Man & Woman in Islam
(Muhammad Latif Chaudhery, Lahore, Pakistan)
Both man and woman have been
created from the same single vital principle
“It is He Who has created you from a single vital principle [NAFS] and then He
created from it a sort of being having its like [ZAWJ]…”[7:189].
“O Mankind! Guard yourselves (from the inevitable consequences of violating the
commands) of your Guardian-Lord [Rabb] (by carefully abiding by His Guidance)
Who created you from a single vital principle [NAFS] and then He created from it
a sort of being having its like [ZAWJ]…”[4:1]
“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you sort of beings having your
like [AZWAAJ] from your own vital principle [NAFS]…” [30:21]
Male and female are from one another “So their Guardian-Lord responded to them:
That I will not waste the work of a worker among you, whether male or female,
the one of you being from the other;…”[3:195]
All mankind has been created from male and female
Female plays as vital part in the process of procreation as a male.
“O mankind! We created you all from male and female, and made you into nations
and tribes, that you may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other).
Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of ALLAH is (he who is) the most
righteous of you. And ALLAH has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all
things)”. [49:13]
Principle of division of labour
Men have been blessed with certain qualities which women lack and women are
endowed with certain abilities which men do not have. Both men and women can
earn and own. Men shall have what they earn and women shall have whatever they
earn [4:32]. Although women can earn but due to biological reasons, they are
incapacitated for considerable periods of time, to earn a living. Due to this
fact it is obvious and natural that the responsibility for maintaining the
family is vested in men. When women are given such protection then they must
fulfil their functions as women faithfully and safeguard their potentialities
[4:34].
Both men and women are to be rewarded for their actions
So their Guardian-Lord responded to them: That I will not waste the work of a
worker among you, whether male or female, the one of you being from the
other;…[3:195]
It was not woman who was deceived by Satan
Adam and his wife (the representatives of men and women of the human species)
have been mentioned in the Quran at various places. It is incorrect to claim
that it was Adam’s wife who was deceived by the Satan. Quran is quite clear in
this respect. It says: Satan enticed BOTH of them [2:36]. In the phrase “FaazALLAHuma
alshshaytanu” [2:36], “huma” stands for “both”.
All the qualities that are attributed to Momin men, also belong to Momin women
Society consists of both men and women, who have to go through life hand in
hand. If one of them lags behind, it is bound to hamper the progress of the
other. There is no difference in the potentialities of men and women; except
certain biological differences which have been retained for the posterity of the
human race.
Both are equally capable to submit to the Divine Laws;
Both are equally capable to exhibit complete conviction in them;
Both are equally capable to utilize their developed potentialities according to
the Divine Laws;
Both are equally capable to be true to the covenant (9:111) which they have made
with ALLAH ;
Both are equally capable to be steadfast when facing adversities, troubles or
difficulties;
Both are equally capable to be prompt in rendering service to others (like the
fruit-laden branch of an easily accessible tree);
Both are equally capable to be ever ready to sacrifice all their assets for the
sake of the Divine Order;
Both are equally capable to abstain themselves from all that the Divine Laws
prohibit them to do and to bear in mind the restrictions imposed by these Laws;
Both are equally capable to guard their chastity fully; [33:35]