*!* The Qualities of a Believing Woman *!*

[Khayal]

The Qualities of a Believing Woman

:salamext:
Umm Salamah, a Prophet Muhammad's (SAWS) wife, once remarked to the Prophet (SAWS), "I hear of God mentioning men but not women." It was in this context that the following verse was revealed to the Prophet

: "…never will I allow to be lost the work of any of you, be he male or female. You are members one of another…" (Holy Qur'an, 3:195)

This makes it clear that, although males and females differ from one another biologically, they are equal in terms of human status, they have a definite partnership with one another, and there is no distinction made between them as regards their respective rights. They are, in fact, each other's lifetime companions.

The Principles of the Division of Work

With the social framework, however, Islam - to the extent that it is both natural and practical - has adopted the division of labor in respect of the sexes, the man's field of activity being basically external to the home, while the woman's is domestic.

This division, however, has never been intended as a form of discriminatory treatment. Its main purpose has always been to preserve the distinctive characteristics of both sexes, while deploying their respective talents and skills in the most socially useful manner. This enables both sexes to make the best use of their innate capabilities without causing any undue disruption in the family or in society. In modern parlance, this is a form of managerial optimization rather than sexual discrimination.

For this principle to be effective, the spheres of activity of men and women have had to be quite different and, of course, separate from each other. That is to say that the man's field of activity is in the outside world, while the woman's is in the home.

This traditional distinction has been so often cited by feminists as an inhibiting factor in women's lives that the true meaning of equality has been lost sight of. After all, it will be the very same virtues in thought, word and deed, which will be prerequisites for both sexes to enter Paradise.

If the qualities of piety, humility, honesty, patience and compassion are demanded of men, they will in like measure be demanded of women. The fact that men and women function in different spheres has no bearing whatsoever on the ultimate equality - in the eyes of God, Almighty.

Basic Attributes of Men and Women

The characteristics of true believers, both men and women, are depicted in the Qur'an in the following words: " Verily, the Muslims, men and women who have surrendered, believing men and believing women, obedient men and obedient women, truthful men and truthful women, enduring men and enduring women, humble men and humble women, men and women who give in charity, men who fast and women who fast, men and women who guard their chastity, men and women who remember God in abundance - for them God has prepared forgiveness and a great reward." (Holy Qur'an, 33: 35)

These then are the basic attributes, which both men and women must cultivate if they are to endear themselves to God, Most High, and become His favored servants:

1. Islam. The initial step to be taken is to embrace Islam, which means that one should willingly obey Allah (SWT) leading one's life within the bounds of God's commandments.

2. Iman (faith). Islam begins really to take root with the conscious discovery of Allah (SWT) which is known as iman (faith). When iman is genuine, the men or women concerned cannot but surrender themselves to Allah (SWT). Discovering God as their Creator causes them to treat Him as an object of worship and to mold their wealth to the cause of Allah (SWT).

They even stop eating and drinking the whole day throughout the month of Ramadan in obedience to Allah's will. Their consciousness of their servitude to Allah (SWT) makes them remember Him constantly, on all occasions and at all times.

3. Qunut (sincere obedience to Allah). This entails the adoption of the path of piety as shown by Allah (SWT) and His prophet (SAWS). It means the fullest concentration of the heart and mind on the will of the Almighty.

4. Sidq (truthfulness) means living an honest, straightforward life in the sense of saying plainly what one is going to do, and then actually doing as one has said. In other words, it means leading a life of principle.

5. Sabr (patience) is a quality, which enables one never to deviate from religious teachings, even if one is faced with difficulties and persecution.

It is the quality one needs in order to follow the path of truth, surmounting all obstacles, which have been placed there either by the self or by Satan. It is the virtue, which will keep one from abandoning the divine path and succumbing to worldly temptations.

6. Khushu' (apprehension, fear) is a powerful emotion which engenders an attitude of humility and submission. One comes to this state through a realization of God's greatness and His absolute power, which is in stark contrast to man's total powerlessness. The fear of Allah (SWT) completely engulfs the believer, making him bow before his Maker. In consequence, he becomes kind to and humble towards other human beings.

