Persian Women Under Arab Muslim Conquerors

This chapter surveys women’s realities and initiatives after Arab armies conquered Persia. It considers women’s roles in resisting the Arab conquest and shows how the traditions of warlord Arabs altered early Islamic values. The chapter examines how Islamic standards influenced the terms of sexual morality, marriage, bridewealth, divorce, inheritance, concubinage, birth control, family life, and women’s rights to property. It also shows how Persian women’s values modified Islamic traditions, both in terms of family law and religious practice. The chapter then considers the roles and powers of women in the courts of Persian-based Islamic empires, be they artists, princesses, advisors to the rulers, or the rulers’ mothers.