When a man and a woman enter into the marital bond, they bring into existence a social unit called the family. Like any other social unit, this requires an organizer or supervisor. For this special role, Islam has chosen man.

Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. (Qur'an, 4: 39)

Making man the maintainer in no way indicates that to Allah man is superior to woman. This choice is based on man's capacity for management rather than on his superiority.

In a democratic system, everyone has been granted an equal status yet when a government is formed, one particular individual is entrusted with supreme political power. This does not mean that this possesser of power is superior to other citizens. In a democratic system, the president or the prime minister has one vote like all the other citizens. Even then in the interest of good management, authority is entrusted to a single individual.

Except for men's role as managers, man and woman have completely equal status. For instance, if a woman kills a man, and the crime is proved the woman will be required to pay the penalty (Qur'an, 2: 178). There is no legal discrimination in the eyes of the Shari'ah between woman and man. The laws applicable to men are also applicable to women.

The Prophet Muhammad was once asked who of all women was the best. He replied, "One who makes her husband happy when he sees her, who obeys her husband when he asks her for anything and who does not do anything against his will as regards either herself or his wealth." (An-Nass'i). This hadith very aptly points out a woman's duties towards her husband.

On the subject of their wives, the Qur'an enjoins men: "Treat them with kindness; for even if you do dislike them it may well be that you may dislike a thing which God has meant for your own good." (Qur'an, 4: 19)

This teaching means that even if outwardly unpleasant, a wife should not cause aversion, because God has not made anyone imperfect in all respects. All men and women, if deficient in some respects are gifted in other respects.

What is intended by making women obedient to their husbands is to cultivate in them the kind of fine temperament that will make them true partners to their husbands. This will result in a positive and constructive atmosphere at home rather than one of confrontation and discord. An obedient wife wins the heart of her husband and thus gains the upper hand. Hers is the highest place at home. A disobedient wife on the contrary keeps quarreling with her husband so that her whole life in consequence is marred with bitterness.

So far as men are concerned, Islam aims at cultivating fair mindedness on all occasions. Being the maintainer of the house, the man should not lose sight of the fact that after death he will be faced with the Greatest of the Lords and Masters. There he will not be able to justify himself for being hard to those who were under him in the world.

While those who were kind to people under them will be given kind treatment by Allah. Here is a hadith to this effect, related by 'Aisha: The Prophet said, "The best of you is one who is best for his family, and I am best of all of you for my family."