Mandatory Conditions Of Hijab For Muslim Women

Those who truly understand Islam and have in-depth knowledge of the Quran and hadith are aware of the fact the value, rights and respect that Islam gives to women is unmatchable and there is no other culture, religion or law in the world that gives women such a status that empowers and reveres them in the way as Islam does.

Although people may somehow be convinced of all the rights that Islam gives to women and the kind of place they have in Muslim society, however, the one thing that is the hardest when it comes to convincing other is the Hijab that Muslim women wear. People think that it is a sign of subjugation and that is something that holds women back and makes them inferior. This is a wrong perception and Hijab actually is meant to give protection to women and it is a symbol of respect in Islam. This debate will be touched some other time in some other post. While this post today on BritishHajTravel Ltd deals with the conditions in which wearing Hijab is mandatory for Muslim women.

In Quran Allah Almighty says:

“O Prophet! Tell your wives, your daughters, and the woman of the believers to draw their Jilbab all over the bodies. That will be better. That they should be known so not to be annoyed. And Allah is ever oft-forgiving, most merciful.” (33:59)

Before moving on to the conditions, the need is to understand the word ‘Jilbab’ used in this ayah, as it is integral to fulfilling the condition of Hijab itself. The word ‘Jilbab’ refers to a piece of cloth in the form of a cloak that can be used to cover the whole body. Therefore, Muslim women are recommended to cover their bodies with a cloak so that they could have respect and not get exposed to any kind of maltreatment or sexual abuse from anyone.

There is another hadith related to the use or wearing of Jilbab that is to be worn as Hijab. Hazrat Um Atiya (RA) asked Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):

“O Messenger of Allah, one of us may not have a Jilbab.”

Prophet (PBUH) replied:

“Let her sister lend her one of her Jilbabs to wear.” (Muslim)

From the hadith it is obvious that there is no relaxation in wearing of Hijab, rather if Muslim women do not have it available, she should ask of it from another sister and wear it.

Conditions For Wearing Hijab:

There are different conditions in which it becomes more than imperative for Muslim women to wear a Hijab. There are conditions and people mentioned in the Quran in front of whom and which the wearing of Hijab is exempted. In the Quran Allah says:

“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them, and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their father in law, their sons, their stepsons, their brothers or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O you Believers! Turn you all together towards Allah, that you may attain Bliss.” (24:30-31)

All the condition and people that are mentioned in this ayah are exempted from wearing of Hijab. Anyone or anything other than that, women must wear a Hijab. For the sake of understanding the conditions that can take place which make Hijab compulsory are discussed below.

1st Condition:

The first condition when Hijab becomes compulsory is when women get in front of men who are not Mehram to them and for whom the absence of Hijab might lead to the development of sexual feelings. Therefore, whenever there is a condition where Muslim women have to go in front of people who are non-Mahram.

2nd Condition:

The second condition in which wearing of Hijab becomes compulsory is when there is a chance that a woman is wearing such a dress that might reveal the private body parts of the women to other people in general and especially to Non-Mehram men.

3rd Condition:

The third condition in which it becomes mandatory for Muslim women to wear Hijab is when there is a chance of their adornments becoming exposed to the men who are not Mehram to them. The adornment differs for different scholars however a general consensus is that adornment refers to the ebbs and flows of the body. Therefore, if a dress is that revealing then women must wear a cloak over it.

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, Hijab is not a constraint for Muslim women, rather who wear it wear it as an ornament that gives them respect as well as keeps them pious and free from any disturbance that may be caused because of any unintentional sexual innuendo.

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Source: quranreading.com

Common Mistakes Women make during Hajj and Umrah

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MISTAKE #1: Thinking that their Ihram is the ‘cap’ they wear over their head.

