Dought & clear, - The Muslim Woman, - • Are women equal withmen in reward and punishment?.

Some people say that women are lacking in intellect and religious
commitment, and in inheritance and bearingwitness. Some say that
Allaah has made them equal in reward and punishment. What is your
opinion: are they lacking according to Islam or not?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Islam came to honour women and raise their status, and to give them a
position that befits them, and to take care of them and protect their
dignity. So Islam commands women's guardians and husbandsto spend on
them, to treat them well, look after them and be kind to them. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"and live with them honourably"
[al-Nisa' 4:19]
It is reported that the Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "The best of you are those who are best to their wives, and
I am the best of you to my wives." Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 5/709, no.
3895.
Islam gives women all their rights and allows them to dispose of their
affairs in an appropriatemanner. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"And they (women) haverights (over their husbands as regards living
expenses) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards
obedience and respect) to what is reasonable, but men have a degree
(of responsibility) over them. And Allaah is All-Mighty, All-Wise"
[al-Baqarah 2:228]
This includes all kinds of dealings, buying, selling,compromising,
appointing others to act on their behalf, lending, depositing trusts,
etc.
Islam enjoined upon women the acts of worship and duties that befit
them, the same duties as men, namely purification, zakaah, fasting,
prayer, Hajj, and other acts of worship.
But Islam gives a womanhalf the share of a man when it comes to
inheritance, because sheis not obliged to spend on herself or her
house or her children. Rather the one who is obliged to spend on them
is the man, just as the man is responsible for spendingon guests,
contributing to payment of ransom money, and spending onreconciling
between conflicting groups.
With regard to the testimony of two women being equivalent to the
testimony of one man in some cases, that is because women tend to be
more forgetful than men because of their natural cycles of
menstruation, pregnancy, giving birth, raising children etc. All these
things preoccupy them and make them forgetful. Hence the shar'i
evidence indicatesthat another women should reinforce a woman's
testimony, so that it will be more accurate. But there are matters
that pertain onlyto women in which the testimony of a single woman is
sufficient, such as determining how often a child was breastfed,
faults that may affect marriage, and so on.
Women are equal with men in terms of reward, remaining steadfast in
faith and doing righteous deeds, in enjoying a good life in this world
and a great reward in the Hereafter. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"Whoever works righteousness — whether male or 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 ofwhat they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)"
[al-Nahl 16:97]
So we know that womenhave rights and duties, just as men have rights
and duties. There are matters which suit men so Allaah has made
themthe responsibility of men, just as there are manners which suit
women so He has made them the responsibility of women.
And Allaah is the Source of strength.