Women in Islam Question

[GuestFellow]

Assalam Alaikum.

Recently at college an atheist girl who is friend, believes Islam oppresses women.

I managed to answer the majority of the questions imposed by her about, the veil, witnesses, marriage and employment. I managed to clear some misconceptions that she held about Islam but there were two particular verses, which I don't know much about. :/

She believes that these verses portray women in a negative light and are not considered equal to men. Can anyone please provide explanation for these verses? If so, I would be grateful.

Here are the two verses:

Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 48, Number 826

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:

The Prophet said, "Isn't the witness of a woman equal to half of that of a man?" The women said, "Yes." He said, "This is because of the deficiency of a woman's mind."

She thinks Islam is promoting women have less mental capabilities than men do.

Volume 2, Book 24, Number 541:

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri

On 'Id ul Fitr or 'Id ul Adha Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) went out to the Musalla. After finishing the prayer, he delivered the sermon and ordered the people to give alms. He said, "O people! Give alms." Then he went towards the women and said. "O women! Give alms, for I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-Fire were you (women)." The women asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What is the reason for it?" He replied, "O women! You curse frequently, and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. O women, some of you can lead a cautious wise man astray."

 

['Abd-al Latif]

Belittling Women with the Hadeeth: “Women are Deficient in Intellect and Deen.”
​

Shaykh Abdul-Azeez ibn Baaz
​

We often hear the noble Hadeeth "Women are deficient in their intelligence and in their Deen” and some men use this Hadeeth as a form of belittlement towards the women. We desire from you O noble shaykh, clarification of the meaning of this Hadeeth?

The meaning of the Hadeeth of the Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam):

“I have never seen anyone with a deficiency of ‘Aql (intellect) and Deen (religion) who are more overpowering to men than one of you [women].”

So it was said:

“O Messenger of Allaah, what is the deficiency in her intelligence?”

He said:

“Isn’t the witness of two women equal to that of one man?”

So it was said:

“What is the deficiency in her Deen?”

So he said:

“Isn’t it the case that if she is menstruating she doesn’t pray or fast?”

So the Messenger (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) clarified that the deficiency of her intellect was from the angle of her weak memory and that her testimony is strengthened with the testimony of another woman. This is because of the preciseness of the witness (in Islaam) and because she could forget and make an addition or deletion to the testimony. Just as Allaah says:

{And bring forth two witnesses from your own men. If there are not two men (available) then a man and two women, such as you agree for witnesses, so that if one of them (two women) errs then the other can remind her…} [2282]

As for deficiency in her Deen, then it is because during her state of menstruation and post-partum bleeding, she abandons the Salaat and fasting, and she doesn’t make up the salaat. This is from the deficiency in her Deen. But this deficiency is not blameworthy upon her. Rather it is a deficiency, which happens as a result of that which Allaah had decreed for her and this was done in a manner of leniency and easiness towards her. For if she were to fast in a state of menstruation or in a state of postpartum bleeding it would harm her. So from the Mercy of Allaah (towards women) He has legislated for her to abandon the fast at the time when she is menstruating or in a state of Nifaas, and to make up the fast afterwards. As for the salaat, then without a doubt, the state of menstruation prevents her from purification. So from the mercy of Allaah, He legislated for her to abandon her prayer and likewise in the state of Nifaas.

He also legislated for her not to make it up, because in making up the (Salaat) is difficulty, because the Salaat is tremendous, and repetitious, five times throughout the night and day, and the days of menstruation can be plentiful, sometimes seven or eight days or more than that. And the Nifaas could reach 40 days. So from the mercy of Allaah upon her and from His Ihsaan (doing good) towards her is that He removed the Salaat from her whether it be the initial Salaat or the make-up. And this does not necessitate that her intelligence is deficient in everything! Nor that her Deen is deficient in everything! But indeed the Messenger (saw) clarified that the deficiency in her intelligence is from that which happens to her from the lack of precision in her memory and testimony, and that the deficiency in her Deen is from the fact that she leaves off the prayer and fasting at the time of her menses or in the state of Nifaas. Also this doesn’t necessitate that she is less than a man in everything! or the fact that the man is better in everything! Yes, generally the male gender is better than the gender of the females generally for many reasons. Just as Allaah the High and Sublime says:

{Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allaah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend their wealth (to support them)…} [434]

But she can surpass him, sometimes, in many things. And by Allaah how many women surpass many men in their intelligence, Deen and precision! But verily that which is narrated on the Messenger (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) is that the women are surpassed by men, generally, in intelligence and in the religion only. There can proceed from her many righteous actions, in which, she can surpass the men and in her Taqwah of Allaah, Azza Wa Jall, and in her station in the hereafter. There could be some affairs that she places great importance on and is precise in them more so than the precision of a man. There are many issues, which she carefully considers, and is diligent in memorizing and precise in. She would become the foundation in Islaamic history and point of reference in many affairs and this is clear to those who ponder and reflect on the state of the women during the time of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) and after that. With this it should be understood that this deficiency should not prevent her from being treated equally in her narrations and in her testimony, if it is strengthened with the testimony of another woman.

And it doesn’t necessarily mean that it (this deficiency) should prevent her from having Taqwah of Allaah and the fact that she could be from the most virtuous slaves of Allaah if she is upright in her Deen, even if the fasting and Salaat is not obligatory upon her at the time of menstruation and Nifaas rather this is a deficiency which is specific to the intellect and Deen just as the Messenger (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) clarified. It is not appropriate that a believer should accuse her of being deficient in everything and weak in every area of her Deen, and its clarification is pertinent and important so that the speech of the Messenger is understood in it’s proper context and in the best possible manner.



And Allaah knows best.

 

[aadil77]

She believes that these verses portray women in a negative light and are not considered equal to men. Can anyone please provide explanation for these verses? If so, I would be grateful.

People really need to get this out of their heads, men and women are not equal. Tell her islam doesn't treat women equally simply because they're not equal, But islam treats everyone with Justice and thats the key word, women are treated with justice

 

[GuestFellow]

People really need to get this out of their heads, men and women are not equal. Tell her islam doesn't treat women equally simply because they're not equal, But islam treats everyone with Justice and thats the key word, women are treated with justice

Sure, I shall take that into a consideration.

@ 'Abd-al Latif

Thank you for the explanation.

 

[جوري]

Visit Ansâr Al-'Adl's personal page HERE.

They mean something but often a person reads one narration and then tries to come to conclusion by themselves. You need to look at ALL the narrations, the arabic text, the asbab laghwal hadith [circumstances behind the prophetic statement] and the commentary. This is why a layman cannot just go to the hadith and try to figure things out themselves, they need to consult the scholars who have done the research.

Quote:
"Allah's Apostle once said to a group of women : 'I have not seen any one more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious, sensible man could be led astray by some of you.' The women asked: 'O Allah's Apostle, what is deficient in our intelligence and religion?' He said: 'Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?' They replied in the affirmative. He said: 'This is the deficiency of your intelligence' ... 'Isn't it true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?' The women replied in the affirmative. He said: 'This is the deficiency in your religion.'"[14]
The problem is the full arabic meaning is not conveyed:

In this narrative of the Prophet (pbuh), according to a normal principle of the classical Arabic language, some words have been suppressed. The words "Naqisa'tul-`aql wal-deen" translated as: "deficient in intellect and religion" have the noun "umu'r" suppressed. The complete phrase is: "Naqisa'tu umu'ril-`aql wal-di'n" or "Naqisa't fi' umu'ril-`aql wal-di'n" i.e. "deficient in responsibility in matters pertaining to intellect and religion. [...] The Prophet (pbuh) has not interpreted it as a 'deficiency in faith', on the contrary, it has been termed as a deficiency in the responsibility imposed on women in matters relating to religion. The two, as you can see, are not synonymous.
​

Also, the context has not been coveyed either. The Prophet Muhammad pbuh was encouraging the women to donate money in the cause of Islam after the Eid prayers. So he challenged them to do extra good deeds by reminding them of their responsibility.

