Can I Have the Exact Same Reward as a Man in Paradise?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
I want to get close to Allah, but I can’t. I can improve my iman, physical strength, education, and finances to be better in Allah’s sight, but I can’t change my gender. I hate my gender, as it makes me less loved by Allah, and if I make it to Paradise, it will be a reason for reducing my bliss and reward.
I agree that a man and a woman have different natures and, hence different rewards; all I want is that if a man and I have the same good deeds that even though we may be given different things, his is not better than mine, so equal but different and be equal in the sight of Allah.
Answer
May Allah reward you for being worried about Allah’s fairness.
Exact Same Good Deeds
You mention that you want the same rewards as a man who does the same thing as you. This is impossible and illogical. A man is obliged to take care of women financially, while a woman is not obliged to care for anyone. A woman must wear a hijab on her head, while a man is not. A man is highly encouraged to pray at the mosque for obligatory prayers, while a woman is encouraged to pray at home. It is pretty near impossible for them to have the same deeds.
Male or Female
Allah’s reward for each will be sufficient and satisfying by His grace. Allah Most High said, “Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, We will surely bless them with a good life, and We will certainly reward them according to the best of their deeds.” [Quran, 16:97] Instead of hating your gender, hate your evil deeds and strive to improve yourself for the sake of Allah alone.
Please see these links as well:
How Do I Grow Closer to Allah?
Means of Seeking Closeness to Allah
The Prayers of Those Closest to Allah
Implications of Closeness to Allah – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Reader on Women’s Ranks in the Hereafter
May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqida, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
