Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
I am really interested in Islam and in being a muslim. However, I do have some questions if this is OK. There are few things confusing me. Why are men favoured with rewards? For example, I am reading on Islamic websites that God favours men over women in Paradise and He will reward them more, because he grants them a reward that is not granted to women which is having many beautiful spouses, but women only have one spouse. From this, my understanding is that all rewards granted to women are granted to men, but not all rewards granted to men are given to women, or at least they are not rewarded as much as men for their worship. For example, if a man and a woman both have 10000 deeds, let us say each gets the same number and quality of palaces, gardens and rivers; so in all of that, they are equal, but the man will be given many wives (for example 10) and the women are given only one husband, so even though both have the same level of piety, the man got given more rewards than the woman by 9. Does the woman get compensated with more of another form or reward? Otherwise, how can it be justice that, even though, both have the same number of good deeds, the man got more?
Answer:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for contacting Mathābah.
May the Almighty guide us all to the truth and the religion of Islam.
Islamicaly, both men and women are rewarded, with fairness and justice by the Almighty. Allāh, the Almighty is Just and He does not undermine or waste the efforts of anyone. Neither does He oppress or treat anyone unfairly.
In Paradise, both males and females will be rewarded with everything they wish and desire. There is no jealously, resentment, hatred or injustice in Paradise. The Ḥūr al-‘ayn in Paradise are below, in status, than the women of this world. The women of this world, in Paradise, will be the most beautiful and attractive to their husbands in Paradise. Women of this world will be the queens of the Ḥūr al-‘ayn in Paradise. The reality of the matter is that whatever is mentioned in the source texts regarding rewards and Paradise are not even a glimpse of the reality that exists in Paradise, therefore, we will never fully comprehend the actuality of Paradise in this world.
“And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes as reward for what they used to do.” – (Qur’ān 32:17)[1]
“Indeed, Allāh does not do injustice, [even] as much as an atom’s weight; while if there is a good deed, He multiplies it and gives from Himself a great reward.” – (Qur’ān 4:40)[2]
“And their Lord responded to them, ‘Never will I allow to be lost the efforts of [any] worker among you, whether male or female.’” – (Qur’ān 3:195)[3]
“And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer – those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.” – (Qur’ān 4:124)[4]
“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.” – (Qur’ān 16:97)[5]
Only Allāh knows best.
[1] فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّا أُخْفِيَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ – السجدة ١٧
[2] إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ وَإِنْ تَكُنْ حَسَنَةً يُضَاعِفْهَا وَيُؤْتِ مِنْ لَدُنْهُ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا – النساء ٤٠
[3] فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ أَنِّي لا أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِنْكُمْ مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَى – ال عمران ١٩٥
[4] وَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِنْ الصَّالِحَاتِ مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُوْلَئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ وَلا يُظْلَمُونَ نَقِيرًا – النساء ١٢٤
[5] مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُمْ بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ – النحل ٩٧