Wemen section - , The Status of Women in Islam

The status of women in society is neither a new issue nor is it a
fully settled one.
The position of Islam on this issue has been among the subjects
presented to the Westernreader with the least objectivity.
This paper is intended to provide a brief and authentic exposition of
what Islam stands for in this regard. The teachings of Islam are based
essentially on the Quran (God's revelation) and Hadith (elaboration by
Prophet Muhammad).
The Quran and the Hadith, properly and unbiasedly understood, provide
the basic source of authentication for any position or view which is
attributed to Islam.
The paper starts with a brief survey of the status of women in the
pre-Islamic era. It then focuses on these major questions: What is the
position of Islam regarding the status of woman in society? How
similar or different is thatposition from "the spirit of the time,"
which was dominant when Islam was revealed? How would this compare
with the "rights" which were finally gained by woman in recent
decades?
II. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
One major objective of this paper is to provide a fair evaluation of
what Islam contributed (or failed to contribute) toward the
restoration ofwoman's dignity and rights. In order to achieve this
objective, it may be useful to review briefly how women weretreated in
general in previous civilizations andreligions, especially thosewhich
preceded Islam (Pre-610 C.E.). Part of the information provided here,
however, describes the status of woman as late as the nineteenth
century, more than twelve centuries after Islam.
Women in Ancient Civilization
Describing the status of the Indian woman, Encyclopedia Britannica states:
In India, subjection was acardinal principle. Day and night must women
be held by their protectors in a state of dependence says Manu. The
rule of inheritance was agnatic, that is descent traced through males
to the exclusion of females.
In Hindu scriptures, the description of a good wife is as follows: "a
woman whose mind, speech and body are kept in subjection, acquires
high renown in this world, and, in the next, the same abode with her
husband."
In Athens, women were not better off than eitherthe Indian or the Roman women.
Athenian women were always minors, subject to some male - to their
father, to their brother, or to some of their male kin.
Her consent in marriage was not generally thought to be necessary and
"she was obliged to submit to the wishes of her parents, and receive
from them her husband and her lord, even though he were stranger to
her."
A Roman wife was described by an historianas: "a babe, a minor, a
ward, a person incapableof doing or acting anything according to her
own individual taste, a person continually under the tutelage and
guardianship of her husband."
In the Encyclopedia Britannica, we find a summary of the legal status
of women in the Roman civilization:
In Roman Law a woman was even in historic times completely dependent.
If married she and her property passed into the power of her
husband... the wife was the purchased property of her husband, and
like a slave acquired only for his benefit. A woman could not exercise
any civil or public office, could not be a witness, surety, tutor, or
curator; she could not adopt or be adopted, or make will or contract.
Among the Scandinavian races women were: under perpetual tutelage,
whether married or unmarried. As late as the Code of Christian V, at
theend of the 17th Century, it was enacted that if a woman married
without the consent of her tutor he might have, if he wished,
administration and usufruct of her goods during her life.
According to the English Common Law:
...all real property which a wife held at the time ofa marriage became
a possession of her husband. He was entitled to the rent from the land
and to any profit which might be made from operating the estate during
the joint life of the spouses. As time passed, the English
courtsdevised means to forbid a husband's transferring real property
without theconsent of his wife, but he still retained the right to
manage it and to receive the money which it produced. As to a
wife'spersonal property, the husband's power was complete. He had the
right to spend it as he saw fit.
Only by the late nineteenth Century did the situation start to
improve. "By a series of acts starting with the Married women's
Property Act in 1870, amended in 1882 and 1887, married women achieved
the right to own property and to enter contracts on a par with
spinsters, widows, and divorcees." As late as the Nineteenth Century
an authority in ancient law, Sir Henry Maine, wrote: "No society which
preserves any tincture of Christian institutions is likely to restore
to married women the personal liberty conferred on them by theMiddle
Roman Law."
In his essay The Subjection of Women, John Stuart Mill wrote:
We are continually told that civilization and Christianity have
restoredto the woman her just rights. Meanwhile the wife is the actual
bondservant of her husband; no less so, as far as the legal
obligationgoes, than slaves commonly so called.
Before moving on to the Quranic decrees concerning the status of
woman, a few Biblical decrees may shed more light on the subject, thus
providing a better basis for an impartial evaluation. In the Mosaic
Law, the wife was betrothed. Explaining this concept, the Encyclopedia
Biblical states: "To betroth a wife to oneself meant simply to acquire
possession of her by payment of the purchase money; the betrothed is a
girl for whom the purchase money has been paid." From the legal point
of view, the consent of the girl was not necessary forthe validation
of her marriage. "The girl's consent is unnecessary and the need for
it is nowhere suggested in the Law."
