بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
Gender equality has become a common topic in modern times so let us explore what Islam has to say on this matter.
Firstly, equality cannot be defined as the contemporary idea of being equal because it just keeps changing based on subjective views made by western society. We must look at it in comparison with other religions – the entire history of men and women.
Islam recognises equality of men and women but at the same time it is strongly emphasised in the deen that roles and responsibilities are different. If these roles are reversed societal problems occur – look at the rise of feminism today and the issues that have come with it.
There is no physical or chemical equality between men and women. Allah gave us different physical attributes along with huge differences in bodily chemicals such as hormones. These define how we are in our daily lives and thus it does not make sense at all for us to have the same responsibilities.
However, when it comes to spirituality in Islam there is no separation. Women can attain all the spiritual heights that a man can in the worship of Allah; there is no advantage one way or the other. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“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 Allah often and the women who do so – for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” 33:35
“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.” 16:97
“And their Lord responded to them, ‘Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female; you are equal to one another…” 3:195
Many times throughout the Qur’an Allah addresses both men and women although the Arabic grammar used may seem masculine, it still applies to both genders. In other places such as the ayahs above, Allah specifically mentions men and women together to highlight further the importance of what is He is saying to us.
The prophet (ﷺ) said: “Verily, women are the twin halves of men.” [Tirmidhi]
To say however, that men and women have the same rights in Islam is incorrect. We all have our duties set upon us by Allah, some of which are similar and others are different. This is the manner in which Allah created mankind; men and women will excel in contrasting aspects in life. We fill each other’s flaws and that is the beauty of Allah’s creation.
Let us not take the Western view of equality as the correct path. It seems to change generation by generation and has no basis except for subjective morality. We must stick with the perfect guidance set by Allah the creator, through His messenger (ﷺ). Take heed of what Allah warned us in the Qur’an:
“Be not deceived by the [uninhibited] movement of the disbelievers throughout the land.” 3:196
Allah knows best.