Q: There is an authentic hadith I believe in Sahih Bukhari that many critics of Islam quote where the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is explaining as to why a woman’s testimony is half to that of a man. As I mentioned these critics imply that Islam insults and degrades women by calling them deficient in intelligence, and to prove their point they use this hadith. In this era when feminism narrative is getting aggressive how do we respond to such assertions of our religion’s critics.
Can you please explain what is the accurate meaning of this hadith?
Are we as Muslims supposed to advocate women is intellectually deficient as critics of islam claim?
Sadly I have seen cases myself where practicing muslim youth have come to declare that they have issues with shariah perhaps might be committing kufr because of such actions. I do not want the same happening within my own family and children. I believe we can only strengthen iman of our families and prevent apostasy within muslim community if we are intellectually prepared to deal with ideological challenges.
I will await your clarification to my questions above.