A Brief Look at the Quranic Verse, " And the men are a degree above them" [2:228]

Main question: What is meant by “degree” in the above verse? This article aims to explain the meaning of the word “degree” (darajah) in the Quranic verse in which God, the Exalted, says, “and the men are a degree above them”. The explanations are given with a view towards the sayings of the exegetes and commentators of the Quran and the literal meaning of the word. The article finds a correlation between this verse of Chapter al-Baqarah and another verse from Chapter al-Nisa in which God, the Exalted, says, “men are the protectors and maintainers of women” because many commentators are of the view that these verses are interpreting each other. It has been clarified in this article that the verse is not meant to assume a higher position for men as being closer and dearer to God. Rather it points out that there are differences between men and women considering their roles and duties towards each other. It emphasizes on the fact that the criterion for proximity to God is piety and good deeds. This is something which is coherent and compliant with divine justice and the true nature of Islam.