← Back to Women Series
This content has been automatically translated. View original in Arabic
The woman who is averse to the concept of "Qawwamah" (male leadership) because she believes it implies inequality between men and women, or when she says, "Why is it not allowed for a woman to discipline her husband by hitting him as well?" or "Why does Islam not allow a woman to marry four men?" Notice that the premise from which she starts all of this is that equality is the absolute right standard. She starts from this principle as if it is an indisputable fact, then she measures the rulings of Islam against this standard, and it never occurred to her to ask if her own standard is correct.
The highest value in Islam, to which everything is judged, is the obedience to Allah, the Exalted, who made His religion based on truth and justice, not necessarily on equality. Equality can sometimes be right and just, and other times it can be wrong and unjust. No sensible person denies the existence of differences between men and women in physical, psychological, emotional, and intellectual abilities and talents. Therefore, each has rights and duties that suit them.
The Western woman chose equality, and the result was that she did not achieve for herself any right, justice, freedom, or equality, as we have shown in the episode on the liberation of women. The Western woman moved from one injustice to another, for equality of women with men is an injustice to them.
In Islam, and its preserved revelation, Allah, who distinguished between the genders in physical, psychological, and emotional composition, legislated for each what is suitable based on truth and justice. Does He not know who created and is the Most Subtle, the All-Aware?
Islam did not equate the righteousness of the father with that of the mother, but rather preferred the righteousness of the mother, and in doing so, it was based on truth and justice. Islam did not equate when it obligated the man to provide for the entire household for the woman and their children. Islam did not equate when it allowed the woman to wear gold and silk, while it prohibited that for the man. Islam did not equate when it gave the right of custody to the mother over the father upon separation of the spouses. And in all of this, Islam achieved truth and justice by not equating the genders.
Worship of Allah means deriving standards from Allah, while the deification of man leads to the loss of truth, justice, freedom, and equality, especially in the matter of women, as we have shown. The believing woman submits out of love, honor, and glorification to the command of her Lord, who says: "And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of His bounty. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing of all things." Seek His help, ask Him for His bounty, and see how Allah's gifts will be after that.
A Lord who created male and female commands what is just for both. He says: "The righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allah would have them guard." Among its meanings: O woman, guard the rights of the man in exchange for what Allah has guarded of your rights over the man.
For those whose balance is disturbed, Qawwamah is seen as control, domination, and humiliation. But if we put things in their right place, we know that Qawwamah is care, protection, reassurance, comfort, and harmony with the nature and innate disposition of the woman, a right granted to her by her Lord.
If you understand this principle and your balance is set right, then look back at the sky of the Sharia. Do you see any flaws? Do you see any defect or deficiency? No, by Allah, you will not see any flaw, for He who perfected His creation has perfected His legislation.