Guardianship of men over women (Qawwamah): an analysis from the Qur’an and Sunnah perspective

• Main Author: Osmani, Noor Mohammad
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English; English; English; English
• Published: Bahauddin Zakaria University Pakistan 2021
• Subjects: H Social Sciences (General)
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/95418/1/SLIDES%20-%20Guardianship%20of%20Men%20over%20women%20%28Qawwamah%29.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/95418/3/Final%20Conference%20poster.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/95418/18/ABSTRACT%20BOOK.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/95418/19/CERTIFICATE.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/95418/20/Video%20DR%20OSMANI.mp4; http://irep.iium.edu.my/95418/

The divine command that “Men are guardians of women” (Surah Nisa’: 34) confirms the natural prerogative right of men over women in Islam. Allah swt assigned the role of guardianship to men due to additional abilities of men over women and their expenses for the management of families. Family institution in Islam plays significant roles in the development of an ideal community for the betterment of humankind. If families established on the firm foundations, an ideal society could be formed. Since each institution needs a leader, family institution also needs a leader which is assigned to the men by the divine commands. This divine rule is unchangeable. But does this mean that the men should play the role as a dictator in the family? Or, the family should be based on shura or mutual consultation among the spouse and the children as well? The scholars in Islam tried to interpret this divine command differently. Some modern scholars tried to change the interpretation totally, and claimed that this ruling is subject to change due to changed circumstances. Today, the women spend for family maintenance equally like men, hence, the role of guardianship, according to their claim, should change as well!! This paper will analyze the divine ruling as mentioned in the Qur’anic ayat and ahadith from modern perspective. It will analyze the status of men and women in family institution, should there be any change of roles in family? Is the divine command of men’s guardianship over women outdated in the modern context? The paper will try to respond to the said questions from an objective standpoint.