A Letter to a Dear One — Page 94
94 Letter to a Dear One have similar rights and duties to men, and has also elucidated the factor that in the partnership of men and women, men are the senior partners. No doubt, as human beings, men and women are equal, however, the difference that nature has created between them is evident from the sphere of the functions and responsibilities they have in human life. In view of these responsibilities and sphere of functions, men have been given some austere and heavy duties and women have been given relatively light duties. Their physique and other faculties are in accordance with these duties so that they are able to carry their responsibilities in a becoming way. Man has been given the responsibility to work hard to earn a living to keep his family and to provide for their comfort to the best of his ability, to protect them, and in any time of trouble, safeguard them. Wherever in the world there is a partnership, one partner is essentially given slightly more rights than the others so that in case of a disagreement, there can be arbitration. These rights, however, are not used at every opportunity and circumstance. The relationship of a husband and wife is such that if they both carry out their responsibilities properly then these ‘special’ rights will not be needed. However, if the chance does arise for the implementation of these rights, it should be clear who has the authority to carry them out. Islam has made arrangements for a solution in times of differences to the extent that it has not even excluded a short journey from it. It is enjoined that when two or more people set out on a journey, they should appoint an ‘Am ī r. ’ The Am ī r has to be obeyed during the journey. The company of husband and wife is one of life long journey and an Am ī r is therefore required for this journey. Islam has appointed man the Am ī r of this journey. The main reason for this being that man has been given the responsibility to earn the livelihood and to provide for the family. He should also have the last say in the expenditures, etc. , as well. However, you have read how much it has been impressed upon him to be kind and affectionate. Some people have gone to the other extreme and their treatment of women is inhuman. They deprive them of all rights and choices. At best, her status is that of a maidservant in the house although this is totally against the teachings of Islam. Within the limits of Islam, a woman has as much freedom of thought and opinion and decision- making and action as man has in his sphere of functioning. If this is not so then the running of the household cannot be pleasant and there is a