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Interestingly enough, a man that has extramarital relations or commits any major sin, would be 100% liable for punishment from a Sharia perspective. But socially, the Muslim community tends to overlook male sin & encourage repentance rather than disciplinary action (thread). https://twitter.com/Geemme/status/1265050230011166720
This is where most people would deflect to culture being the issue, since it's not strictly originating from the doctrine. However I would still attribute blame to Islam first & foremost for setting up a patriarchal social system that produces an oppressive paternalistic mindset.
A mindset that men are superior in intellect, mental stability, religiosity & general capacity to conduct themselves independently in their day to day lives. They are therefore trusted to explore & make mistakes, finding their way back to righteousness on their own in the future.
Women however are easily influenced, easily tempted towards sin & too weak to fight their way back to the right path. We know this bc of predictions that they dominate hell fire. A short leash protects them from themselves & can involve social, mental & financial deprivation.
We also see this as a valid strategy bc of the example set by the guardianship system, which 'relieves' women of the responsibility to make decisions about their lives. At any given stage of her life, a woman has a male guardian that she defers to for instructions or permission.
I think it's really important that we take the time to explain how the doctrine as a whole, with multiple contributing layers, contributes to problematic patterns within the community. Islam needs to be held accountable for both the social & legal precedents it sets.
Its too often that people will selectively look at one or the other to absolve it, without considering how they operate together as intended.
