Why is it that two women have to testify versus one man in financial transactions?

[tariqkhwaja]

Assalamualaikum.

In one particular instance where the matter relates to financial affairs, their it is suggested by the Holy Quran that instead of one man have two women testify to this agreement so that if one forgets the other may remind her. It never said that both should offer their testimony together and that would be one. The testominy remains single. The verse is as follows:

Al-Baqarah Chapter 2 : Verse 283
O ye who believe! When you borrow one from another for a fixed period, then write it down. And let a scribe write it in your presence faithfully; and no scribe should refuse to write, because Allah has taught him, so let him write and let him who incurs the liability dictate, and he should fear Allah, his Lord, and not diminish anything therefrom. But if the person incurring the liability be of low understanding or be weak or be unable himself to dictate, then let someone who can guard his interest dictate with justice. And call two witnesses from among your men; and if two men be not available, then a man and two women, of such as you approve as witnesses, so that if either of the two women should forget, then one may remind the other. And the witnesses should not refuse when they are called. And be not averse to writing it down whether it be small or large, along with its appointed time of payment. This is more equitable in the sight of Allah and makes testimony surer and is more likely to save you from doubt; so write it down except that it be ready transaction which you make among yourselves on the spot in which case it shall be no sin for you that you write it not. And have witnesses when you sell one to another, and let no harm be done to the scribe or the witness. And if you do that, then certainly it shall be disobedience on your part. And fear Allah. And Allah teaches you and Allah knows all things quite well.

Now this is because most often in the world than not ladies don't look after the business affairs and particularly they are weak in understanding financial transactions. So it is only in the context of financial transaction. Why two ladies? Not so that they should testify together but only because if during the testimony has not fully understood the other lady should remind her. Otherwise, the testimony is enough. If the other lady dies the testimony would still hold good.

The prescence of two women for each man, furthermore, is not at all required in any other matter in the holy quran (in criminal witnessing, for example). But unfortunately, this is what is assumed in mainstream Islam. Women are required in twos to bear witness in every matter.

Yet in the Quran there is only the financial instance where two women are required and even there, one serves as a reminder to the other. The testimony of both is NOT mandatory. Both serve as reminders to each other and nothing more.

The answer I typed above is a gist of Ask Islam: Why is it necessary to have two women to testify in regards to financial transactions versus the need to have only one man testify?.