Islam is not a religion of Equality but of Justice, giving Rights where due

Islam is not a religion of Equality but of Justice – Shaykh Uthaymeen

There are some people who speak of equality instead of justice, and this is a mistake. We should not say equality, because equality implies no differentiation between the two. Because of this unjust call for equality, they ask, “What is the difference between male and female?” So they have made men similar to women. The communists said, “What difference is there between the ruler and the subject? No one has any authority over anyone else.” Not even the father over his son?! So they said the father has no authority over his son and so on. Instead, if we say justice, which means giving each one what he or she is entitled, this misunderstanding no longer applies, and the word used is correct. Allaah does not say in the Quran that He enjoins equality. He said (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, Allaah enjoins Al‘Adl (i.e. justice)” (Quran, 16:90)

“And that when you judge between men, you judge with justice.” (Quran, 4:58)

Those who say that Islam is the religion of equality are lying against Islam. Rather Islam is the religion of justice, which means treating equally those who are equal and differentiating between those who are different. No one who knows the religion of Islam would say that it is the religion of equality. Rather what shows you that this principle is false is the fact that most of what is mentioned in the Quran denies equality, as in the following verses:

“Say: Are those who know equal to those who know not?” (Quran, 39:9)

“Say: Is the blind equal to the one who sees? Or darkness equal to light?” (Quran, 13:16)

“Not equal among you are those who spent and fought before the conquering (of Makkah, with those among you who did so later.” (Quran, 57:10)

“Not equal are those of the believers who sit (at home), except those who are disabled (by injury or are blind or lame), and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allaah with their wealth and their lives.” (Quran, 4:95)

Not one single letter in the Quran enjoins equality, rather it enjoins justice.

You will also find that the word justice is acceptable to people, for I feel that if I am better than this man in terms of knowledge, or wealth, or piety, or in doing good, I would not like for him to be equal to me. Everyone knows that it is unacceptable if we say that the male is equal to the female.

[Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen,  Sharh Al-Aqeedah Al-Wasitah, 1/180-181]

Islam came to honour women and raise their status, and to give them a position that befits them, and to take care of them and protect their dignity. So Islam commands women’s guardians and husbands to spend on them, to treat them well, look after them and be kind to them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and live with them honourably” (Quran, 4:19)

It is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best of you are those who are best to their wives, and I am the best of you to my wives.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 5/709, no. 3895.

Islam gives women all their rights and allows them to dispose of their affairs in an appropriate manner. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect) to what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them. And Allaah is All-Mighty, All-Wise” (Quran, 2:228)

This includes all kinds of dealings, buying, selling, compromising, appointing others to act on their behalf, lending, depositing trusts, etc.

Women are equal with men in terms of reward, remaining steadfast in faith and doing righteous deeds, in enjoying a good life in this world and a great reward in the Hereafter. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Whoever works righteousness — whether male or 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)” (Quran, 16:97)

So we know that women have rights and duties, just as men have rights and duties. There are matters which suit men so Allaah has made them the responsibility of men, just as there are manners which suit women so He has made them the responsibility of women.

And Allaah is the Source of strength.

Al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Ifta’, 17/7.