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The Thorns in the Path of a Blissful Marriage By Mufti Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf As humans, we have a natural desire for companionship. A desire to have a person with whom to share one’s life, someone who will bring us happiness and joy and be a source of comfort in times of difficulty is a very essential human feeling. Islam acknowledges this need and makes it permissible through nikah (marriage). This sacred act not only unites two individuals in a moral and honourable way, but also pleases Allah to such a degree that it is considered half of our din. According to hadith, a pious husband and wife who have had a successful marriage will be together in Paradise. A person will not be with their mother, father, brother, sister, daughter, son or anyone else in Paradise but with their spouse. Isn’t it everyone’s dream to be in paradise with their beloved for eternity? How do we attain this level of bliss when we individually are only one half of the equation in marriage? If we each make the necessary effort to know and understand the ins and outs of marriage and the ways of making our Lord happy, we will be able to contribute to the success of our union, insha Allah. Marriage can seem very daunting. Statistics show that marriage rates have declined to historic lows but, despite the record low in numbers getting married, divorce rates are at their highest. It doesn’t help that in this day and age, marriage has become something that is taken very lightly, to the extent that divorcing a spouse has become as easy as returning an unwanted item recently purchased. What people seem to have forgotten is that marriage is a very significant and sacred component of life and must be treated as such. There are many talks and books on marriage and how to make a marriage successful. One of the most important things in this regard is that we be mindful of what can sabotage a marriage, so that we can avoid the harmful consequences. A person starting a business does not just look at how to set up the business and make a profit, they also learn about the risks involved so that they can mitigate and manage those risks. This allows the entrepreneur to avoid potential issues or at least have some awareness of what they might face. In the same way, having a successful marriage is not easy and it takes effort from both spouses. Both should be aware that life is not always a bed of roses and there will inevitably be difficult times as well as good. It is extremely important to know and understand some fiqh related to marriage before embarking on this journey. It is more than just coming to the masjid, repeating a few words in front of the imam and paying the agreed mahr (marriage payment). There are opportunities for us to please Allah each step of the way, from choosing a partner, to the engagement and the marriage ceremony itself. When the marrying couple strives to follow the laws of Allah throughout the process and during the marriage itself, they will gain more blessings in their union. Finding the Right Spouse: Once you’ve decided that you’re ready for marriage, the first step is finding the right partner, which can sometimes be a difficult experience. Some things to consider when choosing a partner are personality, character, beauty but, most importantly, how and how much they follow Islam and the Sunnah. If you truly want a happy marriage, it must be to someone who will treat you well because they know your rights and realise that they are accountable to Allah. With that in mind, it would make sense to marry a Muslim who is seeking the same qualities in their partner? It is sometimes disastrous to marry someone primarily on the basis of their wealth, beauty or occupation if they are not at your level in faith and practice and then expect them to become practicing at your level. A current trend is that many Muslim men want to marry non-Muslim women (Christian or Jewish) under the pretext that they will bring them into Islam. The problem with this is that, more often than not, the husband does not try very hard to guide his wife to the faith and is very weak himself. His commitment to his faith is complete uninspiring. Marrying people of other faiths many times poses great heartache and difficulties, especially when children enter the equation. Agreements and promises can be made on how to raise the children during the marriage contract, but what happens if the marriage breaks down? That is why interfaith marriages have been highly discouraged. Moving on, whoever you choose to spend the rest of your life with, know that you have ended up together because Allah decreed it. When two people come together for marriage they do not know the future and whether or not they will be compatible. But remember that Allah can create love and understanding between two people who are complete opposites of one another. It is essential to make du’a’ and rely solely on Allah for His support as only He controls our hearts. Once the introduction has been made and both parties agree to marriage, some form of engagement normally takes place after which the couple may desire to get to know each other. It is important to note that according to Islamic Law, engaged couple are still technically strangers and unlawful for one another, and thus, spending informal time together is not permissible. It is therefore strongly recommended to avoid having a long engagement and to perform even a simple low-key nikah as soon as possible once both families have committed. What I mean by this is that a private nikah be performed with two witnesses. Parents should be flexible in this regard and not stubbornly insist on long engagements without nikah. By taking these steps, the couple will not destroy the blessings and good prospects in their marriage and will avoid the evil that comes about from unlawful associations. After a nikah, they can interact and get to know each other in a lawful manner even if they are not living with each other. Later, a more elaborate nikah ceremony and reception can take place where the extended family and friends are invited. A Double Nikah?: Another nikah? Yes! Contrary to popular belief, nikah can be performed more than once. In fact, according to some scholars such as Imam Ibn ‘Abidin al-Shami, couples should refresh their marriage once in a while. People sometimes utter blasphemies or obscenities without realising it to be a statement of disbelief (kufr), which takes them out of their faith and causes their marriage to break. The faith is reinstated by reciting the shahada or performing the next salat, etc., but a nikah does not automatically renew, and must be performed again, otherwise, the couple will be living together in sin. The late Mufti Nizamuddin A’zami of Deoband had for while counselled a couple with marital problems. One day, he called in two witnesses and conducted their nikah again. Their conflicts soon disappeared. They came to him and wondered what had made the difference. He explained that during his interaction with them, he had noticed that they were not very careful with their tongues and it was likely one of them had had uttered a blasphemy whilst angry, thus nullifying their marriage. Due to the absence of nikah, they had been deprived of the blessings and had been living a life of fornication. Therefore, re-establishment of their nikah restored the blessing of a lawful union and many of their problems disappeared. Divorce Should not Be in Your Vocabulary: Small or large conflicts arise in many marriages. The key is never to let divorce be an option or even a word in your vocabulary. Unlike some other religions, divorce is permitted in Islam but it is described by our Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) as one of the worst of the permissible acts in faith. Islam recognises that sometimes divorce is the only way forward, so this avenue is left open, but it should be a last resort. When the threat of divorce is removed from the marital equation, there is trust between the spouses that they are both committed to making things work rather than resorting to threats of divorce as the easy option. The concept of divorce is taken so lightly these days. Divorces are issued on the flimsiest of excuses or used as a threat to emotionally blackmail a spouse. Imagine being in a marriage where you’re in constant terror and treading on eggshells because you don’t know what you may say or do that will cause your spouse to threaten to say or ask for the “D” word? Muslims should know how delicate this matter is and how easy it is to issue a divorce. Ignorance is rife in this regard. Even if a wife asks her husband for a divorce during an argument and he says “OK” the divorce is effective. Similarly, if the husband says “I divorce you” or “you are divorced” it is done! This is why the word divorce should be removed from your vocabulary so that it is not inadvertently issued without a great deal of thought. Divorce is one of three things in Islam which, if said intentionally or even as a joke, is effective as a legal statement. The only exception is if someone is not of sound mind (clinically insane) and does not know and cannot remember what they say. After a clear revocable divorce (talaq raj’i), there is a waiting period (or ‘iddah, equal to 3 menstrual cycles) in which the husband and wife may reconcile their differences and the original nikah remain valid. If the period of ‘iddah ends before the husband decides he wants to take his wife back, then the couple must perform their nikah again to remarry. However, this process where the original nikah remains valid during the iddah period can only happen twice. Upon a third divorce, if the couple want to get back together, they must first go through a process called halala. The Halala Process: Halala is when the wife, after her ’iddah has passed, marries another man and consummates the marriage with him. After consummation, if the second husband divorces her, she may return to and marry her first husband. If the second husband divorces her as an act of kindness to help the couple, it will be considered a virtuous act as long as he does not make his intentions apparent to the two from before the marriage. So an important factor, along with the marriage having to be consummation with the new husband, is that the halala cannot be pre-conditioned, i.e. the woman cannot marry another man on the condition that he divorces her after consummation of the marriage in order that she may return to her first husband. If it is preconditioned, it will be haram and all parties involved will be cursed according to the Prophetic hadith. Sound complicated? That is probably intentional. It cannot be emphasised enough that a couple should think long and hard so they do not find themselves in this predicament. All too often, for whatever reason (either ignorance or anger) some men issue all three divorces at once. They think that only three work and any less is not effective. What if they want to reconcile once emotions have calmed down? Imagine having to go through the process of halala described above and putting the woman you love through it? I am addressing the men here specifically because they are the one’s guilty of issuing all divorces at once. They abuse the discretion granted to them. Even If divorce is the only way forward, then a single divorce is more than sufficient. Why give more and then regret it? The Khula’: Islam also provides an avenue for the woman to instigate a divorce through the process of khula’. This is when the wife returns her marriage gift (mahr) or another sum of money back to the husband in exchange for an irrevocable divorce. According to a hadith from Bukhari, relayed by ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), the wife of Thabit ibn Qays came to the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and said she had no complaints about her husband’s din or character but could not reconcile between being a Muslim and being ungrateful [to him]; she was unable to appreciate this great person and this made her uncomfortable as she thought she was compromising her own faith with her lack of appreciation. In Islam, the husband and wife are expected to benefit from their relationship and not suffer due to it. Our beloved Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) recognised her dilemma and suggested that she return her mahr to her husband and that he grant her a divorce. He did not insist that they stay together. More often than not, a khula’ cannot be mutually arranged between the spouses themselves due to the acrimony between them, and sometimes due to the obstinacy and stubbornness of the husband in his refusal to divorce his wife while at the same time not fulfilling his role as a proper husband. In this case, the wife would be advised to seek redress through a Shari’a court. It would not have been accurate to paint a rosy picture of marriage without exposing the thorns. This is something I am consulted on month after month and many times I feel helpless in the face of the mass ignorance that is rife about the rules of marriage and divorce. Knowing the good as well as the bad of marital relationships should help us see things clearly. While many couples put their utmost efforts into attaining the rhetorical “happily ever after” end, some marriages undoubtedly endure struggle and discord. It is up to each individual to try their best to salvage their marriage and be the best spouse to their partner, remembering that we will all have to answer to Allah for our actions one day. Along with that, we should have sole reliance on Allah, as only He knows what is best. Transcribed by Zahira Omar Edited by Ahmed Limbada zamzam academy

Anger is the worst enemy of human being. It not only directly hits our health but also results in further devastation that may be harm to us or to whom we are angry with. In both the cases the end result is harm and only harm. It is widely said that only those people get angry who are weaker in nerves. Such people cannot be successful in their life here and even hereafter. The biggest bravery is controlling your anger. So being Muslim you should control your anger by following the tips given below. Silence first Whenever you get angry on anybody just keep silence to understand the real cause of your anger. Then try to discuss that cause with the person whom you are talking. In this way first you will control your anger then you will remove its actual cause. Curb it before it rises If you fail to manage silence even then try to control it before it rises further. For this purpose you should find the funny aspect of the issue for which you are angry. If you get any such point not only think clearly about it but also share it with other. Problem doesn’t mean disaster No problem is solvable. It is your skill how you tackle it. If you are getting mad on your problem it is not its gravity that is making you full of fury but it is actually your inability to manage it. So realize your weakness and try to overcome it instead of cursing the problem. Everything is from Allah If you believe in the reality that everything happens by the order of Allah you will never be so frustrated over any situation. This world is a testing zone for us and we have to cross it successful. So instead of getting angry take every problem as a trial. Allah tries only those people who are dear to Him. So we must be relaxed if we are tried and try to come out from it. Secondly Allah tries every person up to his tolerance level. So never take any issue as intolerable. Keep reciting holy verses This is the most effective remedy to control your anger. Whenever it attacks you just recite the Durood Sharif with the belief that Allah sends this trial and it He Who will make you cross it. ideal muslim

Nasihah (Advice): Animate Pictures Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or animate pictures. (Bukhari) Q. In a Muslim house can the walls be decorated with pictures of near and dear ones? Is it a fact that the Firishtaas hesitate to enter the houses that have pictures all around? And is it absolutely prohibited in Islam to hung photos as decorative pieces? Please suggest and explain. Now a days most of the houses are decorated with photos, arts & pictures. (Question published as received) A. It is not permissible to decorate the walls of a house with animate pictures. However, it is permissible to decorate the walls of a house with inanimate pictures. Allah Knows Best Mufti Ismaeel Bassa Confirmation: Mufti Ebrahim Desai Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Advice Therefore, whether we understand the logic or not, whether we comprehend or not, InhsaAllah we accept and submit to every word of the Noble Qura'an and the Hadith of our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wasalam.

The Spiritual Death of the Heart Through Excessive Laughter & the Prophet’s Moderate Sense of Humor Answered by Ustadh Faraz A. Khan Question I heard this narration from someone where the Prophet said if a person laughs excessively it makes the person’s heart hard. I am not sure whether its authentic or not. I was wondering, does it really make the person’s heart heard physically or is it referring to the spiritual condition of the heart. I have also heard in contemporary times, that excessive laughter also has benefits as well, can you please clarify. Answer Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah, I pray this finds you in the best of health and faith. The Hadith in Question It is narrated with a sound chain of transmission that our Beloved Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Do not laugh too much, for verily excessive laughter kills the heart.” [bukhari, Adab al-Mufrad; Sunan Tirmidhi; Sunan Ibn Maja; Musnad Ahmad] And in some narrations, there is an addition, “For verily excessive laughter kills the heart and removes the light of one’s face,” or in another version, “For verily excessive laughter corrupts the heart.” [bayhaqi, Shu’ab] Scholarly Commentary This latter version helps explain what is meant by the version of “killing the heart,” namely, that the death of the heart refers to its spiritual corruption. As Imam Mubarakpuri explains in his commentary of Sunan Tirmidhi, “For verily excessive laughter kills the heart, i.e., engulfs it in layers of darkness, akin to a dead person that cannot benefit from anything beneficial nor ward off from himself any harm. This is indeed from vast yet concise prophetic speech [jawami’ al-kalim].” [Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi] Imam Munawi gives a more detailed explanation of the spiritual death of one’s heart as he states, citing various Imams, “Excessive laughter leads to a hardening of the heart, which in turn leads to heedlessness [of the Divine], and the death of the heart occurs not except by heedlessness.” He further comments, “Getting accustomed to laughter distracts one from reflecting on matters of significance…one who laughs excessively does not have a respectful demeanor [hayba]; he does not command respect at all. One who is characterized by it has no meaningful thought nor worth.” He adds, “Excessive laughter and excitement regarding worldly affairs is a lethal poison that flows in one’s veins and removes from the heart fear [of divine punishment], sadness [over one’s sins], and remembrance of death and the terrors of the Day of Arising; this, then, is the death of the heart. ‘And they rejoice over the life of this world, yet the life of this world with respect to the afterlife is nothing but temporary, paltry amusement’ (Qur’an 13:26).” Elsewhere in his masterful commentary, Imam Munawi states, “Laughter that kills the heart is that which occurs due to rejoicing over this life and being prideful in one’s joy thereof. The heart has [spiritual] life and death—its life is by continuous obedience, while its death is by responding to the call of other than Allah, such as of one’s ego, stubborn whims, or Satan.” Finally, Imam Munawi states that the reason why excessive laughter kills the heart is because the root of excessive laughter is love of this world, which is the cause of every sin; and once the heart is dead, it does not respond to Allah when He calls him [to obedience]. [Fayd al-Qadir Sharh Jami’ al-Saghir] A Point of Reflection On a side note, with minimal reflection one can readily appreciate how contemporary Western society revolves almost entirely around excessive amusement which, as we noted above from Imam Munawi’s commentary, “distracts one from matters of significance.” The plethora of grave maladies and ills that plague us today—including wars, disease, famine, crime, economic crises, the waning of the planet’s resources, corporate hegemony, moral degradation, and the looming catastrophe of global warming and overall environmental damage—are all lightly brushed aside from public discourse and mass media to make room for reality TV shows, football games, and unending advertising. As the late cultural critic Neil Postman so insightfully titled his book, we as a society are “Amusing Ourselves to Death,” i.e., to the extent that we fail to benefit from the beneficial nor recognize and ward off real harms such as those just listed. And as Chris Hedges has titled his own recent book on the subject, we have unfortunately become an “Empire of Illusion,” too distracted to give serious thought to real problems, let alone anything related to our Creator, the afterlife, or the death of our spiritual hearts. Humor in Moderation: A Prophetic Sunna Having said that, we must bear in mind that the corruptive element of such amusement and laughter is the fact that it is extreme, and the fact that it stems from love of this world. On the contrary, a cheerful countenance and humor in moderation is an established sunna of our Beloved Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). He was known to have a wonderful sense of humor, as confirmed in many prophetic reports, yet without excess nor lying. Scholars mention that his intention thereby was always to please Allah Most High, as he would do so to cause happiness to enter the hearts of those around him; it was never for the sake of this fleeting life. [Muhammad ibn ‘Alawi al-Maliki, Muhammad al-Insan al-Kamil] When our Mother Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) was asked how our Beloved Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to be when alone with her in the house, she responded, “He was the sweetest of people; always smiling and joyful.” [Musnad Ibn Rahawayh] Smiling and being in a pleasant mood are confirmed sunnas that are most pleasing to our Lord, to the extent that they are considered charity. Our Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Do not deem any good deed as insignificant, even if only meeting your brother with cheerful face.” [sahih Muslim] It is narrated in one of the descriptions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he was “always in a cheerful mood and very easy-going, ” yet “not excessive in joking.” [bayhaqi, Dala’il al-Nubuwwa] And sometimes the Companions would mention things they would do before becoming Muslim and laugh together, to which the Messenger would smile. [sahih Muslim] Laughter and Good Health What you allude to in your question with regards to some of the health benefits of humor and laughter, such as reducing stress hormones and increasing endorphins and overall strength of the immune system, is interpreted in the light of the Qur’an and Sunna as the cheerful personality and balanced, moderate sense of humor taught to us by the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). That is, one can attain such positive health benefits by practicing the Prophetic Sunna of a noble intention and moderation, without having to resort to the excessiveness and trivial nature of amusement that leads to the aforementioned spiritual vices. Examples of His Beautiful Yet Moderate Sense of Humor (a) A man once came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to ask for a riding animal, to which the Prophet responded, “I will give you a child of a she-camel.” The man said, “Oh Messenger of Allah! What will I do with a child of a she-camel? [i.e., it being too small to ride or carry things on]” To which the Prophet responded, “Isn’t every camel the child of a she-camel?” [sunan Tirmidhi, Sunan Abu Dawud, Musnad Ahmad] (b) Our Beloved Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to call his servant Anas, “Oh Possessor of two ears!” [sunan Abu Dawud, Sunan Tirmidhi] © An old woman once came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and asked him to pray to Allah to let her enter Paradise, to which he responded, “Oh Mother of so-and-so, verily old women do not enter Paradise.” So she left crying, and then he said to his Companions, “Tell her that she won’t enter it as an old woman, for verily Allah states, ‘Then We will make them [the female inhabitants of Paradise] virgins; loving; equal in age [i.e., young!]’ (56:36-7)” [shama’il Tirmidhi] (d) A woman named Umm Ayman once came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said, “My husband wants to invite you,” to which he responded, “Who is he again? Is he the one with some whiteness in his eyes? [i.e., as if he had an eye defect]” She replied, “What Oh Messenger of Allah? By Allah, he has no whiteness in his eyes!” He said, “No, he does have whiteness in his eyes.” She replied, “No, by Allah!” He said, “Doesn’t everyone have some whiteness in their eyes? [i.e., the normal whiteness around the pupils]” [ibn Bakkar] (e) The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was once with his two wives, ‘Aisha and Sawda, seated between the two. ‘Aisha had brought a dish of food that she had cooked, and said to Sawda, “Eat some.” Sawda refused, to which ‘Aisha responded, “I swear, you will either eat it or I’ll rub your face with it!” She still refused, and so ‘Aisha put her hand in the food and wiped Sawda’s face with it. The Prophet touched Sawda with his blessed leg and said, “Rub her face in return.” So Sawda did the same to ‘Aisha, and the Prophet started laughing. [ibn ‘Asakir, Abu Ya’la] Conclusion To summarize, there is nothing at all wrong with light amusement and a balanced sense of humor, as such was from the noble character of our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Our intention therein should be to fill the hearts of our brethren with happiness, for the sake of Allah. Such a noble intention, coupled with moderation and balance, will surely be a means of illumination of our hearts, as with anything from the Noble Sunna. Yet we should be careful not to overindulge in amusement and trivial things, and not to laugh excessively for the sake of worldly matters, as doing so leads to corruption and heedlessness of the heart, eventually resulting in its spiritual demise. May Allah Most High fill our hearts with light, joy, and happiness for His sake, out of emulation of our Master and Liegelord Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. And Allah alone gives success. wassalam Faraz A. Khan Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani Source