As to the right of divorce,we read in the Encyclopedia Biblical:"The
woman being man'sproperty, his right to divorce her follows as a
matter of course." The right to divorce was held only by man. "In the
Mosaic Law divorce was aprivilege of the husband only.... "
The position of the Christian Church until recent centuries seems
tohave been influenced by both the Mosaic Law and by the streams of
thought that were dominant in its contemporary cultures. Intheir book,
Marriage East and West, David and VeraMace wrote:
Let no one suppose, either, that our Christian heritage is free of
such slighting judgments. It would be hard to find anywhere a
collection of more degrading references to the female sex than the
early Church Fathers provide. Lecky, the famous historian, speaks of
(these fierce incentives which form so conspicuous and so grotesque a
portion of the writing of the Fathers... woman was represented as the
door of hell, as the mother of all human ills. She should be ashamed
at the very thought that she is a woman. She should live in continual
penance on account of the curses she has brought upon the world. She
should be ashamed of her dress, forit is the memorial of her fall. She
should be especially ashamed of her beauty, for it is the most potent
instrument of the devil). One of the most scathing of these attacks on
woman is that of Tertullian: (Do you know that you are each an Eve?
The sentence of God on this sex of yours lives in this age: the guilt
must of necessity live too.You are the devil's gateway: you are the
unsealer of that forbidden tree; you are the first deserters of the
divine law; you are she who persuades him whom the devil was not
valiant enough to attack. You destroyed so easily God's image, man. On
account of your desert - that is death - even the Son of God had to
die). Not only did the church affirm the inferior status of woman, it
deprived her of legal rights she had previously enjoyed.
III. WOMAN IN ISLAM
In the midst of the darkness that engulfed the world, the divine
revelation echoed in the wide desert of Arabia with a fresh, noble,
and universal message to humanity:
"O Mankind, keep your duty to your Lord who created you from a
singlesoul and from it created its mate (of same kind) and from them
twain hasspread a multitude of men and women...". [Noble Quran 4:1]
A scholar who pondered about this verse states: "Itis believed that
there is no text, old or new, that deals with the humanity of the
woman from all aspects with such amazing brevity, eloquence, depth,
and originality as this divine decree."
Stressing this noble and natural conception, themQuran states:
"He (God) it is who did create you from a single soul and therefrom
did create his mate, that he might dwell with her (in love)..." [Noble
Quran 7:189]
"The Creator of heavens and earth: He has made for you pairs from
amongyourselves" [Noble Quran 42:11]
"And Allah has given youmates of your own nature, and has given you
from your mates, children and grandchildren, and has made provision of
good things for you. Is it then in vanity that they believe and in the
grace of God that they disbelieve?" [Noble Quran16:72]
The rest of this paper outlines the position of Islam regarding the
status of woman in society from its various aspects - spiritually,
socially, economically and politically.
1. The Spiritual Aspect
The Quran provides clear-cut evidence that womanis completely equated
with man in the sight of God in terms of her rightsand
responsibilities. The Quran states:
"Every soul will be (held)in pledge for its deeds" [Noble Quran 74:38]
It also states:
"...So their Lord accepted their prayers, (saying): I will not suffer
to be lost the work of anyof you whether male or female. You proceed
one from another..." [Noble Quran 3:195]
"Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily to
him will We givea new life that is good and pure, and We will bestow
on such their reward according to their actions." [Noble Quran 16:97,
see also 4:124]
Woman according to the Quran is not blamed for Adam's first mistake.
Both were jointly wrong in their disobedience to God, both repented,
and both were forgiven. [Noble Quran 2:36, 7:20-24]
In one verse in fact [20:121], Adam specifically, was blamed.
In terms of religious obligations, such as the Daily Prayers, Fasting,
Poor-due, and Pilgrimage, woman is no different from man. In some
cases indeed, woman has certain advantages over man. For example, the
woman is exempted from the daily prayers and from fasting during her
menstrual periods and forty days after childbirth. She is also
exempted from fasting during her pregnancy and when she is nursing her
baby if there is any threat to her health or her baby's. If the missed
fasting is obligatory (during the month of Ramadan), she can make up
for the missed days whenever she can. She does not have to make up for
the prayers missedfor any of the above reasons. Although women can and
did go into the mosque during the days of the Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) and thereafterattendance at the Friday
congregational prayers isoptional for them while it is mandatory for
men (on Friday).
