Episode 7: Oppressive rulings and legislations against women (3/3)

    Women were prohibited from receiving any kind of inheritance. As all decisions were made by men, they had the last word and to them reverts the responsibility of defending the tribe’s honor, they would inherit everything. Women were even prohibited from having a share during the division of what was found in the wombs of cattle after slaughtering. This was for no reason other than to belittle her status. Allah says: “They say: What is in the wombs of such and such cattle is especially reserved (for food) for our men, and forbidden to our women; but if it is still-born, then all have a share therein.”

    All of this was in addition to the lowly pagan practices, which demanded women to go unveiled and make blatant displays of themselves, even during their polytheist rituals, especially during circumambulation. They used to perform circumambulation bare naked. One of their women came up with the following line her circumambulation:

    Today all or some of the private parts are shown. Whatever is shown I don't permit for you.

    That was a brief glance on the condition and status of women during the pagan era, that took place before the dawn of Islam, the birth of the new religion, and the mission of Mohammed, peace be upon him.

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