The Muslimah

Living in the West we find it hard to contemplate over the life of the Muslim woman in an Islamic society. Indeed as Muslims today we are faced with a complete backlash from the kufaar when it comes to the issue of the Muslim woman. The Muslimah in the eyes of society is one who is oppressed and degraded by her husband, father, brother, uncle and so forth. What society fails to understand is that the real Muslim woman is far from their claims; for certainly their claims will best suit the women of the West.

Due to the propaganda of the West, regarding the Muslim woman, it is indeed vital to understand the driving forces behind this title, which the Muslimah is labelled with day in and day out.

There are many Muslim sisters facing difficult times, in which they are shown the abuse from the secularists, non-Muslims and indeed the "moderate" Muslims. Therefore, it becomes vital to understand that the only solution to this is the implementation of Islam in our lives. And those of you, who decide to integrate with the kufaar, know that it will never solve your problems, rather it will bring further destruction into your lives.

Without doubt the women for many of us are our wives, daughters, sisters, aunts, and etc. The women by fact are the honour of the Muslim brothers, therefore whoever they may be to us, they must be looked after.

Unlike other religions and cultures, the women in Islam are not products. For this reason, the greatest women in Islam are indeed Maryam, Khadija - all the wives of the Messenger Muhammad [SAW], the sahabiyaath, the wives of the companions of Muhammad [SAW] and so forth.

Islam has placed the woman in a high level and stance. If we look to the Qur'an we will find that some of the chapters are indeed named after the women, such as An-Nisa', Maryam, Mujadillah, and Mumtahinah.

Though the chapters do not stand by their own, rather there are many ayaath about the women too:

Allah (SWT) said:

"So their Lord accepted of them (their supplication and answered them), Never will I allow to be lost the work of any of you, be he male or female?"
[EMQ 3:195]

"The believers, men and women, are Auliy?' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma'roof and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar; they perform As-Salat and give the Zak?t, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.

"[EMQ 9:71]

"It may be if he divorced you (all) that his Lord will give him instead of you, wives better than you, Muslims (who submit to Allah), believers, obedient to Allah, turning to Allah in repentance, worshipping Allah sincerely, fasting or emigrants (for Allah's sake), previously married and virgins"
[EMQ 66:5]

"And wish not for the things in which Allah has made some of you to excel others. For men there is reward for what they have earned, (and likewise) for women there is reward for what they have earned, and ask Allah of His Bounty. Surely, Allah is Ever All-Knower of everything".

[EMQ 4:32]

"?Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in the husband's absence what Allah orders them to guard.

[EMQ 4:34]

Therefore when we look to the Qur'anic verses we indeed see that the women are addressed in a high manner.

Examples of some great women in our history

Queen of Sheeba
The Queen of Sheeba was a mature woman, who even before she became subservient to the tawheed she would consult her decisions with others. This truly shows that she never had any form of arrogance in her, despite the fact that she was the queen. Due to this beautiful attribute of hers, did she realise the truth in the call of Sulaiman [as].

Umm ..Attiyah
Umm ..Attiyah was a woman who participated in seven battles with the Messenger Muhammad (SAW) for the sake of Allah (SWT). She also nursed the wounded soldiers from the battle.

Her role was to serve the Mujahideen, by looking after their belongings and cooking for them.

Umm Sulaym (Rumaisah bint Milhan)
Umm Sulaym (ra) was a model Muslimah, a model wife and mother. Her belief (and actions) in Allah (SWT) was strong and uncompromising. She was not prepared to endanger her faith and the upbringing of her children for wealth and luxury, however abundant and tempting. She was devoted to the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and dedicated her son Anas bin Maalik (ra) to his service. She (ra) took the responsibility of educating her children and she played an active part in public life, sharing with the other Muslims the hardships and the joys of building a true Islamic community and living for the pleasure of Allah (SWT).

Umm Imarah (Nusaibah)
Umm Imarah, was the warrior who stood firm when many fled, who sent her wounded son back into the thick of the battle, and was prepared to lose her own life to save the life of the Messenger Muhammad (SAW). In return, she received the du'aa of the Messenger Muhammad's (SAW) companionship in Paradise.

