Islam and Human Rights — Page 132
Isl am and Hum an R ights 132 (57:13), and their prayer will be: “Our Lord, perfect unto us our light and remove our shortcomings, surely Thou hast power over all things” (66:9). As models for those who believe, Allah has set forth the example of two women-the wife of Pharaoh, who besought Allah for deliverance from Pharoah and all his works, and Mary, mother of Jesus. who “fulfilled in her person the words of her Lord and His Books and was one of the obedient” (66:12-13). Yet Islam takes note of the diversity of roles and functions assigned to men and women and makes due provision for them. God, in His Providence and Wisdom, has equipped men and women appropriately for the due fulfilment and discharge of the roles and functions which belong to each. In structure man is stronger and of rougher texture than woman, who is more delicate and of greater sensibility. Were that not so there would be little attraction between the two, and the foundation for the “love and tenderness” between them (30:22) would be lacking. The element of mutual attraction and co-operation, essential for the continuation of the species and for the promotion of social values, is expressed in the terms: “They (your spouses) are raiment for you and you