02-14-2005, 02:19 PM
Bismillah
Praise be to Allah and prayer and peace be upon His Messenger Mohamed Ibn Abudllah
May Allah Support me to tackle this point as correct as possible.
Actually ronniv u brought up an excellent question
Now Quran is a manual of life that we must abide by. It contains dos and donts and how to and when. Having this said, Allah certainly Is very precise when addressing mankind in order to put the limits clearly.
In making the commands Allah Used several forms according to the situation such as in:
“O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self restraint,” (Quran 2: 183)
“And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity: and whatever good ye send froth for your souls before you, ye shall find it with God: for God sees well all that ye do.” (Quran 2:110)
“So establish regular Prayer and give regular Charity; and obey the Apostle; that ye may receive mercy.” (Quran 24:46)
As u can see this is a ritual and the command is addressing those who believe collectively since the above mentioned Ayahs contained worship related commands that are enjoined equally on men and women. I just gave u examples not to prolong the post.
On other positions Allah Say :” For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for truth saying men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women Who give in charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in God's praise, for them has God prepared forgiveness and great reward.” (Quran 33:35) Can u note the difference in the command, here Allah Is Addressing men and women equally because these are things that not every one can do and we must be encouraged for to finally attain the great reward. There are many other similar positions as well but I am trying to get u the point with the shortest manner
As for the donts look here:” Say: come, I will rehearse what God hath (really) prohibited you from: join not anything as equal with him; be good to your parents; kill not your children on a plea of want; we provide sustenance for you and for them; come not nigh to shameful deeds, whether open or secret; take not life, which God hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus doth he command you, that ye may learn wisdom.” (Quran 6: 151)
The address also is general for men and women as u can see.
However when Allah Made polygyny as lawful Allah only addressed men Saying:” If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them). then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess. that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.” (Quran 4:3)
U will probably say but what does this mean? As u can see when the commands involve Muslims in general Allah Clearly Says so, like wise when the prohibition involves both genders.
But as far as polygyny Allah Stated it clearly for men, if it was allowed for women, the Ayahs would have included it as well in a clear and direct manner.
As why I think Umm made a response the issue of lineage is very important, it is even logical that a woman can not decide the father of a child if she is involved in a multi sexual activities.
Hope I helped
May Allah Accept