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Is There Justice in Islam Between Men and Women?

16 September, 2016
Q Aoa. I want to ask a question that has been disturbing for a while now. I hope to get help from you soon. Islam allows men to have four wives and also keep the slave women. While the woman is to be loyal to her husband soleley. Is it fair towards a wife? She has to tolerate her husband being with many other women but has to be with him only? Justice? Then she has to please her husband whatever or however the husband may be. His displeasure could cause her to be in hell. But if he doesn`t fulfill all the wife`s rights, there`s simply no threat or punishment for men. They are just given a relaxed hand to treat their wives any way they want, and the wife has to be obedient no matter what. Even if she tolerated all this with patience solely for the reward of the hereafter, she again finds out that shell has to be with her husband in Jannah and not only him but his hoorein as well. Is it fair? Fine I know there will be no feelings of jealousy then but about now? Allah has given us feelings now in this world. How a woman will feel to know that she has to be loyal to a person who can have as many slave women to enjoy in this world and will have hoors in hereafter? A woman merely demands love and loyalty from a relationship, why has Allah ignored her feelings just to fulfill a man`s wishes.? Does Islam favors men? And then a woman is made all dependent on man. She isn't allowed to have a second of freedom without husband`s permission. She like a caged bird in Islam. All the time spent in pleasing a husband who can be pleased by many women. And if she asks for divorce she`ll end up in hell. But a husband can throw her off whenever he wants and only the wife would be blamed for displeasing her husband. They are always dependent on men for finance can't even build up their self esteem by working without a husband`s permission. What are women given in this world and the hereafter? Is it fair? Please don't compare Islamic status with pure Islamic status of women. Islam considers the pleasures of men only. In all Quranic verses and sunnah, the word men is used. Women are considered fitnah in Islam as well. Overall, their rights are only with their husbands. They have to compromise their respect in front of husbands. Please clarify in detail.

Answer

Maen Khalifa
16 September, 2016

Assalamu Alaikum Dear Sister,

Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.

When the fullness of revelation dawned upon the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th Century it was normal at that time for a man to take as many wives as he wanted and he could treat them any way he wished. This had been so for centuries.

Indeed, in the Bible (First Kings 11:1-3) we read that in the past King Solomon had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines.

Islam came to bring a new way of living in which all people were shown respect. Women were not to be treated as possessions, but were to be given rights.

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In marriage, for example, a woman could keep her own money and would not be required to contribute financially in any way to the marriage. It would be the duty of the husband to provide for her. Similarly, she could keep her own name, since she did not belong to anyone.

In the early years of Islam, when many of the Muslim men were being killed on the battlefield, many women were left without anyone to provide for them. In those days, if you were not married there was no social security to provide for you.

In such a case, Allah revealed that it was possible for a man to marry up to four wives, if he could care for each of them equally. They were not his possession, and in marrying them he was doing something more pious in providing for those without comfort and support.

If some Muslims today mistakenly believe that they can take additional wives for their pleasure alone, they are wrong.

In taking another wife, a Muslim man should look for one more pious. In dealing equally with wives, he should bear in mind the feelings of his other wives, not disregard them because it is what he wants to do.

The law allows him to take up to four wives, but his own Judgment on the Last Day will reflect the way he treated them.

Finally, we must ask what the reason would be for a woman to take a second husband, if she already has one to support and protect her. This does not make sense.

It is no excuse, though, for a man to behave in a way that is less than just and loving. The way he treats his wife/wives will be the way he is judged.

Please read:
Men and Women: Equality or Justice?

I hope this helps answer your question.

Salam and please keep in touch.