Islamic Articles, - How Islam Protected the Rights of Woman - III

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42- Islam protects the rights of the woman with regards to her health as it exempts her from fasting if she is breast-feeding or pregnant.
43- Islam protects the right of the woman in her bequest in the sense that she has the right to make a bequest of what she leaves after her death as shown in the statement of Allaah The Almighty )which means(:}After any bequest they ]women, may have[ made or debt.{]Quran 4:12[
44- Islam protects the right of the woman with regards to her body after her death - a right in which both the man and the woman are equal. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:"Breaking the bone of the dead is )as detrimental( as breaking it when he is alive."
45- Islam protects the right of the woman in her grave - a right in which both the man and the woman are equal. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:"It is better for any of you to sit on a piece of ember which will burn his garment and reach his skin than to sit on a grave."
46- Islam protects the rights of the woman in terms of the reckoning before the Lord of the Worlds, and this is common between the man and the woman, making them equal in reward and punishment in the Hereafter. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:
*}Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allaah often and the women who do so - for them Allaah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.{]Quran 33:35[
*}Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward ]in the Hereafter[ according to the best of what they used to do.{]Quran 16:97[
*}Whoever does an evil deed will not be recompensed except by the like thereof; but whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - those will enter Paradise, being given provision therein without account.{]Quran 40:40[
*}And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer - those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, ]even by as much as[ the speck on a date seed.{]Quran 4:124[
*}And their Lord responded to them, "Never will I allow to be lost the work of ]any[ worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another.”{]Quran 3:195[
*}Allaah has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence; but approval from Allaah is greater. It is that which is the great attainment.{]Quran 9:72[
*}]And[ that He may admit the believing men and the believing women to gardens beneath which rivers flow to abide therein eternally and remove from them their misdeeds - and ever is that, in the sight of Allaah, a great attainment.{]Quran 48:5[
*}On the Day you see the believing men and believing women, their light proceeding before them and on their right, ]it will be said[, "Your good tidings today are ]of[ gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein you will abide eternally." That is what is the great attainment.{]Quran 57:12[
Thus, Islam reduced nothing from the right of the woman, nor did it humiliate her: on the contrary, it raised her high. It is sufficient for us to know that Allaah The Almighty eternalized her mention in His noble Book by having three Noble chapters concerning her: Soorat An-Nisaa’ )women(, Soorat Maryam )Mary( and Soorat At-Talaaq )divorce(, and it should be remembered that there is no Soorah carrying the name of Ar-Rijaal )men(.
Moreover, Allaah The Almighty mentioned man in terms of his being or his dealing with the deal with the most mundane of existence; he is a farmer dealing with the earth, cattle and animals, a man of industry dealing with inorganic material, and so on. However, when it comes to dealing with the woman, then she is the noblest thing in existence, i.e. a human being. The woman who is not convinced of this mission in life is indeed a woman doomed to failure.
Moreover, the Quran eternalized the mention of a woman in Soorat Al-Mujaadilah, and Islam respects her opinion, and placed her in the position of one who argued with and was involved in dialogue with the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and combined both in one address:}And Allaah hears your dialogue; indeed, Allaah is Hearing and Seeing.{]Quran 58:1[ It validated her opinion, which came to be a general and eternal law in Islam. In this way, Soorat Al-Mujaadalah was an effect of women-friendly thought and an eternal Divine page in which we see, across time, a form of respect that Islam expressed towards the woman's opinion. Islam does not regard the woman as simply a flower that the man enjoys smelling its fine scent of; rather, she is an intelligent, rational creature with an opinion to be taken into consideration, and this opinion has value and weight.
The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would say about himself:"I am the son of the )women called( ‘Awaatik )sing. ‘Aatikah( of the Quraysh."
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, further said:"Women are peers of men."
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, also said:"Whoever looks after three girls )daughters, sisters, etc(, will be admitted to Paradise and will have the reward of the Mujaahids )Holy warriors( who observe fasting )by day( and praying )at night(."
He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, also said:"The best of you is the best to his wives, and I am the best to my wives among you."
To guarantee that men would not overburden their women, the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said about them:"They were created from a crooked rib, and if you tried to straighten it, you would break it. So, deal with them gently perchance you would enjoy them."
