Welcome to Islam, - The Inherent Differences Between Man and Woman - I

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The physical, moral and Sharee‘ah-related differences between man and woman are proven by Divine Decree, the Sharee‘ah, and sound ration.
That is, Allaah The Almighty has created man and woman as twin-halves of the human species: male and female, as confirmed by His Statement )which means(:}And that He creates the two mates - the male and female.{]Quran 53:45[ Both participate in maintaining the universe, each in his/her field. They share in maintaining it by worshipping Allaah The Almighty, in which there is no difference between men and women in the universalities of religion: Tawheed )Islamic monotheism(, creed, articles of faith, submission to Allaah The Almighty, reward and punishment, encouragement and admonition in general, in addition to virtue and chastity. There is also no difference between them in the universality of religious law, as regards to all rights and duties; Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:
•}And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.{]Quran 51:56[
•}Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life.{]Quran 16:97[
•}And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer - those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, ]even as much as[ the speck on a date seed.{]Quran 4:124[
But, Allaah The Almighty decreed that man is different from woman in physique, constitution and appearance. Man is more perfect in nature, disposition and physical power than woman, due to what she suffers of menses, pregnancy, the pains of childbirth, suckling, looking after the affairs of the baby, and raising the future generation of the Ummah )Muslim nation(. That is why the woman was created from the rib of Aadam )Adam(, may Allaah exalt his mention. She is a complementary part of him, and man is entrusted to take care of her affairs, guard and protect her, and maintain her as well as their offspring.
This difference in disposition led to differences between them in physical, mental, intellectual, emotional capabilities, and will-power, and that was reflected in the difference in work, performance, and competence. Additionally, modern day scientists have concluded that there are amazing signs of physiological disparity between the two sexes.
The types of difference between the sexes has accounted for a large set of corresponding Sharee‘ah-stipulated rulings. Allaah, The Exalted in Honor, the Wise, with His Perfect Wisdom, has enjoined difference, disparity and authority between man and woman in some Sharee‘ah-stipulated rulings in tasks and functions that befit each according to his/her physique, constitution, capabilities and performance, and the aptitude of each of them in his/her respective field of human life, in order for life to be integrated and for each party to undertake his/her task in it.
Allaah The Almighty assigned to men rulings that befit their physique, constitution, structure, competence, qualification for performance, patience, endurance and solemnity, and the bulk of their role is outside the home as they endeavor to provide for their household. He did the same with women, to whom He assigned rulings that befit their physique, constitution, structure, competence, qualification for performance and fragile endurance, and the bulk of their job is thus inside the home, looking after the affairs of their household and raising those in it who constitute the next generation of the Ummah.
Allaah The Almighty related from a woman her statement )which means(:}“And the male is not like the female.”{]Quran 3:36[ Exalted be He, to whom belongs the creation and command, ruling and legislation:}Unquestionably, His is the creation and the command; blessed is Allaah, Lord of the worlds.{]Quran 7:54[
This is the universal norm of Allaah The Almighty in His creation )meaning that whatever Allaah The Almighty wills and decrees for his slaves will inevitably occur(, constitution and foundations, and His Legislative norm concerning commands, rulings and laws. Both norms meet to serve the benefits of people, the maintenance of the universe, and the organization of the life of the individual, the home, the community and human society.

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Welcome to Islam, - Maryam, the Mother of Jesus

