How did women in Islamic societies compare to women in other cultures during the Middle Ages?

Women in Islamic societies during the Middle Ages experienced greater rights and privileges compared to women in many other cultures of the time. Islamic teachings provided certain rights to women that were not universally available elsewhere, including the rights to inherit property, conduct business, and initiate divorce under specific circumstances. This legal framework afforded women a degree of autonomy and respect that was sometimes higher than what was seen in European feudal societies, where women were often limited to domestic roles and had little control over property.

Islamic scholars and literary figures from that era, such as those in the Abbasid Caliphate, often wrote about women's contributions in various fields, including education and the sciences. While it is important to acknowledge that the rights and experiences of women varied widely within different Islamic cultures and regions, overall, women in many Islamic contexts enjoyed privileges that were comparatively progressive for their time, allowing them more agency than in numerous other contemporary civilizations.