Hadith - Muslim, #3465
'Abdullah b. 'Amr 
reported Allah's Messenger 
as saying: The whole world is a provision, and the best object of benefit of the world is the pious woman.
reported Allah's Messenger as saying: The whole world is a provision, and the best object of benefit of the world is the pious woman. 
Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.123, Narrated Abu Huraira
Allah's Apostle said, "It is not lawful for a lady to fast (Nawafil) without the permission of her husband when he is at home; and she should not allow anyone to enter his house except with his permission; and if she spends of his wealth (on charitable purposes) without being ordered by him, he will get half of the reward."
said, "It is not lawful for a lady to fast (Nawafil) without the permission of her husband when he is at home; and she should not allow anyone to enter his house except with his permission; and if she spends of his wealth (on charitable purposes) without being ordered by him, he will get half of the reward." Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #3978, Narrated AbuHurayrah
The Prophet said, "A woman acts for the people," i.e. she gives protection on behalf of the Muslims.
said, "A woman acts for the people," i.e. she gives protection on behalf of the Muslims. [Tirmidhi transmitted it].
"They ask your legal instruction concerning women, say: Allah instructs you about them..." [Qur'an 4:127]
The Prophet said:
said: "The best among you is the one who is the best towards his wife"
Hadith - Muslim, #3466
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger as saying: Woman is like a rib. When you attempt to straighten it, you would break it. And if you leave her alone you would benefit by her, and crookedness will remain in her. A hadith like this is reported by another chain of narrators.
reported Allah's Messenger as saying: Woman is like a rib. When you attempt to straighten it, you would break it. And if you leave her alone you would benefit by her, and crookedness will remain in her. A hadith like this is reported by another chain of narrators. Hadith - Muslim, #3468
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Apostle as saying: He who believes in Allah and the Hereafter, if he witnesses any matter he should talk in good terms about it or keep quiet. Act kindly towards woman, for woman is created from a rib, and the most crooked part of the rib is its top. If you attempt to straighten it, you will break it, and if you leave it, its crookedness will remain there. So act kindly towards women.
reported Allah's Apostle as saying: He who believes in Allah and the Hereafter, if he witnesses any matter he should talk in good terms about it or keep quiet. Act kindly towards woman, for woman is created from a rib, and the most crooked part of the rib is its top. If you attempt to straighten it, you will break it, and if you leave it, its crookedness will remain there. So act kindly towards women. Hadith - Muslim, #3469
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger as saying: A believing man should not hate a believing woman; it he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another.
reported Allah's Messenger as saying: A believing man should not hate a believing woman; it he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another. Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.117 Narrated 'Aisha, r.a.
The eleventh one said, "My husband is Abu Zar and what is Abu Zar (i.e., what should I say about him)? He has given me many ornaments and my ears are heavily loaded with them and my arms have become fat (i.e., I have become fat). And he has pleased me, and I have become so happy that I feel proud of myself. He found me with my family who were mere owners of sheep and living in poverty, and brought me to a respected family having horses and camels and threshing and purifying grain. Whatever I say, he does not rebuke or insult me. When I sleep, I sleep till late in the morning, and when I drink water (or milk), I drink my fill."
....'Aisha then said: Allah's Apostle SAAWS said to me, "I am to you as Abu Zar was to his wife Um Zar."
The Noble Qur'an - An-Nur 24:23-24
Verily, those who accuse chaste women, who never even think of anything touching their chastity and are good believers, are cursed in this life and in the Hereafter, and for them will be a great torment, --
On the Day when their tongues, their hands, and their legs or feet will bear witness against them as to what they used to do.
Hadith - Bukhari 8:840, Narrated Abu Huraira
The Prophet said: "Avoid the seven great destructive sins." They (the people) asked, "O Allah's Messenger! What are they?" He said,
said: "Avoid the seven great destructive sins." They (the people) asked, "O Allah's Messenger! What are they?" He said, - "To join partners in worship with Allah,
- to practise sorcery;
- to kill the life which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause (according to Islamic law);
- to eat up Riba' (usury);
- to eat up the property of an orphan;
- to show one's back to the enemy and fleeing from the battle-field at the time of fighting and
- to accuse chaste women who never even think of anything touching their chastity and are good believers."
