The Woman as HumanBeing and Equal to Man

Islam was revealed at a time when a lot of people denied the humanity
of the woman;some were skeptical about it; and still others admitted
it, yet considered the woman athing created for the humble service of
the man.
With the advent of Islam,circumstances improved for the woman. The
woman's dignity and humanity were restored.Islam confirmed her
capacity to carry out Allah's commands, her responsibilities and
observation of the commands that lead to heaven.
Islam considered the woman as a worthy human being, with a share in
humanity equal to that of the man. Their single origin, their general
human traits, their responsibility for the observation of religious
duties with the consequent reward or punishment, and the unity of
their destiny all bear witness to their equality from the Islamicpoint
of view. This fact isestablished in the Noble Qur'an.
" O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single
person (Adam) and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from
them both He created many men and women and fear Allah through Whom
you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the
wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you." The
Holy Qur'an, Chapter 4, Verse 1
As is stated in another verse:
" It is He Who has created you from a single person (Adam), and (then)
He has created from him his wife (Eve), in order that he might enjoy
the pleasure of living with her." The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 7,Verse 189
The Qur'an, on its part, treats this issue of equality among men
andwomen from more than one perspective.
On the purely religious level
"Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam) men and
women,the believers men and women (who believe in Islamic
Monotheism),the men and the women who areobedient (to Allah), the men
and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and
the women who are patient (in performing all the dutieswhich Allah has
ordered and in abstaining from all that Allah has forbidden), the men
andthe women who are humble (before their Lord Allah),the men and the
women who give Sadaqat, (i.e. Zakat, and alms, etc.),the men and the
women who fast (the obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan and
the optional Nawafil fasting),the men and women who guard
theirchastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the menand women who
remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues (while sitting,
standing, lying, etc.) Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a
great reward (i.e. Paradise)." The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 33, Verse35
On the basic social and religious responsibilities
The Qur'an establishes equality by maintaining
"The believers, men and women, are "Awliy," (helpers, supporters,
friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin(on the people)
Al-Ma`ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to
do);and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief
of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they offer their
prayers perfectly (lqamat-as-Salat), and give the Zakat and obey Allah
and His Messenger. Allah will have mercy on them." The Holy Qur'an,
Chapter 9, Verse 71
In Adam's story, Divine Orders were made to him and his wife, both and equally:
"O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise and eat both ofyou
freely with pleasure and delight of things therein as wherever you
will, but come not near this tree or you both willbe of the Zalim'n
(wrongdoers)." The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 2, Verse 35
What is new, however, about this story as given by the Qur'an is that
the temptation is blamed not on Eve but on Satan.
"Then the Satan made them slip there from (theParadise), and got them
out from that in which they were." The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 236
The reverse of The Old Testament versions. ThusEve was neither the
sole eater from the tree, nor the one who initiated the act. Rather,
the mistake was theirs both, and both of them repented and asked for
forgiveness:
"They said, "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us
not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall be losers." The Holy
Qur'an, Chapter 7, Verse 23
Further still, some verses ascribe the trespass to Adam:
"And indeed We made a covenant with Adam before, but he forgot, and We
found on his part no firm will-power". Then Satan whispered to him
saying, "O Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a
kingdom that will never waste away?" Thus did Adam disobey his Lord,
so he went astray." The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 20, Verse 115, 120 and
121
Equality of punishment and reward and eligibility for Paradise
The Almighty says: "That was a nation who has passed away. They shall
receive the reward of what they earned and you of what you earn. And
you will not be asked of what they used to do." The Holy Qur'an,
Chapter 2, Verse 134 and 141.
Concerning the equality of men and women in receiving rewards and the
entry of paradise, God says:
"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." The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 3, Verse 195
"And Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he(or
she) is a true believer(of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will
give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful
provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to
the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)."
The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 16, Verse 97
Financial matters
The rule of Islam abolished the conventions prevalent among many
nations which deprived the woman of the right of ownership,
inheritance, and those which createdobstacles against her exercise of
free and full control of her holdings. As a rule, Islam acknowledges
the woman's rights to all kinds of ownership, spending and channeling
of her money. It gives her the rights of inheritance, selling, buying,
renting, donating, lending, allocating property for religious and
charitable purposes, giving alms, legal transfer and mortgage, as well
as many other forms of contracts and actions.
Right to seek education
The woman's right to seek education or learning is basic and is also
guaranteed by Islamic teachings. Islam actually makes it incumbent on
the woman to seek knowledge; the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon
him) says, `seekingknowledge is incumbenton every Muslim," where"every
Muslim" obviouslyinvolves men and women on an equal footing as a rule
formalised by all authorities of jurisprudence.
Right to perform religious ordinances
The woman is also required to perform religious ordinances andforms of
worship the way the man is. Praying, fasting, Zakat (the alms
sanctifying tax), pilgrimage and all the other fundamental practices
in Islam are required of Muslims in their capacity, both men and
women, as responsible humans. Again the woman's actions are
recompensedby Allah the way the man's actions are.
Social activity
The woman is not excluded from the area of social activity; Allah says:
"The believers, men and women, are "Awliy," (helpers, supporters,
friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin(on the people)
Al-Ma`ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to
do); and forbid (people) fromAl-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief
of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden)." The Holy Qur�an,
Chapter9, Verse 71.
For instance, she can give refuge for those who seek it. If she hosts
a refugee, her action is to be respected and observed. This rule
relates back to Um Hanibint Abi Talib's giving relief to a father
in-law on the day of the Conquest of Mecca by Muslims. When her
brother wanted to kill him because he was an infidel, she complained
to Allah's Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) saying,"Allah's
Messenger, my mother's son insists on killing my refugee, Ibn Hubayra.
"The Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) replied, "We confer
asylum on him that you give refuge to, Um Hani".

