Gender in line with Quranic Teaching
“Islam affirms the absolute spiritual equality of men and women, and assigns both an equal rank before God. In jurisprudential matters, Islam promotes the substantive equality of men and women, recognizes their unique strengths and capabilities, and rules accordingly protecting the rights of both.Islam recognizes that while men and women have some physical differences, spiritually they enjoy absolute equality before God. The Quran and Sunnah are unequivocal in stating that one’s gender will have absolutely no bearing on their reward or punishment in the next life.
People’s needs, strengths, abilities and disabilities need to be accommodated and considered as opposed to subjecting all to a single standard that may only be suitable for a few. it would be unjust for a husband to suggest that his wife work equally as hard as he does when she is pregnant. Justice is served by recognizing the burden of pregnancy and the need for the husband to adjust accordingly. Both genders have unique strengths and capabilities.
Though a woman must pray daily as men must do, she is exempted from this if she is on her menstrual cycle. It is mandatory for Muslim men to attend the Friday prayer, but for women this obligation has been relaxed and made optional for her. She also does not have to fast during her menstrual cycle, and is also exempted from keeping the fasts during pregnancy and whilst suckling her child if she or her child is at risk. Thus a woman is given leniency in this regard, having due regard to her femininity.
ACTED Gender in line with Quranic Teachings and values
Quran mentions that there is no difference among men and women except bio differences and both sexes are created for each other. Quran says that men and women are created for each other sake and are needed for each other. Neither men not women can pass social life without each other.
- “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)” Sorah Hajrat - Verse # 13
- “They are your garments and ye are their garments” (They are an apparel for you and you are an apparel for them). Sorah Baqra verse # 187
- “And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable.” (Quran 2: 228)
- “Men and women (Wife and Husband) have similar right over each other.” Quran
- “And give to the women their Mahar (the obligatory bridal-money given by the husband to his wife by the time of marriage)” Sorah Nisa, Verse # 4.
Prophet’s sayings (Hadith) about equality among men and women
- “O Muslims, you have rights over your women and the same they have rights over you”
- Be scared from Allah (GOD) in regards women rights. (Means treat women with respect and honor)
The Prophet (PBUH) asks every Muslim to lead a role in his/her life: “Each of you is a guardian and each of you is responsible for his subjects. The leader is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock; a man is the shepherd of his family and is responsible for his flock; a woman is the shepherd in the house of her husband and is responsible for her flock; a servant is the shepherd of his master's wealth and is responsible for it. Each of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock.”
The Qur'an and Woman’s Social Position
The Qur’an addresses man and woman equally: “ 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.” (Quran 33: 35)
The right to own property: In Islam, a wife has the right to own her own property. For example, Khadija, the first wife of the Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) , was a business woman who owned property.
The right of inheritance:The Quran states,
- “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.” (Quran 4:7)
- “Allah (thus) directs you as regards your Children's (Inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that of two females ….” (Quran 4:11)
The right to work:In Islam, a woman has the right to work, whether it is in a public or private field. The Quran clearly says:
- “To men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn” (Quran 4: 32)
The right of education:Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) says,
- “The pursuit of knowledge is obligatory for every Moslem, male or female”
- "A mother is a school. If she is educated, then a whole people are educated."
- “The Father, if he educates his daughter well, will enter Paradise."
Maintenance of the family:In Islam, the maintenance of the family, including all expenses of the family, is the husband's responsibility
The right of dowry: In Islam, the husband has to present the wife with a marriage gift which is called dowry
The Qur’an and polygamy:
- “Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one.” (The Quran 4: 3)
Afghan family code and polygamy:The Afghan family code allows polygamy under these conditions
- The husband must treat the wives fairly
- He must be able to provide for the maintenance of the family, including food, clothing, shelter, and adequate medical treatment
- If the first wife is barren or suffers from a terminal illness