It was narrated on the authority of Asmaa’ bint Abu Bakr, may Allaah be pleased with her, that she said: “During the period of the truce between the Quraysh and the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, my mother, who was a polytheist, accompanied by her father, came to visit me. I sought the opinion of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, saying, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, my mother has come to me and she desires to receive kind treatment from me, shall I maintain kinship ties with her?’ He said:‘Yes, maintain kinship ties with her.’"
It was further narrated that a man came to the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and said, "O Messenger of Allaah, who among all people is the worthiest of my good company?” He said:“Your mother.”The man said, “Then, who comes next?” He said:“Your mother.”The man then asked, “Then, who comes next?” He said:“Your mother.”He asked )for the fourth time(, “Then, who comes next?” He said:“Then, your father.”
The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:"If a woman performs the five )obligatory daily( prayers, fasts the month )of Ramadan(, maintains her chastity and obeys her husband, it will be said to her, 'Enter Paradise from whichever gate you like.’"
It is enough of an honor for the Muslim woman that the first person who believed in the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was his wife Khadeejah, may Allaah be pleased with her, and the first martyr in Islam was Sumayyah, the mother of ‘Ammaar ibn Yaasir, may Allaah be pleased with her, and the first to be entrusted with the noble Book of Allaah after having been collected was the Mother of the Believers, Hafsah bint ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with her.
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:"The most perfect in faith among the believers are those who have the best morals and are the best to their wives."
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:"The best of you is the best to his wives, and I am the best to my wives among you; and no one honors women but a noble man, and no one humiliates women but a wicked man."







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Islamic Articles, - How Islam Has Protected the Rights of Woman - II

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17- Islam even protects the lives of polytheistic women by forbidding their being killed in wars. It was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, that he said, “A woman was found killed during one of the battles led by the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, thereupon he forbade killing women and children )in wars(." ]Al-Bukhaari, Muslim and others[
18- Islam protects the rights of the woman by prohibiting burying her alive and making it obligatory to provide her with a good upbringing and education. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}And when the girl ]who was[ buried alive is asked - for what sin she was killed.{]Quran 81:8-9[ The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:"Whoever has a female child whom he neither buries alive, nor humiliates, and never favors a male child of his over her, Allaah will admit him to Paradise.”
19- Islam protects the rights of the woman by considering her a fundamental component of goodness in the world and the Hereafter. The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:"If one is given the following four, he will have the goodness of both the world and the Hereafter: a thankful heart, an ever-remembering tongue )that always remembers and mentions Allaah(, a persevering body )that is patient( when under ordeal and a wife who maintains his honor and property."
20- Islam protects the rights of the woman by considering her as the finest thing in this world. The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:"The world is but enjoyment, and the finest enjoyment is a righteous woman )wife(."
21- Islam protects the rights of the woman by placing Paradise, the aim of all the believers, under her feet. What a great honor the woman has received in Islam! The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:")The way to( Paradise lies beneath the feet of mothers."It was narrated that a man came to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, asked him:"Do you have a mother )alive(?"He answered in the affirmative, thereupon, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:"Then, stick to her, as )the way to( Paradise lies beneath her feet."
22- Islam protects the rights of the woman by removing from her the curse of perpetual sin which the previous religions stained her with; rather; Islam considers Hawwaa’ )Eve( and her husband, Aadam )Adam(, may Allaah exalt their mention, as having sinned and then been given repentance and forgiveness. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:
*}But Satan caused them to slip out of it and removed them from that ]condition[ in which they had been.{]Quran 2:36[
*}But Satan whispered to them.{]Quran 7:20[
When Allaah condemned one person alone, it was only Aadam )Adam(, may Allaah exalt his mention, as shown in His statement )which means(:}Then Satan whispered to him; he said, "O Aadam, shall I direct you to the tree of eternity and possession that will not deteriorate?"{]Quran 20:120[
23- Islam protects the rights of the woman by assigning to her a share in inheritance after she herself had been )for long centuries( a part of it. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:
*}For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much - an obligatory share.{]Quran 4:7[
*}Allaah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females. But if there are ]only[ daughters, two or more, for them is two thirds of one's estate. And if there is only one, for her is half. And for one's parents, to each one of them is a sixth of his estate if he left children. But if he had no children and the parents ]alone[ inherit from him, then for his mother is one third. And if he had brothers ]or sisters[, for his mother is a sixth, after any bequest he ]may have[ made or debt. Your parents or your children - you know not which of them are nearest to you in benefit. ]These shares are[ an obligation ]imposed[ by Allaah. Indeed, Allaah is Ever Knowing and Wise. And for you is half of what your wives leave if they have no child. But if they have a child, for you is one fourth of what they leave, after any bequest they ]may have[ made or debt. And for the wives is one fourth if you leave no child. But if you leave a child, then for them is an eighth of what you leave, after any bequest you ]may have[ made or debt. And if a man or woman leaves neither ascendants nor descendants but has a brother or a sister, then for each one of them is a sixth. But if they are more than two, they share a third, after any bequest which was made or debt, as long as there is no detriment ]caused[. ]This is[ an ordinance from Allaah, and Allaah is Knowing and Forbearing.{]Quran 4:11-12[
24- Islam protects the rights of the woman by granting her all her civil rights. She thus came to have the right to conclude contracts of sale, purchase, authorization, partnership, loan, mortgage, to gift, and so on.
