Despite the greatness of this universe and the heavens and the earth Allah has still subjected it all to man and made it subservient to him: }And has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; it is all as a favour and kindness from Him.{(Al-Jâthiya:13)
This was done to honor man and give him a definite preference over all the other creatures. Allah says: }And indeed We have honoured the Children of Adam, and We have carried them on land and sea, and have provided them with At-Taiyibât (lawful good things), and have preferred them above many of those whom We have created with a marked preference.{(Al-Isrâ’:70)
Thus, Allah created man and He (Glorified be He) relayed the story of the creation of Adam and His bestowment of honor on him. Following that came his descent from heaven to earth because of the evil whispering of Satan and his act of sinning against Allah, and finally came Adam’s repentance. The Almighty says: }11. And surely, We created you (your father Adam) and then gave you shape (the noble shape of a human being), then We told the angels, “Prostrate to Adam”, and they prostrated, except Iblîs (Satan), he refused to be of those who prostrate. 12. (Allâh) said: “What prevented you (O Iblîs) that you did not prostrate, when I commanded you?” Iblîs said: “I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay.” 13. (Allâh) said: “(O Iblîs) get down from this (Paradise), it is not for you to be arrogant here. Get out, for you are of those humiliated and disgraced.” 14. (Iblîs) said: “Allow me respite till the Day they are raised up (i.e. the Day of Resurrection).” 15. (Allâh) said: “You are of those allowed respite.” 16. (Iblîs) said: “Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path. 17. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them as thankful ones (i.e. they will not be dutiful to You).” 18. (Allâh) said (to Iblîs) “Get out from this (Paradise) disgraced and expelled. Whoever of them (mankind) will follow you, then surely I will fill Hell with you all.” 19. “And, O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in Paradise, and eat thereof as you both wish, but approach not this tree otherwise you both will be of the Zâlimûn (unjust and wrong¬doers).” 20. Then Shaitân (Satan) whispered suggestions to them both in order to uncover that which was hidden from them of their private parts (before); he said: “Your Lord did not forbid you this tree save you should become angels or become of the immortals.” 21. And he [Shaitân (Satan)] swore by Allâh to them both (saying): “Verily, I am one of the sincere well¬-wishers for you both.” 22. So he misled them with deception. Then when they tasted of the tree, that which was hidden from them of their shame (private parts) became manifest to them and they began to stick together the leaves of Paradise over themselves (in order to cover their shame). And their Lord called out to them (saying): “Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily, Shaitân (Satan) is an open enemy unto you?” 23. They said: “Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers.” 24. (Allâh) said: “Get down, one of you an enemy to the other [i.e. Adam, Hawwa (Eve), and Shaitân (Satan), etc.]. On earth will be a dwelling ¬place for you and an enjoyment, - for a time.” 25. He said: “Therein you shall live, and therein you shall die, and from it you shall be brought out (i.e. resurrected).{(Al-A’râf:11-25)
Allah fashioned man in the best form, then he breathed His spirit into him; and so he appeared as a human being in the best stature, who hears, sees, moves and speaks: }So blessed be Allâh, the Best of creators.{(Al-Mu’minûn:14)
His Lord taught him all that he needed to know, and placed in him advantages and qualities that He had not placed in any other creature: the mind, knowledge, the ability to express himself, speech, a shape, good form, honorable stature, an upright body, and the acquisition of information by inference and thought. Allah also guided man to the best of morals and virtuous qualities. He honored man and lifted him above many of His creations. Some of the manifestations of this honor of mankind, whether they are men or women, include:
- Allah created man with His own hands at the beginning of creation, when Adam (may the blessings of Allah be upon him) was created. This is the highest of all honors. The Almighty says: }(Allâh) said: “O Iblîs (Satan)! What prevents you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with Both My Hands. Are you too proud (to fall prostrate to Adam) or are you one of the high exalted?{ (Sâd:75)
- Allah created this human in the best stature. The Almighty says: }Verily, We created man of the best stature (mould){ (At-Tin:4)
He also says: }and He shaped you and made good your shapes, and to Him is the final Return.{(At-Taghâbun:3)
- Almighty Allah honored mankind when He ordered the angles to prostrate to the first human, our father Adam. Allah says: }And (remember) when We said to the angels: “Prostrate unto Adam.” They prostrated except Iblîs (Satan) {(An-Nahl:61)
- Almighty Allah honored mankind by blessing him with a mind, the ability to think and the ability to hear and see, as well as the rest of his senses. Allah says: }And Allâh has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you know nothing. And He gave you hearing, sight, and hearts that you might give thanks (to Allâh) {(An-Nahl:78)
- Allah breathed into man when he created his soul, thus made him have a lofty soul. Allah Almighty says: }So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him.”{(Sâd:72)
- This is the highest of all honors to man. It is for that reason that man should undoubtedly respect his fellow man, for how can one abuse another human, who contains a soul breathed into him by Allah Himself?!
