The distorted image of Muslim women

Since the height of the feminist movement in the late 70's there has
been a magnifying glass placed over the status of Muslim women.
Unfortunately, the magnifying glass that has been used is an unusual
one.
Unusual in the sense that it is very selective about which items it
will magnify; other items it will distort to such a degree that they
will no longer look familiar. I remember once reading an "in depth"
article about the lives of Muslim women. This article "explained" that
at any time a man can divorce his wife by simply stating "I divorce
you, I divorce you, I divorce you".
This article can lead anyone ignorant of the Islamic ruling regarding
divorce to believe that in less than five seconds the woman is left
with no husband and is left to care for herself )and possibly
children( by any means necessary.
The question that immediately popped up in my mind was, "Did the
author innocently write that out of sincere ignorance or was it
another of the many attempts to degrade the religion of Islam and its
followers )Muslims(?" It may be out of paranoia, but I tend to believe
it was the latter of the two.
The truth of the matter is that Islam has the most humane and most
just system of divorce that exists. Firstly, many options are taken
and tried before coming to the decision of divorce. If the man and
woman decide that they can no longer live together successfully as a
husband and wife, the husband )in most cases, not always( pronounces
the divorce by saying "I divorce you". At this point the waiting
period begins.
The waiting period lasts for three menstrual cycles to assure the
woman is not pregnant. This period allows the couple time to think
about what they are doing and if this is what they really want to do.
There are no lawyers involved to antagonize an already delicate
situation.
In the case that it is realized, that the woman is pregnant, the
waiting period lasts the entire time she is pregnant. During the
waiting period )whether the woman is pregnant or not( the man is
obligated to provide food, clothing and shelter to the woman as he did
before the divorce pronouncement.
If the couple carries the divorce through to the birth of the child
and the woman suckles the baby, the man is obligated to feed and
clothe both his ex-wife for the time the woman suckles )the maximum
being two years(. After his weaning, the child will be provided for by
the father until he/she is no longer in need of support.
It is quite ironic that in such an "advanced society" as America,
there are divorce cases in which women are being forced to pay alimony
to their ex-husbands. Can this and many other things we know about the
American system of divorce compare to the Islamic system of divorce?
I have also read stories wherein it is stated that women are forced to
marry men without their consent. This in no way resembles the marriage
system in Islam. In Islam the woman marries the man of her choice. She
may even marry someone that her mother and/or father objects to.
The point is that it is the woman who makes the final decision as to
whom she will marry. Once the man and the woman decide that they are
interested in one another for marriage, a dowry is decided upon. A
dowry is not a bride's price but it is a gift from the groom to the
bride.
They agree upon a gift that is affordable by the groom. In the time of
the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam , often things such as
livestock and money were given. This is a wise decision in the event
that a woman becomes divorced or widowed, she has some financial
security to fall back on even if it is for a limited amount of time.
Once the man and woman are married, the man is required to clothe,
feed, shelter and educate her )or allow her to be educated( in the
same manner as he does himself.
The last distorted image that I will cover is that of the Muslim
women's dress. The western-influenced media portrays our dress to be
outdated and oppressive. Needless to say, I differ with these
adjectives. Our dress code does not hinder us from doing anything
productive in our lives.
Muslim women maintain a variety of jobs, none of which are devalued
nor hampered due to their dress code. And as for the timing of Muslim
women's dress during these contemporary times, it seems most
appropriate due to decreasing morals in the world today.
For those who say that Islamic dress is outdated, they speak from
great ignorance. The decreasing morality and trials of this time makes
Hijab even more in need. More than ever before sex crimes are rampant.
Although this society tells women they can wear what they want to
wear, anytime a rape occurs the woman is the one put on trial and one
of the first questions is, "What were you wearing?" This concept seems
as though it is a set up directed against the so-called contemporary
woman. Also there is a direct correlation between the respect a man
has for a woman and the amount of her body she displays flauntingly.
In conclusion, I hope this article helps to clear up some
distorted/misunderstood aspects of Islam and women. Women in Islam are
respected and held in high regard. We will never find success and/or
solutions to our problems until we realize that Allaah knows best and
that this disbelieving society will ruin itself.

Dought & clear, - Is man’s fate pre-destined or does he have freedom of will?.

