Tradition & Change in Islam (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

Maintaining traditional family roles in Islam

• Islam teaches specific family responsibilities: 

  • Mothers nurture

  • Fathers provide and lead

• The Quran says children must respect and care for their parents

• These traditional roles are viewed as part of Islamic identity and stability, helping to provide a good home for children and to guide them in faith, manners and worship

• Families are seen as the first place where children learn about Islam 

• Teaching religion at home and encouraging mosque attendance are considered essential parts of parenting in Islam 

  • This reflects the Hadith:

• These roles are seen as supporting the natural order established in Islamic teachings, designed by Allah

• Extended family structures provide social security and moral discipline, which is especially important in Muslim-majority societies

Changing family roles in Islam

• Rapid changes in society mean that family roles are changing and evolving in Islam

• Modern life responsibilities, such as work and education, mean women often work outside the home and men help with childcare

  • Muslim mothers increasingly have professional work and public roles

  • There is widespread support for shared responsibilities, with both partners contributing financially and domestically, to promote marital harmony and mutual respect

  • Many Muslims see these as necessary adaptations that support the success of the family 

  • Therefore, these changes are viewed positively rather than seen as being in conflict with Islam

• Many Muslims support gender equality at home and within careers, based on the Qur’anic teaching: “ ... in righteousness and good deeds they are equal”

• Single-parent or blended families are increasingly accepted, especially in non-Muslim societies, as long as children are raised with Islamic values

Emotional and spiritual challenges of social change for Muslims

• Some Muslims feel torn between traditional expectations and maintaining their Muslim faith and identity alongside modern roles 

• Parents may feel anxious about making sufficient time to nurture their children in the faith. Particularly, working mothers may worry that they are neglecting religious education at home, while fathers may feel torn between their career and spiritual leadership

• Some families experience judgment and community pressure for adopting non-traditional roles. This may cause them to feel isolated

• Some Muslims may feel spiritual uncertainty and have questions regarding what Islam really requires. They may feel confusion over what is divine law and what is cultural tradition, which may result in a loss of confidence in religious practices

• Often, the tensions arise between generations. Young Muslims may prefer modern values, while elders hold traditional views. This may create family conflict and emotional distance