Shaykh Salmân Al-'Awdah notes:

When Islam discusses the deficiencies of women, it is neither insulting them nor belittling them. Some men, unfortunately, do precisely that when they quote the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that women "have a deficiency in their intellect and their religion". They take these words out of context as a means of oppressing women and putting them down.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) meant something quite different. He said: "I have never seen among those who have a deficiency in their intellect and their religion anyone more capable than women of swaying the intellect of the most determined of men." He is actually asserting here the power of women to influence men and sway their opinion. This is one of the distinctions that women, in their natures, have.

He then went on to define precisely what he meant by these deficiencies. In the remainder of the hadîth, some women asked him: "O Messenger of Allah, what is this deficiency in our intelligence and religion?" He replied: "Isn't it that a woman's testimony as a witness is half of the testimony of man?" They said: "Yes." He said: "This, then, is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isn't it true that when she is in her menses, she leaves off prayers and fasting?" They said: "Yes." He said: "This is the deficiency in her religion."

These are matters of Islamic Law. A woman is neither sinful nor blameworthy because of the prayers and fasts that she misses. She, in fact, receives blessings by obeying Allah and abstaining from those acts while she is menstruating. Her testimony as a witness is half that of men only in matters wherein she is generally less versed than men. In other matters wherein women have particular knowledge, like fosterage and virginity, the testimony of a woman is accepted but not that of a man.​

Shaykh Bin Bâz writes:

As for the shortcoming in religion, this stems from the fact that when menstruating or having post- partum bleeding, women neither pray nor fast, and they do not have to make up for their prayers.

As we know, women have no hand in the obstacles that disrupt their religious performances. This is something divine, which reflects Almighty Allah’s overflowing mercy on them, for it will be extremely hard for a woman to be tasked with religious obligation while she is having menstruation or post-partum bleeding. That’s why she is exempted from fasting or praying, as a sign of mercy on her. Also, they do not make up their prayers. This is because if they were ordered to make up their prayers, it would be extremely hard for them, given that prayers are performed five times a day. Menses may last for a number of days, up to seven or eight or more. Post-partum bleeding lasts for forty days. It’d be definitely hard for women to be obliged to make up the prayers missed while responding to the demands of nature.

So, in the light of the above-mentioned facts, the Hadith does not have any indication of looking down upon women or considering them as inferior, especially when we know that some women excel men in many matters. Yes, no one can deny the fact that a woman may perform many good deeds and exceed many men in virtue, morality, etc. Islamic history abounds with examples of great women who have made great contribution to the progress of mankind. This is very clear to anyone who is well informed about the status of women during the time of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and the early generations.
In addition, the Hadith in question does not disqualify women from being narrators of Hadiths, and there is nothing that prevents a woman from being one of Allah’s pious servants, if she is steadfast in her religion even with her being excused from fasting or praying during menstruation or post-partum bleeding”
​

Quote:
A "Muslim Scholar", Dr. Buti, states the (supposed) reason behind the wearing of Hijab:
Islam is based on the Qur'an and Sunnah. Personal opinions of different people are disregarded if they conflict with established evidences in the religion. The Qur'an clearly establishes that the hijab is for the benefit of the women, and then the rest of society:

33:59 O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to cover themselves with their outer garments. That is better so that they will be recognized [as free respectable women] AND NOT HARASSED. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.

The same thing is true for Razi. His personal thoughts are not evidence in the religion. It is not my concern to defend what Razi said or didn't say, even though it seems the quote attributed to him is distorted since he has also mentioned that women are NOT inferior to men.

Quote:
I think that they greatly distort most of the verses in the Qur'an, but what about the Hadith?
They picked one hadith out of context, distorted it and didn't show any of the other hadith on women in Islam:

