Women in Islam

JULY 25 Women in Islam The following traditions of the Prophet indicate the elevated function of woman in Islam: “Women are half of men. Fear God in respect of women. Heaven lies beneath the feet of mothers. (That is, those who serve their mothers well are deserving of Paradise.) The best among you is he who is best for his family. For my family, I am the best of all of you.” The most perfect man of religion is one who excels in character. The best among you is he who gives the best treatment to his womenfolk. This makes it clear that, although males and females differ from one another biologically, they are equal in terms of human status. No distinction is made between women and men as regards their respective rights. This is all to the good if they are to be lifetime companions. Man and woman in the eyes of Islam then are not the duplicates of one another, but the complements. This concept permits the shortcomings of one sex to be compensated for by the strengths of the other. It is a fact that women in general are not physically as strong as men, but their physical weakness in no way implies their inferiority to men. The eyes are the most delicate parts of our body, while the nails by comparison are extremely hard. That does not mean that the nails are superior to the eyes. Just as two different kinds of fruits will differ in colour, taste, shape and texture, without one being superior or inferior to the other, so also do men and women have their different qualities which distinguish the male from the female without there being any question of superiority or inferiority. They are endowed by nature with different capacities so that they may play their respective roles in life with greater ease and effectiveness. However, in respect of innate talents all individuals, be they men or women, differ from one another. Yet their need for each other is equal. All are of equal value. One is not more important or less important than the other. Similarly when