Is our fate completely pre-destined? Some say we have a choice of
which path to choose but what you will find at the end of the path has
been chosen for you by Allah. I have also read that qadar was perhaps
created by Jahm b. Safwan, not Allah.
Where can I find the information in the Quran and if there is a set
destiny how much of it is chosen by God? Is there really a set day on
which I will have birth and another for earthly death, for whom I will
marry?
What if I did meet the man I am supposed to marry but I somehow choose
the wrong path (so I may believe) only to realize I did wrong. Will he
come in my path again or have I altered my destiny so that my
punishment may be that I can not have this person in my life?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Belief in al-qadar (the divine will and decree) is one of the pillars
of faith, because the Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said, when he answered Jibreel's question about faith: "(It
means) believing in Allaah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers and
the Last Day, and to believe in al-qadar (the divine decree) both good
and bad."
What is meant by al-qadar is that Allaah has decreed all things from
eternity and knows that they will happen at times that are known to
Him, and in specific ways, and that He has written that and willed it,
and they happen according to what He has decreed. [al-Qada'
wa'l-Qadarby Dr 'Abd al-Rahmaan al-Mahmoud, p. 39].
Belief in al-qadar is based on four things:
1 - Knowledge, i.e., that Allaah knows what His creation will do, by
virtue of His eternal knowledge.
2 - Writing, i.e., that Allaah has written the destiny of all
creatures in al-Lawh al-Mahfooz.
3 - Will, i.e., that what Allaah wills happens and what He does not
will does not happen. There is no movement in the heavens or on earth
but it happens by His will.
4 - Creation and formation, i.e., that Allaah is the Creator of all
things, including the actions of His slaves. They do their actions in
a real sense, and He is the Creator of them and of their actions.
Whoever believes in these four believes in al-qadar.
The Qur'aan affirms these things in numerous verses, such as the
verses in which He says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And with Him are the keys of the Ghayb (all that is hidden), none
knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in
the sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it. There is not a grain in
the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in
a Clear Record"
[al-An'aam 6:59]
"No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed
in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfooz) before We bring it into
existence. Verily, that is easy for Allaah"
[al-Hadeed 57:22]
"And you cannot will unless (it be) that Allaah willsthe Lord of the
'Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)"
[al-Takweer 81:29]
"Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainments
of all things before their creation as written in the Book of
DecreesAl-Lawh Al-Mahfooz)"
[al-Qamar 54:49]
Muslim (2653) narrated that 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'Aas said: I
heard the Messenger of Allaah(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) say: "Allaah wrote down the decrees of creation fifty thousand
years before He created the heavens and the earth." He said: "And His
Throne was upon the water."
Hence it should be clear to you that the view that al-qadar was
invented by al-Jahm ibn Safwaan is a view that has no sound basis.
Al-qadar was not created, rather creation comes under the heading of
belief in al-qadar. Al-Jahm went to extremes in affirming the divine
will and decree, and claimed that people are compelled to do what they
do and have no choice. This is a false view.
The belief of Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jamaa'ah is that a person has freedom
of will, and hence he will be rewarded or punished. But his will is
subject to the will of Allaah, and nothing can take place in the
universe that is not willed by Allaah.
What some people say, that we have the choice to follow whatever path
we want but at the end of this path you will find what Allaah has
decreed for you, is a correct view. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"Verily, We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful"
[al-Insaan 76:3]
"And shown him the two ways (good and evil)?"
[al-Balad 90:10]
"And say: "The truth is from your Lord." Then whosoever wills, let him
believe; and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve"
[al-Kahf 18:29]
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said,
explaining the view of Ahl al-Sunnah with regard to man's deeds:
People act in a real sense, and Allaah is the Creator of their
actions. A person may be a believer or a kaafir, righteous or immoral,
he may pray and fast. People have control over their actions, and they
have their own will, and Allaah is the Creator of their control and
will, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"To whomsoever among you who wills to walk straight.
And you cannot will unless (it be) that Allaah willsthe Lord of the
'Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)"
[al-Takweer 81:28-29]
al-Waasitiyyah ma'a Sharh Harraas, p. 65.
Marriage is one of the things that Allaah has decreed. The person whom
you will marry is known to Allaah: He knows who he is, when he was
born, where and when he will die, how he will be towards you, and
other details. All of that is known to Allaah and He has written it in
al-Lawh al-Mahfooz (the Book of Decrees), and it will inevitably come
to pass as Allaah has decreed.
If Allaah has decreed that you will marry one person, but you choose
someone else, then no matter how long it takes, you will marry that
person. But your marriage to someone else is also decreed, because
there is nothing that is not decreed by Allaah. It may be decreed for
a woman to marry So and so the son of So and so, and he comes to
propose marriage but she refuses him, and marries someone else, then
he (the second man) dies or divorces her, then she accepts the first
one. All of that is decreed, and it is decreed for her to marry So and
so the son of So and so after initially refusing him and after some
experience or trials etc.
It may be decreed for a woman that a righteous man will propose
marriage to her, but she will refuse him and he will never come back
to her, and she will marry and live with someone else who is more or
less righteous, according what Allaah has decreed.
Because man does not know what is decreed for him, what he must do is
to adhere to sharee'ah and abide by its commands and prohibitions, and
to seek the help of Allaah and pray to Him for guidance (istikhaarah)
concerning all his affairs, whilst implementing the means, one of the
most important of which is consulting sincere people who have relevant
experience.
If a righteous man proposes marriage to a woman, she should pray to
Allaah for guidance (istikhaarah) and agree to marry him. If things
then go smoothly, this is an indication that what is good for her is
to marry him.
In conclusion, man should study the sharee'ah of Allaah and follow the
commands of Allaah even if he feels reluctant, and avoid what Allaah
has forbidden even if he is attached to it. All goodness is to be
found in obeying sharee'ah. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"Jihaad(holy fighting in Allaah's Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims)
though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is
good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allaah
knows but you do not know"
[al-Baqarah 2:216]
He should not look at al-qadar as an excuse to ignore commands and do
forbidden things, rather he should look at it in a way that will make
him content with whatever painful experiences happen to him.
And Allaah knows best.

