Women in Islam:
The schoar, Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul Wahhaab al-Wasaabee said:
“Allah wants purity and chastity for His servants. Allah wants purity and chastity for the believing men and the believing women, and the Muslim men and the Muslim women.He wants chastity, modesty, shyness, belief and Religion, while those who follow their own desires want the believers to deviate from their path, those who follow their desires want you to turn totally away from your Religion and the Truth. So will you not fear Allah? Oh slaves of Allah?
And it is also upon the Muslim women to fear Allah! By Allah, all these deceptive calls directed toward the Muslim women, by Allah, if a woman answers them then she harms no one except herself and she will come to regret it at a time when her regret is of no use. The enemies of Islam only desire to have the Muslim women for their own pleasure, so they bring forth the call for women’s emancipation. What is this emancipation? Rather, you should say the woman’s torture! They are nothing but liars. They are deceivers! They are not advisers, they are deceivers! What is this women’s emancipation? Are the women being punished by us?!? The woman in Islam is supported and honored. A woman in Islam is a leader, a leader in her house and a caretaker.”
From:
My Home, My Path by Umm Mujaahid Khadijah bint Lacina – Pages 59-60
Description from the publisher:
The stereotype of the Muslim woman is that of an oppressed, ignorant, repressed individual, confined to her house, shackled by her religion. This is blatantly untrue – but what, then, is the role of the Muslim woman in her family and society as a whole? The answer is found in “My Home, My Path”, a compilation of writings and rulings chosen to highlight and explain the extremely important role and exalted position of the Muslim woman. There are treatises by such scholars as Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen, Shaykh Saalih Fawzaan, Shaykh Abdul Aziz ibn Baaz, and Shaykh Muhammad al-Imaam, discussing the role of the woman in her family, household, and the larger society, as well as her position in Islam as a leader, role model, teacher and caller, among other things. There are rulings regarding marriage, children, beliefs, and more, all carefully chosen to be pertinent to the Muslim woman living in the West or coming from a Western background. An entire section is devoted to the obligations of the women to her Lord, her husband, her children, and more, listed and explained with the proofs. The appendixes include valuable information on the importance and benefits of seeking knowledge, a list of some of the female students in the center of Shaykh Muqbil ibn Haadee al-Waadi’ee, practical advice on balancing seeking knowledge with other obligations, rulings regarding free mixing between the sexes, and a concise, useful listing of foundations for a successful marriage.
At a time when there are so many mixed messages and astray calls aimed at the Muslim woman, it is imperative that she arm herself with true knowledge of her position, role, rights and responsibilities in order to strengthen herself and strive to do that which is pleasing to Allah. Although this book is aimed at Muslim women, men can benefit as well from the information contained in it, including an explanation of the pillars of Islam and Eemaan. In particular, Shaykh Muqbil’s khutbah concerning marriage, and Shaykh Muhammad al-Imaam’s khutbah on the rectification of the household, are invaluable; and the men’s role as the guardian and caretaker of his family puts him in the position of needing to know what he should be encouraging and assisting his wives and daughters to achieve in order to attain success in this life and the next. In addition, there are rulings and information concerning raising children, dealing with spouses, parents, neighbors and others, and general information which is pertinent to the Believing man as well as the Believing woman.
Shaykh Saalih Fawzaan, may Allah preserve him says,
“So how can one come and say that the woman is oppressed in the Muslim society, except that it is apparent that this speaker is ignorant, and does not look at the woman in the society of those who disbelieve in Islam and how she lives now, and compare her place with the position of the Muslim woman, to understand the difference between the two, and to comprehend the state of ignorance,, until he does not pronounce the speech which he speaks, and which is heard and repeated without any chain of narration, and without any comprehension at all…”
“My Home, My Path” relies on the source texts of Islam, the Qur’an and the Sunnah (way/ example) of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s praise and salutations be upon him, according to the understanding and practice of the pious predecessors. It also relies upon the words of the people of knowledge to assist us in clearly understanding that which is meant in the texts, in order that we have a correct understanding of the information instead of one based on opinion and desire. It is the second in a series of books aimed at the Muslim woman of today, the first of which was “My Hijaab, My Path”. It is an invaluable resource for anyone striving to live Islam.
As well as Shaykh ‘Abdul ‘Azeez Ibn Baaz (May Allah have mercy on him)
This small article was a response to a particular question concerning the position and status of Muslim women, and has been taken from his Majmoo’ Fataawaa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi’ah (3/348-350).
The status of the Muslim woman in Islam is a very noble and lofty one, and her effect is very great in the life of every Muslim. Indeed, the Muslim woman is the initial teacher in the building of a righteous society, providing she follows the guidance from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace be upon him). Since adherence to the Qur’an and the Sunnah distances every Muslim male or female from being misguided in any matter. The misguidance that the various nations suffer from, the path of Allah the Most Perfect, the Most High, and from what His Prophets and Messengers, may Allah’s peace and prayers be upon them all, came with.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“I am leaving behind two matters, you will not go astray as long as you cling to them both, the Book of Allah and my Sunnah (way/ example).” [2]
The great importance of the Muslim woman’s role – whether as wife, sister or daughter – and the rights that are due to her and the obligations due from her have been explained in the noble Qur’an, and further details of this have been explained in the purified Sunnah.
The secret of her importance lies in the tremendous burden and responsibility that is placed upon her, and the difficulties that she has to shoulder. In terms of responsibilities, some of which not even a man can bear. This is why from the most important obligations upon a person is to show gratitude to the mother, and kindness and good companionship with her. And in this matter, she is to be given precedence over and above the father.
