It is a general belief, particularly in the West that in the
eyes of Islam woman is inferior to man. This is due to their
lack of access to the Quran and the Traditions. In fact, Islam
is the only system which contains provisions that ensure
absolute equality between man and woman.
However, the distinction between equality and similarity must
be kept in mind. Man and woman have been created equal, not
identical. In Islam, the rights and responsibilities of a woman
are equal to those of a man, but they are not necessarily the
same. Both have been fashioned differently from each other, so
their roles are also different. The variation in their
functions does not imply that one is inferior to the other.
According to Islam, man and woman can morally and spiritually
rise to the same eminence. In the Quran we find good and
righteous women being given the same position as good and
righteous men. The highest favour which God has bestowed upon
man is the gift of Divine Revelation. Along with men, women
also received this honour:
"And when the angels said: O'Mary, Allah has chosen thee and
purified thee and chosen thee above the women of the world."
(3:41) "When We revealed to thy mother what was revealed."
(20:38) "And We revealed to Moses' mother..." (28:7) The Quran
speaks of the great prophets of God, saying: "And mention
Abraham in the Book." (19:41) "And mention Moses in the Book."
(19:51) A woman is spoken of in exactly the same manner: "And
mention Mary in the Book." (19:61).
The Quran makes no difference between man and woman regarding
the bestowal of reward for the good deed performed by him or
her: "Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a
believer, We will certainly make him live a happy life, and We
will certainly give them their reward for the best of what they
did." (16:97)
"Surely the men who submit and the women who submit; and the
believing men and the believing women; and the obeying men and
the obeying women; and the truthful men and the truthful women;
and the patient men and the patient women; and the humble men
and the humble women; and the charitable men and the charitable
women; and the fasting men and the fasting women; and the men
who guard their chastity and the women who guard their
chastity; and the men who remember Allah and the women who
remember Allah - Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a
mighty reward." (33:35)Woman is equal to man in the pursuit of
education and knowledge. Muhammad, the Messenger of God (peace
be upon him) declared that it is incumbent on every Muslim male
and female to seek knowledge.
Man and woman have been given equal right to inherit from the
parents and the near relatives: "Men shall have a portion of
what the parents and the near relatives leave, and women shall
have a portion of what the parents and the near relatives
leave..." (4:7)
A woman's right to inherit is as much protected by the law as
that of a man. If the deceased wishes to deprive her by making
a will in favour of other relations or any other cause, the law
will not allow it.
However, it must be remembered that whereas the right to
inherit of both man and woman is equal, their shares in the
inheritance may differ. In certain cases, a woman gets half of
what a man in her position would get. The cause of this
variation is the financial responsibilities and liabilities
with which man has been burdened, not woman.
As compared to man, woman is financially secure and provided
for under Islamic dispensation. If she is a wife, her husband
is the provider; if she is a mother, it is the son; if she is a
daughter, it is the father; if she is a sister, it is the
brother; and so on. If she has no relations, then it is the
responsibility of state to maintain her.
In no case she will be left helpless. Whereas, a man, except in
one or two cases, is supposed to not only look after his family
and other needy relations, but also to make financial
contributions to good causes in society. Thus, a larger share
in the inheritance does not depict the supremacy of man over
woman, but it is rather a concession granted to him in lieu of
his financial burden.
Islam has given man and woman equal rights to contract, to
enterprise, and to earn and possess independently. The Quran
says: "...For men is the benefit of what they earn. And for
women is the benefit of what they earn. And ask Allah of His
grace..." (4:32)
Man and woman are equally entitled to freedom of expression.
Women not only expressed their opinion freely, but also argued
and participated in serious discussions with the Prophet and
other Muslim leaders. There were occasions when women expressed
their views on legislative matters of public interest, and
stood in opposition to the Caliphs, who then accepted the sound
arguments of these women.
In the eyes of Islam, a woman's life, property, and honour are
as sacred as those of a man. If she commits an offence, her
penalty is no less or more than a man's in a similar case. If
she is wronged or harmed, she gets due compensation, equal to
what a man in her position would get.
Equality in civil and criminal liability can also be explained
by the example of theft liable to Hadd. If the charge is
proved, then the person, regardless of being a man or woman, is
punished with amputation of limb: "And (as for) the man and the
woman addicted to theft, cut off their hands as a punishment
for what they have earned, an exemplary punishment from Allah.
And Allah is Mighty, Wise." (5:38).
Similarly, the punishment for adultery is also the same for man
and woman: "the adulteress and the adulterer, flog each of them
(with) a hundred stripes; and let not pity for them detain you
from obedience to Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last
Day; and let a party of believers witness their chastisement."
(24:2)
The verdict of Islam on the inter se status of man and woman is
the only complete, logical, and practical declaration
pertaining to the matter. The approach of Islam towards
defining the position of man and woman is unique, as it always
handles the issue by making a distinction between equality and
sameness.