The Prophet said: 'Anyone who cares for three daughter, gives them a good upbringing, marries them to good husbands and treats them well, they will enter paradise. The companions asked, "What about two daughters?" He said, "Even two daughters". They asked what about one daughter? He said "even one". (Sunan Abi Dawûd, Musnad Ahmad, Mustadarak Al-Hâkim)
A man came to Prophet Muhammad asking “ O Messenger of God, who among the people is the most worthy of my good company?” The Prophet said “Your mother”. The man said “then who else?” The Prophet said “Your mother”. The man asked, “then who else?” The Prophet replied “Your mother” When the man asked for the fourth time, only then did the Prophet say, “Your father” ( Sahîh Bukhârî, Sahîh Muslim)
The Prophet said: 'Paradise lies at the feet of your mother' (Musnad Ahmad, Sunan An-Nasâ’i, Sunan Ibn Mâjah)
A'isha, the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him), said: 'A poor woman came to me carrying her two daughters. I gave her three dates to eat. She gave each child a date, and raised the third to her own mouth to eat it. Her daughters asked her to give it to them, so she split the date that she had wanted to eat between them. I was impressed by what she had done, and told the Messenger of Allah P about it. He said, “Allah has decreed Paradise for her because of it”.' (Sahîh Muslim)
The Prophet said: 'Whoever has a daughter born to him, and he did not prefer his son over him, Allah will admit him to Paradise because of her.' (Mustadarak Al-Hâkim)
The Prophet said: 'There is no one who has three daughters, or three sisters, and he treats them well, but Allah will admit him/her to Paradise.' (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad of Bukhârî)
The Prophet said: 'There is no one among my ummah who has three daughters, or three sisters, and he supports them until they are grown up, but he will be with me in Paradise like this – and he held up his index and middle fingers together. (Mu'jam At-Tabarânî)
The Prophet said: 'The best of you is the one who is best to his wife. I am the best of you to his wife and I'm the best to my wife.' (Sunan At-Tirmidhî, Sunan Ad-Dârimî, Sahîh Ibn Hibbân)
The Prophet said: 'The most perfect of the believers in faith are the best of them in moral excellence, and the best of you are the kindest to their wives. (Sunan At-Tirmidhî)
The Prophet said: 'None but a noble man treats women in an honorable manner. And none but an ignoble treats women disgracefully' (Sunan At-Tirmidhî)
The Prophet said: 'I command you to be kind to women.' (Sahîh Bukhârî)
The Prophet said: 'The believer should not harbor hatred towards his wife. If he dislikes something in her, then surely he will be pleased with another quality in her.' (Sahîh Muslim)
The Prophet said to Abd-Allah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'Aas, who used to fast all day and pray all night: 'Do not do that. Fast and break your fast, pray qiyaam and sleep, for your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you, your wife has a right over you and your visitors have a right over you.' (Sahîh Bukhârî, Sahîh Muslim)
A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, was asked, "What did the Prophet used to do at home?" She answered, "he kept himself busy helping the members of his household, and when the time for prayer came, he would go out for the prayer". (Sahîh Bukhârî)
The Prophet said: 'Verily among the most evil of people with Allah in ranking on the Day of Resurrection is a man who goes to his wife and whose wife goes to him, and then he spreads her secrets.' (Sahîh Muslim, Musnad Ahmad, Sunan Abû Dawûd)
The Prophet said: "Iblîs (Satan) sets up his throne on water, then he sends out his armies of devils (to incite humans to do evil). The closest to him of these troops are the ones who cause the most tribulation. One of them comes and says, 'I have done such and such.' Iblîs says, 'You have not done enough.' Then another one comes and says, 'I never left him alone until I created trouble and caused division between him and his wife.' Then Iblîs comes close to this devil and says, 'How excellent you are!' " (Sahîh Muslim)
The Prophet said: 'A woman may be married for four reasons: for her property, her status, her beauty, and her religion; so marry one who is religious, may you be blessed.' (Sahîh Bukhârî)
The Prophet said: 'If any man shows patience with his wife's bad temper, Allah will give him a reward similar to the reward of Ayyub (Job) for his patience, and if any woman shows patience with her husband's bad temper, Allah will give her a reward similar to the reward of Asiyah daughter of Muzahim, the wife of Pharoah (Cf. Qur'an 66:11).' (Al-Kabâ'ir of Adh-Dhahabî)
The Prophet said: 'Consult with women. Indeed, you have some rights over your women and they have some rights over you. It is their right on you that you provide for their food and clothing generously, and your right on them is that they do not let anyone whom you dislike in the house, walking upon your floor. (Sunan Ibn Mâjah, Sunan At-Tirmidhî)
Al-Khansaa’ bint Khidaam complained to the Prophet that her father wanted her to marry someone she didn’t want, saying “I do not wish to accept what my father has arranged.” The Prophet said, “Then this marriage is invalid, go and marry whomever you wish.” Al-Khansaa’ said, “I have actually accepted what my father has arranged, but I wanted women to know that fathers have no right in their daughter’s matters” (i.e. they have no right to force a marriage on them). (Fath Al-Barî Ibn Hajr, Sunan Ibn Mâjah)
The Prophet said: 'The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and best of you are those who are best to their wives.' (Musnad Ahmad)
The Prophet said: 'The life of this world is bountiful, and the best of the bounties of this world is the righteous woman.' (Sahîh Muslim)