Allah the Most High, says:
“And We have enjoined upon man to be dutiful and good to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness upon weakness and hardship upon hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Show gratitude and thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination.”
[Al-Qur’an 31:14]
Allah the Most High, said:
“And We have enjoined upon man to be dutiful and kind to his parents. His mother bears him with hardship, and she brings him forth with hardship. And the bearing and the weaning of him is thirty months.”
[Al-Qur’an 41:15]
A man came to Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said:
O Messenger of Allah! Who from amongst mankind warrants the best companionship from me.
He replied:
“Your mother.”
The man asked: Then who?
So he replied:
“Your mother.”
The man asked: Then who?
So the Prophet replied again:
“Your mother.”
The man then asked: Then who?
So he replied:
“Then your father.” [3]
So this necessitates that the mother is given three times the likes of kindness and good treatment than the father.
As regards the wife, then her effect in making the soul tranquil and serene, has been clearly shown in the noble ayah (verse), in His – the Most High’s – saying:
“And from amongst His Signs is this: That He created for you wives from amongst yourselves, so that you may find serenity and tranquility in them, And He has put between you love and compassion. Indeed, in this are signs for those who reflect.”
[Al-Qur’an 30:21]
Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer (d.774H) – rahimahullaah – said, whilst explaining the terms mawaddah and rahmah which occur in the above verse:
“Al-mawaddah means love and affection, and ar-rahmah means compassion and pity, since a man takes the hand of a woman either due to his love for her, or because of compassion and pity for her; by giving to her a child from himself…” [4]
And the unique stance that the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) wife Khadeejah – May Allah be pleased with her – took, had a huge effect in calming and reassuring Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him), when the angel Gabriel – peace be upon him – first came to him in the cave of Hiraa. The Prophet (peace be upon him) returned to Khadeejah with the first Revelation and with his heart trembling and beating severely, saying to her,”Cover me! Cover me!” So she covered him until his fear was over, after which he told Khadeejah – May Allah be pleased with her – everything that had happened, and said: “I fear that something may happen to me.” She said to him: “Never! By Allah! Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good ties with relations, you help the poor and the destitute, you serve your guests generously and assist those who have been affected with calamities.” [5]
And do not forget about ‘Aaishah – May Allah be pleased with her – and her immense contribution. Even the eminent Sahabah (Companions) used to take knowledge of Hadeeth from her, and many of the Sahaabiyaat (female Companions) learnt the various rulings pertaining to women’s issues from her.
(The scholar mentions): And I have no doubt that my mother (may Allah shower His mercy upon her) had a tremendous effect upon me, and has a great excellence over me, in encouraging me to study, and she assisted me in it. May Allah greatly increase her reward and reward her with the best of rewards for what she did for me.
And there is no doubt also, that the house in which there is kindness, gentleness, love and care, with the correct Islamic tarbiyah (education and cultivation) will greatly affect the man. So he will become, if Allah wills, successful in his affairs and in any matter whether it be seeking knowledge, trading, earning a living, etc.
So it is Allah alone that I ask to grant us all success and to guide us all to that which He loves and is pleased with. And may the prayers and peace of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his Family, his Companions and his followers.
Source:
Al-Istiqaamah , Issue No.1 – Dhul-Hijjah 1416H/May 1996
Notes:
[1] He is the exemplary Scholar: Abu ‘Abdullaah, ‘Abdul-’Azeez bin ‘Abdullaah bin Baaz. He was born in the city of Riyaadh (Sa’udi Arabiah) on the 12th Dhul-Hijjah in the year 1330H. He began seeking knowledge by first memorising the Quran before reaching the age of maturity. He then went on to study the various Islamic sciences, such as ‘Aqeedah (Beliefs), Fiqh (Jurisprudence), Usoolul-Fiqh (Fundamentals of Jurisprudence),Hadith (Prophetic Narrations), Faraa’id (Laws of Inheritance), Nahw (Grammar) and Sarf (Morphology) – even though the Shaykh became permanently blind at the age of seventeen. He studied these sciences under some of the most prominent Scholars of Riyaadh and Makkah of his time, including Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul-Lateef ibn Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Hasan and also the former grand-muftee and noble scholar, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem – whom he studied under for ten years. He is eighty-six years old, mild, generous and forbearing in nature, whilst firm, yet wise, when speaking the truth. He is a zaahid (one who abstains) with respect to this world and is one of the foremost Scholars of Ahlul-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’at in this present age. The noble Shaykh has – by Allah’s grace – devoted his whole life to the cause of Islam and its people, authoring many books and booklets, teaching and serving the masses, along with being very active in the field of da’wah. May Allah protect our noble father and Shaykh, and may He continue to benefit the Ummah with him.
[2] Hasan: Related by Malik in al-Muwatta (2/899) and al-Hakim (1/93), from Ibn ‘Abbas radiallaahu ‘anhu. It was authenticated by al-Albaani in as-Saheehah (no.1871).
[3] Related by al-Bukhari (no. 5971) and Muslim (7/2), from Abu Hurayrah radiallaahu ‘anhu.
[4] Tafseer Qur’aanul-’Adheem (3/439) of Ibn Katheer.
[5] Related by al-Bukhari (1/22) and Muslim (1/139), from the lengthy narration of ‘Aaishah radiallaahu ‘anha.
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