The Muslim accepts that the main purpose behind the creation
of jinn and mankind was that they should worship Allah, struggle against the
forces of Satan and live their life according to Allah's Commandments in order
to achieve eternal bliss in Paradise.
"And I (Allah) created not the jinn and men except they
should worship Me (Alone)." (Qur’an 51:56)
Also Allah (God) said:
"Nay! But worship Allah, and be among the grateful." (Qur’an 39:66)
"Nay! But worship Allah, and be among the grateful." (Qur’an 39:66)
At another place He said:
"Say (O Muhammad): 'Verily, I am commanded to worship
Allah by obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake
only." (Qur’an
39: 11)
Equality of Men and Women as regards Religious Obligations
and Retribution :
In this spiritual regard, Islam makes no distinction between
men and women. Both have a soul, both were created for the same purpose in
life, both have a duty to fulfill their religious obligations, both will be
judged by the All-Mighty, and both will be rewarded or punished according to
their individual actions. Whenever the Qur’aan mentions those fortunate beings
who will enter the Gardens of Bliss because of their piety and good deeds, it
mentions men and women together.
"And whoever does righteous good deeds, male or female,
and is a (true) believer (Muslim)], such will enter Paradise and not the least
injustice, even to the size of a Naqira (speck on the back of a date stone),
will be done to them." (Qur’an 4:124)
"Whoever works righteousness whether male female while
he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will
give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful
provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the
best of what they used to do (i.e., Paradise in the Hereafter)." (Qur’an
16: 97)
"The believers, men and women, are Auliyā ' (helpers,
supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people)
Al-Ma'rüf (i.e., Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do),
and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e., polytheism and
disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they offer their
prayers perfectly (Iqįmat-as-Salat), and give the Zakat, and
obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His Mercy on them. Surely,
Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise." (Qur’an 9: 71)
"Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in
Islam) men and women, the believers men and women (who believe in Islamic
Monotheism), the men and the women who are obedient (to Allah), the
men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and
the women who are patient (in performing all the duties which Allah has
ordered and in abstaining from all that Allah has forbidden), the men
and the women who are humble (before their Lord Allah), the men
and the women who give Sadaqāt (i.e., Zakat
and alms), the men and the women who observe Saum (fast) (the
obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadān, and the optional
Nawafil fasting),
the men and the women who guard their chastity (from illegal sexual
acts) and the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts
and tongues (while sitting, standing, lying, etc.); Allah has prepared
for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e.,
Paradise)." (Qur’an 33:35)
There can thus be no doubt that in the Hereafter, men and
women will both be judged, each individual bearing the burden of its own acts,
each soul will be punished for its transgressions and each will be rewarded for
its obedience to Allah.
Biologically Men and Women are two different sexes but
complementary to each other:
One may well ask that if there is such a complete and
comprehensive spiritual equality between the two sexes, why is this identical
treatment not found in other rights, duties and privileges. Muslims and
especially non-Muslims question why men go out to work while women are
encouraged to stay at home, why women have to wear the Hijāb (veil), why a
brother receives a larger share of inheritance than his sister, why a man can
be a ruler but a woman can not, etc., and they then conclude that Islam treats
women as inferior beings. Laws can never be discussed without being explained
first, so we must first consider the fundamental Islamic ethos that men and
women are two different yet complementary sexes. It is an established medical
fact that men and women have different biological compositions and
temperaments. Allah the All-Mighty created and knows this biological difference
better than we do, and has thus assigned to men and women the roles that each
excels in due to its nature.
Neither gender is inferior or superior to the other; instead
they complement each other like the two halves of a whole. In everyday life we
see that society consists of many different kinds of people, all of whom play
their particular roles to keep society intact. The farmer and the doctor make
different contributions to the society, but both are equally important. Each excels
in his own field, and each provides a service for the other. Similarly, men and
women are different sexes and play vital roles in their own areas of
excellence.