Quran on men are the maintainers of women

[koranist]

4.34. Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means.

The bolded part is incorrect. In fact it uses "fadala ba'dahum ala ba'd" the same term it used when it said we should not seperate between the prophets and that God "fadala ba'dahum ala ba'd". This means that he has given them preferences over EACH OTHER. Its not one over the other but each over the other.

So in a general sense yes men are the bread winners and so have preferences that God gave but also in some cases women can have the stronger say in the family.

The verse about the prophets tells us that some prophets were given some preferences over the other but also vice versa. David was given the Psalms but Moses talked to God and Jesus was given the Holy Spirit and Muhammad was given the Koran. Nobody gets it all.

Those Messengers! We preferred some of them to others; to some of them Allah spoke (directly); others He raised to degrees (of honor.)) ﴿2:253

And indeed, We have preferred some of the Prophets above others.)

Its preferences over each other and not one over the other as the translation says. It makes a differences.

What does this has to do with the topic of inheritance?

Well I think in general yes that the boys will end up having more responsibilities in their life and often have to also fend for the sister but in cases it could be the other way around.

Remember its one thing many times the Quran can be telling us to do something but iots another issue when it says we should not do something.

It never said that girls or boys should not be given the same but i think this verse has to do with equity as in most societies men have the responsibilities to take care of their sisters and often they are the ones who pay the dowries and have to work etc. In India and Pakistan its the women's families who actually bear the cost of marriage etc.

In the end it does not matter since the women marries the man and the man marries the women and they in any case will end up sharing their wealth in the end. So it always comes back to them. But it could be a question of equity in responsibilities.

 

[Amica]

Salaam--

I do not see why there is a need to defend the most common understanding of that verse. We so try to be "westernized" and make Muslim women seem so equal to men in many things. Rights: no problem. Muslim women are guaranteed equal rights as men, and this is in accordance with Islam. However, biologically, women are different from men. Like it or not, men do more difficult jobs, they are physically stronger than women (90% of times), etc. So, why do we need to "defend" the understanding? Muslim men protect women, no? From what and why? If attacked, Muslim woman has a better chance surviving when defended by a brother than if she is to try and defend herself. "Maintainers" of women: they take care of women financially, as husbands, as fathers, as brothers. What is wrong with that?

 

[Amica]

Remember that according to Islamic teachings, Muslim men are ALWAYS to provide for women. She could have hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings, but he is still to work and earn a living for her. Isn't that nice?

In Netherlands, women like not to work. In fact, I read an article stating that their women if they do work they work part time. Why? Because they like their husbands and boyfriends to provide for them. Not "feminist" enough some may argue, but it works for them. However, we hardly hear about these women do we? Check out this article:
Dutch Feminism: Why Dutch women don't work longer hours | The Economist