Distinctions justified
Some people harbour certain doubts and raise questions about Islam's stance
on the woman's status as a human being. Here we tackle the more important
points of uncertainty or even scepticism.
One of these questions is: why, if Islam really regards the woman's humanity
on an equal basis with that of the man, does it give the man privilege
over the female in some dealings such as legal testimony, inheritance,
blood money, charge of the family, heading the state and other supporting
ministrations?
The distinction (if it can ever be called one) between the man and the
woman is not due to any preference by Allah, The Almighty, of the man or
the woman on any account of being nobler or closer to the Lord. As a rule,
it is piety and only piety that is the measure of ascendancy, nobility
and closeness to Allah: " Verily, the most honour
able of you in the Sight of Allah is that (believer)
who has At-Taqwa [i.e. one of the Muttaq 'n:
i.e. pious and righteous persons who fear Allah much](abstain from all
kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden), and
love Allah much
(perform all kinds of good
deeds which He has ordained)". 18
The
distinctions, however, are merely conditioned by the different tasks assigned
to each of the two sexes by virtue of their natural disposition.