Sadique Muncey, Contributor
THE IDEA that Islaam observes a dual standard of morality for men and women is based on certain non-Islaamic assumption. The pre-Islamic concept about God, man and the universe was predominantly occupied with thought of male supremacy. The pantheon of Gods in pre-Islamic religions was commonly headed by a male deity, consequently the universe was interpreted in terms of male and female principles. Since Allah is beyond any attribution of sex, the legislation he bestows on mankind cannot be the result of male or female imagination. All the Prophets of God Almighty were not guided by their "masculinity" nor by whims and desires in their declarations but were constantly under supervision by God, in explaining and demonstrating His revelations. As a result Judaism, Christianity and Islaam have formed the basis for a ethical foundation governing man - woman relationship.
As a general principle, Islaam recognises the male as the head of the family and responsibility for maintaining the home, primarily rests on his shoulders and not that of the wife. The Islamic state has to ensure employment to its male citizens as an obligation. Stability in employment promotes love and co-operation within the home thus solidifying the family until the patriarchal foundation on which societies have evolved further substantiates the principle of the male as the head of the household, which of course is based on a Divine sanction and not the want by man to be acting in such a capacity by his own accord.
Family structure
Examining Christian sources will reveal, "But I suffer not a woman to teach nor usurp authority over the man but to be in silence". (1 Timothy 2 vs 12 ) also in Genesis 3 vs 16 we find that a woman's desire should be for their husband and "he should rule over them". This runs counter to the belief that obedience to the husband in the Islamic family structure is not based on a male domination situation but rather on revelation from God Almighty. This however, should not be viewed in isolation to the many other laws that has been enacted to preserve the rights of both husband and wife within the marital home.
From the history of mankind also, never has there been a female Prophet who was commissioned with the task of coveying God's message. This is in no way to be interpreted as a form of injustice to women nor can it be viewed as an insult to her mental faculties rather it is from His wisdom that such an approach was adopted. From this it can be deduced that man had always been ear-marked as the one to pave the way for educating the masses, and even more so in the areas of theological affairs. So to have women leaders in such a capacity would probably be out of a dire necessity and not the norm. Such positions again is not an entirely Islamic one but are clearly derived also from Biblical texts such as: "Let your women keep silence in the churches for it is not permitted unto them to speak". Also, "And if they should learn anything let them ask their husbands at home for it is a shame for women to speak in the church" (1 Cor. 14 vs 34-35).
This again is not intended to undermine a woman's right to education as under Islamic law she is free to exercise this right once it does not violate other obligations which are necessitated with the functions of motherhood, an experience that teaches children moral behaviour, the foundation for a worthwhile citizen.
It is with this in mind that Islaam regards men and women as created for differing but mutually complementary functions, which are based on different physical, physic and emotional composition in both parties, as such leadership ability will be specific to the areas in which they excel.
Shaykh Sadique Muncey is a teacher of Islam.