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The reason for the existence of the honourable scribes even though Allaah knows all things

What is the reason for the existence of the honourable scribes even
though Allaah knows all things?.
Praise be to Allaah.
We say concerning such matters: we may or may not understand the
wisdom behind it, because we do not know the wisdom behind many
things, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And they ask you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) concerning the Rooh
(the spirit). Say: 'The Rooh (the spirit) is one of the things, the
knowledge of which is only with my Lord. And of knowledge, you
(mankind) have been given only a little'"
[al-Isra' 17:85].
With regard to these creatures, if someone were to ask us: what is the
reason behind Allaahmaking the camel in this manner, and making
thehorse in this manner, and making the donkey in this manner, and
making the human in this manner? and so on, if he were to ask us about
the reason or wisdom behind these things, we would not know. If we
were to be asked: what is the reason why Allaah has made Zuhr prayer
four rak'ahs, and 'Asr prayer four, and Maghrib three,and 'Isha' four,
and so on? We would not be able to know the wisdom behind that.
Thus we know that with regard many matters, both in the universe andin
terms of sharee'ah, the wisdom behind them is hidden from us. As that
is the case, we say: if we manage to understand the wisdom behind some
things in creation or in sharee'ah, if Allaah blesses us by enabling
us to understand it, that is additional virtue, goodness and
knowledge. If we do notunderstand that, that is not going to harm us
in any way.
Now let us go back to the question, which is what is the reason why
Allaah has appointed honourable scribes to record what we do?
The wisdom behind that is to show that Allaah has organised and
measured all things in the most perfect manner, to such an extent that
He has appointed honourable scribes to record the actions and words of
thesons of Adam; they are enjoined to watch over them and write down
allthat they do, even though He knows what they are going to do before
they do it. But this is a manifestation ofthe perfection of
Allaah'scare for man and His complete protection, and it shows that
this universe is organised in the best possible manner, and Allaah is
All Knowing, Most Wise. AndAllaah knows best.

Is Iblees a jinn or an angel?

