Bossism’ is a principle of nature | The Sunday Guardian | 1st July ’12 | Page 13
The Quran accepts "bossism" as a principle of nature, it being present in every department of life. The Quran includes only the home in this general list. It says, "Men are protectors (qawwam) of women, because God has made some of them excel others" (4:34).
Another verse reads, "Is it they who apportion the mercy of your Lord? — We raise some of them above others in rank" (43:32).
For certain practical reasons, God Almighty created people with differences. No two men or women are equal by birth. In fact, every man and woman is like a special creation. Everyone has a unique capacity that others don't have. Studies show that every man is Mr Different and every woman is Ms Different.
This difference is not accidental; it is directly in accordance with the Creation Plan of God. Equality, on the contrary, is not in accordance with it. There are many advantages of this inequality or difference. It is this difference that creates competition and challenges between persons and groups.
It is this difference that makes it possible to have an organised life. If everyone was entirely equal, organised life would not be possible. Had everyone been born as Mr Equal and Ms Equal, it would have led to anarchy. No organisation is possible in a group where everyone is equal.
In the above verse of the Quran, man is evidently enjoined to live as part of an organisation. But had everyone been equal in every respect, no organised life would have been possible in this world. Equals can only live in anarchy and not in an organisation or with unity.
An organisation requires a head, and equals cannot accept anyone as a head when everyone sees that everyone else is an equal. This does not mean that the Quran believes in discrimination.