Understanding Islam — Page 161
159 according to Paul, are to be forbidden from teaching or exercising authority over men. 42 The reason Paul gives is that this is because Eve led Adam into evil and so for this, women must be below men in all regards. In short, Christians are requested to look to their own book prior to levelling accusations against the Holy Quran. As compared to the above-mentioned horrific teachings, the Islamic teachings are categorical and clear in affording women a number of rights that were unthinkable in Western society prior to the 20 th Century. Women are described as having spiritual equality with men in the Holy Quran, 43 the right to choose their own spouse, 44 the right to divorce, 45 no discrimination as regards the right to work 46 and the right to maintenance, support and receiving kind treatment from husbands, as well as numerous other rights. We have not delved deeper into these other aspects of Islamic teachings, as we have sought to focus on dispelling the misinformation present about the Quranic teachings regarding marital conflict resolution.