:sister: :brother: DID YOU KNOW..? :brother: :sister:
1. That Eve was created from the same essence and soul as Adam “Nafssen Wahidah” and not from a “crooked rib” as some chooses to believe!
2. That the word “Nashez” means a person male or female who commits an IMMORAL ACT and not a woman who does not obey her husband!
3. That the two words “Lamassa” touch and “Laamassa” touch intimately, are often confused even by some religious teachers and that is why Iman Abu Haifa says that men and women may shake hands without losing “Wudu” (purity necessary for prayer).
4. That woman is the twin half of man as stated by our Prophet (PBUH).
5. That all forms of knowledge are from Allah (swt) and that seeking scientific knowledge is an Islamic obligation on every male and female.
6. That from the time of the Prophet to this day (even in the Middle Ages) there were recognised Muslim female scholars who were much respected and who conducted regular halaqa (study circles) in their homes attended by both men and women.
7. That the Prophet (PBUH) gave women an extra weekly education session on top of the session men and women attended together.
8. That the Prophet (PBUH) encouraged his disciples to take half their knowledge from “this little red head” meaning his wife Aisha (RAA).
9. That there were both men and women companions who were with the Prophet (PBUH) all the time in peace and war.
10. That the Prophet (PBUH) did not hesitate to consult women and follow the advice given by the wise among them.
11. That the Prophet Muhammed (PHUB) commended the women of Madinah because they always asked why when in doubt.
12. That the 2nd Caliph Omar was corrected by a woman during a Khutbah (sermon) in the mosque and he reiterated that the woman was right and Omar (himself) was wrong.
13. That Attika, Omar’s wife prayed at the mosque not at home 5 times a day and when he told her that he was not very happy with this practice, she told him to stop her by law. He could not because Prophet Muhammad clearly said “DO NOT STOP WOMEN FROM PRAYING IN THE MOSQUE”.
14. Did you know why the Friday prayer is only 2 Rakaats instead of 4? Because the Khutba (Sermon) is equivalent to the 2 other rakaats and this is why it was recommended that women participate in Friday prayers if they can.
15. That we should not generalise a ruling in Shariah that applies to a specific singular situation, e.g. when a woman asked permission from the Prophet (PHUB) to pray at home because she was so poor ( and the Muslim community was also poor at the time), she had only one dress which was torn and she was ashamed to attend the mosque wearing it, he gave permission telling her that her reward will be the same because of her special circumstances and not because it is better for women to pray at home!
16. That the Prophet (PBUH) encouraged “Alkhansa”, a poetess to recite poetry about Islam and to travel among the tribes propagating its message.
17. In Surat “Al Taqwba” verse 71 Allah (swt) states that “The believers’ men and women are protectors (in charge) of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong”.
18. That Aisha, Nafeesa and others called women to prayer, instructed them and were their Imams in prayer as well.
19. That Imam Shafi, when he was dying instructed his friends that after his body was prepared for burial it should be taken to Sayyeda Nafeesa’s home so that she could perform the Janaza prayer over his body.
20. That many mosques and schools in Egypt bear the names of women scholars.
21. That there are at least 2 female deans of Theological Colleges in Egypt at the moment.
22. That there are many female religious writers, scholars and Shariah Lawyers in the Arab world.
23. That the Muslim world is the first to have female rulers in the Middle Ages: Shajarat Al Durr in Egypt, in India Chand Bibi. In modern times, we look at Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia who have had female Prime Ministers.
24. That in the Qur`an Eve is portrayed as the Mother of human kind and not the devil’s advocate…Adam is actually the first to be blamed for disobeying Allah (God).
25. That the Qur’an we have exemplary female figures, Balkess ( the Queen of Sheeba) who is portrayed as an exemplary ruler who takes decisions by consultation, Moses’ adopted mother, Pharoah’s wife who defied Pharoah and dared to believe in God. The Virgin Mary is mentioned as an exemplary woman of faith who received revelation by the Angel sent from God. The Qur’an honours her in two chapters: one bears her name, the other her family’s name.
26. That Allah (swt) rewards those who believe and do good works, males or females and both the sexes are mentioned in the Verses.
27. That “Welaya” means accountability and responsibility not superiority or control!
28. That obedience in the Qur’an is mentioned concerning Allah (swt) and his Prophet (PHUB) not human beings.
29. That the Great Jihad is an endeavour to control weakness, anger, and evil in you- the lesser Jihad is fighting fairly for your homeland, family and right to worship against aggressors.
30. That the mention in the Qur’an about the women of the Prophet’s house “You are not like other women” by their exemplary position they had to follow stricter rules dictated by special circumstance and need not be followed by all eg. The face cover.
31. That the verse concerning the covering of the head (for women) and their “Juyoub” (opening of their dresses) was revealed in Madina after 18 years of the beginning of the Islamic Message- for very special circumstance. The stipulation of Muslim Women’s dress is modesty and decency.
32. That permission to take more than one wife came when the Muslims were in Madinah after more than 18 years of dawah and after the battle of “Ulhud” when more than a third of the Muslim men were killed, to marry more than one or the orphans and widows and only if you can be fair to each one. This was to protect the Muslim Community from disintegration and to protect orphan females and widows. The Prophet (PBUH) asked the old widow of one of the martyrs to marry and her answer was I’m too old and I have many children and his answer was I will look after you and your children will be as my children (Adopted children do not change their father’s name in Islam). So according to Shariah law there are valid reasons for taking a second wife, but the first wife must be consulted and if she refuses to share her husband, she can ask for a divorce and be looked after as well.
33. That the interpretation of the word Daraba in Surah 4 verse 34 should follow the line from the previous verse and also the Prophet (pbuh) says “How can you beat your wife and be intimate with her”. We know that in many cases the Hadith “saying” was told to clarify a Quranic Injunction. Accordingly we must be guided by the Hadith and state that Daraba here meant to shun, stay away from or leave her altogether. The Prophet (PHUB) never raised a hand against women, children or youth.
34. That there are so many weak and fabricated Hadith especially concerning women eg. A Hadith narrated by an ignorant servant who entered the house of the Prophet a couple of times only and that was taken up by a lot of male preachers is, “Women are lacking in intellect and piety” compare this with the Hadith narrated by all the Prophet’s(pbuh) disciples, “Take half your knowledge from this little Red- Head (Aisha)”. You can understand the powers that worked to put down women after the four guided Caliphs were gone. Sheikh Mohamed Al Ghazal, has quoted numerous weak Hadith that were meant to put down women and marginalise them and he warns women against them.
35. That the Qur’an tells us that marriage is built on affection and mercy and the Prophet (PHUB) says, “The most complete of the believers in faith are the best of them in moral excellence, and the best of you are the best to their wives”.
36. That “Sunnah” means the way of the Prophet (PHUB). To emulate his sunnah is not to try and adopt his appearance, but his conduct and morals in dealing with non-Muslims, women, children and youth. To him a smile was “sadaqah” a charitable act.
37. That in the early period of Islam there was no wall or curtain or “purdah” Indian Word, to separate praying men from praying women.
38. That the Mosque functioned as a prayer hall, a meeting place, a parliament, a madrasah, a refuge for the wayfarer, the sick or the poor.
39. That during the Hajj, religious scholars in Saudi Arabia instructed women to uncover their faces and hands. That was the message spread on Saudi TV Channels!
40. That Allah (swt) is “He who created Life and Death, that he may test which of you is best in deed: and He is the exalted in might. Often- forgiving” (The Qur’an Chapter 67.)