The Qur’an does not harmonize with the view that the first...

The Qur’an does not harmonize with the view that the first woman was created from a man’s rib or that she was the one who caused humankind to be expelled from Heaven. WOMENS’ TREATMENT BY UNBELIEVERS In a society which is governed by superstition, ignorance and the self-interest of the elite, the female gender is oppressed to the fullest extreme and she is always considered as a lowly being in comparison to men.

Her rights are usurped by the influential class and she seldom has the opportunity to voice her grievances.

The Qur’an detests such a mentality which considers females to be of lower worth than males, for we are clearly told that in the sight of God, every human child, regardless of race, gender, or social affiliation is equally honoured and worthy of respect: “Certainly We have honoured the Children of Adam” (17:70) The Qur’an informs us that in a society of unbelievers, the female gender is despised and a son is preferred over a daughter.

In Surah Al-Nahl their mentality is identified: “When one of them is brought the news of a female [newborn], his face becomes darkened and he chokes with suppressed agony- He hides from the people out of distress at the news he has been brought: shall he retain it in humiliation, or bury it in the ground! Look!

Evil is the judgement that they make” (16:58-59) In such a society, the female gender is not only despised but she is also deprived of the nourishment that was to be meant equally for her as well as her male counterpart. The unbelievers are identified to restrict females from the sustenance that was meant for the consumption of both genders, on the basis of self-made traditions: “And they say,” That which is in the bellies of these cattle is exclusively for our males and forbidden to our wives.

But if it be still-born, they will all share it.” Soon He will require them for their allegations. Indeed He is all-wise, all-knowing” (6:139) Such is the treatment imparted by the unbelievers to the feminine gender.

Any society, where males are preferred over females, where females are deprived of their essential nutrition, such should be identified as a society of disbelievers in divine values, for Allah has informed us in His Book, that the birth of a male or a female is in accordance with His laws of nature and not something to raise discrimination against: “To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth.