Written by: Maryam Agah
Is there equality between men and women in Islam? Wealth hasn’t been the criterion for the superiority of human being in the holy Quran. For this reason, pharaoh and Korah haven’t been high-ranking human beings in the holy Quran. According to the holy Quran, the criterion for the superiority in the sight of God is piety not sex or race. It is stated in the holy Quran:
“يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ ذَكَرٍ وَأُنْثَى وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ…”[حجرات/۱۳۲]
“O’ mankind! Li! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! The noblest of you in the sight of God is the best in conduct…”
It is stated in the holy Quran concerning Asiyeh:
“وَضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا امْرَأَتَ فِرْعَوْنَ إِذْ قَالَتْ رَبِّ ابْنِ لِي عِنْدَكَ بَيْتًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَنَجِّنِي مِنْ فِرْعَوْنَ وَعَمَلِهِ وَنَجِّنِي مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ” [تحریم/۱۱]
“And Allah cited an example for those who believe: the wife if Pharaoh when she said: My Lord! Build for me a home with thee in the Garden, and deliver me from pharaoh and his work, and deliver me from evil doing folk.” [Al-Tahrim/11]
Equal reward and retribution for male and female believers based on duties:
The holy Quran announces that God doesn’t suffer the reward of male and female slaves:
“… أَنِّي لَا أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِنْكُمْ مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَى…” [آل عمران/۱۹۵]
Lo! I suffer not the work of any worker, male or female…” [Al-Imran/195]
General invitation to think for the divine verses: God addresses both men and women in the holy Quran equally by the expression like “یا ایها الناس”, “یا ایها الذین امنوا” which include both men and women.
The same allegiance: Islam has taken allegiance to women; in fact, she has been announced to play one of the pillars of the role in the society and she should prepare herself to do the divine duties:
“يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتُ يُبَايِعْنَكَ…” [ممتحنه/۱۲]
“O’ prophet! If believing women come unto thee, thinking oath of allegiance unto thee… [Al-Mumtahinal]
Conclusion: The discussion for the equality between men and women is existent in Islam and Baha’ism. However, in the Baha’i faith, the Baha’i leaders have just claimed for the equality between men and women and they have violated this claim a lot. Nevertheless, Islam doesn’t believe in the equality between men and women; but it focuses on justice.
Sources
۱- The Holy Quran
۲- The Guidence Lights, p. 777.
۳- Ishraq Khawari, A, the treasury of limitations and commandments, p. 129.
۴- Riadh Qadimi, Baha’i teaching garden.
۵- Abdul Baha, the Excellency’s sermons on trip to America and Canada, Vol. 2, published in Egypt.
۶- Abdul Hamid Ishraq Khawari, the treasury of limitations and commandments, the faith press institution, 128 Badi’a, 3rd
۷- Abdul Hamid Ishraq Khawari, the heavenly food, the faith press institution, 129 Badi’a.
۸- Some excerpts of the book Makatib by Abdul Baha, Vol. 1.