Why Allaah creates mentally disabled people.

Why has Allah created mentally Disabled people
Praise be to Allaah.
One of the basic principles of Islam is to believe in the wisdom of
the Lord in what He creates and commands, and in what He wills and
decrees, in the sense that He does not create anything in vain and He
does not decree anything in which there is not some benefit for His
slaves. So everything that exists is His will and decree. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Allaah is the Creator of all things"[al-Ra'd 13:16]
His perfect wisdom decrees that He creates opposites, so He has
created angels and devils, night and day, purity and impurity, good
and ugly, and He has created good and evil. He created His slaves with
differences in their bodies and minds, and in their strengths. He has
made some rich and some poor, some healthy and some sickly, some wise
and some foolish. By His wisdom, He tests them, and He tests some by
means of others, to show who will be grateful and who will be
ungrateful. Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings):
"Verily, We have created man from Nutfah (drops) of mixed semen
(sexual discharge of man and woman), in order to try him, so We made
him hearer and seer.
Verily, We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or
ungrateful"[al-Insaan 76:2]
"Who has created death and life that He may test you which of you is
best in deed"
[al-Mulk 67:2]
When the sound believer sees disabled people, he recognizes the
blessing that Allaah has bestowed upon him, so he gives thanks for His
blessing, and He asks Him for good health. He knows that Allaah is
Able to do all things.
People are incapable of comprehending Allaah's wisdom. He cannot be
questioned as to what He does , while they will be questioned.
Glorified and exalted be He. Whatever you understand of His wisdom,
believe in it, and whatever you cannot understand, say, "Allaah knows
best and is most wise, and we know nothing except that which You have
taught us, and He is the All-Knowing, Most Wise."
Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahmaan al-Barraak.

Dought & clear, - Is this expression correct?.

Is there anything wrong with this expression: "If we knew what was
going to happen in the future we could have saved ourselves a lot of
trouble"?.
Praise be to Allaah.
What this expression means if that if a person knew what was going to
happen to him, which is a matter of the unseen, he would have been
able to avoid the problems and evil that have befallen him. This is in
accordance with the Muslim's belief ('aqeedah), and there is nothing
wrong with it, because the unknown is something that is known only to
Allaah. If it were the case that people could see the unseen and know
of events before they happen, they would have achieved everything good
and avoided everything bad. They would look at the causes of good
health, wealth and happiness and they would pursue them, and they
would look at the causes of poverty, disease and death and they would
avoid them. But this is something hypothetical and impossible. The
point is that man is incapable and weak and must submit to the fate
that Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, has decreed for him.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Say (O Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم(: 'I possess no power over benefit
or hurt to myself except as Allaah wills. If I had the knowledge of
the Ghayb )Unseen(, I should have secured for myself an abundance of
wealth, and no evil should have touched me. I am but a warner, and a
bringer of glad tidings unto people who believe'"
[al-A'raaf 7:188]
It says inTafseer al-Qur'aan il-'Azeem(3/524):
The best comment concerning this is what was narrated by al-Dahhaak
from Ibn 'Abbaas: "If I had knowledge of the unseen I would have
acquired a lot of good" i.e., wealth. According to another report: "If
I knew the unseen I would have known what would make a profit and what
would not, and I would have made a lot of money and poverty would not
have come my way."
Ibn Jareer said: Others said: What that means is: If I had knowledge
of the unseen I would have prepared for the year of drought (by
setting side something) from the year of plenty, and I would have
known when prices were about to go up or down, so I would have saved
for myself from the times when prices were low for the times when
prices were high.
'Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Zayd ibn Aslam said: "and no evil should have
touched me" I would have avoided evil before it happened. End quote.
Shaykh al-Sa'di said inTafseer al-Kareem al-Rahmaan(p. 311): "If I had
the knowledge of the Ghayb (Unseen), I should have secured for myself
an abundance of wealth, and no evil should have touched me" means: I
would have done the things that I know would have resulted in good and
benefits for me, and I would have avoided everything that could lead
to evil and negative consequences, because I would have known about
things before they happened, and I would have known what they would
lead to.
But – because of my lack of such knowledge – bad things may happen to
me, and I may miss out on good things. This is the clearest evidence
that I have no knowledge of the unseen.
And Allaah knows best.