Some Muslimahs do not know what iḥrām means and they think it’s the cap that they put on over their hair, They don’t take it off no matter what, thinking they will “break their iḥrām”. Iḥrām is a state that you enter into and putting on any item of clothing when you enter into the state of iḥrām does not mean that you cannot take it off later. And taking it off does NOT mean that you ended your iḥrām. That’s why the ‘ulemā’ say we can change our iḥrām (meaning our clothes), and even wash it if it gets dirty.

“It is permissible for the pilgrim in iḥrām for Hajj or Umrah to change his iḥrām clothes and put on another set of iḥrām clothes, and that does not affect his iḥrām for Hajj or ‘Umrah.” (Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas, Fataawa al-Lajnah, 11/185)

MISTAKE #2: Excessive fear of breaking their hair.

Some women have an excessive fear of breaking their hair. So much so that they don’t take off their scarf/dupatta/hijāb, even when they’re by themselves or among just women. They are so worried about their hair breaking, that they don’t even take off their headpiece for making wuḍū’. This is a trick of the Shaytān. Think about it. If you don’t do wuḍū’ properly, would your prayer be valid? Would your tawāf be valid? Do you really think Allāh would hold you accountable if you did something that was not in your control? No of course not. He is The Most Merciful. He is the Most Forgiving. Then, why would He nullify your iḥrām just because a few hairs fell out on their own, something that was out of your control! The prohibition is for the hair to be cut, plucked, shaved, etc. on purpose. Not involuntarily.

MISTAKE #3: Getting their hair cut only by someone who has exited Ihram

Many women think that ONLY the one who isNOT in iḥrām can cut their hair, once they’ve finished with their rituals. And they refuse to cut their own hair to exit iḥrāmnor do they allow another sister who has not yet exited iḥrām to cut it for them, thinking that she is not allowed to do that for them. This is a wrong notion. Actually, if you think about it, you are supposed to cut your hair when you finish with all the rituals.

The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi Wa Sallam) commanded his companions, during the Farewell Pilgrimage:

“Let him cut his (meaning, his own) hair then exit ihram.” (al-Bukhari, Muslim)

MISTAKE #4: Not going to the Jamarat or Muzdalifah

Some of us delegate another hajji to throw the pebbles on our behalf for no valid reason. We get scared of the crowd or sometimes, get plain old lazy, not understanding the importance of doing it themselves, even if they are able.

Māshā’Allāh, Allāh has blessed us with health. Alḥamdulillāh, we are young, energetic, confident, and capable. We are able to do anything and everything when we are back home and yet when it comes to Hajj and theJamarāt, all of a sudden we become “frail, little weaklings who cannot go throw the pebbles”.

Don’t be lazy about the rituals of Hajj. Realize the significance of doing everything yourself if you have the ability. There’s no need to be scared at all. Yes, many years ago, we heard horror stories of stampedes, and people suffocating or hurting themselves. But not anymore, Alḥamdulillāh the Saudi government has renovated the whole Jamarāt complex a few years ago and it is the easiest thing in the world. I have seen old people in wheelchairs, people on crutches, and kids as little as 3 and 4 years old, throwing the pebbles themselves.

If there is a lot of crowds or your safety is an issue, it can be delayed.

“It is permissible to delay their (meaning women) stoning of the Jamarāt until the crowding is less or has stopped, and there is nothing wrong with them doing that.” (Fatawa Shaykh Uthaymeen)

Although it is allowed for women to leave Muzdhalifah after half the night has passed if there is an excuse such as sickness, weakness, or just because we are women. BUT, it is better if you do stay the whole night following the Sunnah of the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi Wa Sallam). So don’t chicken out.

MISTAKE #5: Crowding with the men

Beware of crowding with men in all the rituals of Hajj, especially during ṭawāf and at the Black Stone, during Sa’i and when stoning the Jamarat. Choose times when there is less crowding. Think about it. Touching the Black Stone is a beautiful Sunnah, but it is a sunnah. And protecting yourself and your hayā’ from coming in unnecessary contact with all non-mahram men is a FARDH.

