Men and women are both intellectual partners for each other. They can be intellectual partners when they have differences. If both think along similar lines, there can be no exchange. When they both have differences, an exchange can progress successfully. Both will have different aspects to share on the matter. Both will have different perspectives to offer. These differences will bring about discussion and exchange. God has placed differences between men and women so that there can be successful intellectual exchange between the two. Both are equal in terms of respect, but different in role.
People think that there is no gender equality in Islam. The Quran says: الرِّجَالُ قَوَّامُونَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ (4.34) But this is an absurd proposition. The hadith says: إِنَّمَا النِّسَاءُ شَقَائِقُ الرِّجَالِ (Musnad Ahmad 236) If you cut up something from the middle and divide it into two equal parts, then both parts will be called shaqiqah. What does this mean? Men and women are two equal halves of a single unit. They are two equal parts of a single unit. The Quran says: الرِّجَالُ قَوَّامُونَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ
According to this verse, there are differences between men and women. It doesn’t mean that in status men are superior to women. Fazilah means difference. Both the Quran and Hadith mean that men and women are equal in terms of respect, but different in terms of role. Both must be accorded the same respect. Both are equal in terms of respect, but different in role. The Islamic formula is that men and women are equal in respect, but different in role. Both are equal in terms of honour and position, but in terms of role they are different. This difference is indeed a great blessing from God. The entire universe is based on this principle of difference. If men and women have exactly the same capabilities and wavelengths, then there would be no progress. I have written about this in detail in my book Woman: the Builder of Humanity. Men and women are the best intellectual partners for each other. In this world, the greatest achievement for a person is to gain intellectual development. The most precious achievement is intellectual progress. This happens through study, observation, contemplation and intellectual exchange. Men and women are both intellectual partners for each other. They can be intellectual partners when they have differences. If both think along similar lines, there can be no exchange. When they both have differences, an exchange can progress successfully. Both will have different aspects to share on the matter. Both will have different perspectives to offer. These differences will bring about discussion and exchange. God has placed differences between men and women so that there can be successful intellectual exchange between the two. Both are equal in terms of respect, but different in role.
