Why Doesn’t Islam Consider Men, Women Rights to Be Alike
Woman has a lofty status in Islam and there is no superiority given to men over women in the verses of the Quran and in Hadiths.
The only thing that makes someone superior to another person, be it a man or a woman, is Taqwa (God-fearing).
There are two views about family: One says that there is no difference between man and woman and their responsibilities. That is why in Western societies, they have similar rights. Another view holds that there are differences and distinctions and, therefore, there should be different responsibilities for each of them in order to safeguard the institution of family.
Some analyze justice between men and women based on similarity, saying the two are the same and therefore their rights should be the same. But Islam stresses justice based on rightfulness and in accordance with different characteristics that women and men have. Women have different characteristics, different responsibilities, and, therefore, different rights.
In Western societies, the gender equality view prevails, one that ignores the differences between the two.
They believe that men and women are equal and this equality means sameness. But Islam is opposed to this view because it neglects the differences and distinctions between men and women.
If there are rulings in the Quran, such as the one that says men inherit twice that of women, they are based on the needs and responsibilities of the two. Men have more duties and responsibilities. They are responsible for the financial maintenance of the family but women have no such responsibility.