Hadith - Bukhari 8:840, Narrated Abu Huraira
Hilal bin Umaiya accused his wife before the Prophet of committing illegal sexual intercourse with Sharik bin Sahma. The Prophet said, "Produce a proof*, or else you would get the legal punishment (by being lashed) on your back." Hilal said, "O Allah's Apostle! If anyone of us s.a.w another man over his wife, would he go to search for a proof." The Prophet went on saying, "Produce a proof or else you would get the legal punishment (by being lashed) on your back." The Prophet then mentioned the narration of Lian (as in the Holy Book). (Surat-al-Nur: 24)
said, "Produce a proof*, or else you would get the legal punishment (by being lashed) on your back." Hilal said, "O Allah's Apostle! If anyone of us s.a.w another man over his wife, would he go to search for a proof." The Prophet went on saying, "Produce a proof or else you would get the legal punishment (by being lashed) on your back." The Prophet then mentioned the narration of Lian (as in the Holy Book). (Surat-al-Nur: 24) *the proof required is four witnesses (see next Ayat)
The Noble Qur'an - An-Nur 24:4-9
And those who accuse chaste women, and produce not four witnesses, flog them with eighty stripes, and reject their testimony forever, they indeed are the Fasiqun (liars, rebellious, disobedient to Allah).
Except those who repent thereafter and do righteous deeds, (for such) verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
As for those who accuse their wives, but have no witnesses except themselves, let the testimony of one of them be four testimonies (i.e. testifies four times) by Allah that he is one of those who speak the truth.
And the fifth (testimony) (should be) the invoking of the Curse of Allah on him if he be of those who tell a lie (against her).
But it shall avert the punishment (of stoning to death) from her, if she bears witness four times by Allah, that he (her husband) is telling a lie.
And the fifth (testimony) should be that the Wrath ofAllah be upon her if he (her husband) speaks the truth.
Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #605, Narrated Ali ibn Abu Talib Transmitted by Tirmidhi.
Transmitted by Tirmidhi. Allah's Apostle said: Ali, there are three matters which should not be deferred: the Prayer when its time is due, the funeral as soon it is ready, and the case of a woman without a husband, when there is a suitable (spouse) for her in her class.
said: Ali, there are three matters which should not be deferred: the Prayer when its time is due, the funeral as soon it is ready, and the case of a woman without a husband, when there is a suitable (spouse) for her in her class. Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #605, Narrated Aisha 
The Prophet said, "The marriage which produces most blessing is that which involves least burden."
said, "The marriage which produces most blessing is that which involves least burden." Bayhaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-Iman.
Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #3095, Narrated AbuUmamah , Transmitted by Ibn Majah
, Transmitted by Ibn Majah The Prophet used to say, "After fear of Allah a believer gains nothing better for himself than a good wife who obeys him if he gives her a command, pleases him if he looks at her, is true to him if he adjures her to do something, and is sincere towards him regarding her person and his property if he is absent."
used to say, "After fear of Allah a believer gains nothing better for himself than a good wife who obeys him if he gives her a command, pleases him if he looks at her, is true to him if he adjures her to do something, and is sincere towards him regarding her person and his property if he is absent." Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #3254, Narrated Anas ibn Malik
Allah's Messenger said, "When a woman observes the five times of prayer, fasts during Ramadan, preserves her chastity and obeys her husband, she may enter by any of the gates of Paradise she wishes."
said, "When a woman observes the five times of prayer, fasts during Ramadan, preserves her chastity and obeys her husband, she may enter by any of the gates of Paradise she wishes." [AbuNu'aym transmitted it in al-Hilyah.]
Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi 3257, narrated Talq ibn Ali
Allah's Messenger said, "When a man calls his wife to satisfy his desire she must go to him even if she is occupied at the oven."
said, "When a man calls his wife to satisfy his desire she must go to him even if she is occupied at the oven." [Tirmidhi transmitted it.]
Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi 3272, narrated Abu Hurayrah
When Allah's Messenger was asked which woman was best he replied, "The one who pleases (her husband) when he looks at her, obeys him when he gives a command, and does not go against his wishes regarding her person or property by doing anything of which he disapproves." [Nasa'i and Bayhaqi, in Shu'ab al-Iman transmitted it.]
was asked which woman was best he replied, "The one who pleases (her husband) when he looks at her, obeys him when he gives a command, and does not go against his wishes regarding her person or property by doing anything of which he disapproves." [Nasa'i and Bayhaqi, in Shu'ab al-Iman transmitted it.] Jamharah Khutah al-‘Arab, 1/145
‘Abd al-Malik (RA) said: “When ‘Awf ibn Muhallim al-Shaybani, one of the most highly respected leaders of the Arab nobility during the jahiliyyah, married his daughter Umm Iyas to al-Harith ibn ‘Amr al-Kindi, she was made ready to be taken to the groom, then her mother, Umamah came into her, to advise her and said:
‘O my daughter, if it were deemed unnecessary to give you this advice because of good manners and noble descent, then it would have been unnecessary for you, because you posses these qualities, but it will serve as a reminder to those who are forgetful, and will help those who are wise.
