The religion of Islam has earned a reputation for violence and misogyny in recent decades due to radical sects in the international spotlight. Although the violence has been limited to radical groups, many people outside the religion believe that Islamic law, Shari'ah law, defines the status of women below men. However, from the original sacred text, the Quran, and from the Sunnah of the prophet Muhammad, a picture of equality and mutual respect between the sexes is evident. Although the Quran is the unadulterated Word of God, it is interpreted by Muslims in many different ways. It was through these patriarchal interpretations of the five schools of Islamic law that the status of women was affected (Barlas, 2002). The Quran itself contains opposites that demonstrate equality between men and women, but it also seems to contradict itself by undermining the status of women. These contradictory phrases have recently been interpreted by scholars differently than the original schools supporting gender equality. Muhammad's life also shows his affection and respect for his wives in contrast to a misogynistic lifestyle. Ultimately, the status of women in Islam has largely been degraded by human interpretation of the text to create a power dynamic between a husband and his wife, or wives. Although the status of women has been lowered in the eyes of many Muslims, recent civil rights movements and women activists are challenging these emboldened notions to achieve social and political leadership. The context of the birth of Islam provides important information on the position of women in the world religion. Pre-Islamic Arabia was largely nomadic and violent. Tribes often raided other tribes, bringing with them food, tools, and women. These capture......the center of the card......the quality of the women. Works Cited Armstrong, K. (1991). Muhammad: A Western Attempt to Understand Islam. 1st ed. London: Victor Gollancz Ltd, pp.55-71.Bakhtiar, L. (2013). The Quran tolerates domestic abuse. Barlas, A. (2002). "Believing women" in Islam. 1st ed. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press. Boone, J. (2012). Malala Yousafzai: 'fatwa' issued against armed men. The Guardian. Khalidi, T. (2008). The Koran. 1st ed. London: Penguin Books Ltd. Mubarak, H. (2013). The Quran tolerates domestic abuse. Musaji, S. (2006). Quran 2:282 Commentary. The American Muslim (TAM). Available at: http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/quran_2282_commentary/.Shehabuddin, S. (n.d.). Female Leadership in Islam. International Foundation for Islamic Research. Available at: http://www.irfi.org/articles/articles_401_450/female_leadership_in_islam.htm.