Women: Islam Vs. Christianity

The role and status of women in Islam are distinct. The distinction between men and women is not only clearly evident but is also considered unbridgeable and eternal. 

Women according to Quran 

(1) The name of the first woman created—who is regarded as the mother of all humanity, except for the first human, Adam—is not mentioned! [Quran 2:35] 

(2) Apart from the name of the mother of Jesus (the Messiah), no other woman’s name is mentioned! [Quran 3:42] 

(3) No woman is recognized as a prophet! 

(4) The testimony of two women is equivalent to the testimony of one man. In other words, the testimony given by a woman holds only half the value of the testimony given by a man! [Quran 2:282 = Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 6, Hadith No. 301; Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 48, Hadith No. 826; Sahih al-Bukhari 2658] 

(5) Regarding crimes witnessed directly only by women—such as illicit sexual relations, adultery, or homicide—their testimony is not accorded equal weight to that of men for the purpose of adjudication.

(6) If a husband fears disobedience from any of his wives, he may beat or punish her! [Quran 4:34] 

(7) Husbands may abstain from sexual relations with their wives for up to four months; wives are not granted this right. [Quran 2:226] 

(8) Only husbands are granted the right to leave or divorce their wives! [Quran 65:1] 

(9) No specific reason is required for a husband to divorce his wife! [Quran 2:226-232] 

(10) Wives are described as their husbands’ fields; this means a husband may have sexual intercourse with his wife whenever and however he desires! [Quran 2:223 = Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith No. 51; Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 4, Book 54, Hadith No. 460; Sahih Muslim, Book 008, Hadith No. 3367] 

(11) A punishment is prescribed for wives found guilty of adultery, whereas no punishment is prescribed for husbands who commit the same sin. [Quran 24:5; 4:15] 

(12) In Jannah [Paradise] too, husbands are set to receive multiple wives as a reward for their devotion! [Quran 2:25; 4:57; 44:51-57; 52:20; 55:56-58; 78:31-36] 

(13) Believing women will enter Jannah just as believing men do. However, the rewards for women entering Jannah are not equal to those for the men entering Jannah! [Quran 3:195; 4:124; 55:70, 72, 74] 

(14) In the Quran as well as in authentic Hadiths, the beauty and attractiveness of the wives whom believing Muslim men will receive as a reward in the Hereafter are described repeatedly, in various contexts and using diverse terminology. However, the beauty and attractiveness of the husbands whom believing Muslim women will receive as a reward are not described—not even to the slightest extent. 

Women according to the teachings of Muhammad

Women are inferior to men in terms of intellect and religious devotion. [Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 1, Number 301; Volume 2, Book 24, Number 541; Volume 3, Book 48, Number 826] 

The majority of those suffering in the fires of Hell are women [Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 6, Number 301; Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 24, Number 541; Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 18, Number 161; Sahih Muslim, Book 036, Number 6596] 

The number of women entering Paradise is lower than that of men [Sahih Muslim, Book 036, Number 6600] 

Women should not assume roles of leadership or governance [Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 88, Number 219] 

Women have a crooked nature [Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 62, Number 113] 

Just as a person’s prayers lose their value if a dog or a donkey passes in front of them, prayers lose their value to the same extent if a woman passes by [Sahih Muslim 510a; [Sahih Muslim, Book 4, Hadith Number 1034] 

The majority of women are ungrateful [Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 2, Hadith 29] 

Women in Christianity 

According to Christianity, “male” and “female” are roles played during one’s lifetime in this physical world; they are not the eternal identities of individuals. The role of the woman was introduced to be a helpmate to the role of the man. The distinction between male and female pertains only to this earthly life and physical bodies and their functions.  

Women according to the Bible 

(1) The name of the first woman created was Eve. [Genesis 3:20] 

(2) Many women are mentioned by their personal names. [Genesis 4:19; 11:29…] 

(3) Some prophetesses are also mentioned. [Miriam – Exodus 15:20; Deborah – Judges 4:4; Huldah – 1 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 34:22; Anna – Luke 2:36] 

(4) Both men and women were created in the image and likeness of God. Both were appointed to rule over the earth. [Genesis 1:26-28; 5:1-2; 9:6] 

(5) Men and women are equal before God in the following respects: 

• In identity [Genesis 1:27; 9:6] 

• In value [Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 11:11] 

• In destiny [Matthew 22:30; 1 Peter 3:7] 

(6) A husband and wife may abstain from sexual relations for a time by mutual consent. [1 Corinthians 7:5] 

(7) Differences between men and women exist only in the following areas: 

• In physical structure and biological functioning

• In physical capabilities [1 Peter 3:7] 

• In earthly roles within the family and the church [Genesis 3:16; Ephesians 5:22, 24] 

(8) Both have equal rights regarding divorce. [1 Corinthians 7:10, 15] 

(9) Divorce should not be granted for any reason other than adultery. [Matthew 19:9] 

(10) Regarding the sin of adultery, men are specifically warned as the primary ones at fault and accountable. [Matthew 5:28, 32; 19:9] 

(11) Husbands and wives have equal sexual rights. [1 Corinthians 7:3-5] 

(12) The distinction between male and female pertains only to physical life in this world; however, in the world to come—or in heaven—all believers will be transformed to be like angels, without such distinctions. [Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25]