Philosophy of Creation of Woman

In two Qur’anic verses a reference is made to a subject from which we can conclude a supposition that the woman was created for the man and she being a parasite to him.

Herewith I cite these verses, after which I will elaborate and explain their meanings:

• “He it is Who created you from a single self and from it did He make his mate that he may dwell resting unto her, when he covereth her, she beareth a light burden and carrieth it, when it groweth more heavy they both pray to their Lord; “If Thou givest a good child, certainly we shall be of the grateful ones.” (Qur’an, 7:189).

• And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves, mates that ye may dwell “inclined” unto them, and caused between you love and compassion: “Verily in this are signs for a people who reflect.” (Qur’an, 30:21).

Out of these verses it can be understood that the philosophy of creation of the woman being peace and repose for men. In fact, the original cause for life being men, and the women were created for giving them rest and repose.

In response to this we should say that this tranquillity and repose can never be one­sided, but it is mutual between the woman and man, since the love and compassion mentioned in the second verse, is stated as mutual and reciprocal between the two. Further the verse considered this affinity as one of God’s signs, and in the first verse if dwelling in rest stated one­sided, but it should be interpreted in view of the second verse.

In exposing the second verse, al-Allamah At-Tabataba’i said:

The meaning of the verse “He created for you from yourselves mates.” is that He “God” created from your species the like of you so as to make you benefit and get advantage. Because every woman and every man is provided with genitals alike and similar that complement each other, and when coming into each other they give production. That is, by action of both of them “sexual organs” the work of production and procreation of offspring is achieved and fulfilled.

Based on this, each one of them “man and woman” has a deficiency and in need and want to the other spouse, and from intermingling them together a complete full production will come out. Due to this need and lacking, each one of them feels inclined to and moves toward the other, and when copulation is done every one feels calm and at peace. Because every imperfect is so eager and anxious to what complements him/her, and every wanting is inclined to what meets his/her need and perfects him/her. This is exactly the sexual appetite “lust” that is established and deposited inside both the spouses.1

In short, what the Qur’anic verses intend to demonstrate being not the philosophy of creation of the woman, but they in fact tell of the kind of spiritual and life connection between woman and man, and attachment to each other.

1-Al-Mizaan Fi Tafseer Al-Qur’an, vol. XVI, pp. 173-174

Woman: AUTHOR(S): Mahdi Mahrizi      TRANSLATOR(S): Hasan M. Najafi