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful. Generally, the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam smiled but there are occasions where it is reported that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahi Alahi Wasalam laughed as well. ‘A man broke his fast (intentionally) during Ramadhan. The Prophet of Allah commanded him to free a slave or fast for two months for feed sixty poor people. He said: “I cannot provide it”. The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam told him to sit down. Thereafter, a huge basket of dates was brought to the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam. He said “Take this and give it as sadqah.” He said: “O Prophet of Allah, there is no one poorer than I”. The Prophet of Allah thereupon laughed so that his canine teeth became visible and said: “Eat it yourself” ‘. (Sunan Abi Dawud p.332 v.1) As mentioned above, the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam usually smiled. Saaiduna Aaisha Radiallahu Anha said, “I never saw the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam laugh fully to such an extent that I could see his uvula. He would only smile…” (Sunan Abi Dawud) Saaiduna Jabir bin Samurah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Simak bin Harb asked Jabir bin Samurah Radiallahu Anhu “Did you sit in the company of the Prophet Of Allah?” He said “Yes, very often he used to sit at the place where he observed the morning or dawn prayer till the sun rose or when it had risen; he would stand and the (companions) would talk about matters pertaining to the days of ignorance, and they would laugh while the Prophet of Allah Sallalhu Alahi Wasalam smiled.” (Sahih Muslim) Only Allah Knows Best Mohammed Tosir Miah Darul Ifta Birmingham Source

Women… Inferior by Nature?! Question Is it true that your religion say that woman is an inferior creature because she has some kind of lack in her religion and intelligence? Is it true that Islam believes woman have mental defects and even defect in memory?! A Muslim told me so and he said that your prophet and Quran clearly said that woman – by nature – lack mind and religion!! Thus, this is the reason behind a woman is equivalent to half a man when giving testimony!Please elaborate on this. Thank you. Answer Salam Dear Lydia, Thank you for your interesting question! In fact, you have every right to use your exclamation, because such talk can only arouse astonishment, if not shock… With my deepest respect to that friend of yours, who made effort to clarify this saying of Prophet Muhammad to you, I still insist that recognized scholars and authorized books should be the only source for whoever wants to discover Islam. This is especially at a time when our religion is being the target of continuous attempts of distortion, mainly by weird interpretations of its texts. I think that by now, authorized sources are many and they are at hand for everyone to find, especially through the Internet. Of course, dear Lydia, religion did not say that women are inferior to men. Allah says in the Holy Quran in Surah 9, verses 71 – 72: {And [as for] the believing men and the believing women, they are guardians of each other; they enjoin good and forbid evil and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, and obey Allah and His messenger; [as for] these, Allah will show mercy to them; surely Allah is Mighty, Wise. Allah has promised to the believing men and the believing women gardens, beneath which rivers flow, to abide in them, and goodly dwellings in gardens of perpetual abode; and best of all is Allah's goodly pleasure; that is the grand achievement.} Also, there are many other verses, which establish equity between men and women. This is either in their rights and responsibilities in society or in God's stand towards them, in this life and in the Hereafter. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also said: "Women are the counterparts of men." The true meaning of the hadith (saying) of the prophet of Islam, which your friend – unknowingly - misinterpreted, yet simply gave the wrong interpretation by the enemies of Islam, is as follows: Women, in certain times of their lives, are asked to observe less religious duties than men for the recurrent biological set of symptoms that occur to them; like times of labor and menstrual bleedings. Out of God’s mercy, He exempted women from observing some religious duties like fasting and praying. These are performed in Islam through movements of the body that may not fit their health - during these times. Yet, this exemption does not suggest that women have become, because of it, less religious, spiritually or mentally more deficient than men. Let us give the issue some logic please. Is it possible that the prophet's uncle – for example - who died a pagan polytheist and who gave Islam its hardest time, since the call started, by torturing early Muslims, is to be regarded as more intelligent and religious than numerous pious Muslim women? An example is Lady Khadija, the prophet's wife who endured severe agony and pain, for the sake of God and the new religion. Would that be fair, just because he is a man and she is a woman? Can anyone claim, by any means, that God would regard Virgin Mary a second class human being if compared to king Herodus?! Dear Lydia, this question of intelligence and piety is much deeper than being a shallow matter of gender and sexuality. As for the case of testimony, it is true that in some legal cases, the woman’s testimony differs than that of man. This is especially when the penalty might reach the extent of taking the life of the defendant; "capital punishment". Here, it becomes necessary to take all procedures to guarantee the flawlessness of the mood and state of mind of all the witnesses. It is a scientific fact, that at some stages of their lives, women suffer from psychological stress – due to biological mechanisms - which makes them lack ability to concentrate. This can by no means indicate lack of mind or intelligence! This takes place namely during menstrual and post labor periods, along with the hormonal disturbances of menopause. These are scientific facts that are as clear as daylight and no woman can deny… Neither can any woman deny it, in favor of any kind of ideology nor philosophy! I am a woman and I admit it frankly that I suffer from psychological restlessness, bad mood, in addition to tendency to forget easily, during these times. Yet, I have never considered it a discredit to my personality or a deficiency that I should be hiding! It is true that I avoid making important decisions during these times. Yet, I'm not ashamed of these symptoms, simply because they are signs of my femininity and maternity, such aspects that I am extremely proud of… In Islam, dear Lydia, women are entrusted to participate in all fields of life, including decision-making positions. On the other hand, when it comes to judicial matters and fatal decisions are taken concerning the lives of people and their properties, all possible probabilities and expectations regarding the witnesses should be taken into consideration. This includes even their mood and state of mind. You need to know, Lydia, that justice in Islam is a priority. Also, preserving human souls and rights is an ultimate value. These are prior to any other consideration, like simply pleasing women by denying their health conditions, which sometimes make them open to forgetfulness. This is why God decreed that in major cases two women are needed to give testimony instead of one. This is clearly stated, in Surah 2, verse 282, where God establishes the rule for recording debts: {O you who believe! When you deal with each other in contracting a debt for a fixed time, then write it down; and let a scribe write it down between you with fairness; and the scribe should not refuse to write as Allah has taught him, so he should write; and let him who owes the debt dictate, and he should be careful of [his duty to] Allah, his Lord, and not diminish anything from it; but if he who owes the debt is unsound in understanding, or weak, or [if] he is not able to dictate himself, let his guardian dictate with fairness; and call in to witness from among your men two witnesses; but if there are not two men, then one man and two women from among those whom you choose to be witnesses, so that if one of the two errs, the second of the two may remind the other; and the witnesses should not refuse when they are summoned; and be not averse to writing it [whether it is] small or large, with the time of its falling due; this is more equitable in the sight of Allah and assures greater accuracy in testimony, and the nearest [way] that you may not entertain doubts [afterwards], except when it is ready merchandise which you give and take among yourselves from hand to hand, then there is no blame on you in not writing it down; and have witnesses when you barter with one another, and let no harm be done to the scribe or to the witness; and if you do [it] then surely it will be a transgression in you, and be careful of [your duty] to Allah, Allah teaches you, and Allah knows all things.} In fact, such judicial precautions concerning witnesses are not confined to women alone, but to some men as well. A man witness should also meet many requirements. Otherwise, his testimony is not accepted. There are major studies on this matter of testimony, available in books of Islamic shari`a (law), which you can simply look up for further information. Yet, those who want to pick holes in the Islamic view towards women, never refer to these requirements, regarding men witnesses. They only focus on women! They simply neglect the other legal cases, in which the testimony of men are not taken, but only women are to give it before courts. Such as cases of proving children's paternity or maternity if it is a disputed matter. A simple reason for this example is that it is not common for men to stay in a room, where there is a woman who has just given birth and witness what happens with the baby. I hope the foregoing clarifies the matter. Thank you. onislam.net

Can women have men hoors in Jannah? Question: I would like to know if in Jannah there house with families that we will be reunited with, and in Jannah men will marry the houris, then can women have men hoors in Jannah? Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. Allah Ta‘ālā alone has full knowledge of the unseen. However, from the limited knowledge we were given about Jannah and its delights by Allah Ta‘ālā and His Messenger (sallAllāhu ‘alayhi wasallam), there are a few points we would like to mention: 1) Indeed, Allah Ta‘ālā has prepared every pleasure in Jannah for the believers. They will enjoy in Jannah whatever they wish and like. They are showered with Allah Ta‘ālā’s blessings and favours. All their wishes are fulfilled and all their requests are granted. Allah Ta‘ālā says: وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِي أَنْفُسُكُمْ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَدَّعُونَ Translation: “There you shall have whatever your heart desires, and you shall have whatever you ask for.” To perfect the joy and delight of believers in Jannah, Allah Ta‘ālā brings together the family members of a person, elevating the ranks of the members of a lower grade to the higher grades of their relatives. Allah Ta‘ālā says: وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَاتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّيَّتُهُمْ بِإِيمَانٍ أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَمَا أَلَتْنَاهُمْ مِنْ عَمَلِهِمْ مِنْ شَيْءٍ ٌ Translation: “Those (Mu’mineen) who do good deeds and whose progeny follow them in Imaan, We shall join their progeny with them (in Jannah) without reducing anything from (the rewards of) their (good) deeds.” [ii] In this verse, Allah Ta‘ālā says that He will bless the believing family members by bringing them together in Jannah. This will be done by elevating the rank of the children who fell short of their parents’ status. This is by Allah’s immense generosity and favour. [iii] Allah Ta‘ālā also says: جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا وَمَنْ صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ يَدْخُلُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ بَابٍ Translation: “Eternal gardens in which they will enter together with all those of their forefathers, spouses, and progeny who are worthy (of entering Jannah because they have Imaan). And the angels shall come to them from every door.” [iv] Allah Ta‘ālā also says: ادْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ أَنْتُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ تُحْبَرُونَ “Enter the Garden, you and your wives. You will be made glad.” (43: 70-73) 2) A person’s wife in this world will remain his wife in the hereafter. In Jannah, a wife will forever enjoy the company of her husband. She will only have desire for her husband. She will not have any ill-feelings for her husband. Allah Ta‘ālā says: وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِي صُدُورِهِمْ مِنْ غِلٍّ Translation: “We shall remove any ill-feelings (hatred and animosity towards other Muslims) that may be in their chests.” [v] Although the men in Jannah will have hoors, they will have their wives from this world too. The wives of this world will be far superior to the hoors in Jannah. Consider the following Hadith. Umm Salamah (radiyAllāhu ‘anhā) narrates that she said to Rasūlullāh (sallAllāhu ‘alayhi wasallam), “O Rasūlallāh! Are the women of this world superior or the hoors?” He replied, “The women of this world will have superiority over the hoors just as the outer lining of a garment has superiority over the inner lining.” Umm Salamah (radiyAllāhu ‘anhā) then asked, “O Rasūlallāh! What is the reason for this?” He answered, “Because they performed Salāh, fasted, and worshipped [Allah]. Allah will put light on their faces and silk on their bodies. They will be fair in complexion and will wear green clothing and yellow jewelry. Their incense-burners will be made of pearls and their combs will be of gold. They will say, ‘We are the women who will stay forever and we will never die. We are the women who will always remain in comfort and we will never undergo difficulty. We are the women who will stay and we will never leave. Listen, we are happy women and we will never become sad. Glad tidings to those men for whom we are and who are for us’” [vi] To compare and compete are also among the feminine qualities. A female feels superior when she outmatches her counterpart. This internal instinct of women will be brought out through the beautiful hoors of Jannah. With all the description of the beauties of hoors and their admiration, when a woman from this world will compare and compete with the hoors, the women of this world will outmatch the hoors of Jannah. The description of hoors serves to bring out a sense of superiority in the women of this world. How then will a man prefer a hoor of Jannah over his wife of this world when she will be more beautiful than the hoors. Hence, the subsequent negative feelings in a women of this world does not arise. In fact, she will appreciate the hoors for giving her the opportunity to supersede in competitive beauty and feeling superior. Although only Allah Ta‘ālā knows the full realities, it is our understanding that if a woman did not get married during her worldly life, or if her husband was not from the people of Jannah, and she got admittance into Jannah, then Allah will wed her to one of the believing men in Jannah, as this would also be one of the desires of a woman of Jannah; and all desires of the inhabitants of Jannah will be fulfilled. These women will live with their husbands and they will be just as happy and content as the rest. In conclusion, the desires of each and every inhabitant of Jannah will be fulfilled. The reality is that whatever we imagine in this world as Jannah is not Jannah. Our imaginations cannot perceive what Allah Ta’ala has saved for His believing servants. May Allah Ta‘ālā bless us to be amongst the dwellers of Jannah. Aameen. And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai. Source: idealwoman

