Why does the Quran always address men without women?

The addresses in the Holy Qur’an are of three types:

1. Addressed specifically to men: Such as the verses prohibiting marriage to polytheist women and the rulings on jihad. 2. Addressed specifically to women: Such as the verses on hijab and the waiting period (iddah). The ruling may also be general for both men and women, but the address is directed to women first. 3. Addressed to both genders using the masculine form: This is the predominant form, such as "O Children of Adam" and "O you who have believed."

The masculine form is often used for several reasons:

Eloquence and rhetoric: If both genders were addressed in every verse, it would be verbose and stylistically weak. In the Arabic language, the masculine form takes precedence over the feminine in plurals. The creed of Islam: Woman is subservient to man in creation, so it is fitting that she be subservient to him in religious address. Suitability for the distribution of religious obligations: God has placed general custodianship in the hands of men, and women are often under the care of men.

The predominance of the masculine form in the Qur’anic address is consistent with linguistic custom, cosmic estimation, and religious decree.