7. Sadaqah (alms-giving, charity) is the duty of acceding to others the right to a share in one's wealth. It makes one aware that if one's own needs require the expenditure of money for their satisfaction, so also do the needs of others. One is never then oblivious to the needs of others.

8. Sawm (fasting) must be practiced for the sake of Allah (SWT). By fasting, man contrasts his own helplessness with God's omnipotence, and thanks Him for the food and drink, which He has bestowed upon him.

9. Ihsan (chastity). It is important as it keeps one pure and guards one against shameful behavior. The sense of shame which Allah (SWT) has given man acts as a natural deterrent against permissiveness.

10. Dhikr (remembrance of God). One of the most important virtues is the frequent remembrance of Allah (SWT). It is not enough to have made the discovery of the Creator and Sustainer of mankind: truly virtuous men and women must remember Allah (SWT) at all times. One who has truly found Allah (SWT) will always have Him in his thoughts and will always have His name on his lips.

The 66th chapter of the Qur'an, entitled "Prohibition," mentions three more qualities of believing men and women: penitence, devoutness and obedience.

11. Tawbah (penitence) means feeling penitent about having committed a sin and then turning away from sinfulness. This is a very special attribute of believing men and women. In this world of trial one does make mistakes from time to time - dominated as one is by the self - but the effect of one's wrongdoing will not be irreversible if one at once turns to Allah (SWT) and repents one's misdeeds. This repentance acknowledges God's greatness as compared to man's insignificance. Those who are truly repentant find the greatest favor in God's eyes.

12.'Ibadah (worship). This is the act performed to acknowledge supernatural exaltedness. It is familiarly known as worship, and its object should be none other than the Almighty. Believing men and women worship God and God alone.

13. Itinerancy. The virtues of undertaking journeys for God's cause are best explained in the hadith recorded by Abu Dawud: "According to Abu Umamah, a certain individual once asked the Prophet's permission to become a dervish. The Prophet (SAWS) replied that the dervishism of his Ummah (community) meant struggling in the path of Allah."

Travelling for the cause of Allah (SWT) includes, according to Imam Raghib Asfahani, taking such action for His sake as necessitate moving about from one place to another. Examples of such travel are: covering long distances in order to acquire a knowledge of religion; emigrating for the sake of religion; visiting scenes of natural beauty or places of historical interest which have some lesson for mankind; and, especially, undertaking journeys in order to convey Allah's message to His creatures.

These qualities, separately enumerated above, when taken together, constitute an ideal, not just for men, but also for women. These are the qualities that form the basis of Islam, and are the true means of salvation in the world to come.

[Summarized from: Women between Islam and Western Society]

Monday : 28/04/2003

:wasalamex

Source: http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/archive...ang=E&id=38445

[sirajstc]

Wonder Full jazakalla kahair

[amna_mirza]

Thanks for the wonderful post. May Allah reward you

[hrm]

Nice cut and paste article from "Women between Islam and Western Society" . Khayal please be original and try to write something on your own for a change.
Whole point has been missed here by Miss Khayal.
She and others like her are just following what others are telling them without getting to the gist of the matter.
For Allah a good virtuous believing women is not one who fast, or prays 5 times or do haj etc etc.
The definition is so very simple and yet missed by even the Muftis and Aalim of Islam. Here it is in one sentence mentioned in Surah Nisa Ayat number 34
""""------ good women are the obidient ( to their husbands) guarding in secret that which Allah has guarded" (means 1, guarding their private parts in absence of husband and 2, also guarding her husband's secrets).

Why can't all women understand this. Life would be so much simple and straight .

I pray to Allah that He may guide us all to the right path which leads to the Jannah. Ameen

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[roshni]

:sl:
I agree with you hrm
""""------ good women are the obidient ( to their husbands) guarding in secret that which Allah has guarded" (means 1, guarding their private parts in absence of husband and 2, also guarding her husband's secrets).

The Quran also emphasizes the essential unity of men and women in the most beautiful metaphor for intimacy.

Allaah Says (what means): "…They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them…" [Quran 2: 187]

Just as a garment hides our nakedness, so do husband and wife, by entering into the relationship of marriage, secure each other's chastity, and cover each other's faults. The garment gives comfort, grace and beauty to the body; so does a husband find comfort in his wife's company and she in his.

