Are men better?
Misconceptions occur because of cultural and traditional practices. Some cultures have an inferior look to the women based on their misunderstanding of the religion.
In the Muslim family the man has full responsibility for maintaining his family “Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth.” (The Qur’an, 4:34)
This verse explains one of the duties and responsibilities the man is accountable for on the Day of Judgment. That is the responsibility of being the head of the family and his duty towards it by financial support and maintenance of its safety.
Are women less in reason and religion than men?
Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, once said to a group of women: “I have not seen someone who can influence a wise man, while is less in reason and religion more than you.” This is a widely misinterpreted saying by a lot of men, where it satisfies their arrogance against their fellow sister in humanity.
In this narration, the Prophet explained her powerful effect on the wise man, which should be taken as a complement rather than degradation. This meant a great deal should be directed to her influential powerful on the wise man who is supposed to be tough and not easily influenced.
This is considered a teaching awareness for her responsibility and proper estimation of her powers.
Dr.Tarik Habib, a well-known Saudi psychologist and Islamic educator, gave an excellent example to be able to interpret this Prophetic saying. He said that if we read the above Prophetic saying with today’s language as “I have not seen a disabled that can run faster than the best runner more than him.” Then who is faster?
Is it the disabled or the fast runner? This is telling us that the disabled in spite of being described as having disability, he is faster than the fast runner and thus, as he explained, is telling us that the Prophet is showing us that when it comes to the relation between the man and woman, the women who is looked at as the weaker, would react in a wiser and talented way than the wise man.
However, further explanation came up when the Prophet was asked by a wise respected woman from the crowd: “In what way are their reason and religion less?” He answered: “She is less in reason because the testimony of two women equals the testimony of one man, and she stays the nights without performing prayer and breaks her fast during Ramadan, so this is why she is less in religion.”
The two exceptions given by the Prophet, peace & blessings be upon him, are explained as follows:
1- “She is less in reason because the testimony of two women equals the testimony of one man.” This state of testimony occurs when the call is directed to witness a financial matter. Allah demands not to refuse that call: “O you who have believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it down. And let a scribe write [it] between you in justice. Let no scribe refuse to write as Allah has taught him. So let him write and let the one who has the obligation [i.e., the debtor] dictate. And let him fear Allah, his Lord, and not leave anything out of it. But if the one who has the obligation is of limited understanding or weak or unable to dictate himself, then let his guardian dictate in justice. And bring to witness two witnesses from among your men. And if there are not two men [available], then a man and two women from those whom you accept as witnesses – so that if one of them [i.e., the women] errs, then the other can remind her. And let not the witnesses refuse when they are called upon. And do not be [too] weary to write it, whether it is small or large, for its [specified] term. That is more just in the sight of Allah and stronger as evidence and more likely to prevent doubt between you, except when it is an immediate transaction which you conduct among yourselves.” (The Qur’an, 2:282)
Justice in money is a burden and the call to witness such matter is a must that is demanded by God. This command is given to both men and women. God made the man’s responsibility and accountability in front of Him great as he is doing this grave matter alone without help while He aided the women by her female colleague to be reminded, thus, her accountability in front of Him in such a grave matter is helped. So as a matter of fact this is a caring statement for the woman rather than a degrading one.
2- “And she stays the nights without performing prayer and breaks her fast during Ramadan, so this is why she is less in religion.” In this case the reason is obvious as her number of worship acts (praying and fasting) is less due to the fact that she gets omitted from those acts of worship during her monthly cycles.
The Prophet, peace & blessings be upon him, in the above narration, talked about the powerful influence of women on the wise man in spite of their two exceptions.
