Does a woman’s testimony count only half as much as a man’s?

No. The verse about two women as witnesses concerns only the writing down of financial transactions, and the second woman is there to support the first, not to halve her testimony.

It is often said that in Islam a woman as a witness is worth only half a man. That is wrong. Under no circumstances does a woman’s testimony count as half. The verse above is simply taken out of its context.

It does not speak about court cases, accidents or crimes. In such cases no one can choose the witnesses. Whoever saw something is a witness, man or woman. The verse concerns only one very particular situation: two people enter into a financial agreement and put it in writing. Then one can calmly consider whom to ask as witnesses.

For this situation the Holy Qur’an first recommends two men. The idea behind it is consideration. Women should, as far as possible, not be burdened with such duties. But if women are called, then two, so that one can remind the other if she confuses something.

This says nothing about a woman’s credibility or worth. It is a form of support. The second woman stands beside the first; she does not replace her. Even today people like to add a second witness to important contracts, simply because four eyes see more than two.

The Holy Qur’an gives this law for people in every part of the world and in every age. It takes their circumstances into account without lowering the status of women.