Kevin TurnbullGHist 150Michael SethMarch 2, 2015Nine Parts of Desire EssayAs shown in the book Nine Parts of Desire, Muslim people sometimes have different ideas about how to interpret the teachings of the Koran, Hadith, and other Islamic holy texts when it comes to the role of women.One Islamic scripture related to women that is interpreted in multiple ways is that of marriage. To paraphrase, the Koran says that women and men were made to be mates for each other in the image of God. This seems to imply that marriage should be an event equally shared and enjoyed by men and women. However, as Brooks narrates at the beginning of chapter 3, a marriage ceremony consists more of the brides father passing ownership of her onto her new husband. This makes the marriage seem more about the father and the groom than the bride. Another example, later in the chapter, shows that many Muslim women are afraid of marriage, because a husband has absolute power within that institution. Many Muslim women therefore want to find a husband that they know very well, but other Islamic teachings prevent them from spending time alone with a man before marriage. It seems contradictory to say that marriage should be a celebrated union of two mates in Gods eyes, yet the woman is often treated unfairly.Another teaching of Islam that is often taken to extremes is the teaching that girls should remain virgins until marriage. While many Muslim people simply use self-control to uphold this teaching, there are some people, as shown in Chapter 2, who take this to extremes with the practice of female circumcision. The mutilation of the female genitalia is not advocated, or even mentioned, in any Islamic holy text, but some people interpret these texts to this extreme. Later on in the same chapter, Brooks explains how many Muslim men use the concept of dishonor to dissuade women from committing adultery. They believe that if they take away the pleasure a woman will receive during sex, it will take away the temptation. However, it is against Muslim teachings to limit a womans sexual pleasures, so thats another contradictory teaching.Another contradictory notion in Islam expands over more than one teaching. The word Islam derives from a word meaning peace. Yet for all of these teachings mentioned, plus many others, violating them could mean harshly violent punishment, even so far as execution. It seems contradictory to base a religion off of peace, and yet have so many rules that can cause one to lose their hands, their genitals, or even their life.In conclusion, the teachings of Muhammad, as outlined in the holy texts of Islam, are often interpreted in many ways, and these interpretations often contradict each other.