The Impact of Female Depictions in the Qu'ran on Modern Muslim Society

Women in the Tenth Century Interpretation of the Quran and the Effect in the Modern Muslim Society

The Sura 12 is made up of verses that that deal with Joseph’s relations with the Aziz’s wife and other women of Egypt.The whole relationship of Joseph with the women of Egypt began when Joseph was betrayed by his jealous brothers and sold into captivity, to an Egyptian notable. He informed his wife to treat Joseph with a lot of hospitality since he might bring them some benefits. This essay presents the essential principles in the portrayal of women as provided by Sura 12. The interpretation of the guidelines as in the tenth century is also discussed alongside the extent to which the principles affect the women in the modern Muslim society.

In the Sura 12 within the Quran, the story of Joseph and the women reflects the themes of female seductiveness and cunning nature with some prominence. The women are engaged in social chaos, social anarchy, and temptation while relating with Joseph. The guideline is interpreted that for one to be a female, there is the need for sexual aggressiveness and thus dangerous to social stability. The Muslim tradition has it that God has put in place an irresponsible attraction to women in a man’s soul (Rajabnejad, 2013). The belief is held when a man looks at a woman and feels the pleasure of the woman around her. The guideline on the relationship of the women with Joseph portrays her to resemble Satan, who has an irresistible power over individuals.

In the traditional exegesis, the woman who is mostly mentioned in the story of Joseph is mention as a title. Aziz’s wife is identified as “the notable” referring to the supervisor of Egypt’s treasury. At the time of the occurrence of the events, Joseph had already reached his active manhood when he is severally seduced by the women. Aziz’s wife had begun her desire for Joseph when she triggered his feelings by speaking of his charms; his beautiful face and the nice hair. The beauty is interpreted in the tenth-century Muslim belief as a praise and delight for Joseph. The guideline is interpreted to mean that the women found Joseph grand and, thus they extolled and praised him.

The segments of the Sura 12 can significantly affect the woman in the contemporary Muslim society as the interpretation of the guiding principles has changed over time. The woman in the modern society interprets the story of Joseph and the women as a parable that concerns the whole community and not just a gender-related issue. Women in the modern society would be greatly affected with the kind of belief to take by their side as the theme in the modern Muslim faith is based on religious righteousness and a corrupt society. The story of Joseph is attached to a lot of corruption incidences that would be the opposite of their perception of religious righteousness.

It is trustworthy that Joseph’s is not based on the exhortations of the contemporary Muslim faith, more so in women. The theme of women’s cunning nature that is evident in the segments of Sura 12. The duties of segregation echo in the segments of the Sura 12, but they are considered moral and legal terms without referencing to the female protagonist. The traditional view of the story as a tale of romantic love and true mutual devotion would be against the contemporary Muslim faith (Drury, 2012).

In conclusion, Joseph’s life in the Sura 12 is surrounded by women, who according to the traditional Muslim faith are praising his beautiful face and other good aspects of him. Women are portrayed as cunning and seductive, thereby putting the man into temptation. The contemporary Muslim women are significantly affected by the traditional interpretation of the segments that do not consider righteousness in the Muslim faith.