Are women deficient in the Shari'ah of the Master of Creation?
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Fatwa number ( 11090 )
Q: Some people say: that women are deficient in intellect, religion, inheritance, and testimony. And some say: that Allah has made them equal in reward and punishment. What is your opinion: are they deficient in the Shari'ah of the Master of Creation or not?
A: The Islamic Shari'ah has come to honor the woman, elevate her status, and grant her the place befitting her; out of care for her and preservation of her dignity. It made it obligatory for her guardian and husband to provide for her, care for her well, attend to her affairs, and treat her with good conduct. Allah the Exalted said:. And it is established that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sunan Ibn Majah 1977Hasan (Darussalam). And Islam gave the woman what is suitable for her of all rights
And the legal transactions,[Al-Baqarah 2:228] , of various types of dealings: from buying and selling, reconciliation, agency, borrowing, and deposit, etc. And He made obligatory upon her the acts of worship and duties that are appropriate for her, such as the purity, prayer, zakah, fasting, and Hajj that are obligatory upon the man, and similar acts of worship prescribed by the Shari'ah. However, the Shari'ah made the woman's share in inheritance half of the man's; because she is not obligated to provide for herself, her home, or her children, but rather the man is obligated to do so. Also, the man is subject to unforeseen events regarding hospitality, liability for damages, and reconciliation over money, and the like. Also, the testimony of two women is equivalent to the testimony of one man in some places; because the woman is more prone to forgetfulness due to what is inherent in her nature, such as the monthly period, pregnancy, childbirth, and raising children, all of which may occupy her mind and cause her to forget what she used to remember; therefore, the legal evidence indicates that her sister should bear the testimony with her; so that it may be more controlled for her, and more precise in its performance, provided that there are matters specific to women in which the testimony of one woman is sufficient
such as knowledge of breastfeeding, defects in the marriage contract, and the like. And the woman is equal to the man in reward, and in the recompense for faith and righteous deeds, and in enjoying the good life in this worldly abode, and the great reward in the Hereafter. Allah the Exalted said:[An-Nahl 16:97] . Thus it is known that the woman has rights and she has obligations, just as the man has rights and he has obligations, and there are matters appropriate for men that Allah the Exalted has tied to men, just as there are matters that suit women that Allah has tied to women. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and his Companions.
Q: Some people say: that women are deficient in intellect, religion, inheritance, and testimony. And some say: that Allah has made them equal in reward and punishment. What is your opinion: are they deficient in the Shari'ah of the Master of Creation or not?
A: The Islamic Shari'ah has come to honor the woman, elevate her status, and grant her the place befitting her; out of care for her and preservation of her dignity. It made it obligatory for her guardian and husband to provide for her, care for her well, attend to her affairs, and treat her with good conduct. Allah the Exalted said:
And live with them in kindness
وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِThe best of you is the one who is best to his wife, and I am the best of you to my wives.
خيركم خيركم لأهله، وأنا خيركم لأهليAnd the legal transactions,
And due to the wives is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable. But the men have a degree over them [in responsibility and authority]. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.
وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَلِلرِّجَالِ عَلَيْهِنَّ دَرَجَةٌ وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌsuch as knowledge of breastfeeding, defects in the marriage contract, and the like. And the woman is equal to the man in reward, and in the recompense for faith and righteous deeds, and in enjoying the good life in this worldly abode, and the great reward in the Hereafter. Allah the Exalted said:
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.
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُمْ بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.