The shore-less ocean of Allah Ta’ala’s power We should not look at our limitations, rather we should focus at the shore-less ocean of Allah Ta‘ala’s power. Let your heart be with him no matter what your condition may be. Even if you are in sin, focus towards him. Source: Al-Haadi

In Islam Are Women Inferior to Men? Answered by Mufti Ahmed Desai (Damat Barakatuhum): Western, liberal and UN-Islamic ideas have distorted your mental vision. What is your conception of inferiority? The Qur’aan says about the Ambiyaa [Prophets] (alayhimus salaam): “These are the messengers. We have given some ranks over (or above) others.” Even the Ambiyaa [Prophets] are not equal. Rasulullah is superior in rank to Nabi Musaa . In fact he is superior than all the Ambiyaa (alayhimus salaam). Thus, in relation to Rasulullah all the Ambiyaa (alayhimus salaam) are inferior. Hadhrat Jibreel is the highest ranking Angel. In relation to him, Hadhrat Israafeel is inferior. In relation to Qur’aan Shareef, the Hadith is inferior. In relation to the Kab’ah, Masjidun Nabawi is inferior. In relation to the elder brother, the younger brother is inferior. In relation to a mother, her son, even if he is a great Aalim and a Saint, is inferior. In relation to an elder sister, the younger brother is inferior. In relation to Hadhrat Abu Bakr , Hadhrat Umar and all the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu anhum) and the entire Ummah are inferior. In relation to the Ustaadh [teacher], his students are inferior. In relation to a Shaikh [spiritual guide], his mureeds [disciples] are inferior whether male or female. In every level of society there are ranks and gradations. The concept of blanket equality is a stupid idea of the Kuffaar. The husband has been made the chief of the family by Allah Ta’ala. It is his responsibility to maintain and train his wife and children. He has the highest rank in his home. He is superior to his wife and children even if his sons are the greatest saints and he an ignorant farmer. Is it an insult to all the Ambiyaa (alayhimus salaam) to say that they are inferior to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam)? On the contrary, they all are proud to be the inferior followers of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Similarly is it with all the ‘inferior’ beings cited above as examples. The Qur’aan categorically states: “For men over them (women) is a rank.” What problem do you or any Muslim have with this assertion of Allah Ta’ala? the problem is only that westernism and kufr liberalism have imposed on the minds of people that the higher male ranks relegate women to chattlehood. Modernist and deviated Muslims have been made to understand that women in Islam are contemptible; that men are free to abuse and denigrate them. But every Muslim who has even a slight understanding of Islam knows that these western ideas are plain garbage which the enemies of Allah gorge out. Even in Jannat [paradise] there will be different ranks among all levels of people. When according to Islam even two men are not equal, what is wrong if there is not equality between men and women? But since deceived people have been indoctrinated to believe that ‘inferiority’ means contemptibility, they feel awkward with Islamic teachings. A woman with her piety can surpass any man in rank by Allah Ta’ala. By Allah Ta’ala, the criterion of superiority is Taqwa [God consciousness]. Innumerable women will have higher ranks by Allah Ta’ala than males on account of their Taqwa. Every Mu’min is aware of the lofty rank of Hadhrat Aisha (radhiyallahu anha). She was the Ustaadhah of numerous Sahaabah. She was the most beloved Wife of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhis salaam). She will be entering Jannat centuries before numerous male Sahaabah. What idea will you now gain when it is said that she is inferior to her husband, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhis salaam)? Is any contempt implied for her by this claim? We in fact say that contempt for her is Kufr [disbelief]. Thus, gradations in society are the creation and command of Allah Ta’ala. The Khalifah, sultan or king may be a corrupt and immoral man. But, the Shariah commands obedience to him in all his lawful orders. His rank is superior to others here on earth. In Islam women are not inferior to men in terms of the concocted meaning ascribed to ‘inferiority’ by the western kuffaar enemies of Islam. Source

Family Values in Islam A family is considered as a cornerstone of the social system. The progress and welfare of society or its breakdown can be traced to the strength and unity or to the weakness of the family. Islamic Family values establishes minimum basic rights to guarantee the interests of each family member, it bases the atmosphere in the family on sacrifice, love, loyalty and obedience. There are many important relationships in a family, which holds the honour, dignity and strength of the family together through the good times and the bad times. But the mother and father (husband and wife) relationship is the most important. They are the hub, nucleus and core of the family. If the husband and wife relationship is strong the offspring’s who have been raised in such a loving atmosphere are more likely to progress in education and work and be a help to society. However, if the relationship between the husband and wife is rocky, then the children are far more likely to be raised and brought up totally opposite to what has been mentioned above Allah (SWA) has described marriage through the following words: “They are libas (concealment) for you and you are libas for them.” (Surah Baqarah v.187) Allah (SWA) used the following words to describe marriage as the same as wearing ones clothes to protect one from the cold and heat; similarly marriage is a means of safeguarding oneself from sins. Also marriage provides peace and tranquillity to the heart and there is a physical bond between the husband and wife the same way ones clothes is closely attached to a person. (Tafsir-Qurtubi p.209 v.2) Marriage is a Sunnah of the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam and a form of worship. The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam has said: “Nikah (marriage) is my Sunnah.” (Sunan-Tirmizi) In another Hadith the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam has said: “In the fulfilling of your sexual desires there is a sadaqah. The Sahabah Ridhwanullahi Ajmaeen asked, “If one of us fulfils his desires will he have a reward in it?” The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam replied, “Tell me if he were to fulfil his desires in a haram way would he be sinful? So accordingly when he fulfils his desires in a halal way there is reward for him.” (Sahih Muslim) Furthermore, the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam through his blessed teachings has informed us of the importance of a righteous and loving wife. 1- The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said: “If Allah grants a Muslim a righteous wife, this helps him preserve half of his religion (faith). He should, therefore, fear Allah as regards the other half.” (Tabarani and Al-Hakim) 2- The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said: “The whole world is pleasure, and the best pleasure of the world is the righteous woman.” (Sahih Muslim) 3. The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said: “Four things bring one joy: a righteous wife, a spacious house, a pious neighbor and a comfortable riding animal.” (Al-Hakim, Sunan Baihaqi) 4- The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said: `A Muslim man can acquire no benefit after Islam greater than a Muslim wife who makes him happy when he looks at her, obeys him when he commands her, and protects him when he is away from her in herself and in his property.’ (Sunan Nasa’i) The role of the husband revolves around the moral principle that it is his solemn duty to Allah to treat his wife with kindness, honour, and patience; to keep her honourably or free her from the marital bond honourably; and to cause her no harm or grief. Allah Almighty says: “…consort with them in kindness, for if ye hate them it may happen that ye hate a thing wherein Allah hasplacedmuchgood.” (SurahNisav.19) The role of the wife is summarized in the verse that women have rights even as they have duties, according to what is equitable; but men have a degree over them. Allah Almighty says, “And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in kindness, and men are a degree above them. Allah is Mighty, Wise.” (Surah Baqarah v.228) The great 19th century scholar Shaikh Molana Ashjraf Ali Thanwi (RA) has given the following advice which will serve as a recipe for a happy and loving marriage. Good Behaviour with wife Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (R.A) narrates: Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) said, “The best amongst you is the person who treats his wife with love” One’s behavior towards one’s wife is the measure of the perfection of one’s belief as the Prophet (S.A.W.W.) said: “The most complete of the believers in his belief is he who perfects his manners, and the best of you in manners are those who act best towards their wives.” Be tolerant and lenient in Behaviour with your wife Hazrat Abu Huraira (R.A.) narrates that Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) said, “If a person believes in the judgment day, when he faces some difficulty (interpersonal quarrels), he should talk leniently or rather keep silence. O People! Do accept the welfare in the matters of women. (Remember) the women are born from ribs and if you want to straighten it, you will break it up and if you leave it as it was, it will never be straight, so be tolerant and soft with them” He must exercise patience and forgiveness in the case of disagreement or dispute, and not rush to divorce. The declaration of divorce is a grave matter indeed, and the Prophet (s) said: “Of permitted matters the most loathesome before Allah is divorce” (abgh`ad al-halal `ind Allah al-talaq). In another hadith he said that divorce is so grave that because of it Allah’s throne is made to shake. He said: “The best intercession [i.e. intervention of a third party] is that which brings back together the husband and the wife.” Womanizing — divorce for the purpose of marrying another woman out of sexual attraction incurs Allah’s curse according to the hadith: “Allah’s curse is on the womanizing, divorcing man” (la`ana Allahu kulla dhawwaaqin mutallaaq). Finally, even in the midst of and after divorce, Allah has prescribed kindness upon the man: “(After pronouncing divorce) she must be retained in honor or released in kindness” (2:228). To lend a hand to your wife in household tasks It is not an awkward thing to lend a hand to your wife in household tasks if you are free. A majority of our males considers it awkward and bad to do so. Hazrat Aswad (R.A.) narrates that he asked Ummul Mo’mineen Hazrat Ayesha Siddiqa (R.A.) about the routine of Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) while staying at home. She replied that Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) used to remain busy in household work and at the time of Namaz, He stood to offer Namaz”. Not to stay far away from wife for a long time The husband is not to stay away from his wife or keep his wife in a state of suspense, whether at home or abroad, for a protracted period of time except with her consent. Allah said: “Turn not away (from your wife) altogether, so as to leave her hanging. If you come to a friendly understanding and practice self-restraint, then Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Merciful” (4:129). The husband should not be away for longer than 4 month without her permission or consent. (Fatawa Rahimiyah P.238 V.8) Punishment & Beating The Prophet (S.A.W.W.) said: “Do not beat your wife.” He also said: “Do not strike your wife in the face.” The expiation for striking one’s slave in the face is to set him or her free on the spot, but what expiation is there for striking one’s wife? The Prophet (S.A.W.W.) condemned the man who beats his wife in the day and then approaches her at night. Remember that our Prophet Muhammad Salallaahu ‘aliahi wa’sallaam had found the time to go out to the desert and race with his wife Aisha. She out ran him but later after she had gained some weight, he out ran her. Remember that you will be rewarded by Allah (SWA) for any emotions you show to your wife as the Prophet Salallaahu ‘aliahi wa’sallaam said “one would be rewarded for anything that he does seeking the pleasure of Allah even the food that he puts in the mouth of his wife” Always try your best to be good to your wife by words and by deeds. Talk to her, smile to her, seek her advice, ask for her opinion, spend quality time with her and always remember that the Prophet Salallaahu ‘alaiahi wa’sallaam said “the best of you are those who are best to their wives” Only Allah Knows Best Mohammed Tosir Miah Darul Ifta Birmingham. Source