This is clearly a tender touch of the Islamic teachings for they are
considerate of the fact that a woman may be nursing her baby or caring
for him, and thus may be unable to go out to the mosque at the time of
the prayers. They also take into account the physiological and
psychological changes associated with her natural female functions.
2. The Social Aspect
a) As a child and an adolescent
Despite the social acceptance of female infanticide among some Arabian
tribes, the Quran forbade this custom, and considered it a crime like
any other murder.
"And when the female (infant) buried alive - is questioned, for what
crime she was killed." [Noble Quran 81:8-9]
Criticizing the attitudes of such parents who reject their female
children, the Quran states:
"When news is brought to one of them, of (the Birth of) a female
(child), his face darkens and he isfilled with inward grief! With
shame does he hide himself from his people because of the bad news he
has had! Shall he retain her on (sufferance) and contempt, or bury her
in the dust? Ah! What an evil (choice) they decide on?" [Noble Quran
16:58-59]
Far from saving the girl's life so that she may later suffer injustice
and inequality, Islam requireskind and just treatment for her. Among
the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)
inthis regard are the following:
Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does not
insult her, and does not favor his son over her, God will enter him
into Paradise. [Ibn Hanbal, No. 1957]
Whosoever supports two daughters till they mature, he and I will come
in the Day of Judgment as this (and he pointed with his two fingers
held together).
A similar Hadith deals in like manner with one who supports two
sisters. [Ibn-Hanbal, No. 2104]
The right of females to seek knowledge is not different from that of
males. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim". [Al-Bayhaqi]
Muslim as used here including both males andfemales.
b) As a wife:
The Quran clearly indicates that marriage issharing between the
twohalves of the society, and that its objectives, besides
perpetuating human life, are emotional well-being and spiritual
harmony. Itsbases are love and mercy.
Among the most impressive verses in the Quran about marriage is the following.
"And among His signs is this: That He created mates for you from
yourselves that you may find rest, peace of mind in them, and He
ordainedbetween you love and mercy. Lo, herein indeed are signs for
people who reflect." [Noble Quran 30:21]
According to Islamic Law, women cannot be forced to marry anyone
without their consent.
Ibn 'Abbas reported that a girl came to the Messenger of God, Muhammad
(peace and blessings be upon him), and she reported that her father
had forced herto marry without her consent. The Messenger of God gave
her the choice... (between accepting the marriage or invalidating it).
[Ibn Hanbal No. 2469]
In another version, the girl said:
"Actually I accept this marriage but I wanted tolet women know that
parents have no right (to force a husband on them)" [Ibn Majah, No.
1873]
Besides all other provisions for her protection at the time of
marriage, it was specifically decreed that woman has the full right to
her Mahr, a marriage gift, which is presented to her by her husband
and is included in the nuptial contract, and thatsuch ownership does
not transfer to her father or husband. The concept of Mahr in Islam is
neither an actual or symbolic price for the woman, as was the case in
certain cultures, but rather it is a gift symbolizing love and
affection.
The rules for married life in Islam are clear and in harmony with
upright human nature. In consideration of the physiological and
psychological make-up ofman and woman, both have equal rights and
claims on one another, except for one responsibility, that of
leadership. This is a matter which is natural in any collective life
and which is consistent with the nature of man.
The Quran thus states:
"...And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them,
and men are a degree above them." [Noble Quran 2:228]
Such degree is Quiwama (maintenance and protection). This refers
tothat natural difference between the sexes whichentitles the weaker
sex toprotection. It implies no superiority or advantage before the
law. Yet, man's role of leadership in relation to his family does not
mean the husband's dictatorship over his wife. Islam emphasizes the
importance of taking counsel and mutual agreement in family decisions.
The Quran gives us an example:
"...If they (husband wife) desire to wean the child by mutual consent
and (after) consultation, there is no blame on them..." [Noble Quran
2:233]
Over and above her basic rights as a wife comes the right which is
emphasized by the Quranand is strongly recommended by the Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him); kind treatment and companionship.
The Quran states:
"...But consort with them in kindness, for if you hate them it may
happen that you hate a thing wherein God has placed much good." [Noble
Quran 4:19]
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"The best of you is the best to his family and I am the best among you
to my family."
The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and best of you are
those who are best totheir wives. [Ibn-Hanbal, No. 7396]
Behold, many women came to Muhammad's wives complaining against their
husbands (because they beat them)- - those (husbands) are not the best
of you.
As the woman's right to decide about her marriage is recognized, so
also her right to seek an end for an unsuccessful marriage is
recognized. To provide for the stability of the family, however, and
in order to protect it from hasty decisions under temporary emotional
stress, certain steps and waiting periods should be observed by men
and women seeking divorce. Considering the relativelymore emotional
nature of women, a good reasonfor asking for divorce should be brought
before the judge. Like the man, however, the woman can divorce her
husband with out resorting to the court, if the nuptial contract
allows that.