The Mother of Believers, ‘Aishah used to do ṭawāf in an area away from the men, and she did not touch the Black Stone or the Yemeni Corner if there was crowding.

It was narrated that ‘Ata’ said:

‘Aishah used to do ṭawaf far away from the men, not mixing with them.” A woman said: “O Mother of the Believers, let us go and touch the Black Stone!” She said: “Go yourself,” and she refused to go.

In my opinion, the best place for us women to do ṭawaf is up on the roof of the Masjid. Now it may seem like a big distance from far, but I promise you, all it takes is an hour and 10 minutes, to be precise, to complete a ṭawaf, walking at an average pace.

Now the Shayṭan may play with your mind and make it seem like a lot. But then ask yourself this… don’t you easily, easily, walk an hour ten minutes in the mall?

MISTAKE # 6: Rushing through ‘Ibadah. Remember it’s about quality, not quantity

Remember that Allah will look at the quality of your worship, NOT your quantity. And that’s why our deeds will be weighed on the Day of Judgment and not counted. If you pray just two rakʿah with khushu‘, concentrating on what you are saying, beseeching Allah with humility, wouldn’t that be better and more acceptable to Allāh than even 50 or even a 100 rakʿah quickly pecking the ground, without knowing a word of what you are saying?

Every time you do any ‘ibādah, check to see whether you have khushoo or not? Are you focused on what you are doing? Do you know the meaning of what you are saying or asking? Are you moving at a slow, measured pace or are you rushing through it?

Remember what the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi Wa Sallam), said:

“The worst type of thief is the one who steals from his prayer!” The Companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah! How does one steal from his prayers?” The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi Wa Sallam), responded,

“He does not complete his bowing, nor his prostrations.” Or he said “He does not straighten his backbone while bowing and prostrating.” (Ahmed, Al-Tabarani, others–authentic)

MISTAKE #7: Misbehaving in the Masjid of the Prophet

One of the worst mistakes that I see the sisters making is at the Prophet’s (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi Wa Sallam) Masjid. When the doors are opened, in the morning and evening, for the sisters so that they can visit the Raudah of the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi Wa Sallam), they totally lose all sense of who they are, where they are and what they are doing. They run like wild animals let loose, shouting and screaming in ignorance, pushing each other, trampling anyone and everyone that comes in their way.

SubḥānAllāh sisters! Is this what the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi Wa Sallam), taught us?! Is this the way you behave in a Masjid, let alone the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi Wa Sallam)’s Masjid?! Is this the respect he (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi Wa Sallam), deserves from you?

Remember when visiting the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi Wa Sallam),’s Masjid, to behave with honor and dignity, with the Hayaa‘ that Allah has adorned you with, as a believing Muslim woman would. Remember to keep your voice soft and your walk paced. Don’t shove, push, harm or hurt your fellow Muslim sisters. Even if you didn’t get a chance to pray in that area, if you let your sister pray there for the sake of Allah just because she is your Muslim sister, Allah will reward you, and He knows best, perhaps even more than He would have, had you yourself had a chance to pray there. 

MISTAKE #8: Wasting precious time in mina

I see so many sisters wasting their time talking with each other, about nothing specific, mingling and socializing with the other Hajjis, while they are staying in Mina and even on the day of Arafah, which is the most important day of Hajj. They forget that these are the most blessed days in which ibadah is dearest to Allah. They forget that Mina is not a place to socialize; rather it is a place for ibadah and dhikr and istighfar and du‘a’. They forget that Day of Arafah is THE DAY for Hajj. That’s what this whole journey is all about. Instead of remembering Allah, they busy themselves with idle talk, laughing, joking, even gheebah and gossip.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with talking for a little bit and to inquire about each other’s well being, etc. In fact, it becomes an act of ibādah if you talk with that niyyah of being kind and polite to your fellow Muslim or for taking a little rest in between your ibadah to refresh yourself. But when this talking takes over one’s time and this is what a person is doing the majority of the time in Mina, then it becomes anaa serious issue of wasting precious time. And in the end, no one loses but you.

