Alsiraj Official Website
Womens' Rights in Islam
The concept of equality between Men and Women in Islam
The Jigsaw Puzzle Theory
Islam has a unique vision for the relation between men and women, this vision is actually related not just to men and women but rather God’s way in creating the whole universe.
If you meditate on how the whole universe is built you’ll find out that the universe is built on Antimonies. Like the sun and the moon, night and day, positive and negative poles and so on. The relation between each two is not absolute or competitive equality but rather integral equality. Each two complete each other although they are not identical.
Assume that our universe is a huge puzzle board in which every piece has it’s own characteristic features that makes it fit in the place where it is supposed to be placed. All pieces are essential for the whole puzzle to be completed. You can not claim that this piece is more important than the other just because it looks different. At the same time every piece is important regardless of its shape or size.
This is Allah’s way in every aspect in the universe, you can not tell who is more important the positive or negative pole, the sun or the moon, the night or day and so on every item is like our puzzle pieces, each has its features but is equally important as the other, actually it is the fact that every piece of the puzzle has its feature that makes it perfectly suitable to perform its function and hence contribute in the magnificence of the universe.
The same applies to men and women each has his own features however each is equally necessary for life. Neither is better than the other, neither is superior to the other. They are different but equal. Islam did not neglect the distinctions that Allah Almighty has created between male and female. Islam sees these distinctions, however, as merely due to the different tasks assigned to each of the two sexes by virtue of their natural disposition.
The western concept of equality that nature has bestowed women with the same kind of talents and energies with which it has blessed men; and whatever a man can do, a woman can inevitably do the same. Therefore, in the social set-up, the jurisdiction of a man and a woman should be the same, with an equality in their rights and responsibilities.
Primarily, this concept seems simple and attractive. It, however, reveals its flaws, once the structure of social life is constructed on its’ foundations. Meditate on how this concept forced women to work to share in the house expenses forcing her to sometimes neglect her kids or house to fulfill her job requirements. Compare this to the Islamic concept that gave the woman the freedom to work as long as this work does not interfere with her main job to be a wife and mother. This concept of dividing responsibilities which strongly encouraged marriage in the Islamic society contrary to the western concept that untied family bonds, discouraged people to marry and hence encouraged fornication that is strongly forbidden in all religions.
Differences between men and women are undeniable facts of life that are neither degrading to man nor to woman. We know that a woman can conceive but a man cannot. It is neither shameful for a woman to conceive nor for a man not to do so. The very existence of human race depends on the fact that each one of them should proceed with what God has made them capable of.
The Qur’an speaks of equality of man and woman in the following verses:
“O People! keep your duty to your Lord, who created you from a single being and created its mate of the same (kind), and spread from these two many men and women. And keep your duty to Allah by Whom you demand one of another (your rights), and (to) the ties of relationship. Surely Allah is ever a watcher over you"
These verses negate all the wrong concepts about woman found in ancient religions and cultures. Islam announces that a woman is not an inferior being. Neither she is void of wisdom nor a disciple of Satan, but created equal to man and is an important member of the society just like a man is.
Qur’an reveals this fact in the following verses:
“And do not covet that wherewith Allah has excelled one of you above another. To men shall be the portion of what they earn and to women shall be the portion of what they earn. And ask Allah for some of His grace. Verily Allah is all knowing."
These verses clearly show that both man and woman equally share attributes that enable each of them to excel over the other. Secondly, it becomes evident that a man or a woman should not envy each other for their attributes, but thank Allah for whatever blessings He has bestowed upon them, in order to succeed.
It disgraces a man when he tries to be a she-man and it disgraces a woman when she acts like a he-woman. Man and woman who try to do the same in fact make a mockery of the division made by Almighty, and are cursed by Him. Following is a famous narration of Noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in this regard.
Noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has cursed the women who try to make their appearance similar to that of men. Abu Hurraira (a famous companion of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him), may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that Noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: "Allah's curse is upon those men who imitate women and those women who imitate men".
|
|
|