There is a big ideological conflict in the Islamic Industry about gender. Let me explain the definition of gender from the Qur'an. The verse, or ayat, I will use is the standard one used to define or describe gender in Islam.
Animals that Create Food Chapter-2 (The Cow) [Al-Baqarah] Verse-282
O believers,
when you negotiate a debt for a fixed term,
draw up an agreement in writing,
though better it would be to have a scribe write it faithfully down;
and no scribe should refuse to write as God has taught him,
and write what the borrower dictates,
and have fear of God, his Lord,
and not leave out a thing.
If the borrower is deficient of mind or infirm,
or unable to explain, let the guardian explain judiciously;
and have two of your men to act as witnesses;
but if two men are not available,
then a man and two women you approve,
so that in case one of them is confused the other may prompt her.
When the witnesses are summoned they should not refuse (to come).
But do not neglect to draw up a contract,
big or small, with the time fixed for paying back the debt.
This is more equitable in the eyes of God,
and better as evidence and best for avoiding doubt.
But if it is a deal about some merchandise requiring transaction face to face,
there is no harm if no (contract is drawn up) in writing.
Have witnesses to the deal,
(and make sure) that the scribe or the witness is not harmed.
If he is, it would surely be sinful on your part.
And have fear of God, for God gives you knowledge, and God is aware of every thing.
This verse is under my heading of Insurance for its' beautiful explanation of the importance of contractual agreements involving debt. Many Muslims have been mistaken that the Islamic Nations are not allowed to become Debtor Nations, like the United States of America or France or Italy, but the verse is very clear!
What I want the reader to emphasize in the verse here is the importance of a witness. Let us look at that section again:
"...draw up an agreement in writing, though better it would be to have a scribe write it faithfully down..."
The individual in question is the Scribe. The Scribe is the 'Preparer of Action' in Islam. Our Prophet Muhammad was a Nabi and a Rasul; a Prophet and a Messenger. In Islam the Messenger is the 'Preparer of Action' and the Prophet is the 'Doer of Action'. The Messenger receives the Message and prepares it for the Audience. The Prophet takes the Message to the Audience.
The next part to look at is:
"...write what the borrower dictates,..."
The Borrower is a member of the Audience. When the Prophet speaks to the people, the Borrower is the one who brings the Prophet to the people. The Borrower is Borrowing the people's patience.
Let us look at the next part:
"...If the borrower is deficient of mind or infirm,
or unable to explain, let the guardian explain judiciously;..."
Here is the connection between the Judiciary and the Executive. What needs to be emphasized here is the role of the Guardian. During the beginning of Muhammad's life, before he was a Prophet, his family clan were his Guardian. As he grew older and married Khadija, she became his Guardian, while Ali was his Scribe. When he became Prophet, he became the Guardian of the Ummah. The Guardian is who we look up to for guidance; which is why Al-Hadi is one of Allah's Names!
The next part to look at is:
"...and have two of your men to act as witnesses;..."
The two men are the 'Doers of Action'; one for the Lender and one for the Borrow.
Let's look at the next part:
"...but if two men are not available, then a man and two women you approve, so that in case one of them is confused the other may prompt her..."
The man here is a 'Doer of Action', while the women are 'Preparers of Action'. The two men above are technically the Financial Managers of the Lender and the Borrower. The problems with borrowing money start with individuals making ignorant decisions about money. The Borrower might want to borrow money that he or she knows that cannot repay. The Lender might want to loan money just to prove that they are doing something good for the community/Ummah. The reason for this verse is to make clear the importance of the 'Preparers of Action' and the 'Doers of Action'.
The technical explanation of this part of the verse is; the man is the Judge, while the two women are the Lawyers representing both parties. The Lawyers prompt each other through legal action!
In summary: the mention of women in the Qur'an relates to either Physical Attributes or Concept of Action!
Let us look at a verse and you decide which it relates to:
Women Chapter-4 (The Women) [An-Nisa] Verse-7 Men have a share in what the parents and relatives leave behind at death; and women have a share in what the parents and relatives leave behind. Be it large or small a legal share is fixed.
It is obvious that this verse relates to Physical Attributes. You can extend it for some Philosophy, but we can agree that it relates to Inheritance.