- Allah made man his representative on earth, and not the angels or the Jinn. He says: }And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: “Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth.” They said: “Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, - while we glorify You with praises and thanks (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners) and sanctify You.” He (Allâh) said: “I know that which you do not know.{(Al-Baqarah:30)
This is a great honor that has not even been bestowed upon the angels who never disobey any order given to them by Almighty Allah and who have been engrossed since the beginning of time in Allah’s remembrance, glorification and praise, and will continue to be so until the end of time.
- Allah has made everything in this universe with its heavens and earth, including all that it contains; the suns, moons, stars, planets and solar systems, subservient to man. Allah Almighty says: }And has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; it is all as a favour and kindness from Him. Verily, in it are signs for a people who think deeply.{(Al-Jâthiya:13)
- Almighty Allah freed all humanity from being enslaved by any of His creatures, however virtuous or great they may be. This is the highest point of freedom for man, because he has been transformed from being subservient to creatures to the creatures themselves being subservient to him, and to him being a slave of only Almighty Allah. This servitude to Allah is the crest and clear proof of his freedom from servitude to others. It is for this reason that there is no need for intermediaries between Allah and mankind, like those that some people make up and place between Allah and man, and to whom man gives divine attributes. Allah honored man by eliminating the need for intermediaries. The Almighty says: }They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allâh (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires, without being ordered by Allâh), and (they also took as their Lord) Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary), while they (Jews and Christians) were commanded [in the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] to worship none but One Ilâh (God - Allâh) Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). Praise and glory be to Him, (far above is He) from having the partners they associate (with Him).{(At-Taubah:31)
- Man is freed from fearing what the future may hold and from worries, despair or depression due to the belief of predestination and fate, after embracing all the material means available to him. Believing in predestination and fate places a feeling of security and peace in the believer’s heart, as well as a feeling of honor and esteem. Such a belief removes all grief, worry and sorrow from the heart of a believer when he misses or loses something, provided that he does not fail to do all what he can possibly do nor give up his efforts or give up taking all possible means. He must believe that predestination and fate come from Allah, Almighty. Allah says: }No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfûz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allâh{.(Al-Hadîd:22)
This kind of belief grants man spiritual balance, true stability and considerable reassurance; since calamities do not affect him and he is never in a state of panic. Furthermore, blessings and pleasure do not make him insolently arrogant.
- Due to Allah’s respect for the human mind, He gave it great value and the ability to think deep, and He ordered us to contemplate and speculate. In fact He made it obligatory to speculate about the creation of the heavens and earth and to establish mental proof and evidence (about His existence); Allah says: Say: }Behold all that is in the heavens and the earth,” but neither Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) nor warners benefit those who believe not.{(Yûnus:101)
Moreover, Allah Almighty ordered us to respect the mind and to care for and motivate it, and not allow it to become inactive by relying on tradition and prejudice, since it is only with an active mind that we are able to carry out Allah’s commandments. Allah also made the mind itself serve as a proof of His existence and an argument in favor of His Oneness. He also ordered us to use our mind when there are different views. Allah says: }Say (O Muhammad, Peace be upon him), “Produce your proof if you are truthful.{(Al-Baqarah:111)
Allah freed the mind from superstition, charlatanry, seeking the help of the Jinn and the like.
- This places emphasis on the fact that each person is responsible for himself and will be held account for his actions, and he is not responsible for the actions of others. Allah says: }And no bearer of burdens shall bear another’s burden{(Fâtir:18)
The concept of the Original Sin is nullified by this blessing; that each one of us is accountable only for his own actions, and it also saves humankind from the heavy consequences of that concept.
The honoring of human beings is not confined to only one sex, rather the basic principle is that women and men are alike with regards to honor, and are equal. Allah says: }And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses, etc.) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect, etc.) to what is reasonable{(Al-Baqarah:228)
Allah also says: }The believers, men and women, are Auliyâ’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another{(At-Taubah:71)
Women do not differ at all from men when it comes to punishment in the Hereafter. The Almighty says: }So their Lord accepted of them (their supplication and answered them), “Never will I allow to be lost the work of any of you, be he male or female. You are (members) one of another{(Âl-’Imrân:195)
He also says: }And whoever does righteous good deeds, male or female, and is a true believer in the Oneness of Allâh (Muslim), such will enter Paradise and not the least injustice, even to the size of a Naqîra (speck on the back of a date ¬stone), will be done to them(An-Nisâ’:124)
Allah bestows honor upon women when He considers her to be fully responsible and competent, exactly as men, and thus, is similarly rewarded and punished for her actions. The first divine obligatory command issued to man was given to both men and women. Allah says to the first humans, Adam and his wife, Eve: }And We said: “O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise and eat both of you freely with pleasure and delight of things therein as wherever you will, but come not near this tree or you both will be of the Zâlimûn (wrong-doers) {(Al-Baqarah:35)
Allah also does not put the blame on women for Adam’s expulsion from Paradise and the misery of his descendants, as stated in some other religions. Rather, Allah mentions that Adam is primarily responsible: And indeed We made a covenant with Adam before, but he forgot, and We found on his part no firm will-power.(Tâ¬-Hâ:115) }121. Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray. 122. Then his Lord chose him, and turned to him with forgiveness, and gave him guidance.{(Tâ¬-Hâ:121-122)
Thus, women and men are both alike with regards to their human nature. Allah says: }O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allâh is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. one of the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2)]. Verily, Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Aware.{(Al-Hujurât:13)
Therefore, men and women are equal participants in the following:
Civil liability with regards to personal material rights: women’s moral personality is respected and valued. Allah makes women equal to men with regards to being competent in fulfilling obligations and performing religious duties. Furthermore, the Almighty stresses women’s right to arrange and partake in all contracts; such as the right to sell and the right to purchase, etc. All these civil rights are enforceable, without any restrictions that may limit her freedom to act, except when those same restrictions are applied on men. Almighty Allah says: }For men there is reward for what they have earned, (and likewise) for women there is reward for what they have earned{(An-Nisâ’:32)
He also gave her the right to inherit. Allah says: }There is a share for men and a share for women from what is left by parents and those nearest related, whether, the property be small or large - a legal share.{(An-Nisâ’:7)
Almighty Allah made women’s position in Islamic law exactly the same as that of men concerning the performance of good actions or the committing of evil ones. Allan says: }Cut off (from the wrist joint) the (right) hand of the thief, male or female, as a recompense for that which they committed, a punishment by way of example from Allâh. And Allâh is All¬-Powerful, All¬-Wise.{(Al-Mâ’idah:38)
Reward or penalty in the Hereafter: }Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islâmic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter).{(An-Nahl:97)
Loyalty and coalescence. Allah says: }The believers, men and women, are Auliyâ’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma’rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden); they perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) and give the Zakât, and obey Allâh and His Messenger. Allâh will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise.{(At-Taubah:71)
Men are commanded to be gentle to women and show them mercy. Allah forbids the killing of women in wars, and He commands men to eat with menstruating women and to kiss and caress them (but not to have sexual intercourse with them). The Jews, however, forbid this, and they disrespect them and keep away from menstruating women, they do not even eat with them until they become clean again. Furthermore, from the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) women gained the greatest honor when he said: “The best of you is the best to his wives, and I am the best among you to my wives.”(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi)
When women were beaten at his time, the Prophet (pbuh) became angry and said: “One of you hits his wife like a slave, and then embraces her at the end of the day!!” (Narrated by Bukhari)
When a group of women came to the Prophet (pbuh) to complain about their husbands, he said: “Many women went around to the wives of Mohammed to complain about their husbands; these (husbands) are not the best of you (meaning that they are bad Muslims for treating their wives badly.)” (Narrated by Abu Dawood)
And women are granted what men are not. Being dutiful to mothers is emphasized more than it is in relation to fathers. A man came to the Prophet (pbuh) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, who is most deserving of my good companionship?” In another narration “to be treated well?” The Prophet said: “Your mother. The man asked: “Then who?” The Prophet replied: “Your mother.” The man asked: “Then who?” The Prophet said: “Your mother.” The man asked again: “Then who?” The Prophet said: “Your father.” (Agreed Upon)
Islam also emphasizes that bringing up girls is rewarded by Allah more than bringing up boys. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “He who is involved (in the responsibility) of (bringing up) daughters, and he is benevolent towards them, they would become a protection for him against Hell-fire.” (Agreed upon) He also said: “Verily I declare the gravity of the rights of the two weak persons: the orphan and the woman.” (Narrated by an-Nasaa’i isnaad Hassan)
