Does chapter 43 verse 18 look down on women?

In chapter 43 verse 18 the Quran may seem to imply that the woman does not possess as much intelligence as the man since she is brought up amidst adornments: “[Do you ascribe to God] one who is brought up among ornaments and who cannot produce a cogent argument?”[1] Some may assume that this verse humiliates women and considers them less intelligent compared to men.

This assumption is false. The aforementioned verse just emphasizes two significant features of feminine characteristics. There is no humiliation at all. The sexual differences are not weird, and everyone can recognize how boys and girls behave differently, from early years of their life. Psychologists and sociologists agree that differences exist between the two genders.[2]  

These differences, however, do not mean that one gender is better than the other. That is why, though not ignoring their differences, the Quran treats both genders equally: “And their Lord responded to them, "Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female…”[3] or “Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life … .”[4]

The Quran explicitly asserts that human beings are equal in humanity, though they are different in talent and potential. Not only are man and woman different, but also every person is different from others. Based on the Quran, human beings were created different because of different positions, careers and responsibilities in the society that needed to be filled or taken up. [5] The Qur’an says: “It is We who … have raised some of them above others in degrees [of rank] that they may make use of one another for service … .”[6]

In general, humans possess different potential and characteristics because they should take up different responsibilities in the society. So, is would not be right to conclude that the Quran humiliates women because it refers to their differences from men in characteristics and potential.

Just imagine how our society would be if everyone possessed the same talent, potential and characteristics. If human beings resembled each other in emotion, intellect, talent and generally in every characteristic, they would not be able to build their societies and civilizations.

In conclusion, people in general, no matter to what gender they belong, possess different talents and characteristics, and there is good rationale behind these differences as mentioned in the Quran. Having said that, it is human beings’ greediness and sensuality that lead them to practice discrimination or establish unjust social structures, positions and relations under the pretext of these biological and sexual differences. In other words, humans' sensuality leads them not to make use of these differences to establish a prosperous society.

Notes:
[1] Chapter 43, verse 18.  أَوَمَنْ ينَشَّأُ فِي الْحِلْيةِ وَهُوَ فِي الْخِصَامِ غَيرُ مُبِينٍ
[2] See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_psychology
[3] Chapter 3, verse 195…. أَنِّي لَا أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِنْكُمْ مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَى بَعْضُكُمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ…
[4] Chapter 16, verse 97. مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيينَّهُ حَياةً طَيبَةً
[5] See: Shobahat & Rodud Hovl al-Qur’an al-Karim, Mohammad Hadi Marifat, p 123; Tafsir-e Nemoneh, Makarim Shirazi, vol 21, p 27; Ahsan Al-Hadith, Ali Akbar Qurashi, vol 10, p 17;
[6] Chapter 43, verse 32. وَرَفَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ لِيتَّخِذَ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضًا سُخْرِيا