STATUS OF WOMEN VIS-A-VIS MEN

STATUS OF WOMEN VIS-A-VIS MEN Equal in Respect Different in Role T HERE is a common belief that Islam gives a higher status to men in comparison to women. This is a misconception in the truest sense of the word. Contrary to the common misconception cited above, Islam actually gives equal status to women as that of men. The Quran says: “You are members, one of another.” (3:195) There are many Hadith of the Prophet regarding women: Fear God in respect of women. Men and women are two equal halves of a single unit. (Al Tirmizi) The most perfect man of religion is one who excels in character and the best among you is he who gives the best treatment to his womenfolk. However, studies in biology and psychology show that the two genders are different in nature, each being designed for a different purpose. So, the Islamic maxim runs: Equal in respect, but different in role. Each being equal has a different sphere of action. That is, in making their contribution to social activity, the men undertake whatever is physically harder, while the women deal with whatever is physically lighter. 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. Man and woman in the eyes of Islam complement each other. This concept permits the shortcomings of one gender to be compensated for by the strengths of the other. This is all for the good if they are to be lifetime companions. 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.