An Amazing Project

 Salam all i have a friend who is doing an amazing project she is trying to get reverts and those muslim that maybe had problems and then came back to the fold of islam to tell their stories ...at the moment she is doing it on her blog which is called http://onechinesemuslimah.blogspot.com/2012/09/attention-looking-for-reverts-re-guided.html and when she has enough she will start another blog just for this purpose .. insha`allah what she`s doing will help those who are new muslim and /or help those who are lost and trying to find their way back .... please ladies help her to achieve her goal ..... jazak`allah khair

The Neccessities of hijab and the consequence of negligence

asalam wa alikum



THE NECCESSITIES OF HIJAAB AND CONSEQUENCES OF NEGLIGENCE
 
"Oh Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw over them their jilbaabs (cloaks). That in the least so that they be recognised and not be molested." (Surah Ahzaab) 

"And remain within your homes and do not make an exibition ( of your selves) like the displays (of the immoral women) of former times of ignorance." (Surah Ahzaab) 

One of the fundamental principles of Islam is to establish a system of virtue, goodness and justice. For this reason Islam teaches both men and women in order to secure such a society. Amongst other things it disciplines the human urge for the opposite sex so that both sexes can live in pure wedlock and have full control over their beastal desires. To achieve this objective Islam has a code of behaviour. Breaching these codes of principles may resultantly endanger the purity and goodness of society. This code protects, wards off evil inclinations and bad influences. This observation of rules is termed as hijaab/ purdah.

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, 

"Verily a woman walks in the form of Shaytaan. Her approaching and recoiling are in the form of Shaytaan." 
Commentary : This means that Shaitaan used women as a means to trap man into doing evil. 

In another tradition the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, "Verily the woman is aurah ( anything that is concealed by shame and prudency) whenever she leaves the home the Shaitan raises his eyes and looks towards her. When she is in the innermost part of the home it is then that she is closest to her Lord ." 
From the above hadith we learn that the Shaitan used the women as his avenue to creat evil in society. 
In the second hadith we learn that a woman should not be revealed to strangers and that the coming out of the home can only cause mischief as Shaitan awaits and gives her his evil and full attention. 

In Islam a woman feels a great sense of security and enjoys a high status of honour and dignity within her home and out, which in a way is greater than man’s. Each sex have their own responsibility and duties to perform according to their emotional and biological nature. Her great responsibility lies in the upbringing of the nation’s next generation. On her shoulders does not lie the burden of financial problems, therefore she has no need to venture out of her home unlike the non-Muslim women. 

Insecure feelings, financial, moral and physical problems have driven the non-Muslim women from the boundries of her home. In the process she has had to abandon her modesty and dignity at the cost of moral and spiritual life, hoping that through this she can overcome her insecurity and inferiority against men. 
In Islam a woman’s real worth is not accounted by exhibiting a half exposed body, or the fascination that the opposite sex has for her, rather it is by her modesty, piety and moral conduct. 

The main aim of purdah or hijaab is to guard the spiritual and moral purity of man. Caution is taken in the very first steps so that man is prevented from plungering into the abyss of immorality and shamelessness which can be witnessed today. 

The Quran reads, And tell the believing woman to lower their gaze and be modest. (24.31). The same has been ordered for man as well. 

The Quran proclaims," Do not approach near fornification." 

Shame and respect are natural qualities in man. When these cannot be found in him and his whole community, what can be the outcome of this? You only have to look around us today to witness these atrocities caused by the negligence of immodesty.

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, 

"There is nothing left after me more dangerous to man than the temptations of women." 
Is not the unveiling of women in our time along with the free mixing of both sexes the cause to some of the social and moral ailments? Many complain that the hijaab enjoined upon Muslim women is far too restrictive and rigid and is in order to keep inferior to man. Ignorance and misunderstanding can only be the cause of such beliefs. Besides Islam which other religion or nation has given homes full protection from exploitation from strangers? While at the same time Islam guides women upon importance of purity and morality as well as upholding her status and dignity. 

A woman is likened to a sweet creature, everything about her is an attraction for spectators. Islam protects her by enjoining her to wear hijaab so that the covering of herself does not attract men like the swamps of flies and dirty creatures are attracted to uncovered sweets as in the case of todays women who falls prey to this. 

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was ordered to tell his wives and believing women to wear purdah so that they could be recognised as believing women and not molested. Is this not the case of todays women? 

The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, "Every religion has a characteristic. The characteristic of Islam is modesty." (Ibn Majah.) 

He also said, "Verily modesty and faith are inter-related. If one is taken out the other diminishes simultaneously". (Bayhaqi) 

THE OBSERVANCE OF HIJAAB IN TIME OF DIFFICULTY

asalam wa alikum


THE OBSERVANCE OF HIJAAB IN TIME OF DIFFICULTY:
 
Hazrat Qais Ibne Shammas (R.A) reports that Umme Khallad (R.A) came to the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam to inquire about her son who had been killed in one of the battles in the path of Allah. When she arrived she had a veil covering her face. Upon seeing this one of the Companions of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, "How is it that even under such unfortunate conditions (inspite of such grief and sorrow) you wear the Hijaab?" 