The Islamic New Year: One Year Closer to the Grave by Shaykh Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh At the start of the year, we need to keep in mind that one more year of our lives has gone. If our actions were evil, and we were treading the path to Jahannam, we have now come one year closer to it. And if we were in search of Jannah then we now have one year less to reach that goal. In brief, the end of the year means the end of a year of our lives. An Arabic poet says, The passing of days please a person, But this passing(in reality) is the passing of his life. We need to always value each and every second of our lives, as we may not be live to see the 1st of Muharram next year; in fact we may not live to see the next moment. This is what Imam Bukhārī rahimahullāh highlighted in the following couplets, Value the reward of Salāh whilst you have the time to do so, For it is possible that your death is sudden. I have seen many healthy people without any form of illness Whose healthy soul departed suddenly Courtesy At Tazkiyah

Men stand care-takers of women Surah al-Baqarah, Verse 228 "And the divorced women shall keep themselves waiting for three periods. And it is not legal for them to conceal what Allah has created in their wombs, if they do believe in Allah and in the last day. And their husbands are best entitled to take them back in the meantime if they want a settlement. And women have rights similar to what they owe as recognized, though for men there is a step above them. And Allah is Mighty, Wise." (2:228) A Great Verse Defining The Status Of Man And Woman This verse contains a rule of Shari'ah concerning the mutual rights and duties enjoined upon men and women and explains the degree of their role. Important details of this very rule appear before this verse, and again, after the verse, through several sections. The Place Of Women In Islaam At this point, it seems pertinent to explain to some extent the status given by Islam to women. If understood in its full perspective, it will certainly lead to the conclusion that a just and moderate social system would not have required more than this. It may be noted that this is the crucial place, any deviation or departure from which becomes a great danger for man's life here and in the Hereafter. Deliberation would reveal that two things serve as the necessary basis for the survival and development of this world. These are: woman and wealth. But, a look at the other side of the coin shows that this twosome is also a source of disturbance, bloodshed and tribulation. Further deliberation would easily help one reach the conclusion that although these two, given their real place in life, are instrumental in the progress of this world, yet, as and when, they are aimlessly moved away from their real place, they are capable of shaking the world like an earthquake. The Qur'an has given man a way of life, a system. Both these human factors have been assigned their correct respective places in a way that they yield the maximum benefits to the total exclusion of peacelessness. The proper place of wealth, the sources of its acquisition and the ways of spending it, as well as, a just system of the distribution of wealth is a regular field of knowledge. A detailed discussion of this subject will Insha Allah appear on some other occasion. My published treatise entitled, 'The Distribution of Wealth' could serve as an indicator of basics. Being discussed here, at this point, is woman and her rights and duties. About this, the verse under reference states: As there are rights of men over women which must be given, so there are rights of women over men which must be given. However, the quantum of difference that must be recognized here is: Men have a 'step' above women. Almost the same subject has appeared in Surah Al-Nisa' in this manner: "Men stand care-takers of women, since Allah has made some of them excel the other, and because they have spent of their wealth." (4:34) The status of women in pre-Islamic society Before Islam, in the age of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), it was common practice that women were equated with articles of home use. They would be bought and sold like cattle. She had no right whatsoever in relation to her marriage. She had to go where she was sent by her guardians. Far from being entitled to some share in the inheritance from her relatives, she herself was treated as a piece of inheritance like any other household item. She was considered as something owned by men while she owned nothing. And, even that which she allegedly owned she could not spend without the permission of men. However, her husband had all the right in the world to spend that which belonged to her as and how he elected to do so. She did not even have the right to question. So much so that some groups from amongst the European countries which are considered to be among the most civilized in the world today had reached the limit where they did not even accept that women were human beings! Women had no place in religion. They were considered unfit for worship, and for Paradise. In some synods of Rome, it was decided after mutual consultations that she was a dirty animal which had no soul. Usually, it was considered permissible for a father to kill, or even, bury her daughter alive. In fact, this act was judged to be a mark of honour and a standard of nobility. There were some who held the opinion that anybody who killed a woman did not have to pay blood-money or be charged with retaliatory action. And should the husband die, the wife too was burnt alive with his dead body. Following the birth of the noble Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and before his prophethood, in the year 586, France showed its compassion for women by passing a resolution, of course after great deliberation and controversy, that woman is after all a human being, but she has been created for the sole purpose of serving man! Created for the sole purpose of serving man! In short, the whole world, and all nations and religions that inhabited it, had been treating women with callousness that makes one tremble with fear. For this poor creature, there was no reason, no justice, anywhere. Ransomed be our lives for him who came as mercy for the worlds (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam), and for the true religion which opened the eyes of the people of this world, taught man to respect man, made justice and equity the law, men were made responsible for the rights of women parallel to their own rights on them. Woman was made free and independent. She became the owner of her life and property, similar to men. No man can, even if he be a father or grandfather, force a woman to marry someone. Should she be given in marriage without her consent, the act remains dangling on her consent. If she says no, it stands annulled. No man has any right to spend anything from that which belongs to her, without her consent and approval. After the death of her husband or after having been divorced by him, she becomes independent and she cannot be compelled by anyone for anything. She gets a share in the inheritance of her relatives just like men. To spend on her and to keep her happy has been declared an act of 'ibadah (worship) under the blessed law of Muhammad, on him be peace and blessing. Should the husband fail to give the rights due, she could, through an Islamic court, force him to do so or to divorce her. Man's Guardianship Is Essential For Peace And Order Not giving women their due rights was ranked as injustice, oppression, stinginess and villainy which was erased by Islam. Similarly, leaving them to go their way with an unbridled liberty from the guardianship and care of men, and to make them earn their own sustenance and life support amounts to wasting her rights and destroying her genius. Neither does she deserve that fate in view of her physique nor does that great mission of bringing up children and the charge of family management, which has been naturally entrusted to her, deserve it. In addition to that, women are, when deprived of the guardianship and care of men, a great danger for the whole human society, a situation that is bound to create all sorts of disturbances, including riots and bloodshed, as a matter of daily routine. That is why the noble Qur'an, while stating the mandatory rights of women, also declared: men are a step above women which, in still other words, amounts to saying that men are responsible for them as their caretakers. As it was in the first age of ignorance before Islam, all nations of the world, by keeping women as a household item or a dumb animal, had fallen prey to this mistake. So it came to pass that, following Islam's age of decadence, there started a later age of ignorance. Here the first mistake is being matched by yet another mistake, as a reaction in the opposite direction, when efforts are being made continuously to get rid of even this much degree of precedence men have over women. As a result, obscenity and shamelessness became common, the world became a home of conflicts and disorder, and bloodshed became so cheap that the first age of ignorance remained no match anymore. There is an Arab saying: The ignorant man never stays on moderation. If he decides to stay from acting excessively, he slides into a behaviour of neglect. This is the prevailing attitude in the world of today. There was that time when they were not even prepared to call or understand women as a member of the human race. Now they have advanced to the limit that the 'yoke' of man's guardianship and caretaking of women, which is perfectly wise and suitable universally for men, and women, is being thrown away, the ill consequnces of which are becoming visible everyday. And believe it, unless they bow down before this noble statement of the Qur'an, such disorders will go on increasing day by day. Governments today make new laws incessantly to bring peace into the world. New institutions are established for this purpose. Millions are spent but the source of disorders goes unnoticed by them. If a Commission of Inquiry was to be established to determine the causes of disorder, bloodshed and internecine wars, it is likely that the cause of more than fifty percent of such crimes will turn out to be woman and her unbridled freedom. But, in the contemporary world, the prevailing pursuit of desires has confounded even the best of minds. No corrective check against the worship of desires is even entertained. May Allah Almighty enlighten our hearts with the light of faith and help us act according to the guidance given in His Book and in the conduct of the Holy Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) because that is our blessed capital both in in this world and in the Hereafter. A Conflict And Its Resolution We find out from this verse that the Qur'an tells the husband and wife about duties assigned to each, whereby men have been placed under obligation to give women their rights, in the same manner as women have been placed under obligation to give men their rights. This indicates that each party should watch out on the fulfillment of its respective duties rather than go after demanding rights. And should they succeed in doing so, the very issue of demanding rights will cease to exist, because the duties of men are the rights of women and the duties of women are the rights of men. When duties are taken care of, rights will be automatically fulfilled. These days the root of all troubles lies in the attitude of people who are alert to their rights but negligent of their duties. As a result, rights are demanded on a war footing as is evident from the current confrontation between governments and masses, husbands and wives and between other authorities and their challengers. This indicator of the Qur'an has modified the confrontational aspect of the issue by stressing that everyone should make all possible effort to fulfil his or her duties and when it comes to his or her own rights try to overlook any infringements gently, forego and forgive. If this teaching of the Qur'an could become common universal practice, homes, families, even countries and governments will find that most of their conflicts have been resolved for good. Man's Higher Position Over Woman Is For Discipline Only A universal system in the world, the human nature and the best interests of women themselves required that men be not only given a particular sort of controlling and care-taking right over women, but that it be rather made incumbent on them. This is what has been stated in the verse: Men stand care-takers of women.' But, this does not necessarily entail that all men are superior to all women because being superior in the sight of Allah wholly depends on belief and good conduct. In Divine dispension, the increase or decrease in degrees operates in synchronization with the degrees of belief and conduct. Therefore, in matters relating to the Hereafter, it is not necessary that men alone should continue to have that step or degree above women. This too is possible and, as elaborated in Qur'anic verses and Hadith narrations, this is what would come to pass — that some women, through their obedience to and worship of Allah, will become superior to many men with their degree of precedence rising higher than many a men. Although the Holy Qur'an, while describing the injunctions of Shari'ah, according to its own clear stress, declares that men and women are absolutely equal and the injunctions where there is some difference have been expressly explained, but the address is generally to men and the gender used is masculine. This treatment, however, is not peculiar to the noble Qur'an. Governments too, use the masculine gender in their laws fairly commonly, although the law is universally applicable to men and women both. One immediate reason for this is the very difference identified in the verses of the noble Qur'an, that is, for men there is a step above women. The second consideration, perhaps implied here as well, may be that satr (concealment) is better even when there is a discussion about masturat (women: the concealed ones). But, when women realized that the noble Qur'an does not address them directly at various places like it does address men, the venerated mother of the faithful, Sayyidah Umm Salmah (radiallaahu 'anhaa) pointed this out to the Holy Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and thereupon the following verse of the Surah Al-Ahzaab was revealed: "Submitting men and submitting women, believing men and believing women, obedient men and obedient women ..." (This appears in details in Nasa'i, Musnad Ahmad and Tafsir Ibn Jarir etc.) where women were clearly and expressly identified along with men which implies that the status of women is no less than men in obedience to Allah and in His worship, in being near Him and His approval, and in the ranks of Paradise. According to a report in Tafsir Ibn Kathir, some Muslim women came to the the blessed wives of the Holy Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam and asked about the general absence of any mention of Muslim women in the Holy Qur'an, while it does mention men at several places, and also refers to the blessed wives of the Holy Prophet ig, from among women. Thereupon, the verse referred to above was revealed. To sum up, it can be said that a certain measure of precedence and authority in regulating the affairs of worldly life is for the good of women and that wisdom so dictates. Other than that, there is no difference in the reward and retribution for deeds, good or bad, and in the degree of merit attained in the Hereafter. The same subject appears in the noble Qur'an with much more clarity in the following manner: "And whosoever male or female, does a righteous deed, while he (or she) is a believer, we shall assuredly get him (or her) to live a goodly life." (16:97) After these preliminary remarks let's ponder over the words of the original verse under discussion. It was said: "And women have rights similar to what they owe" that is, their rights are incumbent upon men similarly as the rights of men are incumbent upon them. Here the rights of women were mentioned before the rights of men, one reason for which is that man after all, given his physical power and God-given precedence, manages to wrest his rights from women anyway. The concern should be for the rights of women since they cannot habitually wrest their rights by force. There is yet another hint here which suggests that men should take the first step to give the rights of women. However, the similarity and equivalency declared by the use of the word mithl (like, similar) in the text here could just never mean that the kind of job men do should also be done by women, or vice versa, because the distribution of work and respective duties for men and women are naturally different. In fact, it means that it is obligatory that rights belonging to both be observed equally and mutually and that the punishment for any negligence or shortcoming be also equal. It is worth observing at this point how the noble Qur'an has, in a sentence so small, miniaturized a whole roster of rights and duties since all rights women have over men and all rights men have over women are included under the sense of this verse. (Muhit) Simply by adding one more word (bil-ma'roof: justly, uprightly, kindly, courteously, according to the practice approved by the Shari'ah, or simply - "as recognized", a closer expression used in the accompanying translation of the verse) the possible occurrence of mutual controversies was eliminated. It was established that rights should be given using the ma'ruf method because the meaning of ma'ruf includes that which is neither prohibited nor impermissible under the dictates of the Shari'ah nor does it have any element of hardship or excess under common habit or custom or 'urf. The purport is that observing the routine of legal provisions is not enough, instead, it will be examined that, according to 'urf or customarily approved practice, the other party does not in any case suffer from pain or loss. That which is judged to be a source of pain and loss, in view of 'urf, will be forbidden and remain impermissible, for instance, coldness, indifference or such behaviour or conduct which causes pain. These can hardly be covered under an article of law but the word bi I'ma'ruf does encompass them. After that it was said: 'Though for men there is a step above them.' The well-known meaning and sense of this verse is that despite the rights of the parties being equal, Allah Almighty has bestowed upon men a certain degree of precedence and authority over women. That there is great wisdom in doing so has been hinted at by the use of the words: "And Allah is Mighty, Wise" towards the end of the verse. Giving the meaning of this sentence, Sayyidna 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas (radiallaahu 'anhumaa) has added that Allah Almighty has given men a degree of precedence as compared to women, therefore they should act with much more forbearance. Even if women fall short of giving them their rights, the degree of their precedence is such that they should bear by it, be patient and do nothing to desist from giving them their rights. (Qurtubi) (Ma'ariful Qur'an) Source

