Is it permissible to describe the religion of Islam as "feminist" or "effeminate" due to the concessions it grants to women, or as "masculine" because of its discourse on male guardianship (qawamah) and authority (wilayah)? And is it permissible to address a woman as "deficient in intellect and religion" based on the Hadith of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him?
First: It is not correct to describe Islam as masculine or feminine, because it is a religion that considers the interests of both men and women and assigns each of them what suits them. Allah the Almighty is just and does not wrong any of His creation. He revealed His law universally for men and women. If this is said as a form of dispraise, it is disbelief in Allah.
Second: It is not permissible to address a woman with "O deficient in intellect and religion" because that is hurtful and demeaning. Allah the Almighty has forbidden harming believing men and women, and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade shaming Muslims. The deficiency in a woman's intellect and religion mentioned in the hadith relates to specific aspects for which she is not to be blamed, as it is not by her choice.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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