Gender Roles In Islamic Culture

In Islamic literature patterns of specific values and principles can be connected throughout different pieces of writing. Some values such as honesty and gender roles show reoccurring presence in many Islamic scriptures, sometimes contradicting one another. These values are present in scriptures such as the Qur’an a holy Islamic text. Stories such as the one of “Prince Behram and Princess Al-Datma" in Thousand and One Nights also illuminate these values. These repeating morals create a deeper sense and connection throughout Islamic literature
In both the Qur'an and Thousand and One Nights themes of gender roles are insinuated. In Islamic cultures gender roles can still be seen very prominently in modern times. The Islamic story, Thousand and

At the time this was a complete infringement on Islamic morals. Women were not held to the same regard as men and battling for marriage as a woman was an isolated occurrence. Regardless Prince Behram of Persia rises to the challenge only to be defeated and humiliated by the princess. As a result, he decides to trick her into an unwilling marriage or in other words forcing her back into her role as dutiful wife. The hinting of gender roles in this story connects to the basic tenets of gender roles in Islamic culture. One connection that can be made is seen in the very beginning of one of Islams most sacred texts. In the Qur'an one of the first things mentioned is “Men are the protectors and maintainer of women, because Allah has given one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means; Therefore, the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husbands) absence, what Allah would have them guard(Qur’an 1)”. Since the early beginnings of Islamic literature Gender roles of men and women has been an important value that has implemented strict expectations of women's docility and compliance. A woman’s role in Islamic society is to

Behram's ultimate goal was to conquer Al-Datma and essentially prove men's superiority over women that is corresponds with the Qur’an. Even still between the same two texts there are also contradicting values of honesty. In Thousand and one Nights Behram uses wit almost bordering deception to trick the princess into becoming his wife. He dresses in an elaborate disguise as “a decrepit old man” to spend his time in the garden where “the princess used to walk most of the days” (Thousand and one Nights Line 65). Eventually we see the princess attempt to do the same thing, but her disguise is transparent to the prince. It is written that, “When he looked at her, he knew who she was” and regardless he decided to play into her deception to get what he wanted (Prince Behram line 131). This is a great contradiction regarding the Qur’an because honestly is a crucial value in Islamic culture and religion. In the Qur'an, the value of honesty is indicated countless times. Being honest to other and being honest to God is important due to the belief that God knows and sees all. In the Qur’an it explicitly states, “Give full measure, when you measure, and weigh with accurate scales. That is fair, and better in the end