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As Muslims, we respect, honor and hold in high esteem Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, the daughter of Imraan who was a chaste virgin and is the best of the women of the world.
The Muslims respect and love her for many reasons, among which are the following:
• Allaah Almighty praised her and described her as being pure and chaste; Allaah Almighty Says )what means(:}And ]the example of[ Mary, the daughter of ‘Imraan, who guarded her chastity, so We blew into ]her garment[ through Our angel ]i.e. Gabriel[, and she believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient.{]Quran 66:12[ Indeed, Allaah Almighty mentioned her and elaborated on the details of her story in many verses in the Quran.
• Allaah has chosen her as the best of the women of this world; Allaah Says )what means(:})And ]mention[ when the angels said, “O Mary, indeed Allaah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.{]Quran 3:42[
• Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, was brought up in a pious and religious family like her mother, may Allaah be pleased with her, who vowed to Allaah to dedicate what was in her womb to His Services and to serve His Religion; Allaah Says )what means(:}]Mention, O Muhammad[, when the wife of Imraan said, “My Lord, indeed I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated ]for Your service[, so accept this from me. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.” But when she delivered her, she said, “My Lord I have delivered a female.” And Allaah was most knowing of what she delivered, and the male is not like the female. And I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge for her in You and ]for[ her descendants from Satan, the expelled ]from the mercy of Allaah[.”{]Quran 3: 35-36[
Indeed, Allaah accepted the supplication of the mother of Maryam as He appointed a Prophet to her care and service, who was the Prophet Zechariah, may Allaah exalt his mention, so that she would be brought up upon the Guidance of Allaah. Allaah Says )what means(:}So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zechariah. Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, “O Mary, from where is this ]coming[ to you?” She said, “It is from Allaah. Indeed, Allaah provides for whom He wills without account.”{]Quran 3:37[
• Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, reached a status and an honorable level that no other women has reached; the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, mentioned this and clarified this in many Ahadeeth. For instance, we cite the following:
-“Many men reached the level of perfection, but no woman reached such a level except Maryam, the daughter of Imraan, and Asia, the wife of Pharaoh."]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
-“The best of the women of her time was Maryam, daughter of Imraan, and the best of the women of her time was Khadeejah, Bint Khuwaylid.”]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
-“The best of the women of paradise after Maryam Bint ‘Imraan are: Faatimah ]daughter of the Prophet[, Khadeejah ]Prophet’s wife[ and Asia the wife of Pharaoh.”]As-Silsilah As-Saheehah[
-“The best of the women of the world are: “Maryam Bint ‘Imraan, Khadeejah Bint Khuwaylid, Faatimah Bint Muhammad, and Asia, the wife of Pharaoh.”]At-Tirmithi[
• All the Muslim nation agree that Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, was of great honor and high status and they consider her as an example regarding purity and chastity.
• A whole Chapter in the Quran was named after her name and she is the only woman who has won this honor )as no other Chapter is named after any other woman(, and Allaah elaborated in details the story of her conceiving ‘Eesa, may Allaah exalt his mention, and her giving birth to him.
• Also, she is the only woman who was clearly mentioned by name in the Quran whereas other women of honor and great status were only mentioned by reference.
Indeed, her name was mentioned explicitly in the Quran 34 times in 32 verses, and it was mentioned 11 times without being linked to her son ‘Eesa )Jesus(, may Allaah exalt his mention.
• Also, Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, was the one who was given as an example – along with Asia Bint Muzaahim ]the wife of Pharaoh[ –for the Muslim women, and for men as well. Allaah Says )what means(:}And Allaah presents an example of those who believed: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, “My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people.” And ]the example of[ Mary, the daughter of ‘Imraan, who guarded her chastity, so We blew into ]her garment[ through Our angel ]i.e. Gabriel[, and she believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient.{]Quran 66:11-12[
• Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention was known for her chastity and virginity even after giving birth to ‘Eesa )Jesus(, the Messenger of Allaah, may Allaah exalt their mention. She sought refuge with Allaah when the angel Jibreel )Gabriel( appeared to her in the form of a man in all respects, as she said: Allaah Says ]on her tongue[ )what means(:}She said: “Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Merciful )i.e. Allaah( from you if you do fear Allaah”{]Quran 19:18[
• Allaah honored her by declaring her not guilty and by protecting her honor and dignity with a great miracle as He made her son –‘Eesa )Jesus( –speak while he was still in the cradle in order to declare her innocence and refute the accusation of the people of falsehood and corruption. Indeed, Allaah mentioned in details the story how she conceived her son and how she gave birth to him. Allaah Says )what means(:}Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, ‘O Mary, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented. O sister of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste.” So she pointed to him. They said, “How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child?” ]Jesus[ said, “Indeed, I am the servant of Allaah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and Zakaah as long as I remain alive. And ]made me[ dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive.” That is Jesus, the son of Mary— the word of truth about which they are in dispute. It is not ]befitting[ for Allaah to take a son; exalted is He! When He decrees an affair, He only says to it, “Be,” and it is.{]Quran 19:27-35[
• Allaah selected her to be a pious believing mother for one of the Prophets of great determination, who were the five great Prophets in the history of mankind, may Allaah exalt their mention.
• She conceived ‘Eesa )Jesus(, may Allaah exalt his mention, in an unordinary human way, and in a miraculous manner as the angel Jibreel )Gabriel( breathed into her womb and she became pregnant, and then she gave birth to him.
• She was honored as Allaah attributed her great son to her; Jesus, son of Mary, as he was mentioned being attributed to her in the Quran 23 times out of 34 times.
• Allaah honored her with a number of miracles before her pregnancy and after she gave birth, such as the food which Allaah blessed her with when there was nobody to give her food or when she was lacking it. Allaah Says )what means(:}…and put her in the care of Zechariah. Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, “O Mary, from where is this ]coming[ to you?” She said, “It is from Allaah. Indeed, Allaah provides for whom He wills without account.”{]Quran 3:37[ Allaah also blessed her with the stream and the palm tree, which Allaah created for her so that she would eat and drink from them in the lonely place where she was so that she will give birth far from the eyes of the people. Allaah Says )what means(:}…But he called her from below her, “Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream. And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. So eat and drink and be contented…”{]Quran 19:24-26[
• She was strong in her religion. She endured much hardship and was steadfast to the last second of hardship, especially when she became pregnant, when she gave birth, and when she breastfed her son.
• Her name was widely spread among the Christians and the Muslims. Indeed, many Muslims like naming their daughters Maryam, and her name is absolutely the most wide-spread name for females around the world and in the Christian world. Her name is especially spread among the woman in Spanish speaking countries, such as the name of Mary Augustine, and Mary Asunción, Mary Antoinette, Miriam, Mary Carmen, and Mary Magdalene, Virginia, …etc.
Conclusion:
Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, is a role model for all Muslim women because she maintained her impeccable character throughout her life. Allaah raised her status and chose her from among the women of the entire world. Indeed, many verses and many Ahadeeth clarified her great status.
Allaah blessed her with some miracles, protected her and defended her against any accusations and blasphemy. On the other hand, Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, demonstrated her genuine devotion and loyalty to Allaah through her impeccable virtue and behavior. She also expressed her profound and genuine devotion to Him Almighty through her determination, devotion, and unconditional surrender to His Will. She placed all of her hope and trust only in Allaah.
As a result, Allaah supported her with His Grace and Help, and turned all hardship into goodness and beauty.
She became pregnant and delivered her child all alone. She showed patience and complete faith in Allaah and endured the accusations of her people. Consequently, Allaah eased her burden, supported her, and refuted any accusations against her.
Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, had a superior and honorable position.
As Muslims, we should honor her, defend her dignity and chastity, and clarify to the people of the whole world the truth about her that she is the best example for all women around the world to follow. She was indeed the best woman ever in the whole world, may Allaah exalt her mention.

