Concept of Gender Equality in Islam

Abstract

Gender discrimination is the daunting problem and important topic in the contemporary world. Men and women are definitely equal in Islam by means of human beings as Islam conclusively establishes that all human beings have a common origin. This point is declared in the Holy Quran: ‘O Mankind, verily we created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so you may know one another.’ Islam declares equilibrium women privileges and position in order to preserve social stability. The term ‘equality’ does not have the same repercussion in every society as it differs in different culture and society, or point of view. The West considered the political, social and economic rights as the meticulous standard that would determine the comprehensive equality between men and women as human beings. On the contrary Islam declares that all human beings are equal considering the status, preferment and dignity but determine the different responsibilities of male and female. Because the responsibilities must take into consideration of varying natural inclinations and affinity of individuals, so that Islam determines and prefers the concept of ‘justice’ rather than ‘equality’. Justice is more fruitful and rewarding then equivalence in many cases and situations. This paper discusses the concept of Gender equality in Islam in the light of the Quran and the Sunnah.