Men and women have gifts from Allah-some greater than others. They seem unequal, but we are assured that Allah has allotted them by a scheme by which people receive what they earn. If this does not appear clear in our sight, let us remember that we have no full knowledge but Allah has. We must not be jealous if other people have more than we have-in wealth or position or strength or honour or talent or happiness. Probably things are equalized in aggregate or in the long run, or equated to needs and merits on a scale which we cannot appraise. If we want more, instead of being jealous or covetous, we should pray to Allah and place before Him our needs. Though He knows all, and has no need of our prayer, our prayer may reveal to ourselves our shortcomings and enable us to deserve more of Allah's bounty or make ourselves fit for it.
Explaining this verse, revered exegete of Qur'an Ibn-Kathir quotes Imam Ahmad who recorded that Umm Salamah said, "O Messenger of Allah! Men go to battle, but we do not go to battle, and we earn one-half of the inheritance (that men get).'' Allah sent down, (And wish not for the things in which Allah has made some of you to excel others).
At-Tirmidhi also recorded this Hadith. Allah's statement, (For men there is reward for what they have earned, (and likewise) for women there is reward for what they have earned,) indicates, according to Ibn Jarir, that each person will earn his wages for his works, a reward if his deeds are good, and punishment if his deeds are evil. It was also reported that this Ayah is talking about inheritance, indicating the fact that each person will get his due share of the inheritance, as Al-Walibi reported from Ibn `Abbas.
Allah then directed the servants to what benefits them, (and ask Allah of His Bounty.) Therefore, the Ayah states, "Do not wish for what other people were endowed with over you, for this is a decision that will come to pass, and wishing does not change its decree. However, ask Me of My favor and I will grant it to you, for I Am Most Generous and Most Giving.''
Allah then said, (Surely, Allah is Ever All-Knower of everything.) meaning, Allah knows who deserves this life, and so He gives him riches, and whoever deserves poverty, He makes him poor. He also knows who deserves the Hereafter, and He directs him to perform the deeds that will help him to be successful in it, and whoever deserves failure, He prevents him from achieving righteousness and what leads to it.
Hence, Allah said, (Surely, Allah is Ever All-Knower of everything).
The verse quoted above, and its interpretation by the exegetes, should clear all doubts existing in the minds of many, especially women, who think that they have been treated UNJUSTLY by not having being chosen as prophetesses. Men were preferred over women to be prophet for they could endure the hardships better than women. And we have seen how prophets were maltreated, abused and physically and mentally harmed when they tried to put across the word of God to their people. Many prophets wee killed in cold blood while many others were stoned and put in seclusion so that they could be persuaded not to act like prophets. Yet, we see that they remained steadfast and continued to spread the word of God and ultimately in the end they were successful. Quite obviosly, women may not have endured these physical and mental torture at the hands to rough and tough men of the deserts.
For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam.
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