Women site, - The Status of Muslim Women in Communal Life

The status of the Muslim woman in Islam is very noble and lofty, and
she has a great influence on the life of every Muslim in her
community. Indeed, a Muslim woman is the initial teacher who
contributes towards building a righteous society, provided that she
follows the guidance of the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah )tradition(
of His Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, since adherence to the
Quran and the Sunnah keeps every Muslim -- male or female – away from
being misguided in any way.
The misguidance and deviation of nations are the result of being far
away from the path of Allaah The Almighty and from what His prophets
and messengers, may Allaah exalt their mention, came with. The
Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said:"I am leaving behind two
things, you will not go astray as long as you cling to them, the Book
of Allaah and my Sunnah."
The Noble Quran mentions the great importance of the role of Muslim
women, whether she is a mother, wife, sister or daughter, her rights
and duties, and this has been explained in detail in the purified
Sunnah.
Her importance lies in the tremendous burden and responsibility that
is placed on her shoulders, and the difficulties that she has to
shoulder -- responsibilities and difficulties that are sometimes
greater than those which a man has to bear. Hence, one of the most
important duties is to show gratitude to the mother, be dutiful to her
and accompany her in kindness. In this matter, she is to be given
precedence over the father. Allaah The Almighty says )what means(:
پœ}And We have enjoined upon man ]care[ for his parents. His mother
carried him, ]increasing her[ in weakness upon weakness, and his
weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me
is the ]final[ destination.{]Quran 31:14[
پœ}And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His
mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship,
and his gestation and weaning ]period[ is thirty months.{]Quran 46:15[
A man came to the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam,
and said, "'O Messenger of Allaah! Who among people is the worthiest
of my kind companionship?' He replied:'Your mother.'The man asked,
'Then who?' He replied:'Your mother.'The man then asked, 'Then who?'
So the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, replied again:'Your
mother.'The man then asked, 'Then who?' He replied:'Then your
father.'" This implies that the mother should be given three times the
dutifulness and good treatment that the father is given.
As regards to the wife, her status and her effect in making the soul
tranquil and serene has been clearly shown in the noble Quranic verse
where Allaah The Almighty says )what means(:}And of His signs is that
He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility
in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy.{]Quran 30:21[
Al-Haafith Ibn Katheer, may Allaah have mercy upon him, commented on
this verse, saying, "It encourages love, affection, compassion and
piety since the man keeps his wife either because he loves her, or
because of compassion and pity for her if he has a child from her."
The unique stance that the Prophet's, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam,
wife Khadeejah, may Allaah be pleased with her, took in supporting him
and calming and reassuring the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu
'alayhi wa sallam, when the angel Jibreel )Gabriel(, may Allaah exalt
his mention, first came to him in the cave of Hiraa'.
The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, returned to Khadeejah, may
Allaah be pleased with him, with the first revelation and with his
heart trembling, he said to her:"Cover me! Cover me! I fear for
myself."Khadeejah, may Allaah be pleased with her, said, "Rejoice.
Never! By Allaah! Will Allaah fail you? You maintain kinship ties with
your relatives, you help the poor and the destitute, you serve your
guests generously and you assist those who have been afflicted with
calamities."
We should also not forget 'Aa'ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her,
and her great contribution as the great Companions used to acquire the
knowledge of Hadeeth )narration( from her, and many of the female
Companions learnt the various rulings pertaining to women's issues
from her.
In the recent past, during the era of Imaam Muhammad bin Su'ood, may
Allaah have mercy upon him, his wife advised him to accept the call of
the revivalist Imaam Muhammad bin 'Abdul-Wahhaab, may Allaah have
mercy upon him, when he offered his call to him. His wife's advice had
a great impact on him agreeing to renew and disseminate the Da'wah
)Islamic propagation(. Today we see the effect of that in the firm
belief of the citizens of the Arabian Peninsula.
There is also no doubt that a house in which there is kindness,
gentleness, love and care, along with the correct Islamic upbringing
will greatly affect a man. He becomes – Allaah willing – successful in
his affairs and in any matter, whether it is seeking knowledge,
trading, agriculture, or any other work.