More specifically, some aspects of Islamic Law concerning marriage
anddivorce are interesting and are worthy of separate treatment.
When the continuation of the marriage relationship is impossiblefor
any reason, men are still taught to seek a gracious end for it.
The Quran states about such cases:
"When you divorce women, and they reach their prescribed term, then
retain them in kindness and retain themnot for injury so that you
transgress (the limits)..." [Noble Quran 2:231] [See also Quran 2:229
and 33:49]
c) As a mother:
Islam considered kindness to parents next to the worship of God.
"And we have enjoined upon man (to be good) to his parents: His
motherbears him in weakness upon weakness..." [Noble Quran 31:14] [See
also Quran 46:15, 29:8]
Moreover, the Quran has a special recommendation for the good
treatment of mothers:
"Your Lord has decreed that you worship none save Him, and that you
bekind to your parents..." [Noble Quran 17:23]
A man came to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) asking:
O Messenger of God, who among the people is the most worthy of my good
company? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, Your
mother. The man said then who else: The Prophet (peace and blessings
be upon him) said, Your mother. The man asked, Then who else? The
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, Your mother. The man
asked, Then who else? Only then did the Prophet (peace and blessings
be upon him) say, Your father. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
A famous saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
is:"Paradise is at the feet of mothers." [In An-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah,
Ahmad]
"It is the generous (in character) who is good to women, and it is the
wicked who insults them."

Wemen section - , Women in Islam

At a time when the rest of the world, from Greeceand Rome to India and
China, considered women as no better thanchildren or even slaves, with
no rights whatsoever, Islam acknowledged women's equality with men in
a great many respects. The Quran states:
"And among His signs is this: that He created mates for you from
yourselves that you may find rest and peace of mind in them, and He
ordained between you love and mercy. Certainly,herein indeed are signs
for people who reflect." [Noble Quran 30:21]
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"The most perfect in faith amongst believers ishe who is best in
manners and kindest to his wife." [Abu Dawud]
Muslims believe that Adam and Eve were created from the same soul.
Both were equally guilty of their sin and fall from grace, and Allah
forgave both. Many women in Islam have hadhigh status; consider the
fact that the first person to convert to Islam was Khadijah, the wife
of Muhammad, whom he both loved and respected. His favorite wife after
Khadijah's death, Ayshah, became renowned as a scholar and one of the
greatest sources of Hadith literature. Many of the female Companions
accomplished great deeds and achieved fame, and throughout Islamic
history there havebeen famous and influential scholars and jurists.
We might also mention that while many in the West criticize Islam with
regard to the treatment of women, in fact a number of Muslim countries
have had women rulers and presidents. To name a few: Turkey;
Bangladesh and Pakistan.
With regard to education, both women and men have the same rights and
obligations. This is clear in Prophet Muhammad's saying:
"Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every believer." [Ibn Majah]
This implies men and women.
A woman is to be treated as God has endowed her, with rights, such as
to be treated as an individual, with the right to own and dispose of
her own property and earnings, enter into contracts, evenafter
marriage. She has the right to be educated and to work outside the
home if she so chooses. She has the right to inherit from her father,
mother, and husband. A very interesting point to note is that in
Islam, unlike any other religion,a woman can be an imam, a leader of
communal prayer, for a group of women.
A Muslim woman also hasobligations. All the laws and regulations
pertaining to prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimage, doing good deeds,
etc., apply to women, albeit with minor differences havingmainly to do
with female physiology.
Before marriage, a woman has the right to choose her husband. Islamic
law is very strict regarding the necessity of having the woman's
consent for marriage. The groom gives a marriage dowry to the bride
for her own personal use. She keeps her own family name, rather than
taking her husband's. As a wife, a woman has the right to be supported
by her husband even if she is already rich. She also has the right to
seek divorce and custody of young children. She does not return the
dowry, except in a few unusual situations.
Despite the fact that in many places and times Muslim communities
havenot always adhered to allor even many of the foregoing in
practice, theideal has been there for 1,400 years, while virtually all
other major civilizations did not begin to address these issues or
change their negative attitudes until the 19th and 20th centuries, and
there are still many contemporary civilizations which have yet to do
so.