Hazrat Umme Khallad (R.A) replied, 

"If I have lost my son I have not lost my modesty." (i.e I should not lose them both) 
Then the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied, "Your son will gain the reward of two martyrs." 
She asked, "How can this be possible?" 

The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied, "Because ‘Ahl-e-Kitab’ (people of the book, i.e. Jews, Christians ) have killed him." (Narration of Abu-Dawood) 

From this we can learn how the Sahabiyaat (those women who saw the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam after accepting Islam) remained firm upon the observance of hijaab even at times of difficulty and misery. 

Are Muslim women oppressed?

asalam wa alikum

Among the many topics of interest to non-Muslims, the status of Muslim women and the theme of their rights -- or rather, the perceived lack of them – seems to be foremost.  The media’s portrayal of Muslim women,   usually outlining their “oppression and mystery” seems to contribute to this negative perception.
The main reason for this is that people often fail to distinguish between culture and religion -- two things that are completely different. In fact, Islam condemns oppression of any kind whether it is towards a woman or humankind in general.

The Quran is the sacred book by which Muslims live. This book was revealed 1400 years ago to a man named Muhammad who would later become the Prophet . Fourteen centuries have passed and this book has not been changed since, not one letter has been altered.

In chapter 33, entitled Soorah Al-Ahzaab (The Clans), verse 59 Allaah The Exalted Almighty Says (what means): "O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the woman of the believers to bring down over themselves (part) of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known (as free respectable women) and not be abused. And ever is Allaah Forgiving and Merciful." [Quran 33:59] This verse shows that Islam makes wearing a Hijaab necessary. Hijaab is the word used for covering, not only the headscarves (as some people may think) but also wearing loose clothes that are not too bright.

Sometimes, people see covered Muslim women and they think of this as oppression. This is wrong. A Muslim woman is not oppressed, in fact, she is liberated. This is because she is no longer valued for something material, such as her good looks or the shape of her body. She compels others to judge her for her intelligence, kindness, honesty and personality. Therefore, people judge her for who she actually is.

When Muslim women cover their hair and wear loose clothes, they are obeying the orders of their Lord to be modest, not cultural or social mores. In fact, Christian nuns cover their hair out of modesty, yet no one considers them “oppressed”. By following the command of Allaah, Muslim women are doing the exact same thing. 

The lives of the people who responded to the Quran have changed drastically. It had a tremendous impact on so many people, especially women, since this was the first time that the souls of man and women were declared equal -- with the same obligations as well as the same rewards.

For the first time in history, women were granted economic independence in Islam. The money they bring in to marriage is theirs as well as the money they earn. In Islam, women are allowed to choose their own husbands and in extreme cases, ask for divorce. A woman has the right to be educated, contrary to what the contemporary world might think. The responsibility is that of the person who is raising her.

Islam is a religion that holds women in high regard. Long ago, when baby boys were born, they brought great joy to the family. The birth of a girl was greeted with considerably less joy and enthusiasm. Sometimes, girls were hated so much that they were buried alive. Islam has always been against this irrational discrimination against girls and female infanticide. 

The Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, said: "Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim (male and female)." Men and women both have the capacity for learning and understanding. Since it is also their obligation to promote good behavior and condemn bad behavior in all spheres of life, Muslim women must acquire the appropriate education to perform this duty in accordance with their own natural talents and interests.

While maintenance of their homes, providing support to the husband and bearing, raising and teaching children are among the first and very highly regarded roles for a woman, if she has the skills to work outside the home for the good of the community, she may do so. However, this is allowed only as long as her family obligations are met and as long as she complies with the Islamic code of dress and conduct, with no intermingling with men in the workplace.

Islam recognizes and fosters the natural differences between men and women despite their equality. Some types of work are more suitable for men and other types for women. This differentiation in no way diminishes the effort or benefit of one gender over the other. God will reward both genders equally for the value of their work, though it may not necessarily be within the same sphere of activity.

The two great roles a woman plays in life are that of a wife and a mother. The Prophet once said to a group of Companions : "The best among you are those who are the best to their wives." This shows that Islam highly encourages treating the wives well. They should be shown love, respect and care. To foster the love and security that comes with marriage, Muslim wives have various rights. The first of the wife's rights is to receive dowry, a gift from the husband, which is part of the marriage contract and required for the legality of the marriage.

The second right of a wife is maintenance. Despite any wealth she may have, her husband is obligated to provide her with food, shelter and clothing. He is not forced, however, to spend beyond his capability and his wife is not entitled to make unreasonable demands.

Concerning motherhood, the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, said: "Heaven lies under the feet of mothers." This implies that the success of a society can be traced to the mothers who raised it. The first and greatest influence on a person comes from the sense of security, affection and training received from the mother. Therefore, a woman having children must be educated and conscientious in order to be a skillful parent.

A man came to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, and asked: "Who among my kinfolk is worthy of my good companionship?" The Prophet replied: "Your mother" three times before saying: "Your father." This indicates the impact that a mother has in a person's life. So women are highly honored in this great religion.

Islam is a religion that treats women fairly. The Muslim woman was given a role, duties and rights 1400 years ago that most women do not enjoy even today in the West. These rights are from God and are designed to maintain a balance in society; what may seem “unjust” or “missing” in one place is compensated for or explained in another place.

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