Thus, women cannot be blamed for instigating the first sin. In the Koran (4:34), however, it is interpreted by many that men were in charge of women because they were workers who supported them. If a woman disobeyed, the husband did with her as he pleases. Others view this statement in a different way. They believe that the translation means to be gentle with the women, even when she is disobedient. .
In the early days of Islam, Ellwood and McGraw state that Muslim women were treated better than other women at the same place and time. They then go on to list that women were allowed to consent on marriage, and they were paid the brides price (instead of the brides father). And, (even if the woman had any money or assets) the husband was supposed to support the woman with his own wealth. What's more, Dr. Jamal Badawi states that Islamic marriages are based on love and mercy, and if there by any chance is an unsuccessful marriage, the woman has just as much right to end the marriage as the man. Ellwood and McGraw also add that the women had the same obligations as the men did with their faith. The Koran states upon the gender issue of the obligations that "every soul will be in pledge for its deeds" (Koran, 74:38). .
According to Dr Badawi, unlike men, there are some exemptions to women and their practice of their religion. For example, if a woman is menstruating or has just given birth, she is not required to fast during Ramadan. However, she must make up her contributions as soon as possible. Another thing that Dr. Badawi points out is that, like men, women must pray five times a day. If, for some reason, she is unable to pray all five times, she does not have to make the prayer up at a later time. Many times, women can go to Mosque (despite being segregated from the men) but there is an optional Friday visit for women while it is mandatory for men. While both genders hold the same obligations, women cannot become imams in Islamic mosques.