Let us look at another:
Women Chapter-4 (The Women) [An-Nisa] Verse-19 O believers, you are not allowed to take perforce the women (of dead relatives) into your heritage, or tyrannize over them in order to deprive them of what you have given them, unless they are guilty of open adultery. Live with them with tolerance and justice even if you do not care for them. For it may well be you may not like a thing, yet God may have endowed it with much goodness.
This one is little complicated because of the emphasis on adultery. I would put this verse as Concept of Action and replace Adultery with Corruption!
Let us look at one more:
Women Chapter-4 (The Women) [An-Nisa] Verse-34 Men are the support of women as God gives some more means than others, and because they spend of their wealth (to provide for them). So women who are virtuous are obedient to God and guard the hidden as God has guarded it. As for women you feel averse, talk to them persuasively; then leave them alone in bed (without molesting them) and go to bed with (when they are willing). If they open out to you, do not seek as excuse for blaming them. Surely God is sublime and great.
This one can be placed in both!
"Men are the support of women..."
The 'Doers of Action' pay for the work provided by the 'Preparers of Action'.
"...So women who are virtuous are obedient to God and guard the hidden as God has guarded it..."
One of the jobs of the 'Preparer of Action' is to protect the intellectual property rights of the 'Doer of Action'.
"...As for women you feel averse, talk to them persuasively; then leave them alone in bed (without molesting them) and go to bed with (when they are willing)..."
It is common for Small Business Owners, who are the 'Doers of Action', to call their employees back to work at various times of the day during a normal work month. Sometimes it is to punish the employees because they did not do a good job and need more training; as they are the 'Preparer of Action'. The ideas of going to bed at the same time should not be confused with being in the same place.
"...If they open out to you, do not seek as excuse for blaming them..."
This is a standard piece of good information for Small Business Owners, or even any Supervisor; don't be too hard on your employees!
I will leave you with one last verse, which is what gave me the idea of comparing the concepts of men and women with the concepts of 'Preparer of Action' and 'Doer of Action':
Energy Reduction: Chapter-51 (The Dispersing) [Ad-Dhariyat] Verse-49 And We created pairs of everything that you may contemplate.
Animals that Create Food Chapter-2 (The Cow) [Al-Baqarah] Verse-282
O believers,
when you negotiate a debt for a fixed term,
draw up an agreement in writing,
though better it would be to have a scribe write it faithfully down;
and no scribe should refuse to write as God has taught him,
and write what the borrower dictates,
and have fear of God, his Lord,
and not leave out a thing.
If the borrower is deficient of mind or infirm,
or unable to explain, let the guardian explain judiciously;
and have two of your men to act as witnesses;
but if two men are not available,
then a man and two women you approve,
so that in case one of them is confused the other may prompt her.
When the witnesses are summoned they should not refuse (to come).
But do not neglect to draw up a contract,
big or small, with the time fixed for paying back the debt.
This is more equitable in the eyes of God,
and better as evidence and best for avoiding doubt.
But if it is a deal about some merchandise requiring transaction face to face,
there is no harm if no (contract is drawn up) in writing.
Have witnesses to the deal,
(and make sure) that the scribe or the witness is not harmed.
If he is, it would surely be sinful on your part.
And have fear of God, for God gives you knowledge, and God is aware of every thing.
This verse is under my heading of Insurance for its' beautiful explanation of the importance of contractual agreements involving debt. Many Muslims have been mistaken that the Islamic Nations are not allowed to become Debtor Nations, like the United States of America or France or Italy, but the verse is very clear!
What I want the reader to emphasize in the verse here is the importance of a witness. Let us look at that section again:
"...draw up an agreement in writing, though better it would be to have a scribe write it faithfully down..."
The individual in question is the Scribe. The Scribe is the 'Preparer of Action' in Islam. Our Prophet Muhammad was a Nabi and a Rasul; a Prophet and a Messenger. In Islam the Messenger is the 'Preparer of Action' and the Prophet is the 'Doer of Action'. The Messenger receives the Message and prepares it for the Audience. The Prophet takes the Message to the Audience.
The next part to look at is:
"...write what the borrower dictates,..."
