Islam_in_Focus_text

was no surprise to the Creator. Nor was it an accident in the
course of events. It was too meaningful to be accidental.
Rather, it seems to have been designed to discipline the first
nian, to give him actual experience of fail and rise, moral de-
feat and triumph, straying from and reconciliation with the
Creator. In this way, man would become better prepared for
life and more enlightened to face its uncertainties and trying
moments.
5. Eve was not the weaker party of the first human
couple. She neither tempted Adam to eat of the forbidden
tree nor was she alone responsible for the expulsion from the
Garden of Eden. Both Adam and Eve were equally tempted
and equally responsible; both were remorsefuL repented, and
were blessed with the Forgiveness and Compassion of God.
This is significant as it liberates Eve from the curse that has
foliowed her and her sex throughout the ages, and acquits
her of the charge that she alone bears all or most of the
responsibility for the Fail, Furthermore, it declares in no
uncertain terms that the belief in the moral inferiority of
women is unfounded and the double Standard is totally
unjustifiable. Here, as elsewhere, the Qur'an makes it very
elear that both man and woman are equally capable of virtue
and weakness, equally sensitive, and equally meritorious.
8) See the Concept of Sin above.
(m)