A book, in PDF format, written by Jamal Badawi, a short and important message, in which the author discusses the issue of gender equality in Islam, clarifies the aspects of this equality, and highlights the aspects in which there was no equality and why.

When dealing with the Islamic perspective of any topic, there
should be a clear distinction between the normative teachings of Islam
and the diverse cultural practices among Muslims, which may or may
not be consistent with them. The focus of this paper is the normative
teachings of Islam as the criteria to judge Muslim practices and
evaluate their compliance with Islam. In identifying what is "Islamic,"
it is necessary to make a distinction between the primary sources of
Islam (the Qur'an and the Sunnah) and legal opinions of scholars on
specific issues_, which may vary and be influenced by their times,
circumstances, and cultures. Such opinions and verdicts do not enjoy
the infallibility accorded to the primary and revelatory sources.
Furthermore, interpretation of the primary sources should consider,
among other things:
(a) The context of any text in the Qur'an and the Sunnah. This
includes the general context of Islam, its teachings, its world view, and
the context of the surah and section thereof.
(b) The occasion of the revelation, which may shed light on its
meanings,
(c) The role of the Sunnah2 in explaining and defining the meaning
of the Qur'anic text.
This paper is a brief review of the position and role of woman in

society from an Islamic perspective. The topic is divided into spiri-
tual, economic, social, and political aspects.

II. The Spiritual Aspect

1. According to the Qur'an, men and women have the same spiritual-
human nature:

0 mankind: Reverence your Guardian-Lord Who created you
from a single person created of like nature his mate and from
them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;
reverence Allah through Whom you demand your mutual
(rights) and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah
ever watches over you. (Qur'an 4:1)
It is He who created you from a single person and made his
mate of like nature in order that he might dwell with her (in
love). When they are united she bears a light burden and

2
carries it about (unnoticed). When she grows heavy they both
pray to Allah their Lord (saying): "If You give us a goodly
child we vow we shall (ever) be grateful." (Qur'an 7:189)
(He is) the Creator of the heavens and the earth: He has made
for you pairs from among yourselves and pairs among cattle:
by this means does He multiply you: there is nothing whatever
like unto Him and Her is the One that hears and sees (all
things.) (Qur'an 42:11))
2. Both genders are recipients of the "divine breath" since they are
created with the same human and spiritual nature (nafsin-waahidah):
But He fashioned him in due proportion and breathed into
him something of His spirit. And He gave you (the faculties of)
hearing and sight and feeling (and understanding): little
thanks to you give!3 (Qur'an 15:29)
3. Both genders are dignified and are trustees of Allah on earth.
We have honored the children of Adam, provided them with
transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things
good and pure; and conferred on them special favors above a
great part of Our Creation. (Qur'an 17:70)
Behold your Lord said to the angels: "/ will create a
vicegerent on earth." They said "Will you place therein one
who will make mischief therein and shed blood? Whilst we do
celebrate Your praises and glorify Your holy (name)?" He
said: "/ know what you do not." (Qur'an 2:30)
4. According to the Qur'an, woman is not blamed for the ''fall of
man." Pregnancy and childbirth are not seen as punishments for

"eating from the forbidden tree." On the contrary, the Qur'an con-
siders them to be grounds for love and respect due to mothers.

In narrating the story of Adam and Eve, the Qur'an frequently
refers to both of them, never singling out Eve for the blame:
0 Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the garden and enjoy (its
good things) as you [both] wish: but approach not this tree or
you [both] run into harm and transgression. Then began
Satan to whisper suggestions to them bringing openly before
tM..iL.minds all their shame that was hidden /J:.Q.m_tM.m.