Introductory perspectives
Definitions and terminology
Setting out the problem
'Rights' of women in pre-Islamic Arabia
Early beginnings of Islam : first and second periods
The rights of women after the advent of Islam
Emergence of a Muslim empire : third and fourth periods
Emergence of the Schools of Jurists and the road to modernity : fifth and sixth periods
Reform and modernity : seventh period : 1800s to date
Different perspectives on women and Islam
Equality : divorce as a case study
Issues and challenges emerging from the overview of the historical development of Islamic law
A snapshot of Muslim Personal Law (MPL) in South Africa : past to present
Conclusions.