The Borrower is a member of the Audience. When the Prophet speaks to the people, the Borrower is the one who brings the Prophet to the people. The Borrower is Borrowing the people's patience.
Let us look at the next part:
"...If the borrower is deficient of mind or infirm,
or unable to explain, let the guardian explain judiciously;..."
Here is the connection between the Judiciary and the Executive. What needs to be emphasized here is the role of the Guardian. During the beginning of Muhammad's life, before he was a Prophet, his family clan were his Guardian. As he grew older and married Khadija, she became his Guardian, while Ali was his Scribe. When he became Prophet, he became the Guardian of the Ummah. The Guardian is who we look up to for guidance; which is why Al-Hadi is one of Allah's Names!
The next part to look at is:
"...and have two of your men to act as witnesses;..."
The two men are the 'Doers of Action'; one for the Lender and one for the Borrow.
Let's look at the next part:
"...but if two men are not available, then a man and two women you approve, so that in case one of them is confused the other may prompt her..."
The man here is a 'Doer of Action', while the women are 'Preparers of Action'. The two men above are technically the Financial Managers of the Lender and the Borrower. The problems with borrowing money start with individuals making ignorant decisions about money. The Borrower might want to borrow money that he or she knows that cannot repay. The Lender might want to loan money just to prove that they are doing something good for the community/Ummah. The reason for this verse is to make clear the importance of the 'Preparers of Action' and the 'Doers of Action'.
The technical explanation of this part of the verse is; the man is the Judge, while the two women are the Lawyers representing both parties. The Lawyers prompt each other through legal action!
In summary: the mention of women in the Qur'an relates to either Physical Attributes or Concept of Action!
Let us look at a verse and you decide which it relates to:
Women Chapter-4 (The Women) [An-Nisa] Verse-7 Men have a share in what the parents and relatives leave behind at death; and women have a share in what the parents and relatives leave behind. Be it large or small a legal share is fixed.
It is obvious that this verse relates to Physical Attributes. You can extend it for some Philosophy, but we can agree that it relates to Inheritance.
Let us look at another:
Women Chapter-4 (The Women) [An-Nisa] Verse-19 O believers, you are not allowed to take perforce the women (of dead relatives) into your heritage, or tyrannize over them in order to deprive them of what you have given them, unless they are guilty of open adultery. Live with them with tolerance and justice even if you do not care for them. For it may well be you may not like a thing, yet God may have endowed it with much goodness.
This one is little complicated because of the emphasis on adultery. I would put this verse as Concept of Action and replace Adultery with Corruption!
Let us look at one more:
Women Chapter-4 (The Women) [An-Nisa] Verse-34 Men are the support of women as God gives some more means than others, and because they spend of their wealth (to provide for them). So women who are virtuous are obedient to God and guard the hidden as God has guarded it. As for women you feel averse, talk to them persuasively; then leave them alone in bed (without molesting them) and go to bed with (when they are willing). If they open out to you, do not seek as excuse for blaming them. Surely God is sublime and great.
This one can be placed in both!
"Men are the support of women..."
The 'Doers of Action' pay for the work provided by the 'Preparers of Action'.
"...So women who are virtuous are obedient to God and guard the hidden as God has guarded it..."
One of the jobs of the 'Preparer of Action' is to protect the intellectual property rights of the 'Doer of Action'.
"...As for women you feel averse, talk to them persuasively; then leave them alone in bed (without molesting them) and go to bed with (when they are willing)..."
It is common for Small Business Owners, who are the 'Doers of Action', to call their employees back to work at various times of the day during a normal work month. Sometimes it is to punish the employees because they did not do a good job and need more training; as they are the 'Preparer of Action'. The ideas of going to bed at the same time should not be confused with being in the same place.
"...If they open out to you, do not seek as excuse for blaming them..."
This is a standard piece of good information for Small Business Owners, or even any Supervisor; don't be too hard on your employees!
I will leave you with one last verse, which is what gave me the idea of comparing the concepts of men and women with the concepts of 'Preparer of Action' and 'Doer of Action':
Energy Reduction: Chapter-51 (The Dispersing) [Ad-Dhariyat] Verse-49 And We created pairs of everything that you may contemplate.
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