Q:

Asslam-o-alaikum! 

I hope you are well by the grace of Allah Almighty. Can you kindly explain me the meaning of Surah Al-Imran Verse no. 14? I am really confused. All the translations I have read have objectified women. And that women are only here to give pleasure to men. How can Allah objectify one of the genders? I do not believe that so kindly clear that to me. May Allah bless you! 

A:

Wa alaykum assalamu wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving.

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

Verse number 14 of surat Aal-Imran can be interpreted as “Made fair-seeming to people are [their] beloved desires- as to women, and [begetting] sons, and heaped up piles of gold and silver, and well-bred horses, and cattle, and tillage. That is the mere enjoyment of the life of this world. Yet with Allah is the most excellent resort.” (3:14)

If women were objectified by the verse, sons would be objectified too; which is not true and has nothing to do with the purpose of the verse. The verse unmistakably speaks about the worldly desires that dominate the minds and hearts of the majority of people and divert them from the real purpose of their creation.

It is a warning against being tempted by these worldly beloved desires, since better alternatives are awaiting in the Hereafter as the next verse reads, “Say: Shall I tell you of something [far] better than this, [reserved] for those who are God-fearing? They shall have Gardens [of Paradise] with their Lord, beneath which rivers flow, wherein they shall abide forever- along with spouses, ever pure, and the good pleasure of Allah. And Allah is all-seeing of [all His] servants.” (3:15)

Allah knows best.