‘O my daughter, if a woman were able to do without a husband by virtue of her father’s wealth and her need for her father, then you of all people would be most able to do without a husband, but women were created for men just as men were created for them.
‘O my daughter, you are about to leave the home in which you grew up, where you first learned to walk, to go to a place you do not know, to a companion to whom you are unfamiliar. By marrying you, he has become a master over you, so be like a servant to him, and he will become like a servant to you.
‘Take from me ten qualities, which will be a provision and a reminder for you.
‘The first and second of them are: be content in his company, and listen to and obey him, for contentment brings peace of mind, and listening to and obeying one’s husband pleases Allah.
‘The third and fourth of them are: make sure that you smell good and look good; he should not see anything ugly in you, and he should not smell anything but a pleasant smell from you. Kohl is the best kind of beautification to be found, and water is better than the rarest perfume.
‘The fifth and sixth of them are: prepare his food on time, and keep quiet when he is asleep, for raging hunger is like a burning flame, and disturbing his sleep will make him angry.
‘The seventh and eight of them are: take care of his servants (or employees) and children, and take care of his wealth, for taking care of his wealth shows that you appreciate him, and taking care of his children and servants shows good management.
‘The ninth and tenth of them are: never disclose any of his secrets, and never disobey any of his orders, for if you disclose any of his secrets you will never feel safe from his possible betrayal, and if you disobey him, his heart will be filled with hatred towards you.
‘Be careful, O my daughter, of showing joy in front of him when he is upset, and do not show sorrow in front of him when he is happy, because the former shows a lack of judgment whilst the latter will make him unhappy.
‘Show him as much honour and respect as you can, and agree with him as much as you can, so that he will enjoy your companionship and conversation.
‘Know, O my daughter, that you will not achieve what you would like to until you put his pleasure before your own, and his wishes before yours, in whatever you like and dislike. And may Allah choose what is best for you and protect you.”
The Prophet said,
"Paradise lies at the feet of your mothers."
said, "Paradise lies at the feet of your mothers."
The hadith with this wording is da'if, but its meaning is contained in the hadith of Ibn Majah and al-Nasa'i that a man came to the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and said, "O Messenger of Allah! I intend to go on a (military) expedition, but I have come to ask your advice." He said, "Is your mother alive?" He said, "Yes." He said, "Then stay with her, for the Garden is under her feet." This latter hadith is declared to be sahih by al-Hakim, al-Dhahabi and al-Mundhiri. --Kashf al-Khafa', no. 1078; Al-Da'ifah, no. 593.
Hadith - Bukhari 8.2, Narrated Abu Huraira A man came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man said. "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man further said, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man asked for the fourth time, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your father."
A man came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man said. "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man further said, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man asked for the fourth time, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your father." Hadith - Bukhari 1:675, Narrated 'Abdulla bin 'Abi Qatada
"My father said, "The Prophet said, 'When I stand for prayer, I intend to prolong it but on hearing the cries of a child, I cut it short, as I dislike to trouble the child's mother.' "
said, 'When I stand for prayer, I intend to prolong it but on hearing the cries of a child, I cut it short, as I dislike to trouble the child's mother.' " Hadith - Bukhari 1:3:591, Narrated Al-Mughira bin Shu'ba
The Prophet said, "Allah has forbidden for you, (1) to be undutiful to your mothers*, (2) to bury your daughters alive, (3) to not to pay the rights of the others (e.g. charity, etc.) and (4) to beg of men (begging). And Allah has hated for you (1) vain, useless talk, or that you talk too much about others, (2) to ask too many questions, (in disputed religious matters) and (3) to waste the wealth (by extravagance).
said, "Allah has forbidden for you, (1) to be undutiful to your mothers*, (2) to bury your daughters alive, (3) to not to pay the rights of the others (e.g. charity, etc.) and (4) to beg of men (begging). And Allah has hated for you (1) vain, useless talk, or that you talk too much about others, (2) to ask too many questions, (in disputed religious matters) and (3) to waste the wealth (by extravagance). *please note that if your mother is kuffaar, you are not commanded to allow yourself to be oppressed if that should occur.
