Re: How come there no gender equality in Islam?
Spiritual Status of Women
The Qur'an categorically states that men and women who practice the principle of Islam will receive equal reward for their efforts.
'Surely for men who submit to Allah and for women who submit to Allah, for believing men and for believing women , for devout men and devout women, for truthful men and truthful women, for steadfast men and steadfast women, for humble men and humble women, for charitable men and charitable women, for fasting men and fasting women, for men who guard their chastity and women who guard their chastity, for men who remember Allah much and for women who remember Allah much, for all of them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a mighty reward.'
At another juncture, Allah says, 'Whosoever performs good deeds, whether male or female and is a believer, We shall surely grant him a peaceful and tranquil life, and We will certainly reward them for the best of what they did.'
And yet another Aayat says, 'And whosoever does deeds of righteousness, whether male or female, and is a believer, they will enter Heaven and not the least injustice will be done to them.'
Each of the five pillars of Islam is as important for women as for men, and there is no differenciation in their reward.
Intellectual Status
The Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'The searching of knowledge is incumbent for every Muslim (male and female).'
Every boy or girl, man or woman should pursue his/her education as far as it is possible. One of the main aims of acquiring knowledge in Islam is to become Allah-conscious. In the history of Islam you will find that there were women who were narrators of Hadith, mystics, scholars, writers, poets and teachers, in their own right. They utilised their knowledge within certain precepts of Islam.
Look at Hadhrat Aaisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha: her intellect and outstanding memory. More than two thousand Ahaadith are reported by her and she is regarded as one of the best teachers of Hadith. Shaykha Nafisa who was such a great authority on Hadith that Imaam Shaaf'ee (RA) sat in her circle. The famous mystic, Rabia al-Adawiyya (Basria) was also a woman.
There are numerous other women who are held in the highest respect by the Muslim world.
Relation Between Man and Wife
Allah Ta'ala says in the Noble Qur'an, 'And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them,and He has put love and mercy between your hearts. Verily in it are signs for those who ponder.'
This is a very apt definition of the relationship between man and woman. They are not bound together only by a physical relationship but by love and mercy. This definition and description comprises mutual care, consideration, respect and affection.
The Qur'an states, 'They are garments for you and you are garments for them.'
As a garment gives protection, warmth, comfort and decency, so too a husband and wife offer each other intimacy, comfort and protection from committing adultery.
Rights and Obligations
The Holy Qur'an states, 'Men are maintainers of women with the bounties which Allah has bestowed more abundantly on some of them than others; and with what they may spend out of their possessions.'
Man has full responsibility for the maintenance of his family. This is not only a moral but also a Shari'ah obligation. The wife is responsible for the care of her home and welfare of her family. She may express her views and make suggestions on all matters but the best role she can play in keeping the marital free intact and strong is to recognise her husband as the person responsible for the running of the affairs of the family and to obey him even if his judgment is not acceptable to her provided he does not go beyond the bounds of Shari'ah. This is the meaning of obedience in the context of marriage in Islam. It is the recognition of the role of the husband as the head of the family unit.
The Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'The best woman is she who, when you look at her you feel pleased, and when you direct her she obeys. She protects your right and keeps her chastity when you are absent.'
Man is expected to show consideration to all women. The Islamic opinion is that a woman be spared from all struggles and worries so that she can give her full attention to the making of a home.
The Mothers Rights
The Holy Qur;an states, 'Don't even utter 'oh' before your parents!'
Hadhrat Abu Hurayra (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) says that a man asked the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), 'Who is worthier of my good treatment?' The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) replied, 'Your mother (which he repeated three times), then your father."
In another Hadith, the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) says, 'O people! listen! Allah Most High commands you to treat your mothers well. Listen again, that Allah Most High ordered you to be good to your mother, and thereafter to your father.'
The Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) also said, 'Paradise is beneath the feet of your mother.'
The Wife's Rights
The treatment expected from the husband, whether or not he is on good terms with his wife, is clearly laid down in the Qur'an.
Live with them in kindness, even if you dislike them, perhaps you dislike something in which Allah has placed much good.'
Even if divorce is decided upon, the good treatment referred to before is still required - The Qur'an says, 'Then keep them in all decency or part them decently. It is not lawful to take anything you have given them.'
The Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'O Muslims! I command you to behave well with your wives because woman has been created from the left rib of man. If you try to make it straight it will break, and if you allow to let it remain in its original condition, it will remain crooked. Obey my order and live a good life by treating your wives well.'
In another Hadith, it is mentioned, 'The best amongst you are those who are kindest to their wives.'
In another Hadith, 'The best charity is that, a man spends his money on his wife and children.'
Inheritance
Over fourteen hundred years ago, Islam made woman a share-holder in the wealth of her husband, father, brother, sons and daughters. When she is young, her father is responsible for her maintenance and after marriage her husband has to maintain her.
On the other hand the man has to bear the responsibility for himself, his wife and children and parents. This is why the man gets double the share of a woman in inheritance. He has much more responsibilities. Besides, in a way, the woman gets double advantage: as a daughter she gets a share in her father's wealth and as a wife in her husband's wealth also. It is therefore, worth pondering how minutely has Islam considered the differences between man and woman.