I was just wondering if Iblis was actually a jinn or an angel. This
particular issue recently sparked my curiosity when it was presented
to me by a person I know. If he is an angel, then how is it he
disobeyed Allah, when Angels have no will of their own and follow only
Allah's command. If he is really a jinn, then itwould better explain
his disobedience as then he actually had the choice to obey or disobey
Allah.I would appreciate a response, even if it is a brief one.
Praise be to Allaah.
Ibless - may Allaah curse him - is one of the jinn. He was not an
angel for a single day, not even for an instant. The angels were
created noble; they never disobey Allaah when He commands them to do
something and they do what they are commanded. This is clearly stated
in the Qur'aanic texts which indicate that Iblees is one of the jinn
and not one of the angels. These texts include the following:
1. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And (remember) when We said to the angels: "Prostrate yourselves unto
Adam." So they prostrated themselves except Iblees (Satan). He was one
of the jinn; he disobeyed the Command of his Lord. Will you then take
him (Iblees) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than
Me while they are enemies to you? What an evil is the exchange for the
Zaalimoon (polytheists, and wrongdoers, etc)." [al-Kahf 18:50]
2. Allaah stated that He created the jinn from
fire, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And the jinn, We created aforetime from the smokeless flame of fire"
[al-Hijr 15:27]
"And the jinn He created from a smokeless flame of fire" [al-Rahmaan 55:15]
And it was narrated in a saheeh hadeeth that 'Aa'ishah said: the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"The angels were created from light, the jinn were created from
smokeless fire and Adamwas created from that which has been described
to you." (Narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh, no. 2996; also narrated by
Ahmad, no. 24668; by al-Bayhaqi in al-Sunan al-Kubra, no.18207 and by
Ibn Hibbaan, no. 6155).
One of the attributes of the angels is that they were created from
light, and the jinn were created from fire. It was mentioned in the
Qur'aan that Iblees - may Allaah curse him - was created from fire.
This is what Iblees himself said when Allaah, may He be glorified and
exalted, asked him the reason forhis refusal to prostrate to Adam when
Allaah commanded him to do so. He - may Allaah cursehim - said:
" 'I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You
created from clay'" [al-A'raaf 7:12; Saad 38:76 - interpretation of
the meaning]. This indicates that he was one of the jinn.
3. Allaah has described the angels in His Book,
where He says (interpretation of the meaning):
"O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a
Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed)
angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not,(from executing) the
Commands they receive from Allâh, but do that which they are
commanded" [al-Tahreem 66:6]
"And they say: 'The Most Gracious (Allaah) has begotten a son (or
children).' Glory to Him! They [whom they call children of Allaah i.e.
theangels, 'Eesaa (Jesus) sonof Maryam (Mary), 'Uzair (Ezra)], are but
honoured slaves. They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on
His Command" [al-Anbiyaa' 21:26-27]
"And to Allaah prostrate all that is in the heavens and all that is in
the earth, of the moving (living) creatures and the angels, and they
are not proud [i.e. they worship their Lord (Allâh) with humility].
They fear their Lord above them, and they dowhat they are commanded"
[al-Nahl 16:49-50]
So it is not possbile forthe angels to disobey their Lord, because
they are protected from sin and they are naturally inclined to obey
Allaah.
4. The fact that Iblees is not one of the angels
means that heis not compelled to obey Allaah. He has freedom of will
just as we humans do. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning);
"Verily, We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful"
[al-Insaan 76:3]
There are also Muslims and kaafirs among the jinn. It says in Soorat
al-Jinn (interpretation ofthe meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad): 'It has been revealed to me that a group (from
threeto ten in number) of jinnlistened (to this Qur'aan). They said:
'Verily, we have heard a wonderful Recitation (this Qur'aan)! It
guides to the Right Path, and we have believed therein, and we shall
never join (in worship) anything with our Lord (Allaah).'" [al-Jinn
72;1-2]
In the same soorah, it states that the jinn said:
"'And indeed when we heard the Guidance (this Qur'aan), we believed
therein (IslamicMonotheism), and whosoever believes in his Lord shall
have no fear, either of a decreasein the reward of his good deeds or
an increase in the punishment for his sins. And of us some are
Muslims (who have submitted to Allaah, after listening to this
Qur'aan), and of us someare Al-Qaasitoon (disbelievers those who have
deviated from the Right Path)'..." [al-Jinn 72:13-14]
Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in his Tafseer:
Al-Hasan al-Basri said: Iblees was not one of the angels, not even
for a single moment. He is the father of the jinn, just as Adam (peace
be upon him) is the father of mankind. This was narrated by al-Tabari
with a saheeh isnaad (part 3/89).
Some of the scholars said that Iblees was one of the angels, that he
was the peacock of the angels, that he was the one among the angels
who strove the hardest in worship... and other reports, most of which
come from the Israa'eeliyyaat (stories and reports from Jewish
sources), and some of which contradict the clear texts of the Qur'aan.
Ibn Katheer said, explaining this:
A lot of these reports were transmitted from the Salaf, and most of
them come from the Israa'eeliyyaat, which may be been transmittedin
order to be examined [i.e., as opposed to being accepted as is].
Allaah knows best about the veracity or otherwise of many of them.
Some of them are definitely to be rejected,because they go against the
truth which we hold in our hands. In the Qur'aan we have sufficient so
that we have no need of previous reports, because hardly any of them
are free of distortions, with things added or taken away. Many things
have been fabricated in them, for they did not have peoplewho had
memorized things precisely by heart (huffaaz) who could eliminate the
distortionscreated by extremists and fabricators, unlike this ummah
which has its imaams, scholars, masters, pious and righteous people,
brilliant critics and men of excellent memory who recorded the
hadeeths and classified them, stating whether they were saheeh
(sound), hasan (good), da'eef (weak), mawdoo' (fabricated), matrook
(tobe ignored). They identified the fabricators and liars, andthose
about whom nothing was known, andother kinds of men (i.e., narrators).
All of this afforded protection to the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him), the Seal of the Messengers and the Leader of
Mankind, so that nothing would be attributed to him falsely and
nothing would be transmitted from him that he did not say or do. May
Allaah be pleased with them and make them pleased [by rewarding them],
and make the Paradise of al-Firdaws their eternal abode. (Tafseer
al-Qur'aan il-'Azeem, 3/90).
And Allaah knows best.

