Fatwa: Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ibn Jibreen (May Allah protect him)
Question:
When I recite the Holy Quran, I often find that Allah promises beautiful and charming Houris and tents to believing men. Is there no equivalent reward for women in the Hereafter in terms of their husbands? Moreover, in most cases, the promises of rewards and honors seem to be addressed primarily to believing men. Does this mean that believing women are entitled to lesser rewards and honors compared to believing men?
Answer:
There is no doubt that the glad tidings of rewards in the Hereafter are general for both men and women.
Allah Almighty says:
"I will not allow to be lost the work of any worker among you, whether male or female."
— Surah Al-Imran: 195
In another place, Allah states:
"Whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer, We will surely grant them a good life."
— Surah An-Nahl: 97
Similarly, He says:
"Whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer, they will enter Paradise."
— Surah An-Nisa: 124
Furthermore, Allah Almighty declares:
"Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their chastity and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so — for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward."
— Surah Al-Ahzab: 35
In addition, Allah mentions the entry of all believing men and women into Paradise, for example:
"They and their spouses will be in shade."
— Surah Ya-Sin: 56
And:
"Enter Paradise, you and your spouses, in happiness."
— Surah Az-Zukhruf: 70
Regarding the recreation of women, Allah Almighty has said:
"Indeed, We have created them [i.e., the women of Paradise] anew, and made them virgins."
— Surah Al-Waqi'ah: 35-36
This means that Allah will grant old women the status of virgins, just as He will restore old men to their youthful vigor.
It is mentioned in Hadith that the women of this world will have superiority over the Houris of Paradise due to their worship and obedience. Believing women will also enter Paradise just like men. If a woman in this world had been married to multiple men and she is deserving of entering Paradise, she will be given the choice to select one of them as her husband. She will choose the one who had the best character among them.
Question:
When I recite the Holy Quran, I often find that Allah promises beautiful and charming Houris and tents to believing men. Is there no equivalent reward for women in the Hereafter in terms of their husbands? Moreover, in most cases, the promises of rewards and honors seem to be addressed primarily to believing men. Does this mean that believing women are entitled to lesser rewards and honors compared to believing men?
Answer:
There is no doubt that the glad tidings of rewards in the Hereafter are general for both men and women.
Allah Almighty says:
"I will not allow to be lost the work of any worker among you, whether male or female."
— Surah Al-Imran: 195
In another place, Allah states:
"Whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer, We will surely grant them a good life."
— Surah An-Nahl: 97
Similarly, He says:
"Whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer, they will enter Paradise."
— Surah An-Nisa: 124
Furthermore, Allah Almighty declares:
"Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their chastity and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so — for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward."
— Surah Al-Ahzab: 35
In addition, Allah mentions the entry of all believing men and women into Paradise, for example:
"They and their spouses will be in shade."
— Surah Ya-Sin: 56
And:
"Enter Paradise, you and your spouses, in happiness."
— Surah Az-Zukhruf: 70
Regarding the recreation of women, Allah Almighty has said:
"Indeed, We have created them [i.e., the women of Paradise] anew, and made them virgins."
— Surah Al-Waqi'ah: 35-36
This means that Allah will grant old women the status of virgins, just as He will restore old men to their youthful vigor.
It is mentioned in Hadith that the women of this world will have superiority over the Houris of Paradise due to their worship and obedience. Believing women will also enter Paradise just like men. If a woman in this world had been married to multiple men and she is deserving of entering Paradise, she will be given the choice to select one of them as her husband. She will choose the one who had the best character among them.