Is Islam Centered Around Men? How Do I Clear This Confusion As a Woman?
Question: it isnt a question but a concern that i really want to clear out by someone of knowledge a lot of the times it feels as if Islam is centred around men and i know it isnt true but biases in culture and even among religious scholars especially in the south east asian region make you feel that way. as if women are somehow intellectually inferior or are less capable of having knowledge or participating in circles of knowledge. could you please tell me any literature i could read , lectures i could listen to that will clear this confusion in my head or just shed some light on this because i dont want this biasness to get in the way of me getting close to Allah and i want to view Islam as it is i hope it made sense
Summary:
We advise the questioner not to make the cultural practices or individual mistakes of some people who are associated with knowledge the standard by which Islam itself is judged. Islam, in its revealed texts, has honored women greatly. It has addressed women with the same religious obligations as men, promised them reward, recompense, and Paradise just as it promised men, and opened for them the doors of knowledge, worship, dawah, and reform in a manner suitable to their nature and role. As for what may be seen in some societies of belittling women or diminishing their status, this should not be attributed to Islam without evidence.
Answer:
One should first distinguish between Islam and the mistakes of Muslims, and between the revealed texts and cultural customs and traditions.
Some countries or environments may contain mistaken perceptions regarding women, unjustified restrictions upon them, or exaggerations in certain views without any Islamic evidence. However, this does not mean that Islam itself teaches such things.
From the Qur'an:
- Surah Al-Ahzab 33:35
“Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women...” “Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a tremendous reward.”
Allah mentions men and women together in the greatest qualities of the religion and has made the reward for all of them.
- Surah An-Nahl 16:97
“Whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer, We will surely grant them a good life.”
- Surah Aal Imran 3:195
“Indeed, I do not allow the work of any worker among you to be lost, whether male or female.”
These texts indicate that the standard of honor before Allah is faith and piety, not being male or female.
Are Women Less Intelligent? The hadith describing women as “deficient in intellect and religion” does not mean that women are deficient in worth, value, or dignity. Rather, the Prophet ﷺ explained a specific meaning. The deficiency in intellect relates to testimony, where in some financial matters the testimony of two women takes the place of the testimony of one man. The deficiency in religion relates to leaving prayer and fasting during menstruation. It does not mean that women are less intelligent, less understanding, or less capable of acquiring knowledge. For this reason, Aishah bint Abi Bakr رضي الله عنها was among the most knowledgeable people of this Ummah, and the senior Companions would return to her regarding matters of fiqh and hadith.
From the Salaf:
- Abu Musa Al-Ashari رضي الله عنه said:
“Whenever a hadith of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was difficult for us, the Companions of Muhammad ﷺ, and we asked Aishah about it, we always found that she had knowledge of it.”
Yes. Seeking the obligatory religious knowledge that a person needs is obligatory upon women just as it is obligatory upon men. Women came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: “The men have overwhelmed us in accompanying you, so appoint for us a day from yourself.” So he appointed a day for them and taught them on that day. This demonstrates the concern of the Shariah for educating women and nurturing them in knowledge and faith. What Can Help Remove This Confusion? Reading the Quran with reflection, especially Surat An-Nisa and Surat Al-Ahzab. Reading the biographies of the Mothers of the Believers and the female Companions. Reading the biographies of female scholars and female hadith scholars throughout Islamic history. Listening to scholars who are known for moderation and adherence to evidence. Avoiding building one's understanding of Islam through short clips or social practices that are common in certain countries. Beneficial Books on This Subject Tahrir Al-Mar'ah fi Asr Al-Risalah (While some issues in the book are discussed by scholars, it is beneficial in gathering texts and narrations related to women.) Tarajim Sayyidat Bayt Al-Nubuwwah Al-Nisa Hawl Al-Rasul Sifat Al-Safwah (Contains many biographies of righteous women, worshippers, and female scholars.) Final Answer: Islam is not a religion centered around men. Rather, it is a religion that Allah revealed for both men and women. Some people may go to extremes or fall short in how they speak about women, while others may go to the opposite extreme. The true standard is the Quran and the Sunnah according to the understanding of the Salaf of this Ummah. If you encounter a statement or custom that makes you feel that women are less valuable or less capable simply because they are women, then compare it to the texts of revelation. Allah has made piety the criterion of superiority and has opened the doors of nearness to Him, righteous deeds, and beneficial knowledge to both men and women. The more a Muslim increases in knowledge of revelation, the less he or she is influenced by cultural customs and mistaken perceptions.
And Allah knows best.
← Back to Questions