History of BAITHULLAAH:

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History of Baytullah
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History of Baytullah
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the western part of SaudiArabia, not far from the Red Sea, there lies
the town of Makkah. In the center of this town there is a small square
buildingmade of stones. The small, cubed building may not rival
skyscrapers in height or mansions in width, but its impact on history
and human beings is unmatched. Since time immemorial world travelers
have known this town and thisstone built house. This is Baytullah, the
House of Allah. Its sanctity and antiquity is older than history
itself.
The Baytullah\Kaaba is the building towards which Muslims face five
times a day, everyday, in prayer. This has been the case since the
time of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him & his
family) over 1400 years ago. Literally, Kaaba in Arabic means a high
place with respect and prestige. The word Kaaba may also be derivative
of a word meaning a cube.
The other names of the Kaaba, are Bait ul Ateeq - which means,
according to one meaning, the earliest and ancient. According to the
second meaning, it means independent and liberating. Both meanings
could be taken. Bait ul Haram - the honorable house. Scholars and
historians say that the Kaaba has been reconstructed between five to
12 times.
Tradition goes that the Kaaba was ordained by Allah to be built in the
shape of the House in Heaven called Baitul Ma'amoor. Allah in his
infinite Mercy ordained asimilar place on earth and Prophet Adam
(p.b.u.h.) was the first to build this place. The Bible, in the
chapter of Genesis describes its building when God ordained Abraham
(p.b.u.h.) to erect a Shrine for worship when Abraham (p.b.u.h.) was
ordered to go to the southern desert with his wife Hager (p.b.u.h.)
and infant son Ishmael (p.b.u.h.). The Old Testament describes this
building as the Shrine of God at several places, butthe one built at
Ma'amoor is very much similar to the one at Makkah. There is no doubt
that it was referring to the stone built house at Makkah.
Holy Qur'an brought this story into the full light of history. Say:
"Allah spoken the Truth: follow the religion of Abraham, the sane in
faith; he was not of the Pagans." The first House (of worship)
appointed for men was that at Bakka: Full of blessing and of guidance
for all kinds of beings. (Holy Qur'an 3:95-96)
From the above verses Holy Qur'an firmly establishes the fact that
Abraham (p.b.u.h.) was the real founder of the Holy Shrine.
When Prophet Abraham (p.b.u.h.) built the Holy Shrine in Makka , his
prayers were that this place should remain a center of worship for all
good and pious people; that Allah should keep hisfamily the custodians
of the Holy place. Ever since,Ishmael (p.b.u.h.) the son of Abraham
(p.b.u.h.) who helped his father to build this place and his
descendants remained the custodians of the Holy Shrine. History tells
us that centuries passed and the guardianship of the Kaaba remained in
the family of Ishmael (p.b.u.h.) until the name of Abde Manaf came
into the limelight. He inherited this service andmade it much more
prominent. His son Hashim took this leadership and extended it to many
other towns ofHijaz so much so that many pilgrims flocked annually to
this place andenjoyed Hashim's hospitality. A feast was given in honor
of the pilgrims, the family of Hashim served food and water to all
guests. This prominence created jealousies and his brother Abdusham's
adopted son Omayya tried to create trouble. There was a dispute in
which Omayya failed and left Makka to settle downin the Northern
provincesof Syria (Sham). After Hashim his brother Muttalib and after
him Hashim's son Shyba who became known as Abdul Muttalib assumed the
leadership of the family. He organized feasts and supplies of water to
the pilgrims during the annual festival of pilgrimage to the Holy
Shrine.
Prophet Abraham (p.b.u.h.) built this House for devout worship to the
only God. But within his lifetime people disobeyed his orders and
began to put idols inside the Kaaba. Abraham (p.b.u.h.) had to clean
theHouse of these idols and of idle worshippers. He told the people
that this was a symbolic house of God. God does not live there; He is
everywhere. People did not understand this logic andafter the death of
Abraham (p.b.u.h.), the people, out of reverence, filled the place
with idols again. They thronged to this place annually and worshipped
their personal gods, It was over Four Thousand yearslater that the
last of the line of prophets Muhammad Ibne Abdullah (p.b.u.h.) entered
Makka triumphantly, went inside the Kaaba and, with the help of his
cousin and son-in-law Ali Ibne Abi Talib (p.b.u.h.) destroyed all the
idols of Kaaba with their own hands. At one stage of this destruction
of idols, the tallest of the idol Hubbol was brought down after Ali
had to stand on the shoulders ofthe Prophet to carry out God's orders.
The Prophetof Islam (p.b.u.h.) was reciting the verse from the Holy
Qur'an "Truth hath come and falsehoodhath vanished" . This was done in
the 8th year of Hijra, January 630 AD after the bloodless victory at
Makka by the Prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h.).
