Women in the Qur'an
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Women in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, are important characters and subjects of discussion in the stories and morals taught by the scripture.
Nature of women
Regarding the nature of women, the Quran states:
"O mankind! Reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, his mate, and from this pair scattered (like seeds) countless men and women." (4:1)
The Quran also considers the love between men and women to be a Sign of Allah:
"And among His signs is this, that He has created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity with them; and He has put love and mercy between you. Verily in that are signs for those who reflect." (30:21)
In a marriage, the Quran considers the husband and wife to be as close to each other as garments:
"They (your wives) are your garment and you are a garment for them." (2:187)
Women figures
Many female characters appear in the Quran. Some of them are portrayed in a positive light, while others are condemned for their actions.
Eve
Allah created both Adam and Eve and told them to live in Paradise:
"O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden; and eat of the bountiful things therein as (where and when) ye will; but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression."
The Quran makes no mention of Eve's alleged sin and tends to put the blame on Adam instead:
'But Satan whispered evil to him: he said, "O Adam! shall I lead thee to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that never decays?" In the result, they both ate of the tree, and so their nakedness appeared to them: they began to sew together, for their covering, leaves from the Garden: thus did Adam disobey his Lord, and allow himself to be seduced.' (20:21-22)
It must be noted, however, that the name "Eve" does not appear in the Quran: it simply states "Adam and partner" giving no feminine or masculine connotation to the word "partner".
Mary
The Quran begins Mary's story by speaking of her birth. Mary was born to devout parents, who had chosen for her a very special purpose.
'Behold! a woman of Imran [mother of Mary] said: "O my Lord! I do dedicate unto Thee what is in my womb for Thy special service: So accept this of me: For Thou hearest and knowest all things."'
'When she was delivered, she said: "O my Lord! Behold! I am delivered of a female child!" - and Allah knew best what she brought forth - "And not wise is the male like the female. I have named her Mary, and I commend her and her offspring to Thy protection from the Evil One, the Rejected."' (3:34-35)
Allah sent Gabriel to Mary to give her tidings of a son:
'Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah;"' (3:45)
The Arabic name used for Jesus is "Isa".
The Quran also states that the conception of Jesus by Mary was miraculous:
'She said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?" He said: "Even so: Allah createth what He willeth: When He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it, 'Be,' and it is!"' (3:47)
"Mary the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity; and We breathed into (her body) of Our spirit; and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of His Revelations, and was one of the devout (servants)." (66:12)
Mary is especially revered by all Muslims, and she is praised much by the Quran:
"Behold! the angels said: 'O Mary! Allah hath chosen thee and purified thee - chosen thee above the women of all nations.'" (3:42)
Wife of the Pharaoh
The wife of the Pharaoh, known in some traditions as Asiyah, is mentioned in the Quran:
'And Allah sets forth, as an example to those who believe the wife of Pharaoh: Behold she said: "O my Lord! Build for me, in nearness to Thee, a mansion in the Garden, and save me from Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from those that do wrong"' (66:11)
Wives of
The Quran speaks of the wives of Nuh and Lut in contempt:
"Allah sets forth an example to those who disbelieve: the wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut, they were both under two of Our righteous servants, but they acted treacherously towards them so they availed them naught against Allah, and it was said: Enter both the fire with those who enter." (66:10)
Spirituality
In Islam, there is absolutely no difference between men and women as far as their relationship to God is concerned, as both are promised the same reward for good conduct and the same punishment for evil conduct.
The Quran says:
"For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward." (33:35)
At another point the Quran also states that:
"Who so does that which is right, and believes, whether male or female, him or her will We quicken to happy life." (16:97)
"Their Lord responds to them: "I will not let the deeds of any doer among you go to waste, male or female - you are both the same in that respect ..." (3:195)
Allah also promises both men and women Paradise:
"Enter into Paradise, you and your wives, with delight." (43:70)
Rights of women
The Quran does not grant women the same rights as men, as it argues that women are distinct from men. The Quran, however, argues that it grants women the rights they fully deserve. Thus the Qur'an says:
"And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women." (2:228)
Financial rights
The Quran commands men to cover the financial expenses of women:
"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (i.e. to God's teachings and/or their husbands), and guard in the husband's absence what Allah orders them to guard (which can be interpreted as their chastity or their husband's property etc.)." (4:34)
But at the same time, the Quran allows women to have occupations and earn money as well:
"And covet not the thing in which Allah hath made some of you excel others. Unto men a fortune from that which they have earned, and unto women a fortune from that which they have earned. (Envy not one another) but ask Allah of His bounty. Lo! Allah is ever Knower of all things." (4:32)
Regarding inheritance the Quran says:
"From what is left by parents and those nearest related there is a share for men and a share for women, whether the property be small or large, - a determinate share." (4:7)
Critics, however, point out later verses which, in some cases, grant women a lower share than men:
"Allah enjoins you concerning your children: The male shall have the equal of the portion of two females ..." (4:11)
In response, orthodox Muslims contend that men are granted of their responsibility to fulfill the financial needs of their female relatives. Women, however, are under no such obligation.
When a woman is married, the Quran makes it obligatory on a man to provide Mahr for her.
"Wed them with permission of their folk, and give them Mahr according what is reasonable ..." (4:25)
The Quran makes it obligatory for men to provide for their ex-wives:
"For divorced women Maintenance (should be provided) on a reasonable (scale). This is a duty on the righteous." (2:241)
If the woman gains custody of a child then the man must provide for his offspring as well:
"And the mothers may nurse their children for two whole years, if they wish to complete the period of nursing; and it is incumbent upon him who has begotten the child to provide in a fair manner for their sustenance and clothing." (2:233)
A man is also ordered to make arrangements for his widow:
"Those of you who die and leave widows should bequeath for their widows a year's maintenance and residence ..." (2:240)
Right of honour
The Quran mandates, that the will of the woman be honoured in marriage:
"O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will." (4:19)
In regards to the chastity of women, the Quran lays down severe punishments towards those who verbally harass women:
"And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (to support their allegations), - flog them with eighty stripes; and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors." (24:4)
The Quran also commands men to honor their mothers:
"Revere Allah and the wombs (that bore you)." (4:1)
Right to safety?
According to critics, a given interpretation of the following verse, encourages men to be physically violent towards their wives (the first part of this verse can be found in the Financial rights section):
"As to those women on whose part you see ill conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them, but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance). Surely, Allah is Ever Most High, Most Great." (4:34) See Domestic behaviour for different critiques of the statement.
Others argue that the Quran actually orders husbands to be kind to their wives instead:
"On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take a dislike to them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good." (4:19)
See also
External links
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