"The dowry, previously regarded as the bride price paid to the father, became a bridal gift retained by the wife as part of her personal property" (Phanar). This quote sums up women's transition from being property to an individual person. Women were bought and sold, but Islam elevated the status of women within a society that never thought much about women. In the past, some societies believed that marriage was nothing more than a status symbol. Women were thought to bear children and establish a man's family tree. During pre-Islamic Arabia, women had no rights and were not considered equal members of society. They received no respect and were discarded when men tired of them. Women were considered inferior to slaves and lived in depressing conditions. The revelations of the Quran changed the status of women in Arabia. Before Islam, women were considered lower-class citizens and enjoyed few rights. However, Islam has made necessary changes to women's role in society and elevated their status. Women could own land and work, have marriage rights, and earn respect in a once male-centered society. Before the spread of Islam, women considered their husbands' property. They could not own the land, and even if the husband died, all property rights would be given to the son (Farooqi). Therefore, women were isolated from society and were unable to thrive. They were attached to their husbands' identities and seemed nothing more than a means to have children. However, the advent of Islam changed the status of women because they were given the opportunity to work and own property. Women have played a vital role in society; they were able to perform various jobs... half of paper... "The Status of Women in Islam". Islam for today. http://www.islamfortoday.com/womensrightsbadawi.htmShehata, Ehab. “The condition of women before and after Islam”. Elio: feminism and women's rights. January 16, 2007. http://www.helium.com/items/123022-the-status-of-women-before-after-islamFarooqi, Dr. MIH “Status of Women in Islamic Societies: Past and Present.” Countercurrents. March 9, 2011. http://www.countercurrents.org/farooqi090311.htmTariq, Dr. Muhammad Amjaad. “Women's rights in Islam”. Quotations from the Quran (http://www.angelfire.com/mo/MWSA/rights.htmlDivorce. Witness-Pioneer. http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/Q_LP/ch3s5pre.htmMoral Commandments Phanar. http://www.fanar.gov.qa/PrintPrev.aspx?type=arts&id=2Rafaqat, Nazihah. “Status of Arab women before Islam”.=2996393