Sayyidah Ummu Salamah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) once said to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “Men participate in jihaad whereas women do not. We receive half the (share of men in) inheritance.” (Sunan Tirmizi #3022)

Her words were not an objection, rather, she expressed a noble longing – wishing that if she were a man, she too could attain the merits and virtues that Allah Ta‘ala had assigned to men. Other women likewise expressed the wish that, had they been men, they would have participated in jihaad and reaped its reward.

On another occasion, a woman asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that since a man receives a double share in inheritance, and the testimony of a woman is counted as half that of a man, does this mean that a woman’s reward for worship is also half?”

In response to these thoughts and questions, Allah Ta‘ala revealed the verse,

‌وَلَا تَتَمَنَّوْا مَا فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ بِهِ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۚ لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا اكْتَسَبُوا ۖ وَلِلنِّسَاءِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا اكْتَسَبْنَ ۚ وَاسْأَلُوا اللَّهَ مِن فَضْلِهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا

“And do not desire that which Allah has granted some of you over others. For men is a share of what they earn, and for women is a share of what they earn. And ask Allah of His bounty. Indeed, Allah has full knowledge of everything.” (Surah Nisaa v32)

This verse prohibits longing for distinctions that Allah Ta‘ala has exclusively bestowed upon others – traits that cannot be gained through effort. Gender, lineage, beauty or natural ability are matters decreed by Allah Ta‘ala, not achievements earned by a human’s effort.

A woman cannot turn herself into a man. A person cannot choose to be born into the family of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), nor can he reshape his natural form. To yearn for such blessings is fruitless, and worse, it breeds envy – the destructive desire that others lose their blessings. This envy has been the root of endless disputes, oppression, and even bloodshed throughout human history.

Instead, the Quraan Majeed calls believers to contentment. Each quality Allah Ta‘ala distributes – whether wealth, strength, beauty or family honour – is given with wisdom. What appears “less” for one may actually be a mercy protecting them from trials. True peace lies in accepting one’s allotted share with gratitude.

At the same time, not all desires are blameworthy. Islam encourages believers to aspire towards what can be earned through effort – knowledge, good character, ‘ibaadah and righteous deeds. These are fields open to all, and both men and women are equally rewarded.

The verse explicitly states, “For men is a share of what they earn, and for women is a share of what they earn.” This makes it clear that while certain physical and social responsibilities differ between the genders, in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala their spiritual striving is measured with complete fairness. A man’s effort is not greater in value than that of a woman, nor is a woman’s effort diminished in weight. Each person is rewarded proportionate to their own deeds, without reduction or bias.

Thus, no one should think that differences in inheritance or testimony imply a difference in spiritual worth. Worldly responsibilities may differ, but in the arena of imaan, worship, and striving for the Hereafter, men and women stand on equal footing.

Some women wondered why men receive a larger share of inheritance. This verse, followed by the next, clarifies that the laws of inheritance are rooted in Allah Ta‘ala’s perfect wisdom. The shares are not random, nor are they unjust.

Perhaps the wisdom behind it is that men are obligated to provide for their wives, children and sometimes extended family. Women, however, have no financial obligation – even if they inherit wealth, their share, though smaller, is entirely their own. Thus, what appears unequal in distribution is balanced by differing responsibilities.

Allah Ta‘ala, in His knowledge, has arranged these laws with justice. Human reason cannot grasp every wisdom behind divine rulings, but believers are assured that His commands are never without fairness. To demand identical shares without considering differing duties would, in reality, create injustice.

The verse concludes with the following guidance, “Ask Allah of His bounty.” Instead of longing for another’s position or blessings, turn to Allah Ta‘ala and seek His grace. His bounty manifests differently for each person. Rather than demanding a specific condition, a believer should ask Allah Ta‘ala for His grace, trusting that He knows best what form of bounty is suited to each servant.

In summary, this verse addresses the natural human tendency to compare and covet. It directs us away from envy toward contentment, ambition in good deeds and trust in Allah Ta‘ala’s wisdom. It reassures women that their efforts are fully valued, and it clarifies that divine laws – such as inheritance – are not unjust, but perfectly balanced.

(Adapted from Ma‘aariful Quraan vol. 2, pg. 388 and Tafseer Ibnu Katheer vol. 3, pg. 27 & 88)