“A woman’s testimony is half of a man’s” explained
[thread]
[thread]
The Quran says:
bring to witness two witnesses from among your men. And if there are not two men [available], then a man and two women from those whom you accept as witnesses - so that if one of the women errs, then the other can remind her.
(2:282)
bring to witness two witnesses from among your men. And if there are not two men [available], then a man and two women from those whom you accept as witnesses - so that if one of the women errs, then the other can remind her.
(2:282)
Many critics of Islam claim that this means a woman’s word is always worth half of a man, or that women are considered inferior and less intelligent than men, but this is not true. When analysing historical context it becomes much clearer. (See below)
Generally, women weren’t involved in business, and would be unacquainted with the contracts, so they were required to call another woman to strengthen the testimony where there was fear of error
This is reinforced by the fact that their testimonies were accepted in other areas.
This is reinforced by the fact that their testimonies were accepted in other areas.
Ibn Rushd says
As for the testimony of individual women (when no men are present) it is accepted by the majority in personal rights which are usually not male dominated, such as pregnancy, consummation, and ailments *concerning women*
Bidayat al-Mujtahid 4/248
As for the testimony of individual women (when no men are present) it is accepted by the majority in personal rights which are usually not male dominated, such as pregnancy, consummation, and ailments *concerning women*
Bidayat al-Mujtahid 4/248
^ This shows a woman’s testimony was only seen as lesser than men due to their unfamiliarity in the field
Ibn Taymiya says
Whatever there is among the testimonies of women, in which there is no fear of habitual error, they‘re NOT considered half of a man
Turuq Al Hukmiya 1:128
Ibn Taymiya says
Whatever there is among the testimonies of women, in which there is no fear of habitual error, they‘re NOT considered half of a man
Turuq Al Hukmiya 1:128
There were many great female scholars of Islam who narrated Ahadith as well as who were sought for knowledge & opinions in all aspects of religion. Among them are the wives of the Prophet ﷺ
Ad Dhahabi said “A multitude of the Tabieen took from women”
Siyar Alam An Nubala 7:42
Ad Dhahabi said “A multitude of the Tabieen took from women”
Siyar Alam An Nubala 7:42
The fact that women were seen as trustworthy narrators of Ahadith and scholars, emphasises how they were seen as intelligent and sound in narrating. Their narrations were not seen of as half of a man, which dispels the idea that a woman’s testimony is inherently worth less.
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