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Ia
I
"As to the thief. male or female, cut off his or
her hands :A punishment by way of example. from
God. for their crime : And God is exalted in power. "
. Furthermore, a woman"has the same rights and privileges as a
member of Islamic'society as the man has, with-some exceptions in
certain aspects of life where Islam gives the man some rights over
the woman. One of these exceptions is the Qiwwama of husbands over their
wives,
A husband is Qawwam, i. e. he protects the interests and looks
after the affairs of his wife. ' The Qurlan mentions that the idea
behind giving the right of Qiwwama to the husbands over their wives
is because it is the duty of the man to provide for his wife, and his
family as the Qurlan says:
"And women shall have rights'similar to the rights
against them, according to what is equitable; but
men have a degree (of advantage) over them. " 2
"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women,
because God has given the one more (strength) than
the other, and because they support them from
their means. " 3
It should be borne in mind that, the fact that husbands have such
right over their wives does not suggest any undervaluing of the
woman. The Islamic view is that a family, like any other small
group, needs a leader or head to be in charge of all the family
affairs :a responsibility which Islam has made the manis duty. This
follows from the idea that a man is responsible for providing for his
family. As mentioned before. he must provide food, clothes and a
house for his wife and'children; accordingly, in the sight of Islam,
it was quite understandable that a degree of authority should be given
to the person who takes on such great responsibilities.
' I However,
from the example of the Prophet and from many of his Hadiths., such
1. Q. 5,41
2. Q. 2,228
3. QO 4.34
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