and mankind was that they should worship Allah, struggle against the
forcesof Satan and live their life according to Allah' s Commandments
in order to achieve eternal bliss in Paradise.
"And I (Allah) created not the jinn and men except they should worship
Me (Alone)." (V. 51:56)
Also Allah said:
"Nay! But worship Allah, and be among the grateful." (V. 39:66)
At another place He said:
"Say (O Muhammad !): 'Verily, I am commanded to worship Allah by
obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake only."
(V. 39: 11)
Equality of Men and Women as regards Religious Obligations and Retribution
In this spiritual regard, Islam makes no distinction between men and
women. Both have a soul, both were created for the same purpose in
life, both have a duty to fulfill their religious obligations, both
will be judged by the All Mighty, and both will be rewarded or
punished according to their individual actions. Whenever the Qur�aan
mentions those fortunate beings who will enter the Gardens of Bliss
because of theirpiety and good deeds, it mentions men and women
together.
"And whoever does righteous good deeds, male or female, andis a (true)
believer (Muslim)], such will enter Paradise and not the least
injustice, even to the size of a Naqira (speck on the back of a date
stone), will be done to them." (V. 4:124)
"Whoever works righteousness whether male female while he (or she) is
a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a
good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful
provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to
the best of what they used to do (i.e., Paradise in the Hereafter)."
(V.16: 97)
"The believers, men and women,are Auliya ' (helpers, supporters,
friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people)
Al-Ma'r�f (i.e., Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to
do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e., polytheism and
disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they offer
their prayers perfectly (Iqįmat-as-Salat), and give the Zakat, andobey
Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His Mercy on them. Surely,
Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise." (V.9: 71)
"Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam) men and
women, the believers men and women (who believe in Islamic
Monotheism), the men and the women who are obedient (to Allah), the
men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men
and the women who are patient (in performing all the duties which
Allah has ordered and in abstaining from all that Allah has
forbidden), the men and the women who are humble(before their Lord
Allah), the men and the women who give Sadaqat (i.e., Zakat and alms),
themen and the women who observe Saum (fast) (the obligatory fasting
during the month of Ramadan, and the optional Nawafil fasting), the
men and the women who guardtheir chastity (from illegal sexualacts)
and the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts
and tongues (while sitting, standing, lying, etc.); Allah has prepared
for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e., Paradise)." (V. 33:35)
There can thus be no doubt that in the Hereafter, men and women will
both be judged, each individual bearing the burden of its own acts,
each soul will be punished for its transgressions and each will be
rewarded for its obedience to Allah.
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