How could the Koran affect an individual's behavior?

Women in Quran

Social interaction in Islam

Social behavior, like all facets of the life of Muslims, is influenced by Islamic principles. The
manner in which one interacts with others is a manifestation of her or his faith in God. Muslims
follow the guidelines outlined in the Qur'an and Sunnah, not simply as an act of worship, but as
an acceptance of the wisdom of God in guiding them to achieve their greatest potential in this
life and salvation in the Hereafter. An analysis of the Islamic principles regarding the
relationships between men and women will further clarify this point.
The Qur'an outlines essential components of all relationships between all people. These include,
among many others, respect, kindness, honesty, tolerance, self-restraint, patience, forgiveness
and compassion. Such virtues apply between parents and children, spouses, business partners,
neighbors and friends, regardless of
gender.
The purpose of these guidelines is to enhance and purify relations consequently resulting in a
positive effect on the community as a whole. They apply regardless of age, race, sex or social
status. These ideals of behavior, unfortunately, have become less commonplace among Muslims
and non-Muslims alike. One area in which the situation has deteriorated continuously since the
first one hundred years after the death of the Prophet concerns the interaction between the sexes.
Ironically, it is in the name of Islam that many societies have deviated from the original
teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammed and the first Muslims.

Social interactions
In some communities, social contact between men and women who are not related is completely
forbidden, thus resulting in segregated schools, businesses, government offices, and the virtual
exclusion of women from positions of power or control. The domination and oppression of
women has resulted from restrictions on social interactions enabling the leadership in
governments to deny basic human rights and use Islam to support their position. In general,
many Muslims have adopted the justification for such separation, inspired by the fear that
allowing social contact will encourage and undoubtedly lead to illicit sexual behavior.

Sexual Responsibility
As mentioned earlier, the desire to avoid intermingling is related to fears of encouraging illicit
sexual conduct. Whether or not integration in schools and the workplace will cause individuals to
behave in such a way is highly debatable. Also, there is no guarantee that segregation absolutely
ensures sexual responsibility. Men and women are responsible for their actions regardless of the
circumstances. But God is ever aware of our weaknesses as human beings, so certain guidelines
do exist to help us avoid temptation and maintain pure relationships. Requiring complete
segregation is an extreme method that has no solid precedence in Islam and may serve to
heighten one's interest in or anxiety about the opposite sex.By following the guidelines of Islam,
men and women can achieve positive relationships that incorporate respect and understanding. It
is important, however, to limit factors that reinforce or encourage physical attraction outside of
marriage, as this may be a prelude for physical intimacy that is lawful only between a married
couple.
Guidelines for Appropriate Behavior
Guidelines for appropriate behavior generally operate on the concept of avoiding situations that
would lead to temptation. Much of the advice is based on the premise that physical attraction is
an important precursor to relationships that result in a desire for physical intimacy. Therefore,
when reviewing the texts, one is aware of the emphasis on minimizing factors that promote
physical attractiveness. In order to ensure healthy relationships between the sexes, four basic
recommendations can be made:
1) Treat one another with respect at all times in all situations
This recommendation is based on the Qur'anic verses quoted at the beginning of this chapter
which emphasize the importance of respect for all people. Respectful behavior is the key to
enabling Muslims to interact with one another in a productive and pure manner.
2) Behave modestly
Essentially, Muslims are advised to behave in a way to maintain purity in a social context. This
includes avoiding provocative behavior such as flirtation, unnecessary physical contact, ogling or
harassment. This chapter will focus here on general transgender relations (premarital courtship is
discussed in the chapter on marriage). The most direct reference regarding modesty is found in
Surah Nur (24), verses 30-31:Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be mindful of their
chastity: this will be most conducive to their purity, verily, God is aware of all that they do. And
tell the believing women to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their charms (zeenah) (in
public) beyond what may (decently) be apparent thereof; hence, let them draw their head-
coverings (khimar) over their bosoms. And let them not display more of their charms (zeenah) to
any but their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands' fathers, or their sons, or their husband's
sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their womenfolk, or those
whom they rightfully possess, or such male attendants as are beyond all sexual desire, or children
that are as yet unaware of women's nakedness ('awra); and let them not swing their legs (in
walking) so as to draw attention to their hidden charms., social contact between men and women
who are not related is completely forbidden, thus resulting in segregated schools, businesses,
government offices, and the virtual exclusion of women from positions of power or control. The
domination and oppression of women has resulted from restrictions on social interactions
enabling the leadership in governments to deny basic human rights and use Islam to support their
position. In general, many Muslims have adopted the justification for such separation, inspired
by the fear that allowing social contact will encourage and undoubtedly lead to illicit sexual
behavior.
3) Avoid situations of seclusion
Not every encounter between a man and woman is bound to lead to sex. Muslims must develop a
sensible and balanced approach to relations between the sexes. We must shun the attitude of
paranoia that plagues some Muslims who feel that working alongside the opposite sex will only
inspire uncontrollable sexual desires. In addition, we must also avoid adopting an attitude of
excessive permissiveness prevalent in Western culture whereby the boundaries between
unmarried men and women disappear. It is our belief that God has provided us with the tools
that, when incorporated properly, enable us to take advantage of the most and best that our fellow
human beings have to offer.
4) Dress modestly
Although dress in general does have influence on the reactions and interest of the opposite sex, it
seems that the attention given this issue by Muslims and non-Muslims alike is grossly out of
proportion to the attention given the subject in Qur'an and hadith. Women's dress represents
different issues to different people at any given place and time; subsequently, social and political
issues are often at stake in many communities when discussing and developing policy on
women's dress (for an excellent discussion of the historical background regarding the
politicization of women's dress see Women and Gender in Islam, by Leila Ahmed).
Whether a woman must also use a scarf to cover her head is not totally clear from this verse;
what is clear is that the practice of exposing the breasts was abolished with this revelation. Thus,
the Muslims were advised to use a garment which they were wearing at the time to cover their
breasts. Does this mean that covering the hair is also required? If so, it is an implied, not stated,
injunction.Also in this verse, women are advised not to display their charms or beauty
(depending on how one translates zeenah) except what may decently or naturally be apparent.
Other than specifications regarding covering of the breast, the Qur'an is not very detailed in its
description of proper dress. But if Muslims were to refer to Qur'an alone, the following
conclusions are most clear:
Modesty in dress and behavior is of utmost importance when interacting with the
opposite sex;
Women and men are advised to avoid dressing or behaving in such a way for the purpose
of drawing attention to their physical attributes;
When in the presence of family, women can be less stringent in their dress; and,
One main purpose of dressing modestly is to protect the woman from unwanted advances
and harassment.

Ultimately, God is the final judge and we do the best we can with the best intentions. In concert
with the verse "There is no compulsion in religion" (2:256)

Conclusion
In a place where women were considered property and less than human, Islam elevated their
status to that of a human being with rights and dignity, deserving of respect and consideration
from others particularly men. Redefining roles was a great challenge that continues today. But
we are left with a powerful example in the Prophet who demonstrated patience , compassion ,
friendliness and grace when dealing with the female followers of Islam. By applying those
principles today, Muslims can restore the dignity that ought to prevail in all relationships, with
God consciousness (taqwa) as the guiding force.

http://www.mwlusa.org/topics/gender_relations/socialinteraction.html