Can one say women will be lower class citizens in Jannah? Question It seems that heavan has been created for men because they will have so many wives. Every source I read about heavan it only refers to men. There is nothing for women to look forward to in Jannah other than green clothes and gold combs. All the references about beauty are associated to houris not the worldly women who worshipped and suffered and lived in the obedience of their husbands throughout her life. So can one say women will be lower class citizens in Jannah? Usually most men want more than one wife but because it is easier to look after one they keep one, all women want to just be the only one for their husbands. So why in Jannah will mens desire for more than one be fulfilled but women’s desire will not be fulfilled and will have to watch and wait for thei husbands to come back to them after spending time with the houris and having sex with them who did’nt worship God or suffer on the world. It looks as though that heavan is only for men? Answer In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh There will be two types of women in Jannat:- The first type is the human woman of the world who will be re-created according to the beauty of Jannat. Allah Ta’ala says: إنا أنشأناهن إنشاء (35) فجعلناهن أبكارا (36) عربا أترابا (37) “We created them as a new creation. And we made them virgins, loving to their husbands, equal in age.” [56: 35-37] Allah Ta’ala will make old women into young women and non-virgins to virgins. No matter how their appearance was in this world, Allah Ta’ala will make them all beautiful and good looking in accordance to the beauty of Jannat. [safwat At-tafaasir 3/309- Darul Qalam, Beirut] Once Mufti Mahmood Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayhi) was asked that if men will receive Hurs, what will the women receive? He replied that the wives of the believers will stay with their own husbands. Women who never married in this world will be given a choice to get married with any (unmarried) man they wish. If they do not like any of them, a special man will be created for them (similar to the Hurs) and Allah Ta’ala will join both of them in marriage. [Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah 5/298] Allamah Alusi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayhi) also mentions in his tafseer that a person’s wife in this world will remain his wife hereafter. [Ruhul Ma’ani 25/136- Dar Ihya At-Tawrath Al-A’rabi, Beirut] The love between a Muslim husband and wife is a true love because it will last forever and in fact the wife will be the queen of all the Hurs. To show the superiority of human women over the Hurs it have been made mention in a hadeeth that Umm Salama (Radhiyallaahu ‘anha) narrates that she said to Rasulullaah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi Wassallam), المعجم الأوسط – (3 / 278) 3141 – حدثنا بكر قال نا عمرو بن هاشم البيروتي قال نا سليمان بن ابي كريمة عن هشام بن حسان عن الحسن عن أمه عن أم سلمة زوج النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم قالت …الي قولها… قلت يا رسول الله أنساء الدنيا أفضل أم الحور العين قال بل نساء الدنيا أفضل من الحور العين كفضل الظهارة على البطانة قلت يا رسول الله وبم ذاك قال بصلاتهن وصيامهن وعبادتهن لله عز و جل ألبس الله عز و جل وجوههن النور وأجسادهن الحرير بيض الألوان خضر الثياب صفر الحلي مجامرهن الدر وأمشاطهن الذهب يقلن إلا نحن الخالدات فلا نموت أبدا إلا ونحن الناعمات فلا نبؤس أبدا ألا ونحن المقيمات فلا نظعن أبدا إلا ونحن الراضيات فلا نسخط أبدا طوبى لمن كنا له وكان لنا “Oh Rasulullah! Are the women of this world superior or the Hurs?” He replied, “The women of this world will have superiority over the Hurs just as the outer lining of a garment has superiority over the inner lining. “Umm Salama” then asked, “Oh Rasulullah! What is the reason for this? He answered, “Because they performed Salah, fasted, and worshipped [Allah]. Allah Ta’ala will put light on their faces and silk on their bodies. [The human women] will be fair in complexion and will wear green clothing and yellow jewellery. Their incense-burners will be made of pearls and their combs will be of gold. They will say ‘We are the women who will stay forever and we will never die. We are the women who will always remain in comfort and we will never undergo difficulty. We are the women who will stay and we will never leave. Listen! We are happy women and we will never become sad. Glad tidings to those men for whom we are and who are for us.” [Recorded in At-Tibraani 3/278] إتحاف الخيرة المهرة – (8 / 153) فكان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول : والذي بعثني بالحق ما أنتم في الدنيا بأعرف بأزواجهم ومساكنهم من أهل الجنة بأزواجهم ومساكنهم ، فيدخل رجل منهم على ثنتين وسبعين زوجة فيما ينشئ وثنتين من ولد آدم لهما فضل على ما أنشأ الله بعبادتهما الله في الدنيا Muhammed ibn Ka’b Al-Qurazi t narrates from a person of the Ansâr (people of Madînah) that Rasûlullah SAW said, “I take the oath of that Being who sent me with the truth, you are not more acquainted with your wives and houses than the people of Jannah. A person of Jannah will come to 72 wives which Allah specially created in Jannah (hûrs) and 2 human wives. The human wives will have virtue over the [hûrs] because they worshipped Allah in the world.” (Targheeb Vol.4 Pg.534, Ithaaf al-khiyarah al-maharah) These two Ahadith clearly show that a woman of this world will be greater and of a higher class than the women of the hereafter. The underlying reason of being given this preference is because of the worship and endurance which the women of this world had to bear. Furthermore, Allah Ta’ala will make the women of this world more beautiful and attractive than the Hurs. She will be the queen. Wherever in the Quran mention is made of the women of Jannat, both the Hurs and the human women could be meant. Another interpretation of the verse “equal in age” is that the women of Jannat will all be equal in age, which will ensure that they get along with one another and make the believer’s life peaceful. [Ruhul Ma’ani 13/220]. It is normally the case this in world that the co-wives have quarrels and arguments which make the husband’s life miserable. However, in Jannat there will not be any jealousy, malice or hatred between the people. Ahaadeeth in Sahih Bukharee and Sahih Muslim mentions that the hearts of the people of Jannat will be one and there will not be any difference between them. Allah Ta’ala also says in this regard: “And we will take out all (mutual) hatred from their hearts.” [7:43] This will ensure that all of a person’s wives will get along and will never become jealous of one another. On the other hand, a person will receive everything that he/she ever desired in Jannat. As Allah Ta’ala says:- وفيها ما تشتهيه الأنفس وتلذ الأعين وأنتم فيها خالدون (71) “And in Jannah you will get whate“And in Jannat will be whatever the inner-soul desires and whatever the eye finds pleasure in, and you will stay there forever.” [Qur’an 43:71] Furthermore He says:- ولكم فيها ما تشتهي أنفسكم ولكم فيها ما تدعون (31) “And in Jannah you will get whatever your souls desire and whatever you ask for” (Fussilat, 31) Everything in Jannat will be in accordance with a person’s desires and wishes. If that is your desire to be with your husband all the time, definitely Allah Ta’ala will grant it to you. As he made mentioned in Holy Qura’an: والذين آمنوا واتبعتهم ذريتهم بإيمان ألحقنا بهم ذريتهم وما ألتناهم من عملهم من شيء كل امرئ بما كسب رهين (21) “And those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith – We will join with them their descendants, and We will not deprive them of anything of their deeds. Every person, for what he/she earned, is retained.” Therefore we should bear in mind that Almighty Allah in his infinite wisdom and knowledge has created men and women from a single being and it is only Allah Ta’ala who knows the true biological, mental and spiritual structure of each individual, their needs and desires; hence Allah Ta’ala can do as He wishes and there is none to question His authority. And Allah knows best Wassalamu Alaikum Ml. Ismail Moosa, Ml. Mohammad Ashhad bin Said, Student Darul Iftaa Checked and Approved by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In’aamiyyah