25- Islam protects the rights of the woman by removing from her the permanent state of being minor, as it acknowledged her full legal competence and gave her the right of guardianship over her property and other affairs.
26- Islam protects the rights of the woman as Allaah The Almighty mentions her only when He mentions righteous deeds. He The Almighty Says in general )what means(:}Whoever does an evil deed will not be recompensed except by the like thereof{; however, when the speech was to address good, then both the male and female were mentioned:}But whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - those will enter Paradise, being given provision therein without account.{]Quran 40:40[
27- Islam protects the woman's right to choose a suitable husband and she has the right to accept or reject, particularly if she has been previously married, as confirmed by the statement of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam:"The unmarried woman should not be given in marriage until she is consulted…"
28- Islam protects the right of a virgin woman not to be given in marriage without her consent, as stated by the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, )completing the previous Hadeeth(:"And the virgin should not be given in marriage until her consent is sought."
29- Islam protects the woman's right to receive a dowry, and even made it obligatory:}So for whatever you enjoy ]of marriage[ from them, give them their due compensation as an obligation.{]Quran 4:24[
30- Islam protects the woman's right of Khul‘ )asking for divorce at her request(: If she has no desire for her husband, she could ask for a divorce from him in return for compensation )i.e. what she had taken from him(, due to the statement of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, )to Thaabit Ibn Qays Ibn Shammaas, may Allaah be pleased with him(:"Accept the garden )that you had given to your wife as dowry( and divorce her."
31- Islam protects the right of the divorced woman as shown in the statement of Allaah The Almighty )which means(:}And for divorced women is a provision according to what is acceptable - a duty upon the righteous.{]Quran 2:241[
32- Islam protects the right of the woman as a widow and has assigned to her a share in the inheritance of her husband. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}And for the wives is one fourth if you leave no child. But if you leave a child, then for them is an eighth of what you leave, after any bequest you ]may have[ made or debt.{]Quran 4:12[
33- Islam protects the woman's right in case of divorce before consummating the marriage by making no ‘Iddah )post-marriage waiting period( due on her. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}O You who have believed, when you marry believing women and then divorce them before you have touched them, then there is not for you any waiting period to count concerning them.{]Quran 33:49[
34- Islam protects the right of the woman as an orphan, and has assigned to her a share in the war booty. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}And know that anything you obtain of war booty - then indeed, for Allaah is one fifth of it and for the Messenger and for ]his[ near relatives and the orphans.{]Quran 8:41[ She is also assigned a share of Bayt Al-Maal )the public treasury( as shown in the statement of Allaah The Almighty )which means(:}And what Allaah restored to His Messenger from the people of the towns - it is for Allaah and for the Messenger and for ]his[ near relatives and orphans.{]Quran 59:7[ She has also been given a share in the inheritance at the time of its division as shown in His statement )which means(:}And when ]other[ relatives and orphans and the needy are present at the ]time of[ division, then provide for them ]something[ out of the estate.{]Quran 4:8[ She has further been given a share in spending as shown in His statement )which means(:}"Whatever you spend of good is ]to be[ for parents and relatives and orphans.{]Quran 2:215[
35- Islam protects the right of the woman in her social life, and has maintained the soundness of her heart and unity with her relatives by making it unlawful to combine her in wedlock with her sister, or paternal or maternal aunt, as shown in the relevant verse ]Quran 4:23[ and the collectively contiguous Hadeeth.
