Two Women Equal One Man - Never That! O you who believe! When you contract a debt for a fixed period, write it down. Let a scribe write it down in justice between you. Let not the scribe refuse to write as Allâh has taught him, so let him write. Let him (the debtor) who incurs the liability dictate, and he must fear Allâh, his Lord, and diminish not anything of what he owes. But if the debtor is of poor understanding, or weak, or is unable himself to dictate, then let his guardian dictate in justice. And get two witnesses out of your own men. And if there are not two men (available), then a man and two women, such as you agree for witnesses, so that if one of them (two women) errs, the other can remind her. And the witnesses should not refuse when they are called on (for evidence). You should not become weary to write it (your contract), whether it be small or big, for its fixed term, that is more just with Allâh; more solid as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves, save when it is a present trade which you carry out on the spot among yourselves, then there is no sin on you if you do not write it down. But take witnesses whenever you make a commercial contract. Let neither scribe nor witness suffer any harm, but if you do (such harm), it would be wickedness in you. So be afraid of Allâh; and Allâh teaches you. And Allâh is the All-Knower of each and everything. (Al-Baqarah 2:282) In the tafseer of this ayah Shaykh Abdur Rahman As-Sa’adee (ra) said “the testimony of two women takes the place of one man in matters related to worldly affairs – al huququl dunyawiyya – but as for religious affairs – al ‘umurud deeniyya - such as narrating prophetic ahadeeth and legal verdicts - fataawa, indeed the woman’s position is the same as the man’s.” And this is not a reflection of injustice to the woman rather it is a rahmah, as Allaah has lifted some responsibility from the shoulders of women in regards to worldy matters.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:09:05 +0000
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