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Dought & clear, - Celebrating innovated festivals

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What is the shar’i ruling on celebrating festivals such as the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), children’s birthdays, Mother’s Day, Tree Week and national holidays?
Firstly: ‘Eid (festival) is the name given to something
which returns ya’ood , and is used to describe gatherings which happen repeatedly, on a yearly,
monthly or weekly basis, etc. So an ‘eid includes a number of things,
such as a day which comes regularly, e.g., ‘Eid al-Fitr and Friday;
gatherings on that day; and actions such as acts of worship and customs
which are done on that day.
Secondly: any of these things which are intended as rituals
or acts of worship aimed at drawing closer to Allaah or glorifying Him
in order to earn reward, or which involve imitating the people of Jaahiliyyah
or any other groups of kaafirs, is a prohibited bid’ah, an innovation
which comes under the general meaning of the hadeeth: “Whoever innovates
something in this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it, will
have it rejected.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim).
Examples of that include Mawlid al-Nabi (the Prophet’s birthday),
Mother’s Day and national holidays, because in the first case there
are innovated acts of worship which Allaah has not prescribed, and because
it involves imitation of the Christians and other kaafirs. And in the
second and third cases there is imitation of the kuffaar. But in cases
where the intention is to organize work to serve the interests of the
ummah and to put its affairs straight, or to organize programs of study,
or to bring employees together for work purposes etc., which in and
of themselves do not involve acts of worship and glorification, then
these are a kind of benign innovation which do not come under the meaning
of the hadeeth, “Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours
(Islam) that is not a part of it will have it rejected.” So there is
nothing wrong with such things, indeed they are allowed by sharee’ah.
And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.

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Dought & clear, - Reciting du’aa’ for forgiveness in unison following prayer

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When the imam finishes praying he recites the du’aa’ for forgiveness (istighfaar) in communal fashion, out loud. Is this permissible?.
Praise be to Allaah.
It says inFataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah:
Saying du’aa’ out loud following the five daily prayers and the regular Sunnah prayers, or reciting du’aa’ after the prayers in unison as a regular practise is a reprehensible innovation (bid’ah), because it is not reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) did anything like that.
Fataawa Islamiyyah, 1/319

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