This quote about two women as witnesses has been used out of context by the population that “googles Quran” without understanding it nor studying or reflecting on it in the context of the Sunnah.

These two witnesses are sought in women in a financial /inheritance related witnessing. The reason as I understand it being that one woman may be threatened or coerced by someone close in ties, due to the nature of the financial business being settled. But the presence of a second woman would preclude this from happening.

In islamic history one woman has been accepted as a witness in many scenarios, the two most significant examples being:

Hazrat Ayesha (RA) who every time she narrated the Hadith she bore witness to its authenticity.

Naila (RA) see: http://asqfish.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/naila

For more on witnessing and the rights of muslim women: see “The struggle of muslim women” by Dr. K. Siddique, it is quite an eye opener for most women, muslim and otherwise.

Allah knows best.