MISTAKE # 9: Being uncovered in Muzdalifah

Muzdalifah is an open ground and there are no tents, etc and the bathrooms are in an open field. When the sisters make wuḍu’ there, they forget that they are in an open area and there are men everywhere who can see them. Yet, they take off their ḥijabs and dupattas right in front of them to make wuḍu’, thus exposing themselves. So how does one make wuḍu’ in such a situation?

There is an easy solution to all of this. Whenever you need to make wuḍu’, go with a few women as a group and take turns making wuḍu’ while the others can hold up a piece of cloth, ḥijab, etc in such a way as to cover you and hide you completely. This way no one can see you, insha'Allah.

May Allah enable us to perform Hajj according to the Sunnah of the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi Wa Sallam), in a manner that is most pleasing to Him. May Allah accept this Hajj from all of us and make it Mabroor. Ameen.

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source: muslimmatters.org

Working Women: Problems and Difficulties

There are many problems and difficulties facing working women, including the following:

• The difficulty of combining work and household chores.

• Inappropriate workplace, housing, and transportation.

• Lack of nurseries and kindergartens in or near the facilities or residential areas, or lack of affordable childcare that is not commensurate with women's income.

• Indecent behaviors by males, whether at work or on the way to and from work, or harassment of women workers during night shifts or household chores (for domestic workers).

• The harshness of working conditions for some women, especially in rural areas, whether due to natural geographical circumstances or the nature of hard physical work in agriculture, factories and others even if they are for a wage.

• The impact of some works on the health of working mothers in some sectors, including the chemical sector.

• Interference in the peculiarities of women in terms of shape, dress, the manner of speaking, appointments, or visits by the employer, some of the workers, or the family.

• Fear of spinsterhood; it is an important problem that upsets many working women because of the perception of inferiority towards them that is still prevalent to this day, though it has begun subsiding at present.

• Long working hours: Long working hours disturb working women because this leads to permanent default in family duties, due to lack of their presence and supervision of their families, especially in the early stages of childhood, where the child needs the permanent and direct care of his mother. However, overcoming this problem or minimizing its disadvantages can be done through providing nurseries and chambers of care in workplaces with reasonable prices that cover the operational needs, as well as employing trained babysitters to supervise them. Thus, women can be able to assure and observe their children from time to time, especially in cases of illness, in addition to spending times with them in times of rest or lunch. This is an important service implemented in many developed countries that care for women and family status. Unfortunately, what we observe in many hospitals and health centers or any public institution is the lack of the nurseries or childcare rooms in the workplace. Working mothers have the right to ensure a safe place where they can put and access their children regardless of the length of working hours.

• 10-Nurseries: we hear a lot about the bad treatment of children in nurseries and its reliance on ordinary employees who find it difficult to control a large number of children only by intimidation, having the negative psychological impact on them, especially if they are too young.

Also, the number of children, their age and needs for care cause problems and constraints for working women, such as the enduring sense of dereliction and guilt towards her children due to her absence, along with other problems such as the inability to provide them with the affordable domestic servants due to the poor financial condition. If we conduct field studies on the reasons of sudden absence of women at work, we would find that most of them are limited to childhood illness and servants delusion, or because working women do not trust them.

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source: islamicstudies.islammessage.com

The Muslim Woman: Her Status in the Ummah

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 Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam. Since adherence to the Quran 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 Highest, and from what His Prophets and Messengers, may Allah's peace and prayers be upon them all, came with. The Prophet Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam 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."

The great importance of the Muslim woman's role - whether as a wife, sister or daughter, and the rights that are due to her and the obligations due from her have been explained in the noble Quran, 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 Highest, 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-Quran 31:14]

Allah the Highest, 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-Quran 41:15].

A man came to Allah's Messenger Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam 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." 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 aayah (verse), in His - the Highest'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-Quran 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 to 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..."

And the unique stance that the Prophet sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam's wife Khadeejah - radiAllahu 'anhaa - took, had a huge effect in calming and reassuring Allah's Messenger sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam, when the angel Jibreel - 'alayhis-salaam - first came to him in the cave of Hiraa. The Prophet sallAllahu 'alayi wa sallam 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 - radiAllahu 'anhaa - 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."

And do not forget about 'Aaishah - radiAllahu 'anhaa - and her immense contribution. Even the eminent Sahaabah (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.

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.

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source: islamicstudies.islammessage.com

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Father and Husband

Although Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) carried the world’s weight of responsibility on his shoulders, calling people to Allah and teaching Islam, he (peace be upon him), valued family and cared deeply about his family members. To learn how women are viewed in Islam or how women should be treated, one is to look at the Prophet (peace be upon him), and how he interacted with his daughters, wives, and the women in his community.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) loved his daughters dearly and he never made them feel marginalized or unimportant because they were women, or because they were daughters not sons. He loved his daughters, took pride in them, and he was never ashamed to show his affection towards them in public.

Although the youngest of his daughters, Fatima had always been a source of comfort, support, and strength for her father in those early difficult days in Makkah when the men of Quraysh scorned and hurt the Prophet (peace be upon him). She was never intimidated or afraid to defend her father in public, and he never reprimanded her for her strength and outspokenness when it came to speaking the truth and defending justice.

After the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his family migrated to Madinah, Ali bin Abi Talib, the Prophet’s cousin asked for Fatima’s hand in marriage. Although the Prophet (peace be upon him) approved of Ali, he consulted with Fatima to make sure that she consented to the marriage. He never forced any of his daughters into marriage against their will.

Whenever Fatima visited the Prophet (peace be upon him), he would stand up for her to greet her and give her his place to sit. She, in turn, would kiss his forehead. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) loved Fatima and he loved her sons, and he was often seen kissing and playing with his grandsons. He (peace be upon him) was kind and gentle with his family.

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was preparing for the Battle of Badr against the disbelievers of Quraysh, the Prophet’s daughter, Ruqayyah fell ill. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked her husband, Uthman bin Affan to remain with Ruqayyah to tend to her and care for her, rather than leaving her and participating in this extremely decisive battle. Uthman obeyed the Prophet and stayed with his wife during her illness, and she died later in the month before the Muslim army returned to Madinah from the Battle of Badr.

In his entire life, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) never struck or even raised his hand to hit a woman or a child, ever.

When calling his daughter or wife, he chose beautiful nicknames to make them feel special. He called Fatima Al-Zahraa, meaning the shining one. He called Aisha, his wife, Al-Homairaa, due to her red, rosy cheeks.

After the death of Khadijah, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) remarried, and Allah gave special permission only to the Prophet to marry nine wives, and each marriage was for a very specific reason. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) respected each of his wives, treated them justly, listened to their grievances and opinions, and cared about their feelings. No matter what ordeals he may have been going through outside the home, he always took the time to talk to his wives, console them, and show them that he loved them.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was sensitive to the feelings of his wife, Aisha. He recognized when Aisha was upset, what upset her, what made her sad, and he tried to cheer her up.

Aisha reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said to her, “I know well when you are angry or pleased with me.” I said, “How do you know that?” He replied, “When you are pleased you say ‘By the Lord of Muhammad’ but when you are upset, you say ‘By the Lord of Abraham.’” I said, “Yes, I do not desert except your name.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

That is our Prophet, making light of an agitated situation, making his wife smile when she is upset.

In the home, he helped with household chores. Aisha, his wife, stated, “He always joined in household work and would at times mend his clothes, repair his shoes, and sweep the floor. He would milk, tether, and feed his animals and do the household shopping.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) respected his wives, acknowledged the wisdom of the women in his life, and went to them for advice.

When a group of Muslims along with the Prophet (peace be upon him) trekked to Makkah intending to perform the pilgrimage, Quraysh prevented them from proceeding. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) signed the treaty of Hudaibiyah and Quraysh promised to allow the Muslims to perform the pilgrimage the following year. Some of the companions disagreed with the terms of the treaty and they were disappointed that they were unable to perform the pilgrimage. When Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed them to shave their heads and discard their pilgrimage clothes and return to Madinah, at first the companions did not follow the Prophet’s instructions.

Umm Salama, the Prophet’s wife, was intelligent and she advised the Prophet to go out in front of his companions and have his head shaved. She figured that if they saw him shaving his head, they would follow his actions, and that would be better than simply telling them to do so. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) took Umm Salama’s advice, and she was right.

In Madinah, the women of his community complained to the Prophet (peace be upon him) that the men spent more time with him and they learned directly from him, and the women wanted to learn and they had questions to ask. The Prophet (peace be upon him) assigned a day of every week for the women to gather for a lecture at his mosque, and he would give them time to ask their questions.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) even knew and appreciated the woman who had no place but the mosque to live and she was responsible for the cleaning and upkeep of the masjid. One day, he noticed she was not at the masjid; he was concerned so he asked his companions about her. When they told him she died at night, he asked why they had not informed him. He asked where her grave was so he could offer the funeral prayer for her.

The Messenger of Allah did not swear, cuss, use profane language, curse others, or spread obscenity. The Prophet’s character can be summarized in the eloquent verse in the Holy Qur’an which describes him, “You are of the highest noble character.” (Chapter 68, verse 4)

It is no wonder why his wives, his daughters, his companions, and his servants loved him so much, more than they loved their own souls.

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source: saudigazette.com.sa

Legendary women – Asmaa bint Abi Bakr

source: saudigazette.com

Legendary women – Asmaa bint Abi Bakr

Asmaa daughter of Abu Bakr is from a family of heroic men and women; it seems like greatness runs in their family.

Her father is Abu Bakr, the best friend, confidant, and strongest supporter of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Her sister is Aisha, Prophet Muhammad’s wife who transmitted and taught over 2,200 Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Her husband is Az-Zubair ibn Al-Awwam, who was known as “The Disciple” of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and who was among the ten companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) who were promised Paradise. Her son is Abdullah bin Az-Zubair, a great martyr in Islam.

Legendary women Asmaa bint Abi Bakr was one of the earliest Muslims; she was actually the 18th person in Makkah to embrace Islam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was a frequent visitor in her father’s home and she learned a great deal of the new faith from the company of the noble Prophet (peace be upon him) and her father.

Piety, farsightedness, intelligence, courage, integrity and generosity – all of these praiseworthy qualities were found in Asmaa. She was instrumental to one of the most important moments in Islamic history, the migration from Makkah to Madinah. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr hid in Cave Thawr for three days to trick the men of Quraish who were searching for them. Asmaa risked her own life to take food and water to her father and the Prophet (peace be upon him) to the cave where they were in hiding.

Abu Jahl came to the house of Abu Bakr looking for them, furious. He asked Asmaa where her father was, but she said that she did not know. He slapped her hard but she faced him with steadfastness and courage and did not betray her secret.

When Abu Bakr migrated with the Prophet (peace be upon him), he took all the wealth he had to support the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the new Muslim community in Madinah. Abu Bakr’s father, Abu Quhafa, was still a disbeliever and he came to visit the family after Abu Bakr had left. Abu Quhafa complained that Abu Bakr had left them alone with nothing and had put them in difficulty.

Asmaa wanted to reassure her old grandfather who was blind. She took some stones and put them in a niche where Abu Bakr kept his money, then she covered them with a cloth and took her grandfather’s hand and said, “Put your hand on this money.”
He did so and Asmaa said, “There is nothing to worry about; he has done well in leaving you this, and you will have enough.”
Asmaa was such a strong woman to mask plenty when there was nothing; her faith was enough for her.