Allah may guide us all to the right path Ameen.
:w:

[Khayal]

Nice cut and paste article from "Women between Islam and Western Society" . Khayal please be original and try to write something on your own for a change.
Whole point has been missed here by Miss Khayal.
She and others like her are just following what others are telling them without getting to the gist of the matter.
For Allah a good virtuous believing women is not one who fast, or prays 5 times or do haj etc etc.
The definition is so very simple and yet missed by even the Muftis and Aalim of Islam. Here it is in one sentence mentioned in Surah Nisa Ayat number 34
""""------ good women are the obidient ( to their husbands) guarding in secret that which Allah has guarded" (means 1, guarding their private parts in absence of husband and 2, also guarding her husband's secrets).

Why can't all women understand this. Life would be so much simple and straight .

I pray to Allah that He may guide us all to the right path which leads to the Jannah. Ameen

:sl:
InshaAllaah & Aameen to your dua, AND.. :)

It isn't necessary for everybody to be such a writer. Obviously, since I am not a scholar or aalimah I can't write such high-caliber scholarly articles. :)

I don't know who you are, or what your basis is for denouncing scholarly sources.

My humble advise to you is that you just practice what you preach and stop worrrying about others and finding faults with others. This will give you more peace and you will not burn in Hell becuase of defaming others. :)

I am glad to say that I act on my Islamic beliefs; and I really do not care if you or others do not do that ; however, I do pray to Allah that all Muslims become better practicing Muslims instead of pointing fingers on others. Also, please notice that when you point one finger at someone then 4 fingers are pointing towards yourself.

I don't want to argue, so I won't. :) I am not your type of person, so please refrain from trying to argue with me. Be happy with your nice character and keep away from me Sister. Thanks for staying away from me; here is a gift of bouquet for you. :)

:w:

[FatimaAsSideqah]

:sl:

Masha'Allah! What a wonderful article.

Don't worry sis Jharna, you did very well and I love you for that! Allah Ta'ala is pleased with your duty to give everyone with your Islamically posts!

May Allah Ta'ala bless you. :smile:

[hrm]

Jharna :sl:
Its amazing you are praying for me and at the same time want to send me to hell. What type of Muslima are you? sending other muslims to hell for not pointing fingers but correcting someone. I did not defame or slander anyone. If you be careful enough to read my post. I even quoted an Ayat of the Quran to back my point of view. But again thats why the women are where they are right now. They want to be good muslima at the same time ignore what our creater has revealed in Quran and just want equal rights with man and even want to rule over them. Your ignorance of Quran is a good example that you wish to just close your eyes to the truth and be what you are. Well I wish you all the luck.
May Allah give you guidance.:w:
Ameen

[hrm]

:sl:Roshni
Yes that is the essence of Islam. How beautifully you have presented your point of view. Sisters like you can make all the difference in this world. I wish you more knowledge in Islam.
Just by following the Quran in letter and spirit we can become good muslims. Unfortunately, these days only Zahari ( outside) islam is dipcted in both men and women and batani ( inside) islam is on decline. There you see men carrying big beards and wearing islamic garbs and at the same time eating riba and cheating and defrauding others muslims and non-muslims alike . Also, women wearing hijab yet not practicing islam.
So I put up this question to an Aalim in Bait Allah recently when i visited to perform Hajj when he was insisting on me having beard. I simply asked him
" Respected sir, where does the Quran or any authentic hadit of our prophet s.a.w. Says that if you don't carry a beard you will not enter jannah"
Believe me he had no answer.
I pray Allah guide us all to the way of truth. I do not exempt myself from being guided. I need it more than anyone else. Any words or pharse that may have hurt anyone here, I humbly apologize. May Allah take us out of darkess of ignorance to light. Ameen:w:

[Khayal]

:sl:Brother

I thought you were a Sister, thats why I replied to your post. Sorry I will not furhter discuss anything with you.

:w::w:

[hrm]

No I am not a sister. Far from it. Sorry that you thought I was one. :embarrass

[Faith.]

:sl:
Great Post Sis.
May Allah reward you!:smile: