It is the requirement of the Qur'an that there be two female witnesses
in place of one male witness. Is this not a clear care of
injustice against the woman?
While referring to debt transactions the Qur'an states that:
“ If ye are on a journey, and cannot find a scribe, a pledge with
possession (may serve the purpose). And if one of you deposits a
thing on trust with another, let the trustee (faithfully) discharge his
trust, and let him fear his Lord. Conceal not evidence; For whoever
conceals it,- his heart is tainted with sin. And God knoweth all that ye
do.†(2:283)
In fact, this Qur'anic recommendation helps us to comprehend
its divine nature; to comprehend the fact that the Qur'an is, indeed, the
legal commandment of the Creator who is clearly aware of the nature
of man and woman. Here, the Qur'an has not debased woman; it has
only appreciated her inherent weaknesses. Here again, it is the general
law of the Qur'an - that both man and woman must be assigned
their respective roles in each and every field of mutual cooperation
only on principles that are in keeping with the demands of justice -
which ultimately shines forth. The facts mentioned here under will
serve to clarify this point:
One: This verse deals with debt transactions. Since the Qur'an
has conferred all financial responsibilities upon man, it will be the men who will, in general, be involved in economic dealings. Furthermore,
as the intermingling of the sexes is not encouraged in an Islamic society,
it is not natural for women to stand as witnesses in dealings of a mutual
nature between men as also in fields where men alone play the
dominant role. Even if women do become witnesses in any dealing,
whatsoever, they are duty bound to maintain all standards of Islamic
decency. In cases where such norms of decency are adhered to, it
may not always be possible to satisfactorily identify the individuals
involved in the transactions.
Two: Women are, in general, emotional creatures. It is probable
that the woman, who is easily influenced by tides of emotion is led
away from the truth. It may be that the one about whom the testimony
is being made is much more beautiful than the one who makes the
testimony. Or the testimony being made may concern a handsome
youth who arouses the passions in the one who makes the testimony.
There may also be circumstances, which appeal to the maternal instincts
of the one giving testimony. In all such situations, it is quite
possible that her emotional compulsions will ultimately influence her
testimony.
Three: The special constitution of woman’s body sets various
difficulties for her. There are many problems - like the severe mental
agitation during the days immediately prior to the commencement of
the menstrual cycle, physical and mental problems associated with the
early days of pregnancy, difficulties linked to the post menstrual period,
problems during child delivery and the mental strain that is caused
by abortion - all of which are to be faced only by women. Scientific
researches have confirmed the fact that under such circumstances, in
addition to the physical discomfiture, women are subject to various
psychological problems as well. It has been observed that some of
these problems include slowmindedness, lack of concentration, loss of
memory etc. It is essential, however, that all such situations must be
taken into account when the quality of women’s testimony or witness
is the subject of discussion. It is especially relevant that the verse
which recommends that two women are to testify in place of a single
man has also mentioned this “in order that if one errs the other may
remind her.â€
In actual fact, therefore, this Qur'anic law has never debased
woman. On the contrary, it has appreciated her weaknesses and limitations
and has recommended the proper solution while yet providing
for her the opportunity to give testimony along with the man. The only
motive behind such a prescription has been to enable one woman to
correct the other on all such occasions where the latter may be subject
to slow mindedness or to a loss of memory. At the same time, the
testimony of a single woman will be fully considered in all cases that
involve only women and wherein it is only her own transactions that
have to be addressed. Here again we are subject to the realization of
the facts that all recommendations of the natural religion is, indeed, in
harmony with nature herself.
