Early social changes under Islam

Many social changes took place under Islam between 610 and 661, including the period of Muhammad's mission and the rule of his immediate successor(s) who established the Rashidun Caliphate.

A number islamic theologians state that changes in areas such as social security, family structure, slavery and the rights of women improved on what was present in existing Arab society.

According to scholars historical evidence shows that pre-Islamic Arabia already contained many of the same supposedly progressive customs in women rights that islamic theologians attribute to Islam. For example based on a recent study of pre-Islamic Qasida in modern light, a woman in Jahiliya (pre-Islamic) period wielded a high level of autonomy; she had a maximum freedom to choose a partner and had also the right to abrogate the relationship without any hindrance or obstacle. Many such rights were stripped away and women's status in the society declined under islamic theology^[1]