Woman being witness in Islam
There is a widely prevailing misconception by the anti-Islamics regarding this issue. They claim that since Allah Almighty ordered courts in Islam to bring either two reliable females witness or one reliable male witness, then therefore, Islam (1) discriminates between men and women; and (2) does not consider men and women to be equal.
"O ye who believe! When ye deal with each other, in transactions involving future obligations in a fixed period of time, reduce them to writing; let a scribe write down faithfully as between the parties: let not the scribe refuse to write: as God Has taught him, so let him write. Let him who incurs the liability dictate, but let him fear His Lord God, and not diminish aught of what he owes. If they party liable is mentally deficient, or weak, or unable Himself to dictate, let his guardian dictate faithfully, and get two witnesses, out of your own men, and if there are not two men, then a man and two women, such as ye choose, for witnesses, so that if one of them errs, the other can remind her. The witnesses should not refuse when they are called on (For evidence). Disdain not to reduce to writing (your contract) for a future period, whether it be small or big: it is juster in the sight of God, More suitable as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves but if it be a transaction which ye carry out on the spot among yourselves, there is no blame on you if ye reduce it not to writing. But take witness whenever ye make a commercial contract; and let neither scribe nor witness suffer harm. If ye do (such harm), it would be wickedness in you. So fear God; For it is Good that teaches you. And God is well acquainted with all things. If ye are on a journey, and cannot find a scribe, a pledge with possession (may serve the purpose). And if one of you deposits a thing on trust with another, let the trustee (faithfully) discharge his trust, and let him Fear his Lord conceal not evidence; for whoever conceals it, - his heart is tainted with sin. And God know the all that ye do." Noble Verse 2:282
Why did Allah Almighty order such law?
The Noble Verse above is quite clear about providing either one reliable man or 2 reliable women (in substitution to him) in any court. But why did Allah Almighty order such a law? What is the wisdom behind it?
The Noble Verse above does not in anyway talk about women's intelligence or memory capabilities or brains. It is simply talking about the women's complete integrity. Women are by far more emotional than men. This by itself will effect the woman's ACCURACY in her witness if she is asked to explain what happened in a certain event.
Let us look at few differences between men and women to understand better:
1- Women have a lot more patience and emotions in them than men. This is one of the blessings that Allah Almighty had created in women to enable them to raise children. Men do not have enough patience in them, nor enough loving emotions in them to raise children.
2- Women can easily get frightened. Man can't. It takes a lot to frighten a normal average man.
Let us look at the following Saying from Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him:
"The Prophet said, "Isn't the witness of a woman equal to half of that of a man?" The women said, "Yes." He said, "This is because of the deficiency of a woman's mind." Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Witnesses, Volume 3, Book 48, Number 826)"
Notice very carefully here that Prophet Muhammad said "woman's mind" and not "woman's brain". No where in any Islamic doctrine do we see any ridiculous uneducated and unscientific claim against women or anyone. The women's brains and ability to think is not what is being criticized here. It is as I said above their complete integrity. Notice how Allah Almighty said in the Noble Verse "...it is juster in the sight of God, More suitable as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves...(The Noble Quran, 2:282)"
So it is the perfect justice and the 100% complete accuracy that Allah Almighty is concerned about here.
In the section below you will see a situation where Allah Almighty commands for us to bring 4 reliable men or else the case is dismissed:
It is obvious from Noble Verse 2:282 and the Saying of our beloved Prophet above that Islam is extremely picky when it comes to justice. The slightest of doubts are not acceptable. For instance, a single man's witness is not sufficient enough to prove that an adulteress did indeed commit adultery. There has to be present 4 reliable (not just any witnesses) in order for the woman to be convicted:
"And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (to support their allegations),- flog them with eighty stripes; and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors. (The Noble Quran, 24:4)"
It is not so much that one man or two or even three men all together don't have the mental capability to capture a simple event of adultery done by a woman. It is the uncompromised 100% accuracy and perfection in the conviction that Islam is really picky about. What might appear as an adultery to one man, might not appear as such to another. That is why Allah Almighty in the Noble Quran ordered the Muslims to produce 4 reliable witnesses to convict the woman, or else the case is dismissed and those who made any allegations would get flogged for falsely charging a chaste woman.