Historically when Abraham (p.b.u.h.) was ordered by Allah to build the
Shrine for worship, he uncovered the original foundations of the Kaaba
built by Adam (p.b.u.h.). Abraham (p.b.u.h.) with the help ofhis son
Ishmael (p.b.u.h.) erected the new shrine on the same
foundations.Originally it contained only four walls without a roof.
Centuries later during the time of Khusayi who was the leader of the
Tribe of Quraish in Makka a taller building was completed with a roof
and a quadrangle wall around it to give it the shape of asanctuary and
doors all around the sanctuary walls. People entered through these
doors to come to the Kaaba for worship. It is now about 60 feet high,
60 feet widefrom east to west and 60 feet from north to south. A door
is fixed about 7 feet above ground level facing Northeast. A Black
stone (Hajar al-Aswad) was fixed into its eastern corner. In front of
the building was Maqam-e-Ibrahim, the arch shapegate known as that of
Banu Shayba and the Zamzam Well. Just outside are the Hills called
Safa and Merwa and the distance between the hills is about 500 yards.
These days both of the hills are enclosed into the sanctuary walls
with a roof over it.
The whole building is built of the layers of gray blue stone from the
hills surrounding Makka. The four corners roughly facethe four points
of the compass. At the East is theRukn-e-Aswad (The Black stone), at
the North is theRukn-e-Iraqi, at the west Rukn-e-Shami and at the
south Rukn-e-Yamani. The four walls are covered with a curtain
(Kiswa). The kiswa is usually of black brocade with the Shahada
outlined in the weave of the fabric. About 2/3 rd of the way up runs a
gold embroidered band covered with Qur'anic text.
In the Eastern corner about 5 feet above ground the Hajar al-Aswad
(The Black stone) is fixed into the wall. Its real nature is difficult
to determine, its visible shape is worn smooth by hand touchingand
kissing. Its diameter is around 12 inches. Opposite the Northwest wall
but not connected with it, is a semi circular wall of white marble. It
is3 feet high and about 5 feet thick. This semi circular space enjoys
an especial consideration and pilgrims wait in queue to find a place
to pray there. The graves of Ishmael (p.b.u.h.) and his mother Hager
(p.b.u.h.) are within this semi circular wall (Hateem). Between the
archway and the facade (N.E.) is a little building with a small dome,
the Maqam-e-Ibrahim. Inside it is kept a stone bearing the prints of
two human feet.Prophet Abraham (p.b.u.h.) is said to have stood on
this stone whenbuilding the Kaaba and marks of his feet are
miraculously preserved. On the outskirts of the building to the
Northeastis the 'Zamzam Well' (this is now put under ground).
History of the building of the Kaaba
And when We made the House a pilgrimage for men and a (place of)
security, and: Appoint foryourselves a place of prayer on the
standing-place of Abraham. And We enjoined Abraham and Ishmael saying:
Purify My House for thosewho visit (it) and those who abide (in it)
for devotion and those who bow down (and) those who prostrate
themselves. And when Abraham said: My Lord, make it a secure town and
provide its people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and
the last day. He said: And whoever disbelieves, I will grant him
enjoymentfor a short while, then I will drive him to the chastisement
of the fire; and it is an evil destination. And when Abraham and
Ishmael raised the foundations ofthe House: Our Lord! Accept from us;
surely Thou art the Hearing, the Knowing: Our Lord! And make us both
submissive to Thee and (raise) from our offspring a nation submitting
to Thee, and show us our ways of devotion and turn to us (mercifully),
surely Thou art the Oft-returning (to mercy), the Merciful. Our Lord!
And raise up in them a Messenger from among them who shall recite to
them Thy communications and teach them the Book and the wisdom, and
purify them; surely Thou art the Mighty, the Wise. (Holy Qur'an
2:125-129)
Holy Qur'an in the above verses described it clearlythat Allah had
ordained his servant Abraham (p.b.u.h.) to build the Shrine there for
worship of One God. During Khusayi's time it was rebuilt and
fortified. During the early years of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)
before he announced his ministry, floods damaged the Kaaba and it was
rebuilt again. When the Black stone was to be put in its place the
Makkans quarreled among themselves as to who should have the honor
toplace it there. Abu Omayyah, Makkah's oldest man, proposed that the
first man to enter the gate of the mosque the following morning would
decide the matter. That man wasthe Prophet (p.b.u.h.). The Makkans
were ecstatic. "This is the trustworthy one (Al-Ameen)," they shouted
in a chorus. "Thisis Muhammad". He came to them and they asked him to
decide on the matter. He (p.b.u.h.) agreed. Prophet Muhammad
(p.b.u.h.) proposed a solution that all agreed to putting the Black
Stone on a cloak, the elders of each of the clans held on to one
edgeof the cloak and carried the stone to its place. TheProphet
(p.b.u.h.) himselfthen picked up the stone and placed it on the wall
of the Kaaba. It has been fixed there ever since.