The Prophet said: 'Assuredly, women are the twin halves of men.' (Sunan Abî Dawûd, Sunan At-Tirmidhî, Musnad Ahmad)




cant find original thread but have it on file..

 

[Clover]

I can see the idea that Men and Women are better in certain areas, generally. I do not believe women are overwhelmingly (100% of all women) are better at house work, cause I bet their are some good Men who are good at it, but I think the majority (let's say 75%?) are better at house work, is that what Islam is trying to say?

 

[جوري]

no, I don't see housework as part of this queries at all.. Men should be as adept at housework as women, so pick up a broom every now and then and not just to ride on it

 

[Clover]

no, I don't see housework as part of this queries at all.. Men should be as adept at housework as women, so pick up a broom every now and then and not just to ride on it

grrr..I am not a witch...although I did get close to dating one (she was Wiccan).

Well, I have never heard of the house-husband, although I have heard stories that are remarkably close. I have to tell you something, this isn't meant offensible (just in case you cna somehow find it offensible) Islam sounds like it's stance on Women much like the stance was in the 1950's, maybe you should read the Guide to be a good housewife, that gives off a fantastic detail of how women were treated and how they were in the 50's...generally.

 

[جوري]

it would be offensive if Islam's stance on women were as you describe, it is not.. women who stay at home do so out of personal preference.. there is no injunction on what role they must assume.. Women during the time of the prophet voted and went to war worked as doctors, had their own business and it is indeed an injunction on every Muslim to seek knowledge.. do read this thread:

http://www.islamicboard.com/islamic...880-jihaad-sahaabiyyat-female-companions.html


what a Muslim woman decides to do with her life is generally a decision reached between her and her husband.. people's lives aren't a reflection of what the religion allows or disallows..

all the best

peace

 

[Clover]

it would be offensive if Islam's stance on women were as you describe, it is not.. women who stay at home do so out of personal preference.. there is no injunction on what role they must assume.. Women during the time of the prophet voted and went to war worked as doctors, had their own business and it is indeed an injunction on every Muslim to seek knowledge.. do read this thread:

http://www.islamicboard.com/islamic...880-jihaad-sahaabiyyat-female-companions.html


what a Muslim woman decides to do with her life is generally a decision reached between her and her husband.. people's lives aren't a reflection of what the religion allows or disallows..

all the best

peace

No, but if people don't think about what a religion allows and doesn't, then they are zombies to it.

Sorry, didn't know all that, thanks for info, and link, btw, wana be friends? (contact list)

 

[جوري]

No, but if people don't think about what a religion allows and doesn't, then they are zombies to it.

Sorry, didn't know all that, thanks for info, and link, btw, wana be friends? (contact list)

greetings..

indeed, one should question their faith and reestablish it after conviction, very much in the same manner as you have chosen Taoism over Christianity out of an informed decision of what best suits your life..

I am afraid, I don't have any contact lists ( I am in all likelihood the least computer savvy person you'll encounter) , but I can always be your sister in humanity on board..

peace

 

[Clover]

greetings..

indeed, one should question their faith and reestablish it after conviction, very much in the same manner as you have chosen Taoism over Christianity out of an informed decision of what best suits your life..

I am afraid, I don't have any contact lists ( I am in all likelihood the least computer savvy person you'll encounter) , but I can always be your sister in humanity on board..

peace

Was the first paragraph sarcasm? I can't tell cause when a person does the dots after it, that usually means sarcasm, but I don't know

I meant on the forum? I have been inviting some of the people I prefer to talk with in posts.

 

[جوري]

Was the first paragraph sarcasm? I can't tell cause when a person does the dots after it, that usually means sarcasm, but I don't know

I meant on the forum? I have been inviting some of the people I prefer to talk with in posts.

no using an ellipsis is usually done for dramatic effect, although when I personally do it, it is to occupy the space to my upcoming thought.. in other words-- rather than pausing between thoughts, I three or four or five or six dot until the next word forms-- sometimes I also use dashes, it isn't grammatically nor syntactically correct, in fact it is down right ill-formed but it is one of many idiosyncrasies I possess. I am comfortable enough with myself not to care whether I'll be hauled away by the grammar police

all the best

 

[Clover]

no using an ellipsis is usually done for dramatic effect, although when I personally do it, it is to occupy the space to my upcoming thought.. in other words-- rather than pausing between thoughts, I three or four or five or six dot until the next word forms-- sometimes I also use dashes, it isn't grammatically nor syntactically correct, in fact it is down right ill-formed but it is one of many idiosyncrasies I possess. I am comfortable enough with myself not to care whether I'll be hauled away by the grammar police

all the best

ah, k. I have never seen it done like that but umk. I thought I was gonna have to scrap ya :raging:

I usually just skip a space and begin a new paragraph.

 

[Ali_008]

Jazakallah Khair for this excellent post

 

[Intisar]

People really need to get this out of their heads, men and women are not equal. Tell her islam doesn't treat women equally simply because they're not equal, But islam treats everyone with Justice and thats the key word, women are treated with justice

They're not equal? I always thought men are women were equal, they just had different roles.

 

[Lejla]

Assalam Alaikum

@ Guestfellow

My advice to you is to introduce your friend with the fact that Islam liberated women from oppression they faced before Islam. As you probably already know, in the pre-Islamic period female children were buried alive simply because they were not treated equal as male children. But with the arrival of Islam, this changed, as well as many other things that liberated women.

The following text is a comparison between position of women in Christianity and Islam. Hope you'll find it useful

The Status Of Women In Islam

This topic is one of the misconceptions about Islam. The West believes that women in Islam are oppressed and need to be liberated. This is not true at all. In fact, it is Islam which has liberated the western women who used and still are being oppressed. It is the West who 'stole' our views on women and now thinks that they are better off in their treatment of women. Let us look at how women used to be treated and how Islam treats them under the Spriritual and Social facets.

Spritually

In Christianity, It is believed that Eve gave Adam the fruit from the forbidden trees and they thus became naked after consuming it. When God asked about it, Adam blamed Eve for it and thus God said that he will make women deliver in great pains, He will make the women only desire their husbands and the husband shall rule the woman. (Genesis 3:6-17)

This is in contrary to the Islamic belief that they were both wrong and they both repented and Allah accepted the repentance of both. (Qur'an 7:19-23)

Socially

As a Child

It is also a belief in Christianity that if a woman conceives a boy, she will be unclean for one week. but if she conceives a girl, she will be unclean for two weeks.

"...if a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days... but if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks..."
(Leveticus 12:2-5)

Does this imply that the girls born are more unclean than boys? This is what Islam says about conceiving boys and girls

"To Allah belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. He creates whatever He wills, granting daughters to whomever He wills, and granting sons to whomever He wills. (42:49)

During the pre-Islamic period, the Arabs used to hate their baby girls. When their wives gave birth to baby girls, they would be buried alive. Islam abolished this primitive and brutal practise by promising paradise.

The prophet (s.a.w) said: "Whosoever support two daughters till they mature, he and I will come in the Day of Judgment as this (and he pointed with his two fingers held fast)"
.
On inheritance, in Islam a woman gets half the share a man gets. This does not mean that the woman is half of a man. It is simply because a man has a greater responsibility in maintaining and providing upkeep for his family and also the man has to pay dowry (if he is not married). The woman has no such responsibility of up keeping her family as its her husband's responsibility and also if she is not married she will receive dowry thus the wisdom behind the man getting twice the woman's share.

In Christianity, the woman can only inherit when the father has left no son.

"Say to the Israelites, 'If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his daughter..." (Numbers 27:8)

As a wife

It is interesting to note that in Christianity, a woman could be betrothed. Betrothing is paying an amount of money so that a man could possess the woman. In Islam, the dowry given to the bride is not a price for her nor does it symbolize her worth. The husband simply gives his wife the dowry so that they could cultivate love.

