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ABSTRACT<br />

THE CHANGING POSITION OF WOMEN IN ARABIA UNDER ISLAM DURING THE<br />

EARLY SEVENTH CENTURY<br />

This study <strong>of</strong> the position <strong>of</strong> women in Islamic society<br />

during the period <strong>of</strong> the Prophet in the early seventh centuryA. D., i<br />

compares their status with - the status <strong>of</strong> wo . men in pre-Islamic Arabia,<br />

and investigates the changes. if any, which the new faith brought<br />

to the women believers.<br />

The thesis is composed <strong>of</strong> three chapters. The purpose <strong>of</strong> the<br />

first chapter Is to outline the nature <strong>of</strong> the socilo-economic and<br />

legal status <strong>of</strong> women in Arabia before Islam; it surveys the<br />

concept <strong>of</strong> Jahiliyyah, the tribal society as a whole, the practice<br />

<strong>of</strong> burying daughters alive. marriage. polygamy and divorce. The<br />

second chapter contains an over view <strong>of</strong> the new moral and legal<br />

status granted to women under Islamic law. according to the specific<br />

rules governing the rights and duties <strong>of</strong> the people as laid down by<br />

the Prophet himself. This can therefore be taken as the ideal<br />

example, in all aspects. <strong>of</strong> the true Islamic community. The third<br />

chapter contains cases <strong>of</strong> illustrious and influ I ential women in the<br />

first seminal period <strong>of</strong> Islam: Khadija. the first believer and<br />

c -V<br />

first wife <strong>of</strong> the Prophet. Aisha, the young wife and important<br />

transmitter <strong>of</strong> tradition and FAimah. the Prophet's daughter. and<br />

0<br />

other various examples <strong>of</strong> women in different aspects.<br />

1

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