SPIRIT OF ISLAM FEBRUARY 2018

14 Spirit of Islam Issue 62 February 2018 MEN AND WOMEN Status in Islam U MME SALMAH, the Prophet Muhammad’s wife, once remarked to the Prophet, “I hear of God mentioning men but not women.” It was in this context that the following verse was revealed to the Prophet: I will deny no man or woman among you the reward of their labours. You are members one of another. (QURAN 3: 195) This makes it clear that, although males and females differ from one another biologically, they are equal in terms of human status, they have a definite partnership with one another, and there is no distinction made between them as regards their respective rights. They are in fact, each other’s lifetime companions. The Principle of Division of Labour Within the social framework, however, Islam—to the extent that it is both natural and practical—has adopted the principle of division of labour in respect of the genders; theman’s field of activity being basically external to the home, while contributing what is practically possible in the home. The woman’s role is to do basically with management of home and family while contributing what is practically possible to the society. This division, however, has never been intended as a form of discriminatory treatment. Its main purpose has always been to preserve the distinctive characteristics of both, while deploying their respective talents and skills in the most socially useful manner. This enables them to make the best use of their innate capabilities without causing any undue disruption in the family or in society. In modern parlance, this is a form of managerial optimization rather than gender discrimination. For this principle to be effective, the spheres of activity of men and women have had to be quite different and of course, separate from each other. The traditional distinction has been so often cited by feminists as an inhibiting factor in women’s lives that the true meaning of equality has been lost sight of. After all, it will be the very same virtues in thought, word and deed which will be prerequisites for both genders to enter Paradise. If the qualities of piety, humility, honesty, patience and compassion are demanded of men, they will in like measure be demanded of women. The fact