The Muslim family : a study of women's rights in Islam / Tove Stang Dahl ; translated from the Norwegian by Ronald Walford.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [203]-211).

Ch. 1. The Major and the Minor Tradition. 1.1. The three levels: Islam, Egypt and a poor quarter of Cairo. 1.2. The major tradition. 1.3. Egypt - an Islamic nation. 1.4. The minor tradition -- Ch. 2. The Sources of Law. 2.1. Survey of the sources of law. 2.2. The Koran. 2.3. Sunna. 2.4. The legal techniques ijma', qiyas and ijtihad. 2.5. Altering the law -- Ch. 3. The Family - the Bedrock of Islam. 3.1. Religion, law and family. 3.2. Women's identity and dignity: wife and mother. 3.3. Family law and collective identity -- Ch. 4. Preparation for Marriage. 4.1. The rules relating to the marriage contract. 4.2. The marriage contract and betrothal in practice. 4.3. The rhythm and length of the betrothal. 4.4. Laila's story. 4.5. The importance of one's surroundings: support, gossip and distrust -- Ch. 5. Sexuality and Segregation. 5.1. Life's dual order. 5.2. The all-inclusive sexuality. 5.3. Hierarchy and segregation. 5.4. The origin of the veil.

5.5. The veil in the context of policy towards women. 5.6. The new veil. 5.7. Tradition and modernity -- Ch. 6. Matrimonial Cohabitation. 6.1. Duties and rights. 6.2. Support. 6.3. Obedience. 6.4. Sexuality. 6.5. Polygamy and marriage.