After the safe arrival of her father and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Madinah, it was time for Asmaa to migrate as well. Her husband, Az-Zubair, was in Abyssinia and they would reunite in Madinah. Asmaa was nine months pregnant when she made the arduous journey to Madinah. On the outskirts of Madinah, in the valley of Qubaa, Asmaa went into labor and gave birth to a baby boy, Abdullah bin Az-Zubair. The Muslims rejoiced and thanked Allah because Abdullah was the first child to be born to the Emigrants in Madinah.
For Asmaa and her husband, life in Madinah was difficult at first. Her husband was quite poor and his only major possession to begin with was a horse he had bought. Asmaa herself used to provide fodder for the horse, give it water, and groom it. She would grind grain and make dough. She would carry grain on her head gathered from their plot of land, which was an eight kilometer walk from the town.

Asmaa and her husband worked extremely hard together until their situation improved. Az-Zubair eventually became one of the richest men in Madinah.

Asmaa was a devoted worshiper.  She often stood for long hours in prayer and she fasted often. She was extremely generous and was known to give profusely and to free slaves.

Her son, Abdullah, said of her, “I have not seen two women more generous than my aunt Aisha and my mother Asmaa. But their generosity was expressed in different ways. My aunt would accumulate one thing after another until she had gathered what she felt was sufficient and then distributed it all to those in need. My mother, on the other hand, would not keep anything even for the morrow.”

Asmaa took part in the Battle of Yarmuk and fought bravely by her husband’s side. The Battle of Yarmuk is regarded as one of the most decisive battles in military history. The Muslims were hugely outnumbered by the Romans but, with the help of the women and the young boys amongst them, they drove the Roman Empire out of Syria. Historians have written that the women fought harder than the men. Every time the men ran away, the women fought, fearing that if they lost, the Romans would enslave them.

Later in her life, she patiently endured a tremendously painful trial.

Her son, Abdullah, had garnered substantial support from many Muslims to run for the Caliphate after the death of Yazid bin Mu’awiyah. The Hijaz, Egypt, Iraq, Khorasan, and much of Syria acknowledged him as the Caliph. The Ummayyads however led a massive army under the command of Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf Al-Thaqafi to crush Az-Zubair and those loyal to him. Many of Az-Zubair’s supporters could not withstand the continuous strain of battle and gradually began to desert him. Finally, he sought refuge in the Sacred Mosque in Makkah, and a desperate battle was waged there. Abdullah bin Az-Zubair’s army was facing defeat, and the Umayyads started negotiating with him that if he gave up his demand for Caliphate they would give him any worldly possession he desired.

Abdullah went to ask his mother who was a blind, old woman of 100 years old if he should surrender.

Asmaa told her son that if he was standing up for what is right then he should not worry about dying. He said that it was not death he feared but he was afraid they would mutilate his body after death.

She answered, “Once a goat is slaughtered the skinning cannot cause it any pain. Fear of death should not stand in the way of a truly courageous man.”

Abdullah kissed his mother and said that he wanted to fight but he was making sure that she would be strong enough if something terrible happened to him.

So Abdullah returned to the battlefield and advanced through the ranks fighting courageously; but since they were outnumbered he died the death of a martyr.

Hajjaj bin Yusuf hung up his body for all to see. Al-Hajjaj who was feared by all came to Asmaa to break her resolve and he said, “How has Allah dealt with His enemy?”

Asmaa bravely and indignantly answered, “You have ruined his life, but he has ruined for you the Hereafter!”
Al-Hajjaj could not answer this legendary woman and he left silently.

Not long after the death of her son, Asmaa bint Abi Bakr died. She was a hundred years old, but even at that age she had a full set of teeth and a sharp memory.

