different tests in life, so that he may gain a place
in the world to come. This should be the goal of a
person in life. The verse further says that one
should try to understand how a woman relates
to this goal in life. God has created woman to
support man in life, just as the field supports the
farmer in the subsistence of life.
This verse of the Qur ’an was revealed in
Makkah at a time when people were debating
about the role of women in life. People those days
knew only two things about women: sexual
satisfaction and the continuation of the human
race.
But the Qur’an says that over and above those
two things, a woman extends a supporting hand
in building a successful life. Therefore, man should
utilize this provision, gifted by nature, and work
at building successful lives for themselves. Any
other concept of a woman—less dignified than
this—belittles a woman’s position. A man and a
woman come together in marriage so that they
may unitedly play their part in building a greater
role in human life.
16
Family Life