36- Islam protects the right of the woman in maintaining her honor, and thus it made looking at her unlawful as in the verse )which means(:}Tell the believing men to reduce ]some[ of their vision.{]Quran 24:30[
37- Islam protects the woman’s right in punishing the one who accuses her of adultery with no evidence as shown from Allaah’s statement )which means(:}And those who accuse chaste women and then do not produce four witnesses - lash them with eighty lashes.{]Quran 24:4[
38- Islam protects the right of the woman as a mother and has enjoined upon her children to be dutiful and kind to her and warned them against provoking her anger even by using a word as minor as “uff” - and made entering Paradise contingent on her contentment.
39- Islam protects the right of the woman as a breast-feeding mother, and has assigned a fee to her, and this is a right that is common between the baby and the breast-feeding mother as shown in Allaah’s statement )which means(:}And if they breastfeed for you, then give them their payment.{]Quran 65:6[
40- Islam protects the right of the woman when she is pregnant, and this is a right that is common between her and the fetus as shown in Allaah’s statement )which means(:}And if they should be pregnant, then spend on them until they give birth.{]Quran 65:6[
41- Islam protects the right of the woman in terms of accommodation:}Lodge them ]in a section[ of where you dwell out of your means.{]Quran 65:6[






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Islamic Articles, - whosoever fasts on this day his fast would equal 70 years of fasting.

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Almighty Allah in Surat AN-NAZIAT (79:30) speaking clearly about Dahwul Ardh says:
And the earth, He expanded it after that (Dahahaa).
1. What is Dahwul Ardh?
"Dahwul Ardh" - the 25th of Dhulqa'dah, according to a tradition of the Holy Prophet (saw) reported by one of his Sahabi - Abdullah bin Mas'ud, is the day when the earth was spread for the advantage of human beings. The phrase "Dahwul Ardh" literally means "The spread of the earth". In another tradition it is reported that the first Rahmah & blessing descended on this very day.
Hence it is a very important occasion indeed. According to a tradition of the Holy Prophet (saw), whosoever fasts on this day his fast would equal 70 years of fasting.
Having known these merits, should we limit our celebration with fasting and the expression of joy, or should our struggle transcend beyond that? This obviously would depend on our vision about this important day. And in order to understand properly the importance of this day, we should understand the earth better.
2. How is Dahwul Ardh applicable in the present era & how must we celebrate it?
Islam was not revealed for a certain time and a particular people. Its laws and teachings apply for all ages to come. We should try to appreciate this vital truth and behold the "universality" of the religious teachings. The day of Dahwul Ardh that the Holy Prophet (saw) and our Aimma (as) mention in the traditions was not a day of celebration for their time only. Rather it is a day to be celebrated in every epoch and land. The problems the earth faced in their time may be different from the problems the earth confronts in our age. However both have lived in the same earth.
Our duty in every age when this Islamic earth day is celebrated should be to ponder over this God-given blessing, the reason why it was created, whether it is utilized for the purpose it was created, the crisis it faces at present, the remedy for such crisis, etc. This would really make the celebration a celebration of true faith and concern, and a celebration of thanking the All-Merciful Creator who created the world for man's good. One must also try to "fast" the true fasting by ensuring that every member of one's body is also fasting. He should also feel the pain of hunger and think about the reason why there exists a class in the world that starves while the giant economic countries like the US have to throw food every year to maintain the value of its currency. Du'as likewise can be recited with sincerity and attention. These noble devotions are very vital elements to enable the human being come closer to his All-Merciful Creator.
But besides all this we should try to understand the contemporary problems of the earth and contribute whatever we can in this auspicious day. Our contribution can take various forms. Examples of a few are as follows:
a) Writing thought provoking articles to the news-magazines and informing the public of the crisis the human beings have created for themselves on this transient earth.
b) Educating the public on the methods of eradicating these problems that also consist of practical signs of danger that await the human being.
c) Practically putting into practice what we can teach the public about the dangers facing the earth.
d) Making a firm decision and resolve in utilizing this earth as a means for a good and eternally secure Hereafter. We pray to Allah (swt) to enable us utilize this earth for the purpose it was created and we sincerely ask him to uproot the influence of the capitalistic traders of the world whose voluptuous and greedy nature is never satiated, and because of whom the earth is in great crisis.
Understanding the Earth Better
A) Why was the Earth created?
The Holy Qur'an in Surat TA-HA (20:53) says: "He who appointed the earth to be a cradle for you."
