While spiritually equal, men and women have different roles, rights, and responsibilities that guide how they interact in the domestic sphere and in society at large. For example, Allah declares that “men are the protectors and maintainers of women” [Qur’an, 4:34]. Men are hence responsible for their families, while women are granted the right to be supported financially throughout their lives.
God’s law, the Shariah, takes these differences into account. Although by default men and women follow the same religious rulings, in certain aspects the rulings pertaining to the two genders differ (e.g., in aspects of prayer, inheritance, or dress code).
Allah teaches us not to compete for the same roles and responsibilities, but rather to work alongside one another in enjoining good, forbidding evil, and forming communities that exalt the Divine Command: “And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of His bounty. Indeed Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing” [Qur’an, 4:32].