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Hazrat Sawdah (R.A)

After the demise of Hazrat Khadijah , the HolyProphet Muhammad was
much worried and grief stricken. He had to look after his child and
attendto the household chores, adding considerably to the agony of the
death ofhis loving wife. This also caused hindrance in his Prophetic
mission. Seeing him worried and distressed, Hazrat Khawlah bint Hakeem
, wife of Hazrat Uthman bin Maz'oon , suggested to the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) that he badly needed a companion to help
him in running his house and looking after his children, and proposed
the name of Hazrat Sawdah who was an elderly widow.
Hazrat Sawdah and her late husband Hazrat Sakran, were early converts
to Islam , and also had the honour of having migrated to Abyssinia.
Therefore, they were very much close and dear to the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam). On return from Abyssinia, Hazrat Sakran
(Radhiyallahu-Anhu) passed away. Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha) was
now left a forlorn widow with a baby.
On receipt of the suggestion, the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) considered it carefully. The mission of
Prophethood now demanded much time, but due to him being preoccupied
in household affairs, he could not devote enoughtime to his heavenly
mission. He therefore accepted the proposal also taking into
consideration that an early convert to Islam may be helped and
honoured, and approvedHazrat Khawlah (Radhiyallahu-Anha) to negotiate
for his marriage with Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha).
Proposal to Hazrat Sawdah
Khawlah (Radhiyallahu-Anha ) went straight to Hazrat Zum'aa bin Qais ,
the father of Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anhuma), and after
exchanging compliments conveyed the message ofthe Holy Prophet
Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam). Hazrat Zum'aa
(Radhiyallahu-Anhu) was much pleased and remarked that: "Hazrat
Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) comes from a very respectable
family and is a perfect gentleman and that any father would feel proud
of marrying his daughterto him." He further suggested to Hazrat
Khawlah that Hazrat Sawdah should also be consulted in this
connection. Hazrat Khawlah then went to Hazrat Sawdah and conveyed the
message ofthe Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) and added that
Hazrat Sawdah had already obtained the approval of her father for the
marriage. Hazrat Sawdah[Radhiyallahu-Anha ] expressed her consent and
happiness in the marriage. The marriage was settled and Hazrat Sawdah
was married with Prophet Muhammad(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam ). The
Nikah Khutbah (sermon) was read by Hazrat Sawdah's (Radhiyallahu-Anha)
father himself. Hazrat Sawdah was 55 at the time of this marriage.
By this marriage the house of the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam)
was once more aglow with warmth and happiness. Hazrat Fatimah and
Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (Radhiyallahu-Anhuma ) were the two orphaned
daughters of Prophet[s.a.w.] Hazrat Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha) used to
love these two daughters very affectionately, so much so that nobody
could even doubt that she was not their real mother. Hazrat Sawdah
(Radhiyallahu-Anha) had no children from the Prophet
(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam ) However, from her first husband (Hazrat
Sakran )she had a son named Hazrat Abdur-Rahmaan (Radhiyallahu-Anhu).
He fell a martyr fighting in the battle of Jalula.
Narrations of Hazrat Sawdah
Five traditions are said tohave been narrated by Hazrat Sawdah
(Radhiyallahu-Anha). Out of these one finds place in Bukhari Hazrat
Sawdah (Radhiyallahu-Anha) was generous, hospitable, kind and
affectionate. Hazrat Umar(Radhiyallahu-Anhu) once sent her a purse
fullof Dirhams, she at once distributed those coins. She was
distinguished in self-sacrifice. She was ready to forego her rights
and privileges for the sake of others. She was also jovial by
nature.Hazrat Sawdah used to please the Prophet
(Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) and her friends through healthy jokes and
jest.

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