After the martyrdom of the family of the Prophet at Karbala in 61
Hijri (681AD), the Omayyad Caliph Yazid Ibne Moawiya did not stop
there in the pursuit of his destruction.He sent a large contingent
under the command of Haseen IbneNamir to Madina to destroy the Mosque
of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.). They did not stop there but proceeded to
Makka and demolished the four walls of the Kaaba and killed thousands
of Muslims who protested. Yazid died and Ibne Namir returned to
Damascus, Abdullah Ibne Zubayr and his associatesrebuilt the Kaaba.
Umawiforces came back to Makka and killed Abdullah Ibne Zubayr, hung
his body on the gates of the Kaaba for three months for all to see the
Umawi power. But eventually this arrogance of power brought its own
consequences and Mukhtar became the ruler in Iraq. Under his guidance
the Kaaba was refurbished and pilgrims began to arrive in safety to
perform Hajj.
The Kaaba successfully withstood the Cremation invasion of 317/929,
only the Blackstone was carried away which was returned some twenty
years later. In the year 1981 the Wahabis brought tanks inside the
Kaaba to crush the kahtani revolution against the Saudi regime and
almost demolished the South Eastern Wall. This was later restored with
the help of the Makkan people.
Every man living in Makka in the 6 th and 7 th century must out of
necessity have had some relationship with the Kaaba. On the Muhammad
(p.b.u.h.), theProphet of Islam, the Qur'an is silent during the
Makkans period in this respect. All that is known is that the Muslim
community of the period turned towards Jerusalem in prayers.
Subsequently about a year and a half after the Hijra the Muslims were
ordered during prayers, which were lead, by the Prophet of Islam
himself to turn towards Makka. The particular mosque in Madina where
this happened is called Masjid-e-Qiblatain, meaning the mosque with
two Qiblas. The Qur'an tells the Muslims, "Indeed We see the turning
of your face to heaven, so We shall surely turn you to a qiblah which
you shall like; turn then your face towards the Sacred Mosque, and
wherever you are, turn your face towards it." (Holy Qur'an 2:144)
At this same period the Qur'an began to lay stresson the religion of
Abraham (p.b.u.h.), presenting Islam as a return to the purity of the
religion of Abraham (p.b.u.h.) Which, obscured by Judaism and
Christianity, shone forth in its original brightness in the Holy
Qur'an. The pilgrimage to the Kaaba and ritual progressions around the
building were continued, but were now for the glorification of One
God. The Abrahamic vision of the Kaaba created a means of discerning
an orthodox origin buried in the midst of pagan malpractices to which
thefirst Muslims pointed the way.
Every year after the Hajj ceremony the place is closed for one month
andon the day of Ashura the Kaaba is washed from inside by the Water
from the well of Zamzam and anew Kiswa is brought to cover the Kaaba
for the next year.
This is the story of the Kaaba and the persons who protected it and
remained its custodians and protectors from the satanic and evil
forces throughout history. Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) andthe people of his
household (Ahlul Bayt) were the protectors of the Kaaba, and currently
the 12 th Imam Muhammad Al-Mahdi (p.b.u.h.) from the direct descent of
the Prophet ofIslam is the real protector, its custodian and guardian
and shall remain as such while in /
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The Fever CHAPTER 8

I cringed when my alarm went off a little after three in the morning.
I had to be into work by four, and I had definitely not gotten enough
sleep the night before with a late poker game. But, on the other hand,
I did come back five-thousand dollars richer- one of the best nights
I'd ever had. That was the thing about gambling; I very rarely lost.
Actually, so far I had never lost money on a night. I played too
conservative. It almost wasn't gambling- I played my odds perfectly.
Either way, being to work at four in the morning was not one of the
best things that couldhappen on a Monday morning.
Once arriving at work, I found my bus already outin the parking lot-
something not usual or routine for my type of work. I walked up to it,
finding it idling. I walkedup the steps and found a large, metal case
in the back of the bus.
I shifted into drive and started to pull out of the parking lot. I
couldn't help but feel sorry for thepeople running up to thebus stops
on the way to my destination, only to find out that I wasn't stopping
to shuttle them around the city.
