05 - Spiritual Status of Women and Men in Islam - Ramadan Reflections 2023

On the fifth day of Ramadan 2023/1444, we review the theme of "Spiritual Status of Women and Men in Islam." We have seen that Islam regards the woman as being a creation of Allah and every much a human being as the man is. Today we wish to look at a general verse in terms of the spiritual status of both the woman and man. There are many verses of the Quran in this regard, and we will be reviewing other verses which are more specific later on. However for today, we look at a verse from Sūrah 3, Ale Imran, verse 195. Scholars note various reasons for why this verse was revealed, one opinion stating that Umm Salamah, one of the wives of the Prophet came to him and said that there are many verses in the Quran about the acts which men are rewarded for – jihad, migration, self-sacrifice, etc. however we wonder if women also share in these same rewards? In response, the verse which we wish to review today was revealed. In it, Allah says the following: "And thus does their (All-Gracious and Generous) Lord answer them: “I do not leave to waste the work of any of you (engaged in doing good), whether male or female. (As males and females following the same way) you are all one from the other. Hence, those who have emigrated (in My cause) and been expelled from their homelands and suffered hurt in My cause, and have fought and been killed, indeed I will blot out from them their evil deeds and will admit them into Gardens through which rivers flow, as a reward from Allah (with infinite Mercy and Power to fulfill whatever He promises).” With Allah lies the best reward. (3:195) The entire verse speaks to the question of Umm Salama and perhaps other women at the time of Prophet Muḥammad and even today.