One of the accusations that is spreading nowadays is that Islam is unfair toward women and its teachings allow women to be treated as an inferior. Its teachings also allow the woman to take less than the man in inheritance. Islam allows the man to get married to more than one. Therefore, we met Dr. Mohammed Zakzouk, the Minister of Endowments, and he said:
"Islam is not unfair to the woman. Before Islam came, women were living in very bad conditions, but Islam raised [up] the woman and gave her respect. Islam made her feel that she is a human being. Islam stated that men and women are created from the same soul and neither one is better than the other except through good work. Islam also guaranteed the legal rights of the woman."
Concerning what was said that the woman is a follower of men, he said:
"From the economic point of view, Islam gave the woman complete independence from the man. She has the right to spend her money in any way she likes." He also pointed out that the father does not have the right to force his daughter to marry any person whom she does not like. He added that the man and woman are partners in forming one family and bringing up children. Being a responsible person, then she is not a follower to anybody.
Concerning what was said that the woman takes less than the man does in the inheritance, he said: "Before Islam, the woman was not allowed to take her share of inheritance. When Islam came, there were rules for distributing the inheritance."
Concerning what was said that Islam allows the man to get married to more than one, he said: "Islam was not the first religion that applied this system, but it was the first religion that regulated this system. When Islam allowed this, that was on one condition--that the man has to treat them (his wives) equally."