Some Important Points

Explanations from Scholars

Female Leadership in Islam Allaah says in the Quran, “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allaah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means” [al-Nisa 4:34] Al-Qurtubi said: The words “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women” mean that they spend on them and protect them, and also that they (men) are the rulers and governors, and the ones who go on military campaigns, and none of these are the role of women. Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 5/168. Ibn Katheer said: It means the man is in charge of the woman; he is her leader, the ruler over her who disciplines her if she goes astray. “because Allaah has made one of them to excel the other” means, because men are superior to woman, and a man is better than a woman. Hence Prophethood was given only to men, as is the role of caliph, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No people will ever prosper who appoint a woman in charge of them.” Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 1/492. The Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam has mentioned that: "A nation that has entrusted its affairs to a woman can never be successful." (Bukhari vl.5, pg.136, Bukhari vl. 4 Page 97, Nisai vl. 8 Page 227, Tirmidhi vl. 5 Page 457) Imam Tirmidhi (RA), after narrating this hadith, says: "This is a sound and authentic hadith." In another hadith we read: "Men are destroyed when they obey women." Hakim (RA) writes that the chain of narrators is authentic and Hafiz Dhahabi (RA) has also agreed that this hadith is authentic. (Quoted by Ml. Y.Ludhyanwi on the authority of Mustadrak Hakim, vl.4, pg.291) Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam also said: "When your rulers are the best among you, your wealthy are generous, and your matters are decided by mutual consultation, then the surface of the earth is better for you than the belly of the earth. However, when your rulers are the worst among you, your wealthy are miserly and your matters are in the hands of your women, then the belly of the earth is better for you than its surface." (Tirmidhi vl.4, pg.459) Commenting on the quality of this hadith, Imam Tirmidhi writes: "This is a Gharib Hadith (i.e. a hadith that had been narrated by only one person in each era until the codification period) - we do not know it except from Salih-al-Murriy. There are some strange facts in the narrations of Salih in which he is unique (mutafarrid). He is however, a pious man." Nevertheless all scholars of Islam; commentators of the Qurân, Hadith and jurisprudence have, on the basis of the Hadith "A nation will never be successful ...." unanimously agreed that female leadership is not permissible in Islam.

Question I was born Muslim, but a 25 years old I am not able to accept Islam.I am torn between what I do not believe in and what I was raised to believe in? I think Islam is a man's religion why does a man get 70 virgins in heaven, what about women. Why cant women have the same? [The following answer is given regarding the Hurs after mentioning the ill treatment of women in other places as well as in pre-Islamic Arabia. Full Q/A regarding "I think Islam is a man's religion" HERE] Answer Now, regarding the answer to the question; it is stated in (Fatawa Mahmudiyah Vol 5, P298), the wives of the believers will have their husbands in Paradise. The unmarried woman will have whatever man she desires in Paradise and if she does not desire any of them, a special male Hur will be created for her. Not only will she have this favor but she will also have superiority over the Hurs (beautiful damsels of paradise). عن أم سلمة قالت قلت : يا رسول الله أنساء الدنيا أفضل أم الحور العين ؟ قال بل نساء الدنيا أفضل من الحور العين كفضل الظهارة على البطانة قلت : يا رسول الله وبما ذاك ؟ قال : بصلاتهن وصيامهن وعبادتهن Narrated from Hazrat Umme Salamaرضي الله عنها she said “I said, Oh Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم are the women of this world superior or the Hurs? He replied “The women of this world will have superiority over the Hurs as the outer lining of a garment have superiority over the inner lining. I said “Oh Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم, why is this? He replied “Because they performed Salah, fasted, and worshipped (Allah)”. (Ma’jam Kabeer, vol23, p367) Allah Ta’ala also mentions in the Holy Quran: لَهُمْ مَا يَشَاءُونَ فِيهَا وَلَدَيْنَا مَزِيد “They will have whatever they wish therein (Jannat) and with Us is more.”(50:35) Therefore we should bear in mind that Almighty Allah in His infinite Wisdom and Knowledge has created man and woman from a single being and it is only Allah who knows the true biological, mental and spiritual structure of each individual, their needs and desires; hence, if Allah Ta’ala wills that males should get Seventy virgins, He knows what pleases them. Similarly, females will be given what pleases them. Allah Ta’ala can do as He wishes and there is none to question His authority. Despite your doubt regarding Islam, it is pleasing to know that you seek the truth. Undoubtedly the truth will be found in Islam; however, this is a fact that needs to be discovered by you. If you have any doubts or queries in future, we will be more than happy to assist you to the best of our ability. References a) Kittel, Gerhard, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Michigan, U.S.A.:W.M.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1968) 777-778. b) Rahman, Afzalur,ed. “Role of Muslim women in Society”, Encyclopedia of Seerah (London: Seerah Foundation, 1987) 4 a) Kittel.op.cit. 779-781. b) Gibbon, Edward, The Decline and fall of the Roman Empire (U.S.A.: Classic Appreciation Society,1956) 391, 441 Al Tabari, Ja’far ibn Jarir Tarikh Tabari (Beirut: Dar al-Kutub Al Ilmiyah, n.d) Vol3, 138 Walker, Benjamin, Hindu World (Great Britain: George Allan and Unwin Ltd.1968) 603-606 Encyclopedia Judaic a (Jerusalem, Israel: Keter Publishing House Ltd. 1971) 624-626 a) Ferguson, Everett, Study in Early Christianity (New York: Garland Publishing Inc. 1993)20-21. b) Ibid. 134-201. Rahman, Afzalur,op.cit. 28. The above extracted from “Morality in Islam” by Dr. Mufti Allie Haroun Sheik And Allah knows best Wassalam Ml. Zakariyya bin Ahmed, Student Darul Iftaa Checked and Approved by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In’aamiyyah

Regarding the Virtue Men have over Women: Allah says, لِلرِّجَالِ عَلَيْهِنَّ دَرَجَةٌ }البقرة: 228{ …for men is a degree above women… Qur’ān 2:228 Allah Ta’āla expounds on this higher degree in another verse, الرِّجَالُ قَوَّامُونَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ وَبِمَا أَنْفَقُوا مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ }النساء: 34{ Men are the overseer upon women with all that which Allah has bestowed some of them over the others, and with what they spend from their wealth… Qur’ān 4:34 InshaAllah the following posts will clear misconceptions and provide correct understanding.

