviting, but should remain objective and crisp.

       (f) Showing decorous shyness is also required of men, both in dress and personal conduct. If, by chance, a Muslim’s gaze falls upon a woman, he should turn away his eyes: a second look is forbidden.

       (g) Privacy in sexual relations is of the utmost importance in the Islamic view. Husband and wife are a mercy to each other, a garment and veil. It is forbidden for either husband or wife to discuss their sexual relations with others except in cases where help of a medical or professional nature is required.

      All the rules given above and others concerning sexual conduct are intended to enable men and women to benefit from the blessings of sex within marriage, and to enable the society to benefit from the blessings of marriage and secure family relations.

Ādāb al-Islām and the Status of Women

      When Europe was plunged into its Dark Ages and debated on the nature of woman’s soul on whether or not it was human, Islam had already declared men and women to be of the same origin and nature, equal before God and society, and promised like rewards or punishments for their good or evil deeds.

      Islamic law is just and fair for both women and men. A woman in Islam has the right to hold property, and to manage her estates. She has the right to lease, or bequeath, or exploit property for her own benefit.¹⁹ Although a woman’s main domain is the house, she is not excluded from making financial transactions such as selling and buying, lending and borrowing, investments, etc. In the different schools of law, women are judged legally competent and fully entitled to carry out any of these transactions.

      There is no difference between men and women concerning the penalties accorded under Islamic law whether for drinking alcohol, committing adultery, apostasy or murder.

      Women in Islam enjoy the right to express their views freely, and to reject marriage proposals. The contemporary position of Muslim women in some parts of the Islamic world should not be adduced as evidence or argument against the concept and position of women in Islam. The following ādāb should remove any misunderstanding on this point: