The primary role of a married woman is as a wife and a mother. The primary role of the man in the context of the family is as a provider.
A woman may participate in the election of a Khaleefah, she may also sit on the Majlis al-Ummah (peoples consultative assembly). She may also be a judge, a scholar or hold any position of authority other than ruling. Thus it is forbidden for a woman to be the head of state or a governor (wali).
In the West the issue of fornication and adultery is glamourised. It is the main theme of most films, novels and songs. That is in its pure form, and in its popular euphemism, ‘love’. In Islam we give no respect to adulterers and fornicators. In Islam adulterers and fornicators are punished.
‘A’isha (ra) the wife of the Prophet (saw) narrated 2,210 ahadith. These cover issues ranging from politics to economics as well as the personal actions of the Prophet (saw) at home. Most of them are taken as a source of Islamic law.
Islam protects the family integrity and thus protects society; it eradicates the scourge of adultery. Any person who has committed adultery has only two options:
- 1. To accept the punishment in this life, which is public stoning to death (carried out by the State), or
- 2. Burn in Hell by a fire that is seventy times hotter than the fire of this world.
Islam fulfils and organises all the instincts of human beings, including the procreational instinct. Thus the relationship between man and woman is based on marriage. If a man desires another woman he should marry her. Islam allows the marriage of up to four women at one time, as long as all are treated justly and equally.
The illegitimate child born out of wedlock is completely innocent but is not entitled to take inheritance from the father as the man is not his legal father from the Shari‘ah point of view. Similarly the child does not bear the sin.
It is forbidden for a man to dress or behave in the way of a woman, or for a woman to dress or behave in the way of a man. If someone is found to be doing this in public, they are subject to punishment by the Islamic State. Abu Hurayrah (ra) reported that the Prophet (saw) cursed the man who wears the woman’s clothes and the woman who wears the man’s clothes. Ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Prophet (saw) cursed the man who imitates the woman and the woman who imitates the man, when he (saw) said ,“throw them out from your houses.”
All forms of sexual perversion and deviancy, e.g. homosexuality and child abuse are forbidden in Islam and there are severe punishments for them.
Islam provides a tranquil environment for men and women, where the honour and modesty for both are preserved in the society. Islam accomplishes the issue of modesty by ‘lowering the gaze’ of men and women and not merely by the donning of a garment.
The woman is considered an honour in Islam. The Prophet (saw) said, “Whoever dies protecting his honour dies shaheed (martyr).”
Islam forbids for an unmarried couple to be alone in seclusion together. Jabir narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, he should not be in seclusion with a woman without a mahram, for the third is always the Shaitan.”
The relationship between husband and wife in Islam is that of companionship and friendship, as opposed to a partner - as in a business.
In inheritance, daughters are entitled to only half that of the sons, whilst the obligation of providing food shelter and clothing to the woman and family falls fully on the husband.
The husband has no right whatsoever over the wealth of his wife without her consent, even if she is very wealthy and he is very poor.
Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an :
“And among His signs is this, that He created for you companions from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He put love and mercy between your hearts. Verily in that are signs for those who reflect.”[TMQ 30:21]
Neither man or woman inherently have more value in the eyes of each other, the society, state or Allah (swt). However, as different creations they have different roles to carry out on earth, just as the sun has a different role to the moon.
“And it behoves not the sun to overtake the moon, nor can the night outstrip the day : Each (just) swims along in its own orbit.” [TMQ 36,39]