Allamah Tabataba'i in his Al-Mizan says: Thus Allah stationed man in the earth to live an earthly life, so that he may earn a provision for his heavenly and exalted life, in the manner that a baby is stationed in the cradle, and is brought up for a more sacred and developed life..." (Vol. 14, pg. 171)
From this we come to realize that the earth was created as a preparing ground & means for human perfection and the purity of the heart. Sadly, however, many a people, instead of maintaining it for a good Hereafter, tend to destroy it for selfish gains.
B) Do the human beings employ the earth for the purpose it was created?
The Holy Qur'an in Surat AL-ROOM (30:41) clearly talks of a people who instead of practically thanking Allah (swt) by utilizing the earth for its sacred purpose cause mischief therein and subsequently face its evil consequences: "Corruption has appeared in the land and sea, for that men's own hands have earned, that He may let them taste some of that which they have done, that haply so they may return."
And in Surat AL-ARAF (7:10), Almighty Allah says: "Indeed We made you live in the earth and made therein for you the means of livelihood; little is it that you thank."
In this verse, "little is it that you thank" should not merely taken as "verbal thanks," for the reality of "shukr" is to use the gift for the purpose it was created.
C) What is our duty towards the Earth today?
From the above discussion the answer is evident: Because the earth was created for achieving human perfection, we should make a firm resolve to utilize it solely for that. This however should not mean that we stop scientific advancements, for such ventures are also a means to help the creation of the earth. But making a resolve in utilizing the earth as a means for achieving human perfection requires us to have a good understanding of how to go about utilizing the earth and its resources properly. Revelation is the best source for guiding us here.
We should first try to study the elements that are responsible for mischief both in the physical as well as the spiritual world. So long as we have not searched for the root problem, our resolve to change, however firm it may be, would be futile. And as we make a firm resolve we should humbly pray to Allah (swt) to enable us maintain our resolve so that we have done our duty and removed ourselves from the group that is responsible for the earth crisis.
THE ROOT CAUSE:
Different seminars and discussions on the issue of the earth crisis have been, are being, and will be held in different parts of the world. Days like "the Earth day" is also celebrated to make the people realize the dangers facing the earth. The earth lovers mention several problems. The brevity of this speech however does not allow me to enumerate all. Some of the problems they cite are:
1. The depletion of the ozone layer [which acts like a sunscreen shielding the earth from harmful ultra violet radiation]. This is due to the usage of goods that contain CFC gases. Some dangers of ozone depletion are: skin cancers, eye disorders, global warming, etc.
2. The contamination of water. This is due to throwing industrial wastes in the water bodies. The Capitalistic and egoistic attitudes of the producers & manufacturers have no concern about the health risks of those using the waters. It is evident that using contaminated water has great health risks and dangers.
3. The contamination of air through Industrial wastes and other factors. Those who would like to know the details of the environmental problems may look at encyclopedias and the Internet.
But, we ask a fundamental question to ourselves: What is the ROOT CAUSE of the senseless attitude towards environmental pollution? If we answer that, we would then be able to respect the earth and lessen and perhaps even eradicate the ecological crisis that transpires in this oppressed earth.
The fundamental reason for such a crisis is an incorrect world-view or a narrow outlook towards this world. So long as the human being has not understood the meaning of this life, the purpose of his creation, the link between the Creator and the creation, he would never be merciful to himself, let alone the earth. The earth is merely a means for the aim of creation, which is the nearness and proximity of Allah (swt). It is due to ignorance of this fact or the lack of obedience on the part of us that causes the chaos in this transient earth. In fact why should the activists that struggle for bettering the physical environment forget the spiritual environment? The spiritual pollution is more grave than the physical one. Rather, the spiritual pollution is the cause of the physical pollution. In conclusion, two reasons may therefore contribute to the chaos that exists in the earth:
1. A wrong outlook towards the reality: disbelief in God, Revelation, the Hereafters, or having a concocted belief that is against the innate nature of the human being. These kinds of trends are followed by wrong judgments, which come about as a result of ignorance of the correct method of getting to the truth. And when one has a wrong outlook, and does not know the meaning of life, he would do whatever his ego wants. He would tend to forget the serenity of others.
2. Disobedience on the part of the believer: If a believer who has convictions about his true faith remains steadfast in following what Allah (swt) commands, the earth would be a place of serenity. Contrarily if he allows his desires to rule over his intellect, and is lax in his belief, he would cause great dangers not only for man, but the entire creation that lives on this earth.








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