Is it possible for the meaning of the noble verse: (Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has favored some of them over others and by what they spend) to be that both men and women are favored over one another from a certain aspect, or is the favoritism mentioned in the verse specific to men over women, as the exegetes have maintained?

The interpretation of Allah’s Almighty saying: (Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property) indicates that men have guardianship over women. This preference is due to several reasons, including: that men are superior to women because positions of authority, prophethood, and jihad are exclusive to them, and because of their distinguishing qualities of intellect, sobriety, patience, and strength. Also among these reasons is that men are obligated to spend on women through dowries and expenditures, and this is a favor for them over women. This guardianship means that men are the leaders of women, their disciplinarians if they deviate, obligating them to fulfill Allah’s rights, and guiding them towards good morals.