The Difference between Men and Women in Islam

The Difference between Men and Women in Islam

 • By Shaykh Yahya ibn Ali Al-Hajuri (may Allah preserve him)

 ¶ Character and Creation:

 • Man was created from dirt and the woman was created from the rib.

 • Allah has decreed the menstrual cycle for the woman and not the man.

 • Men grow beards women don’t, but if she does it’s permissible for her to shave it.

 • Women are deficient in their intellect and religion. i.e A woman witness = ½ a man and during menses she doesn’t pray and fast.

 • The men have been given strength over women.

 • A man’s semen is white and a woman’s is yellow.

 • It’s an obligation to circumcise the man and its sunnah to circumcise the woman.

 • Ear piercing is permissible for women and not for men.

 ¶ Purification:

 • The urine of the woman is stronger and more dirtier than the man’s

 • It’s legislated for man to redo Wudu if he intends to have relations with his wife a second time in the same setting.

 ¶ Prayer:

 • The Athaan and Iqamah aren’t a must for the women and it’s incorrect for a woman to call them for men.

 • A woman prays behind a man, even if she’s alone. However if a man prays behind another man alone, his prayer is incorrect.

 • A woman can’t lead a man in prayer.

 • If a woman leads the prayer for other women she must stand in the middle. • When a man leads the prayer he stands in front row all alone.

 • Congregational prayer is must for the men and not the women.

 • The best row for women in congregation is the last and the best row for the men is the first.

 • Walking to prayer at night is recommended for men, but not for woman.

 • If the imam makes a mistake in prayer the women clap and the men say “ Subhanallah”

 • The women don’t have to attend Jumu’ah; and men must attend Jumu’ah .

 • Women can’t deliver the sermon for Eid, Jumu’ah, Eclipse prayer and Rain prayer.

 • Prayer is invalid when a woman passes in front of a man. And if a man passes in front of another man during prayer, it’s still valid.

 • The Eid prayer is an obligation for men, but not for women. However it’s recommended for women to attend if they are safe from fitnah.

 ¶ Funeral Prayer:

 • The congregation stands at the head of the deceased man and at the middle of the deceased woman.

 • It’s disliked for women to visit the graveyard and it’s recommended for men.

 • Women can’t accompany a funeral procession, but men can.

 • Women wash and shroud each other and men wash and shroud each other; unless they were spouses.

 ¶ Zakah and Sadaqah:

 • Women are encouraged more than men to give charity.

 • A woman can pay Zakah on her children’s and husband’s behalf, but a man can’t pay Zakah on his children’s and wife’s behalf.

 • Redemption is a duty for the man and not the woman. This can occur if a man intentionally had relations with his wife during daylight in Ramadan.

 • A woman can’t fast voluntarily unless she has her husband’s permission. A man doesn’t need his wife’s permission to fast voluntarily.

 ¶ Hajj

 • A woman must have a Mahram when travelling.

 • A woman mustn’t raise her voice during the Talbeeyah; and  a man should raise his voice.

 • A woman’s Ihram is the clothes she wears for the journey.

 • A man can do Ramal-a slight jog between Safa and Marwa, and around the Ka’bah; and a woman shouldn’t.

 It’s not recommended for the women to try and kiss or touch the black stone during crowding.

 • A man can ascend on Safa and Marwa, however a woman mustn’t.

 ¶ Aqeeqah:

 • For a girl one sheep is sacrificed and for a boy two.

 ¶ Jihad, Battle and Leadership:

 • There were no women Prophets or Messengers.

 • A woman can’t be a leader for the people or the military.

 • The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took the pledge from the men through a handshake and from the women by speech.

 • Women aren’t obliged to perform Jihad unlike the men. However there are certain conditions that must be adhered to before the men embark on this  obligation.

 ¶ Marriage , Divorce, Iddah, Kulla’:

 • Women are given the Sadaq, not the men.

 • Men have the authority for divorce, marriage and giving the Mahr, not the women.

 • A man can marry a woman from Ahul Kitab if he knows she frees from Zina. A woman doesn’t have this right.

 • A man can have more than one wife. A woman can’t have more than one husband.

 • The Waleemah and wedding are the responsibility on the man not the woman.

 • It’s permissible for the women to beat the Duff at their wedding. This act isn’t permissible for the men.

 • Maintenance and support are the duty of the men not the women.

 • A woman is under the authority of her husband. A man isn’t under the authority of his wife.

 • A woman can’t have anyone visit her home unless she gets her husband’s permission first. A Man doesn’t need permission for visitors in his home.

 • The Angels curse the woman if her husband separates from her bed. The husband doesn’t receive this curse.

 • A woman must have her husband’s permission before she leaves home. A man doesn’t need his wife’s permission to leave home.

 • A man doesn’t have an ‘Idda unless he wants to marry his ex-wife’s sister or aunt. However if he divorces his fourth wife and wants to remarry, then he must wait until his ex-wife concludes her “Iddah.

 ¶ Dress and Adornment:

 • It’s recommended for a woman to adorn herself in her home for her husband.

 • It’s haraam for a woman to imitate a man in his dress.

 • It’s an obligation for the women to sag their clothes below her ankles.

 • Sagging pants and thoubs below the ankles is Haraam for men.

 • A woman can’t change her clothes unless she’s in her own home. This act doesn’t apply to the men.

 • A woman must wear Hijab: cover her face and body.

 • Women can wear jewelry.

 • Men can’t wear silk, but women can.

 Taken from : Kashful Watha’I by Shayk Yahya Al-Hajuri. Translated by Abu Aaliyah Abdullah ibn Dwight Lamont Battle- Adam