And the fifth (time) that the wrath of Allah be on her if he...

And the fifth (time) that the wrath of Allah be on her if he is one of the truthful." (24:6-9) Regarding the question, as to why a woman can become perplexed or confused while giving evidence in public (the word used in 2:282 is which carries the meaning of perplexion or confusion.) it should be considered that in pre- Quranic societies, women were brought up in such a manner that they were incapable of expressing themselves and were inexperienced in civil affairs.

The unbelievers had raised their girls in trinkets and ornaments and they were void of the ability to express themselves. The Qur'an identifies this situation: "When news is brought to one of them of (the birth of) what he sets up as a likeness to (God) Most Gracious his face darkens and he is filled with inward grief!

Is then one brought up among trinkets and unable to give a clear account in a dispute (to be associated with God)?" (43:17-18) Even today, women in many societies are raised up in such a manner that they are incapable of expressing themselves and are very likely to get perplexed and confused if they were to appear before a court to bear testimony. It is for such a situation that the Qur'an required two women against one man to bear testimony.

Furthermore, women should not be brought up and raised in such a manner that they become incapable of expressing themselves and face the trials and tribulations of life, instead they should be well educated and conditioned to the affairs of the world so that if they are required to bear testimony, they will not become confused or perplexed and the second woman will not be required to interfere.

The interference of the second woman as a partner in testimony is conditional to the first one getting perplexed. If the first woman is able to express her self eloquently then the second woman will not be required, as is evident from the following portion of the verse under discussion: ".. IF ONE OF THEM gets confused or perplexed THEN the other can remind her.." If the first one gets confused, it is only then, that the other one is required to remind her.

If the first one does not get perplexed then the other will not be required to interfere. The above should clarify that a woman's testimony is not equal to half that of a man's. But the Qur'an considers her testimony to be equal to that of a man's and the requirement of two women against one man is conditional to certain situations only. Previous…