Fathwa, - Equality of the sexes

Question
I am currently a Masters student and all I am being taught is the
superiority of men over women in Islam. I whole heartedly agree. Yet I
have some questions which generally arise in our class.
1( Are men superior to women?
2( Men and women are mentioned )individually( how many times in Qur'an?
3( What should I say and what should be my response to such comments?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and
peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and
Companions.
1( Know, as stated clearly in the Noble Qur'an, that men have a degree
of responsibility over women since they pay the Mahr )bridal money(,
spend on behalf of women, protect them and satisfy their needs in
general. Men also are required to wage Jihad; they have stronger
bodies and behave better than women.
Men, according to their Fitra role in life that Allah has granted
them, use their intellectual powers more than women, who are more
influenced with emotions. The man's brain, according to scientific
research, is heavier than that of women. In general, men are more
rational. But, at the individual level, you may find women who are
better reasoners than men.
2( Know that the word men )and its derivatives( is mentioned 32 times
in the Qur'an, while the word women )and its derivatives( is mentioned
42 times.
3( If you want to understand our stated notes and points you have to
study verses that are related to the subject such as:
Allah Says )interpretation of meaning(:}Men are the protectors and
maintainers of women, because Allâh has made one of them to excel the
other, …{]4:34[. He Says:}And they )women( have rights )over their
husbands as regards living expenses, etc.( similar )to those of their
husbands( over them )as regards obedience and respect, etc.( to what
is reasonable, but men have a degree )of responsibility( over them.
…{]2:228[. He also Says:}And get two witnesses out of your own men.
And if there are not two men )available(, then a man and two women,
such as you agree for witnesses, so that if one of them )two women(
errs, …{]2:282[. And He Says:}Allâh commands you as regards your
children's )inheritance(; to the male, a portion equal to that of two
females; …{]4:11[
So, you can satisfy your need and find explanations supported with
Hadith and opinions of scholars.
Allah knows best.

Fathwa, - The place of women in Muslim societies today

Question
Is it to be considered that women are given their rightful place in
Muslim societies now? What are the reasons that prove this?
Why may it be argued that the Prophet )Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam(
"triumphed over death"?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and
peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and
Companions.
Dear Brother!
1( As you know, present Muslim societies experience a state of
weakness, disunion and abandonment of practising Islamic teachings and
noble traditions. A woman is part and parcel of these societies, which
in most cases are not living according to Islam nor to the noble
traditions )Sufficient unto us is Allah(.
In fact, the Muslim woman enjoys a good status in the society that
honors Islam and establishes noble habits. Thus, she is a good wife,
dutiful daughter, kind mother and merciful sister.
On the other hand, if a woman oversteps all bounds and exceeds the
proper limits of Sharia and of her nature, she loses her honor,
dignity and rights. This, for sure, is clear and demonstrated in all
walks of daily life.
2( In reality, we have not heard of such an expression 'The Prophet
)Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam( triumphed over death'. It is not a
Hadith, nor a saying of a companion of the Prophet )Sallallahu Alaihi
wa Sallam(, nor a wise saying. However, know that no one can triumph
over death.
Allah Says )interpretation of meaning(:}Whatsoever is on it )the
earth( will perish. And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and
Honour will abide forever.{]55: 26-27[. He also Says:}Everyone is
going to taste death, …{]21: 35[.
Allah knows best.

Fathwa, - Lack of Qur'anic recitations by women

Question
Why are there no recordings of women reciting Qur'an? And why do no
women lead prayer in mosques, even in the U.S., where there may be a
significant number of women? I am new to Islam, like many Americans,
and am fascinated by the beauty and universality of its message.
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and
peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and
Companions. We ask Allah to bless you by steadfastness on this
religion and grant you the good insight and knowledge of this Deen
)religion(. As for your question why Qur'anic cassettes with women
voice are not available and why women do not lead in prayers in
mosques, the answer is that in Islam the woman is respected and
glorified, she is granted the high status that she deserves while
being protected from any cause of temptation. For this reason in Islam
the woman is forbidden to lead men in prayer while she is permitted to
lead women. This is to prevent any temptation and ward off any
depravity or perversion. In addition, Imamah )leading in prayer( is
among the characteristics of guardianship protection and care-taking
that are peculiar to the man. Allah Says )interpretation of meaning(:
}Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has
made one of them to excel the other, …{]4: 34[. So, the woman should
not try to take over any of the man's rights and vice versa. Allah
Says )interpretation of meaning(: }And wish not for the things in
which Allah has made some of you to excel others.…{ ]4: 32[. As for
the woman's recitation of the Qur'an and her recording of it in a
tape, there is no objection to that if it is for women and also for
men provided these men are not tempted by her voice. In order to close
the door to any possible temptation, Muslims have chosen not to record
Qur'an cassettes with female voices and this is part of this
protection of the woman which is required by Shariah. Allah knows
best.

The Ten Commandments and Confirmation in Quran

1.Thou shall not take any God except one God.
2.Thou shall make no image of God.
3.Thou shall not use God's name in vain.
4.Thou shall honor thy mother and father.
5.Thou shall not steal.
6.Thou shall not lie or give false testimony.
7.Thou shall not kill.
8.Thou shall not commit adultery.
9.Thou shall not covet thy neighbors wife or
possessions.
10.Thou shall keep the Sabbath holy.
1.There is no God except one God (47:19)
2.There is nothing whatsoever like unto Him (42:11)
3.Make not God's name an excuse to your oaths (2:224)
4.Be kind to your parents if one or both of them attain old age in thy
life, say not
a word of contempt nor repel them but address them in terms of honor. (17:23)
5.As for the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hands, but
those who repent
After a crime and reform shall be forgiven by God for God is forgiving
and kind. (5:38 - 39)
6.They invoke a curse of God if they lie. (24:7) Hide not the testimony (2:283)
7.If anyone has killed one person it is as if he had killed the whole
mankind (5:32)
8.Do not come near adultery. It is an indecent deed and a way for
other evils. (17:32)
9.Do good to your parents, relatives and neighbors. (4:36) Saying of the Prophet
Muhammad (P) "One of the greatest sins is to have illicit sex with
your neighbors wife".
10.When the call for the Friday Prayer is made, hasten to the remembrance of God
and leave off your business. (62:9)