The Difference Between Men and Women's Obligations
The Ground Level: Nearly Similar Obligations
There is a minute
difference between the obligations of the two genders as far as the obligations
of the ground floor are concerned. Faith is an essential pre-requisite for the
salvation of all human beings irrespective of their gender. The words occurring
in Surah Al-'Asr and Surah Al-Teen:
"save
those who believe and do good works"
are general in
nature applying to both men and women. Furthermore, it is categorically stated in
the Ayah 124 of Surah Al-Nisa that those who act righteously, be
they male or female, will surely enter Paradise
"And who so does good works,
whether of male or female, and lie (or she) is a believer, such will enter
paradise”
The foremost duty
of every Muslim, man or woman is to attain firmness of Faith. Then daily
prayers and fasting in the month of Ramadan, both being equally compulsory for
men and women. Zakah and Hajj are the duties to be fulfilled by
both men and women, who have the ability (physical and financial) to perform
them. In addition, women cannot perform Hajj unless and until there is a
Mahram to escort them.(Mahram refers to the male with whom a woman can directly interact without having to completely cover herself.)
Similarly all the restrictions regarding Halal
and Haram are the same for both genders. In short, obedience to
Allah (SWT) and His Prophet (SAW) in all spheres of life is meant for the whole
mankind, irrespective of any difference in gender.
The slight
difference between the obligations of men and women at the ground level can be
understood via the example of Salah. Women are exempted from the congregational
prayers and encouraged to pray at home. At home, it is preferred that they pray
in a room instead of the lawn. If the room happens to have a small chamber in it,
then the chamber is preferred over the room. Exceptional has been the case of
the congregational Friday and 'Eid prayers. Women were encouraged by the
Prophet (SAW) to attend these two prayers. This was due to the fact that no
communication media and other means of propagation (books, magazines or audio/visual
facilities) were available in those days. The sermons of Friday and 'Eid prayers
were the sole source of education and information for them. However, these are
two exceptions and the overriding rule is that it is better for ladies to offer
their prayers privately in their homes rather than at public places.
Besides these and
other negligible differences, the duties of Muslim men and women at the first
stage are similar in nature. It will be pertinent here to discuss three important
verses (34-36) of Surah Al-Ahzab. Although the direct addressees of
these Ayahs are the wives of the Prophet (SAW), all Muslim women have been
indirectly addressed through them.
The first of these Ayahs deals with the
acquisition of real and conscious faith, the primary source of which is the Qur’an itself. Indeed
it is reading the Holy Qur'an, learning and teaching it and pondering over it
that gives rise to faith and strengthens our conviction. The Ayah reads:
"And bear in
mind that which is recited in your houses of the revelations of Allah and
wisdom. Lo, Allah is Subtle, Aware [Al Qur’an 33:34]
The wives of the
Prophet (SAW) are being addressed here. It was in their houses that the Prophet
(SAW) received the Divine revelation (Wahi), recited its verses, and preached
the words of wisdom (Hikmah). The word Hikmah here refers to the Holy Qur'an,
the fountainhead of knowledge and wisdom.
Moreover, he (SAW) used to explain
the Holy Qur'an in the form of Hadith which also reflected the wisdom of Qur'an. The first
and foremost lesson that is evident from the verse is that we are being told to
engage ourselves in reading and comprehending the Holy Qur'an and Hadith, and in comprehending the Holy Qur'an and Hadith, and in learning and
teaching them. For this is what will sustain and enrich our belief in Allah
(SWT) as well as bolster and reinforce it. If we hasten to the stage of
preaching without first sufficiently strengthening and entrenching our own belief,
we will be putting the cart before the horse.
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