THE MAINTAINERS

The duty of qiwāmah is not an absolute faḍl (preference) given to the man, it is rather a responsibility or assignment. Therefore, “men are qawwāmūn over women” means that men are responsible for taking care of women, providing for them, and serving them and assuming every other duty that is required by this responsibility. The meaning of “some over the others” is not that God has given a preference to men over women as some people believe.

For if God meant this, He would have said, “God has preferred men over women.”

[H]owever, He ﷻ said, “God has preferred some over some others.” He used the word “some” twice in a vague and general way, which means that qiwāmah requires a faḍl of effort, action, and work from the man’s side… And this is equated from the other side by qualities that the woman has and the man cannot have. She, therefore, has a preference over him, for he cannot bear children and cannot menstruate.

This is the reason why God says in another verse, “And do not cover each other in what God has preferred some of you over some others.” This injunction is addressed to everybody and again the word “some” is used so that it shows that some has a preference in one matter and does not have it in other matters.

There is, therefore, no point in establishing a comparison between two persons who have different tasks and responsibilities.

May Allah ﷻ guide us to become better individuals who can protect and guide our spouse towards the right path.