Biologically Men and Women are two different sexes but complementary to each other

One may well ask that if there is such a complete and comprehensive spiritual equality between the two sexes, why is this identical treatment not found in other rights, duties and privileges. Muslims and especially non-Muslims question why men go out to work while women are encouraged to stay at home, why women have to wear the Hijab (veil), why a brother receives a larger share of inheritance than his sister, why a man can be a ruler but a woman can not, etc., and they then conclude that Islam treats women as inferior beings.

Laws can never be discussed without being explained first, so we must first consider the fundamental Islamic ethos that men and women are two different yet complementary sexes. It is an established medical fact that men and women have different biological compositions and temperaments. Allah the All-Mighty created and knows this biological difference better than we do, and has thus assigned to men and women the roles that each excels in due to its nature. 

Neither gender is inferior or superior to the other; instead they complement each other like the two halves of a whole. In everyday life we see that society consists of many different kinds of people, all of whom play their particular roles to keep society intact. The farmer and the doctor make different contributions to the society, but both are equally important. Each excels in his own field, and each provides a service for the other. Similarly, men and women are different sexes and play vital roles in their own areas of excellence.

The Purpose of Creation of Men and Women

The Muslim accepts that the main purpose behind the creation of jinn and mankind was that they should worship Allah, struggle against the forces of Satan and live their life according to Allah' s Commandments in order to achieve eternal bliss in Paradise.

"And I (Allah) created not the jinn and men except they should worship Me (Alone)." (V. 51:56)

Also Allah said:

"Nay! But worship Allah, and be among the grateful." (V. 39:66)

At another place He said:

"Say (O Muhammad !): 'Verily, I am commanded to worship Allah by obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake only." (V. 39: 11)

Equality of Men and Women as regards Religious Obligations and Retribution

In this spiritual regard, Islam makes no distinction between men and women. Both have a soul, both were created for the same purpose in life, both have a duty to fulfill their religious obligations, both will be judged by the All Mighty, and both will be rewarded or punished according to their individual actions. Whenever the Qur�aan mentions those fortunate beings who will enter the Gardens of Bliss because of their piety and good deeds, it mentions men and women together.