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Hajj is obligatory for women as it is for men

Hajj is obligatory for women as it is for men

Al-Nawawi said: They are unanimously agreed that Hajj is obligatory upon a woman if she is able to do it. Sharh Saheeh Muslim.

Hajj is fard ‘ayn (an individual obligation) which every Muslim who is accountable and is able to do it must do once in a lifetime. It is one of the pillars of Islam, an obligation which is proven to be so in the Qur’aan and Sunnah, and by scholarly consensus.

In the Qur’aan, Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allaah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allaah], then Allaah stands not in need of any of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)”[Aal ‘Imraan 3:97]

This aayah clearly states that it is obligatory. When the Qur’aan says “a duty that mankind owes to Allaah” this implies that it is obligatory and compulsory. This is the evidence that it is fard. Indeed, we find that the Qur’aan emphatically states that it is obligatory, in the phrase “and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allah], then Allah stands not in need of any of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists).” Allah describes going against this obligation as kufr or disbelief. This context shows that failing to do Hajj is not the action of a Muslim, rather it is the action of a non-Muslim.

In the Sunnah, there is the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; establishing regular prayer; paying zakaah; fasting Ramadaan; and Hajj.” 

The phrase “Islam is built…” indicates that Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam. Muslim narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave a sermon and said to us: ‘O people, Allah has enjoined Hajj upon you so perform Hajj.’ A man said, ‘Every year, O Messenger of Allah?’ He did not answer until the man had asked it three times, then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘If I had said yes, it would have become obligatory and you are not able to do that.’” And there are so many ahaadeeth concerning that that it reaches the level of tawaatur which means that this obligation is something certain and definite.

With regard to ijmaa’ or scholarly consensus, the ummah is unanimously agreed that Hajj once in a lifetime is obligatory for the one who is able to do it. This is something which is well known and no Muslim has any excuse for not knowing it, and the one who denies it is a kaafir.

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Women and Hajj

Women and Hajj

Despite the equality of men and women in the Islamic rulings, there are some rulings specified for women out of mercy towards them because of their different nature.

• If a woman still in her Iddah (waiting period) when she is divorced and she wants to go for Hajj, she may go but she has to be accompanied by a Mahram . However, if  the waiting period is for the death of the husband, she cannot go to Hajj for staying at home is one of the obligations of the waiting period for the wido
   
• The companionship of a Mahram is an obligation for women when she is performing Hajj. If she has got no Mahram, she cannot perform Hajj and her Hajj is not valid. Allah’s apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “A woman should not travel except in the company of a Mahram.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
       
• Regarding Ihram of the woman it is it like that of the man with exception to clothes: A woman should assume Ihram like and she is permitted to wear whatever clothes she likes as long as they meet the Islamic rulings. A woman cannot  wear Niqaab , Burqa' or gloves. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “A woman in the state of Ihraam should not wear Niqaab or gloves.” (Bukhaari) .
       
• Talbiyah for women and hajj: unlike men, women should say Talbiyah in a low voice. and it is impermissible for her to raise her voice when saying Talbiyah in the presence of men.
       
• Ramal and Idhtibaa': The rulings of Ramal and Idhtibaa' are not applicable to women. She should not perform Ramal, Idhtibaa' or run during Sa‘i between Al-Safa and Al-Marwa.
       
• Shortening hair: A woman has to cut the length of a fingertip from her hair. Ibn Abbas said, “It is not obligatory upon women to shave their hair (after ending Ihraam), rather, it is obligatory upon them to shorten the hair.” (Abu Daawood )
       
• If a woman menstruates and does not become pure until she fears missing the company; she should not perform Tawaf until she becomes pure, for the Prophet, (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to Aa’isha when she was menstruating: “Perform each rite that the pilgrim performs with exception to performing Tawaf around the House.” (Bukhaari and Muslim). However, if she perform Tawaf, for example, lest she should miss the company, some scholars including Ibn Taymiyah, endorse the idea that it is permissible for her to perform Tawaf because of necessity.

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