|
Islam recognizes that while men and women have some
physical differences, spiritually they enjoy absolute equality before God. The
Quran and Sunnah are unequivocal in stating that one’s gender will have absolutely
no bearing on their reward or punishment in the next life.
“I shall not lose sight of the labor of any of you who labors
in My way, be it man or woman; you proceed one from another…” (Quran 3:195)
“If any do deeds of righteousness,- be they male or female -
and have faith, they will enter Heaven, and not the least injustice will be
done to them.” (Quran 4:124)
“Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith,
verily, to him will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure, and We
will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.”
(Quran 16:97)
“He that works evil will not be requited but by the like
thereof: and he that works a righteous deed - whether man or woman - and is a
Believer- such will enter the Garden (of Bliss): Therein will they have
abundance without measure.” (Quran 40:40)
“Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women - the believing men
and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and
truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble
women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting
women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men
who remember God often and the women who do so - for all has God prepared
forgiveness and a great reward.” (Quran 33:35)
“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and
made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the
most honorable of you with God is the most pious. Verily, God is All-Knowing,
All-Aware.” (Quran 49:13)
Therefore, Islam openly declares that men and women have
an equal status and value before God, and piety alone differentiates one
individual from another.
In legal and practical aspects, the general rules are
the same for men and women. Both have the same acts of worships, the same
Islamic etiquette and manners, and are subject to the same legal penalties. But
there are also many cases where the rulings are different. Women are exempted
from fasting and prayer during their period. Men are prohibited from wearing
gold and silk while women are allowed to, as it is women’s nature to beautify
themselves. Friday prayers are obligatory for men but optional for women. Men
must spend their money on the family but a woman’s money is entirely her own to
spend as she chooses. There are differences in clothing requirements as well,
since the physical appearance of men and women is dissimilar. All of this is
reflective of the natural differences between men and women. So in lesser jurisprudential
matters, Islam treats men and women according to their inherent differences as
per substantive equality and in the interest of justice.
In conclusion, Islam affirms the absolute spiritual
equality of men and women, and assigns both an equal rank before God. In jurisprudential
matters, Islam promotes the substantive equality of men and women, recognizes
their unique strengths and capabilities, and rules accordingly protecting the
rights of both.
|