Words of Advice With regard to the phrase, “that if one of them (two women) errs”, Ibn Katheer said: “This means, the two women, if one of them forgets the testimony, then ‘the other can remind her’, i.e., she can remind her about the matter concerning which testimony is being given.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, part 1, p. 724) This does not mean that a woman does not understand or that she cannot remember things, but she is weaker than man in these aspects – usually. Scientific and specialized studies have shown that men’s minds are more perfect than those of women, and reality and experience bear witness to that. Nevertheless, there are some women who are far superior to men in their reason and insight, but they are few, and the ruling is based on the majority and the usual cases. A woman may compensate for her weaknesses by striving hard, and surpass men when they are negligent. Hence we find that in some colleges, female students surpass male students because of their greater efforts and their keenness to succeed when many of the male students are negligent and are not eager to learn. A man may also excel over a woman in some fields that are basically hers, so we find that some of the most skilled chefs, tailors, cosmeticians and obstetricians on the international level are men. The point is that usually – and no wise person would dispute this – most of the prominent people in the religious sciences, such as fiqh, hadeeth, tafseer, ‘aqeedah and preaching, and in the worldly sciences such as medicine, astronomy, engineering, physics, chemistry, etc. are men. If we think about the western societies in which men and women are regarded as equal in all aspects, we will find that despite that men still prevail. Still, Allaah has given women pre-eminence and has favoured them over men in some aspects, such as caring for children, and showing patience, love and compassion towards them, and managing the home. Hence the sharee’ah gives custody to them, for the mother is the first school, from which the future men, leaders of the world and scholars of the ummah graduate. What virtue can be greater than this? Islam encourages special care for the mother and her children, and enjoins upon children to honour their mother, treat her kindly and give her preferential treatment above the father. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: “A man said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, who among the people is most deserving of my good companionship?’ He said, Your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, then those who are closest in order of closeness.’” (Narrated by Muslim, 2548). What greater honour can there be than this? So let everyone work in his or her field of specialization. Men should not interfere in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and women should not be involved in jihad, fighting the enemy, or holding the positions of khaleefah or ruler. Whatever is permitted to both of them should be done within the guidelines of sharee’ah, such as not allowing free mixing of the sexes and not neglecting other duties such as those of husbands and wives. And Allaah is the Source of strength. Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

10 Good Reasons to Do Good Deeds Allaah The Almighty enjoins us to remember Him frequently and perform good deeds because forgetfulness is a disease that leads to neglecting virtuous deeds. Allaah The Almighty says: {وَلَقَدْ عَهِدْنَا إِلَىَ آدَمَ مِن قَبْلُ فَنَسِيَ وَلَمْ نَجِدْ لَهُ عَزْماً } 'Translated' {And We had already taken a promise from Adam before, but he forgot; and We found not in him determination} [Taha: 115]. One's good deeds should be based on one's belief in Allaah The Almighty, and we must frequently remind ourselves of the reward for righteous deeds which encourages us to perform them. A person should always remember that he has been instructed to compete in virtuous deeds. Allaah The Almighty says: {..سَابِقُوا إِلَى مَغْفِرَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ } 'Translation' {Race one with another in hastening towards Forgiveness from your Lord } [Hadid: 21]. The following are a few factors that serve as incentives to perform righteous deeds in order to gain blessings in this world and eternal reward in the Hereafter. 1. Visiting charitable and humanitarian organizations encourages a Muslim to perform virtuous deeds. 2. Learning about how much our pious predecessors would cry whenever they missed out on a chance to perform virtuous deeds. The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said: 'The people of Paradise do not regret anything more than regretting an hour they spent (in this life) without mentioning Allaah' (At-Tabaraani). Sa’eed At-Tanookhi used to cry if for any reason he had missed a congregational prayer. Ibn Mas’ood, said, "I never regretted anything more than regretting a day which passed in which I did not increase (upon) my virtuous deeds." 3. Remembering that life is short makes a Muslim exert extra efforts in performing virtuous deeds; the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said: 'Rush towards the performance of virtuous deeds before you are afflicted with trials as dark as the night' (Muslim). 4. Reading books that soften the heart, mention virtuous deeds and encourage people to perform them. 5. Knowing that encouraging others entitles you to the same reward as theirs, as the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said: 'He who revives a deed from Islaam (which people forgot or abandoned) gets the same reward as the one who (subsequently) performs it' (Muslim). 6. Loving those who perform virtuous deeds, because the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said: 'A person will be (on the Day of Resurrection) with those whom he loves (in life)' (Al-Bukhaari and Muslim). 7. One should always supplicate to Allaah The Almighty to facilitate for him the performance of virtuous deeds, because performing virtuous deeds is a gift from Allaah The Almighty which He grants to whomever He wishes from amongst His slaves. Humaam ibn Al-Haarith used to supplicate saying, "O Allaah! Make me satisfied with little sleep and grant me (the ability of) staying up during the night performing acts of obedience to you" and he would sleep very little, while sitting down.The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) used to ask Allaah The Almighty to enable him to perform virtuous deeds saying: 'O Allaah! I ask You to enable me to perform virtuous deeds and (for) the abandonment of sins' (At-Tirmithi). 8. Remembering Paradise and its pleasures, and what has been prepared for the people of virtue there. Allaah The Almighty Says:'Translation' {And march forth in the way (leading to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth} [Aal-Imran:133]. 9. Realizing that the longer virtuous people live the more beloved to Allaah The Almighty they become, as the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said when he was asked about the best people in the sight of Allaah The Almighty: 'He who lives long and performs virtuous deeds' (At-Tirmithi). 10. Knowing that persistence in virtuous deeds is beloved to Allaah even if the deeds were few in number, as the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said: 'The most beloved deeds to Allaah are those which are persistent, even if they were little (in number)'.

Nasihah (Advice): Auctioning in Islam Anas Bin Maalik Radhiallahu Anhu reports that Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam sold a saddle blanket and a drinking bowl. Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: Who would buy this saddle blanket and drinking bowl? A man said: I will take them for a Dirham. Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: Who will give more than a Dirham? Who will give more than a Dirham? A man agreed to give two Dirhams, so Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam sold it to him. (Tirmidhi) Question and Answer: Q.Is auctioning to purchase a home or vehicle or selling any personal item of oneself through the form of auctioning permissible in Islam? (Question published as received) A. The concept of auctioning is permissible in Islam. And Allah Knows Bes Mufti Ismaeel Bassa Confirmation: Mufti Ebrahim Desai Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Sunnats and Aadaab of Sleeping – Part 4 1. One should recite the following before retiring to bed: a) Tasbeeh-e-Faatimi i.e. 33 times Subhaanallah, 33 times Alhamdulillah, and 34 times Allahu Akbar. عن علي رضي الله عنه أن فاطمة رضي الله عنها أتت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم تشكو إليه ما تلقى في يدها من الرحى وبلغها أنه جاءه رقيق فلم تصادفه فذكرت ذلك لعائشة فلما جاء أخبرته عائشة قال فجاءنا وقد أخذنا مضاجعنا فذهبنا نقوم فقال على مكانكما فجاء فقعد بيني وبينها حتى وجدت برد قدميه على بطني فقال ألا أدلكما على خير مما سألتما إذا أخذتما مضاجعكما أو أويتما إلى فراشكما فسبحا ثلاثا وثلاثين واحمدا ثلاثا وثلاثين وكبرا أربعا وثلاثين فهو خير لكما من خادم. و في رواية: قال علي : فما تركته منذ سمعته من رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قيل له : ولا ليلة صفين ؟ قال : ولا ليلة صفين. (البخاري رقم 5361) Hadhrat Ali (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that on one occasion Hadhrat Faatimah (Radhiallahu Anha) went to the house of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) to complain about the difficulty she was experiencing while using the handmill. The news reached her that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had received some slaves (so she had thought that she would request Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) for a slave to assist her in her daily chores). However, (upon reaching the home) she did not find Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) present, hence she informed Hadhrat Aaisha (Radhiallahu Anha) of her reason for coming. When Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) reached home, Hadhrat Aaisha (Radhiallahu Anha) informed him regarding the request of Hadhrat Faatima (Radhiallahu Anha). Subsequently, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then came to our home at the time we were retiring to bed. (Upon seeing him) we intended to wake up (out of respect for him), but Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) told us to remain as we were. He then came and sat between us until I could feel the coolness of his feet on my stomach (i.e. due to being seated so close to us in between, his mubaarak feet touched the side of my body). He then said: “Should I not show you something better than what you had requested (i.e. better than me giving you a slave to assist you in your daily chores)? Before retiring to bed, then recite Subhaanallah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times and Allahu Akbar 34 times, for certainly this is better for you (in assisting you in your daily chores) than acquiring a slave. (According to another narration) Hadhrat Ali (Radhiallahu Anhu) further said: “I did not leave out this practice from the time I heard it from Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).” Someone present asked: “Not even on the night of Siffeen (i.e. the night of the battle of Siffeen)?” He replied: “Not even on the night of Siffeen.” b) Aayatul Kursi عن أبي أمامة رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم من قرأ آية الكرسي دبر كل صلاة لم يمنعه من دخول الجنة إلا أن يموت رواه النسائي والطبراني بأسانيد أحدها صحيح وقال شيخنا أبو الحسن هو على شرط البخاري وابن حبان في كتاب الصلاة وصححه (الترغيب رقم 2468) و في رواية ضعيفة عن علي رضي الله عنه قال : سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على أعواد المنبر يقول : من قرأ آية الكرسي في دبر كل صلاة لم يمنعه من دخول الجنة إلا الموت ومن قرأها حين يأخذ مضجعه آمنه الله على داره ودار جاره وأهل دويرات حوله. )رواه البيهقي في شعب الإيمان رقم 2395) Hadhrat Abu Umaamah (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever recites Aayatul Kursi after every Fardh salaah, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death. (In another Hadith reported by Hadhrat Ali (Radhiallahu Anhu)) The one who recites Aayatul kursi at night when retiring to bed, Allah Ta’ala will protect his home, the homes of his neighbours, and the homes of the people around him. c) The three Quls عن عائشة: " أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا أوى إلى فراشه كل ليلة جمع كفيه، ثم نفث فيهما فقرأ فيهما: قل هو الله أحد وقل أعوذ برب الفلق وقل أعوذ برب الناس، ثم يمسح بهما ما استطاع من جسده، يبدأ بهما على رأسه ووجهه وما أقبل من جسده يفعل ذلك ثلاث مرات (بخاري رقم 5017) Hadhrat Aaisha (Radhiallahu Anha) reports that whenever Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would retire to bed every night, he would recite Surah Ikhlaas, Surah Falaq and Surah Naas and thereafter blow on his both palms. Subsequently, he would rub his palms upon his entire body. He would commence rubbing his palms on his head, face and the front portion of his body. He would repeat this action three times. d) The last two verses of Surah Baqarah. عن أبي مسعود الأنصاري البدري عقبة بن عمرو رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: الآيتان من آخر سورة البقرة ، من قرأ بهما في ليلة كفتاه. (بخاري رقم 5040) Hadhrat Abu Mas’ood Ansaari (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “The last two verses of Surah Baqarah are such that whoever recites them at night, it will suffice him (some say that it will suffice him from the harm and evil of everything, others say it will suffice him from reciting anything else during the night or from waking up for tahajjud).