A'isha bint Abu Bakr
Indeed there is much praise to express about A'isha, it would not do justice had we summarised it to one paragraph only.

A'isha was one of the four who transmitted over 2000 hadeeths.

Ramlah bint Abu Sufyan
Ramlah, known as Umm Habibah, was the woman who dared to challenge her own father's authority when she rejected the deities of the Quraysh and their idolatrous ways. Together with her husband, Ubaydullah ibn Jahsh, she put her faith in Allah alone and accepted the message of His prophet, Muhammad (saw).

Abu Sufyan tried with all the power and force at his disposal to bring back his daughter and her husband to his religion and the religion of their forefathers. But he did not succeed. The faith which was embedded in the heart of Ramlah was too strong to be uprooted.

Roles of the Muslimah

Issue of working
The role of the Muslimah is not to be outside in society working; rather her work is based at her home, in which her duty is towards. Those women who work out in society must understand that they are not to accept the calls of the West, behaving like men. Although there will be some positive outcomes in working, one must realise that if it was weighed against the negative outcomes, indeed in a general case the scale will tip lower on the negative side.

The only time where the Muslimah is requested to work in society is on an occasion of necessity. Whereby she has no body, or is rootless, she must then work to provide herself with the daily necessities.

In an Islamic state there will be women to whom are designated the tasks to study and learn the professions which men on their own cannot deliver to society ? such as to become nurses, doctors and etc.

Issue of covering
The West must accept the fact that the Muslimah does not cover to hide her features which may be deemed as physical defects, nor does she cover because of the commands of her father, husband or brother. Rather the covering the Muslimah was legislated by her Lord, Allah (SWT).

Role of the wife in Islam
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:

"The whole world is a provision, and the best object of provision in this world is the pious woman.

In Islaam, the wife plays a pivotal role in married life and her role necessitates that she possess certain qualities, thus making her a good wife. Her thoughts, speech, actions and inclinations are all for the sake of gaining the pleasure of Allah (SWT), The Lord of the Universe. When a wife seeks to please her husband, ultimately it is the pleasure of Allah (SWT) that she wishes to seek. The qualities that a wife should possess, which are liked by her Creator have been outlined in Soorah al-Ahzaab. The Muslim woman is a true woman, humble, patient, constant, guards her modesty in her husband's absence, maintains integrity in times of adversity and prosperity and engages much in the praise of Allah (SWT).

Role of the Da'eeyah in Islaam
Allah (SWT) does not restrict the da'wah to men alone but refers to the entire Ummah of Muhammad (SAW) when He says,

"Invite to the way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with Hikmah (divine evidences), and argue with them in a way that is better.

[EMQ 16: 125]

Therefore, the women, just like the men should call to Allah (SWT) and command the good and forbid the evil in ways and etiquettes prescribed by the Share'ah.

In the time of the Messenger Muhammad (saw), women took their role as daa'iyahs seriously. It is narrated by Abu Sa'eed (ra) that the women used to approach the Prophet (saw) and say, "The men are keeping you busy and we do not get enough attention from you, would you specify a day for us?" He (saw) promised them a day to meet with them and educate them (al-Bukhaari).

Furthermore, the Messenger (saw), when addressing the people used to say:

"Let the one who is present convey what he has heard to the one who is absent.
[al-Bukhari]

Conclusion

Let the West hear our call today, that the Muslimah is not the woman oppressed as you have labelled her to be. Rather she has vital roles to play, and the Ummah of Islam indeed hold an important place for the Muslimath. It is about time, you (Kufaar) shifted your labels to your own women, who are requested to act like homosexuals; their role is nothing other then to pose naked to be placed on bill boards or sold as photo-stickers which without doubt every rapist will stare upon.

Our women are our honour, we are their shells and they are our peals. No society can prove their love towards their women if they cannot even protect them.


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umm anas al ansaiyah