Finding my destination was simple enough. It was a casino that I had
played poker and twenty-one at only a few nights before. As soon as I
pulled in, four men in allblack were there, simply walking through the
doors that I opened for them, grabbing the case, and leaving. A fifth
man came through the door and handed me an envelope. I was signaled
out of the casino parkinglot and pulled into a Wal-Mart to open and
read the letter.
Congratulations, you have just assisted in your first crime for the
biggestthug in all of Chicago! I hope you enjoyed your job and you
will be contacted in the future for jobs since you offeredto do
anything to help out your precious little family. If you are
readingthis letter, you have successfully completed the job that was
asked ofyou. You can go on with your pathetic little life. Tell no one
or you and your family will die. Have a nice day!
I nearly puked in my mouth when I read the letter. The sarcastic tone
was nearly unbearable. I couldn't help but imagine what I had just
done as I drove back to the station to clock in. I completely ignored
the people again running to the bus stop to try to catch my bus to a
different part of town.
Life did get interesting once I got back to the transit station. I
pulled in directly after my boss anda few coworkers. I parked the
vehicle and inits designated spot and got out to find disgust onmy
boss's face.
"Where the hell were you?"
"Umm, I noticed a flat tireyesterday so I came in early to go get it filled."
"You know we have an air-compressor in the garage?"
"Yes, I know. I couldn't get it to work."
"Was it out of gas?"
"I don't know, I'm usuallynot one to use it."
"There is gas in the shelving above it. Go fill it up." I left to go
to the garage, knowing that I had just dodged a bullet. Once finding
the air compressor, it was indeed empty of gas. I lucked out, and
found some gasoline to fill it up again. The mechanics here were lazy
anyways; it's not my job to fill the air compressor and checkthe
inflation of the tires.
After the early morning incident, the day went fairly smoothly. I
picked up all the people on my route that I had avoided earlier in the
morning and took them around the city to their desired destinations.
The day went on just as normal. No one knew what had taken place
before then sun rose that morning. When I got home, everything was a
different story.
"Where were you this morning?" Jen inquired as soon as I had opened the door.
"The office called me in late the night before. I had to run a special
routeto the casino with a bus full of tourists."
"At four in the morning?"her voice was questioning.
"I only do what I'm told."
"Well, give me some heads up next time so I'mnot at home sick all day
worrying about you. All I heard from the twins today was "where's
Daddy? Is Daddy playing hide and seek?" I didn't know what to tell
them because you weren't scheduled to go in until almost noon."
"Don't worry, Jen."
"Don't worry me, Paul."
"It won't happen again," I lied. I knew deep down that it would
definitely happen again. The good thing was that I was getting better
at lying. Everything made sense and no one asked questions. Of course,
that was part of gambling, making everyone else think that you were
about to do something else.
The rest of the night went fairly smoothly, andfor the first time in a
few months, I stayed home for the night. It didn't raise the same
thrill as winning large sums of money, but I was very relaxed and the
night was calm. I went to bed early and got a good night's rest.
I couldn't stop.
The next night I was at it again, throwing away the money that I had
earned that week for my paycheck. But I wasn't throwing it away; I was
investing it and growing it exponentially. Tonight, so far, I had
nearly come up with a quarter of the money that I needed to pay off
the rest of my debt. I had just surpassedthe two-hundred thousand
dollar mark when I cashed in my chips for the night.
Eventually, my class of gambling improved. I started going to clubs to
gamble, wearing suits and gambling thousands of dollars at a time. I
hid the suit at work, not letting Jennifer know of my dual identities.
She didn't need to know. The less she knew the better. Yes, she's my
wife, but this was my responsibility. I told myself, after I had
raised the money, everything would be over.
But it was never over. It was like a bad drug that had taken control
of my life. It became an every night ordeal. I easily slid past the
mark that I needed to hit and kept going. I had earned a reputation as
one of the cunningest gamblers in the city. I played other drug
traffickers, businessmen, anybody with money. I played at casinos,
gentlemen's clubs, private boats, mansions, and once a week at my
co-worker's house. And I always won. I always won. I never lost a
game. And when I started falling behind, I got myself back in the lead
quickly. I was the best. And to everyone who thought they knew me, I
was a simple, middle-class husband living paycheck to paycheck.
I tried stopping on a few occasions, but it never happened. I couldn't
everstop. It was the best thing that had ever happened to me. Money,
money was what made life worth living. But I always wanted more...
And I did odd jobs along the way. Most of the time, it involved
transporting money across the city. It was simple, it was easy. I got
caught once and I paid off the cop and that was the end of that.
Everything was beautiful.It couldn't get any better.I had more than
enough money and I was close to the date I had to be at to pay back
the money. No problem, piece of cake-