The Scientific Evidence:
"O you who believe! When you contract a debt for a fixed period, write it down. Let a scribe write it down in justice between you. Let not the scribe refuse to write as Allah has taught him, so let him write. Let him (the debtor) who incurs the liability dictate, and he must fear Allah, his Lord, and diminish not anything of what he owes. But if the debtor is of poor understanding, or weak, or is unable himself to dictate, then let his guardian dictate in justice. And get two witnesses out of your own men. And if there are not two men (available), then a man and two women, such as you agree for witnesses, so that if one of them (two women) errs, the other can remind her. And the witnesses should not refuse when they are called on (for evidence). You should not become weary to write it (your contract), whether it be small or big, for its fixed term, that is more just with Allah; more solid as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves, save when it is a present trade which you carry out on the spot among yourselves, then there is no sin on you if you do not write it down. But take witnesses whenever you make a commercial contract. Let neither scribe nor witness suffer any harm, but if you do (such harm), it would be wickedness in you. So be afraid of Allah; and Allah teaches you. And Allah is the All-Knower of each and everything." [Ref Noble Qur'aan 2:282]
Men and women have their gender, biological, physical, and emotional differences [to name few], which results in different medical, mental, health, and psychological conditions. Those in denial or ignorant will dispute this fact without realizing that Noble Qur'aan 1,421 years ago actually protected women forever with this very verse. Many reasons which effects women's health have been discovered by modern science in recent age and will continue to be explored in future. Let us see some of those facts which impairs a woman's everyday life not to mention concentration..
Premenstrual Syndrome
(Late
Luteal Phase Dysphoric Disorder)
Premenstrual Syndrome (Late Luteal Phase
Dysphoric Disorder) is a concept of which the validity has been questioned for
decades. While based on clinical reality, with at least 60% of all women
suffering from it, PMS has served as a tool for diminishing women, for enforcing
stereotypes about their unpredictable and uncontrollable character, and for
ridiculing their assertive behavior. The notion of PMS got so woven into the
texture of our psycho-social fabric that many women self-diagnose themselves (or
let their partners do so) without really having the disorder; while others who
actually do need help go untreated because they (or their doctors) simply
""don't believe" in PMS. Stereotypes are rich soil for self-fulfilling prophecy.
The best way to conquer these stereotypes is through education.
Osteoporosis
Menopause is a
distinct phase of a woman's life with its own special health needs and issues.
Without a doubt, the single most important concern of the post menopausal women
remains osteoporosis, or thinning and brittle bones.
· Traumas
· Eating Disorders
· Health Disorders
Endometriosis
It is a painful
disease that may afflict 10 percent of women of child-bearing age. Endometriosis
can go undetected and untreated by the medical community and wreak havoc on the
sufferer's life. Many women who suffer from endometriosis eventually undergo
unnecessary hysterectomies.
Generalized Anxiety
Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the
most frequent anxiety disorders with current prevalence of 1.6% and lifetime
prevalence 5.1% (Wittchen, Zhao, Kessler, & Eaton, 1994). It is a chronic
condition which, despite some fluctuations, is relatively stable with continuous
symptom pattern (Rickels & Schweizer, 1990; Brown, Barlow & Liebowitz,
1994). It's a state of continuous apprehension and anticipation of something
horrible, characterized by excessive anxiety and unrealistic worry. It often
affects social and occupational functioning and might have disruptive influence
on the patients' families. The impact on the patients' perception of his/her
emotional and physical well-being is great.
Panic disorder and
Agoraphobia
Did you know that almost 14 % of general
population suffers from one of the anxiety disorders? And did you know that the
majority are women? One of the most common anxiety disorders is panic disorder
with or without agoraphobia (even more common are simple phobias, such as fear
of heights, darkness, animals etc.). The psychological, social and economical
consequences of this disorders are enormous. Many kinds of effective treatments
exist. Still, a great number of panic and agoraphobic patients struggle alone,
afraid of confiding in their physicians because of the stigma attached to mental
problems. Some physicians fail to recognize the symptoms. If you suffer from
hyperventilation, palpitations, tingling sensations, dizziness or chest pain
that suddenly come and suddenly disappear, you might be suffering from panic
disorder. Wait no longer. There is help.
Relationship Issues
a..
Arguing
b.. Co-dependency
c.. Making Relationships Work
d.. Negative
Thinking
e.. Sleep Hygiene
For some, falling asleep is as simple as laying back into a soft pillow. But for others, it is a frustrating process of tossing, turning and glancing nervously at the advancing clock. Whether you awake refreshed and ready to face the day or red-eyed and sluggish depends on your sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene is your personal collection of habits that determine the quality of your sleep.
There are literally hundreds of mental, psychological, medical and emotional conditions that modern science has discovered that a women suffers from her birth till she dies, let alone PMS or Child birth, to death in family, or sickness or death of child of close kin. To avoid lengthy response I have provided the links above. Where one can find expert opinions and women's health info.
Conclusion
Islam a a very beautiful religion that does not degrade women as the anti-Islamics love to falsely prove. Islam is a religion that fully honors women and fully respects them. Saying otherwise is an obvious misconception.