Women in Islam: An Anthology from the Quran and Hadith

Assembles references to women in the two holy writings on which Islamic legislation and social practice are based. The hadiths are from the eight-century AD Sahih of al-Buchari, who traces each through named informants to actual witnesses of events in the Prophet's life. The excerpts discuss such aspects as hygiene, divorce, marriage, sex and chastity, inheritance, and status and rights. A specialist in Islam outside the Middle East, Awde provides explanatory notes and biographies of the women in the Prophet's household. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)