Are Sharia rulings, such as those concerning "al-ba'ah" (the capacity for marriage), wisdom, and fiqh (understanding of religious law), exclusive to men, to the exclusion of women?
The divine address (Khitab al-Shar') is directed to men and women equally, except where evidence indicates a specific address to one gender. The matters mentioned in the question are as follows:
Al-Ba'ah (ability to marry): It has two meanings. If one considers it to be the dowry and its related expenses, then it is specific to men because women are not obligated with it. If one views it as meaning sexual desire, then the address encompasses both genders.
Wisdom: The noble verse, "He grants wisdom to whom He wills" (2:269), is inclusive of both men and women. The word "whom" is not exclusive to men. Wisdom here means knowledge of the Qur'an and its rulings.
Fiqh (understanding) in religion: It is not exclusive to men. Our mother Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, was among the most knowledgeable and jurisprudent of people, and senior Companions would ask her about religious obligations.
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- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 85832
- Imported
- Translation status
- Source text, unreviewed
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