For the prophet (s.a.w) said "Give (each other) presents and you will love (each other).

In Christianity, the bride's consent for the marriage is unnecessary and has no need. In Islam, both the bride's and the bridegroom's consent is a must. When either of the consents is missing, the marriage is not valid.

Ibn Abbas reported that a girl came to the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (s.a.w), and she reported that he father had forced her to marry without her consent. The Messenger of Allah gave her the choice (between accepting the marriage or invalidating it) (Ibn Hanbal No. 2469).

In Islam, the woman has a right over her husband just like her husband has over her. If Islam oppresses women, would it set for them (women) rights over their husbands? (to read more on the rights of a husband and wife Click here).

"...And they (women) have rights (over their husbands) similar (to those of their husbands) over them to what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them. And Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise." (Qur'an 2:228)
In Christianity, just as the woman has no right of consent, she also has no right of divorce. In the Mosaic Law, only the men had the rights to divorce a woman. No woman could divorce her husband. But in Islam, a woman can divorce her husband if she does not want to live with the man anymore. In Christianity not only is the woman forbidden to divorce but she also is not supposed to be married after the divorce.


"...who marries the divorced woman commits adultery." (mathew 5:32)

In Islam, on top of the woman being able to divorce the man, she could also be married afterwards.


"And those of you who die and leave wives behind them, they (the wives) shall wait (as regards their marriage) for four months and ten days, then when they have fulfilled their term, there is no sin on you if they (the wives) dispose of themselves in a just and honourable manner (i.e. they can marry). And Allâh is Well-Acquainted with what you do." (Qur'an 2:234)
This period of waiting does not oppress the woman in any way. It simply gives time so that if the woman is pregnant it is known.

As a mother

In Islam, a good mother is the most precious thing. This is as the mother is the one who raises up the children. And the children are the future of a nation. If its a good mother, the children will be raised up nicely and thus the nation advances but if the mother is bad, she raises the children badly and thus the nation is drawn back.

A man came to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asking: "O Messenger of Allah, who among the people is the most worthy of my good company? The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, your mother. The man said then who else: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, Your mother. The man said then who else? The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), Your mother. The man asked, then who else? Only then did the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say, Your father" (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

The above mentioned Hadeeth is a good example of how Islam respects and honours mothers.

The West sees the covering of women in Islam as being oppressive. To them an uncovered woman is liberated. They use the beauty of the uncovered woman as a tool to advertise and sell their wares. On the other hand, Islam commands women to be covered up so that they are not used to fulfill the men's sexual desire and be used as tools for advertisements. Thus, is it the West or is it Islam that is degrading women?

http://www.uonbi.ac.ke/msaun/islam/statusofwomaninislam.htm

 

[Nσσя'υℓ Jαииαн]

They're not equal? I always thought men are women were equal, they just had different roles.

They are in the eyes of Allah when it comes to deen but not equal when it comes to roles i.e. a woman can give birth but men can't. Think of it as an equation...both sides are to be equal.

 

[جوري]

Jazakallah Khair for this excellent post

Jazaka Allah khyran, but I can hardly take credit for it, as it was written by Bro. Ansar Al'Adl, it clarified many things for me and so I kept it in my files on the account the thread was closed...

 

['Abd-al Latif]

They're not equal? I always thought men are women were equal, they just had different roles.

Men and women are equal in the eyes of Allah but we are not the same.

Because of this we are not given equal roles, we are given even roles because each gender is created with qualities that excel in certain areas and is deficient in others. There is no favouritism because the reward for men and women on the day of judgement is not dependent on gender, rather their reward is in their obdience to Allah.

However in this world there are obvious and noticible differences which do not make men and women equal. The most obvious and commonly quoted difference is that men do not and cannot conceive, nor does an infant cry for fathers milk. Similarly men are better suited to heavy labour and other things which may be a burden for women. Each gender is created for it's specific role which inherently make us different but unlike the western preception of this view which is seen oppressive towards women, it's not. Islam is just and it gives each gender roles which best suits their abilities without favouring one over the other.