Hadith - Bukhari 1:832, Narrated Salim bin 'Abdullah ,also in 7:165
,also in 7:165 My father said, "The Prophet said, 'If the wife of any one of you asks permission (to go to the mosque) do not forbid her."
said, 'If the wife of any one of you asks permission (to go to the mosque) do not forbid her." Note: Women are not required to attend the Masjid... in fact, it is an extra blessing to do Salat at home. However, a woman should not be denied attending the Masjid upon asking for permission, even for the night prayers.
Hadith - Muslim, Ahmad and Nisaa'ee, Narrated Zaynab Ath Thaqafiyyah
"If one of you attends Ishaa*, then do not touch perfume."
[Shaykh Al Albaanee makes the takhreej for it in Silsilah Al Ahaadeeth As Saheehah no. 1093. He declares it authentic in Saheeh Al Jaami' Vol. 1 no. 634]
* The evening salah (obligatory prayer)
Hadith - Bukhari 2:595, Ibn 'Aisha
I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Shouldn't we participate in Holy battles and Jihad along with you?" He replied, "The best and the most superior Jihad (for women) is Hajj which is accepted by Allah." 'Aisha added: Ever since I heard that from Allah's Apostle I have determined not to miss Hajj.
replied, "The best and the most superior Jihad (for women) is Hajj which is accepted by Allah." 'Aisha added: Ever since I heard that from Allah's Apostle I have determined not to miss Hajj. Hadith - Bukhari 7:773, Narrated Ibn 'Abbas
Allah's Apostle cursed those men who are in the similitude (assume the manners) of women and those women who are in the similitude (assume the manners) of men.
cursed those men who are in the similitude (assume the manners) of women and those women who are in the similitude (assume the manners) of men. Hadith - Bukhari 7:815, Narrated 'Abdullah
Allah has cursed those women who practise tattooing and those who get themselves tattooed, and those who remove their face hairs, and those who create a space between their teeth artificially to look beautiful, and such women as change the features created by Allah. Why then should I not curse those whom the Prophet has cursed? And that is in Allah's Book, i.e. His Saying: "And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad ) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it), and fear Allah." (59.7)
) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it), and fear Allah." (59.7) by the noble Sheikh Abdul-Azeez bin Baaz (rahimahullah)
The status of the Muslim woman in Islam is very noble and lofty one, and her effect is very great in the life of every Muslim. Indeed, the Muslim woman is the initial teacher in the building of a righteous society, providing she follows the guidance from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet .
. Since adherence to the Quran and the Sunnah distances every Muslim - male or female - from being misguided in any matter. The misguidance that the various nations suffer from, and their being deviant, does not come about except by being far away from the path of Allah - the Most High, the Most Perfect - and from what His Prophets and Messengers, may Allah's peace be upon them all, came with. The Prophet said: "I am leaving behind me two matters, you will not go astray as long as you cling to them both, the Book of Allah and my Sunnah." [1]
said: "I am leaving behind me two matters, you will not go astray as long as you cling to them both, the Book of Allah and my Sunnah." [1] The great importance of Muslim woman's role - whether as wife, sister or daughter, and the rights that are due to her and the obligations due from her - have been explained in the purified Sunnah.
The secret of her importance lies in the tremendous burden and responsibility that is placed on her, and the difficulties that she has to shoulder - responsibilities and difficulties some, which not even a man bears. This is why from the most important obligation upon a person is to show gratitude to the mother, and kindness and good companionship with her. And in this matter, she is to be given precedence over and above the father. Allah - the most High - says:
"And We have enjoined upon man to be dutiful and good to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness upon weakness and hardship upon hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Show gratitude and thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination." [Soorah Luqmaan 31:14]
Allah - the Most High - said: "And We have enjoined upon man to be dutiful and kind to his parents. His mother bears him with hardship, and she brings him forth with hardship. And the bearing and the weaning of him is thirty months." [Soorah al-Ahqaaf 41:15]
A man came to Allah's Messenger and said: O Messenger of Allah! Who from amongst mankind warrants the best companionship from me? He replied: "Your mother." The man asked: Then who? So he replied: "Your mother". The man then asked: Then who? So the Prophet replied again: "Your mother." The man then asked: then who? So he replied: "Then your father." So this necessitates that the mother is given three times the likes of kindness and good treatment then the father. [2]
As regards to the wife, then her status and her effect in making the soul tranquil and serene, has been clearly shown in the noble ayah (verse), in His - the Most High's saying:
"And from amongst His Signs is this: That He created from you wives from amongst yourselves, so that you may find serenity and tranquility in them. And He has put between you love and compassion. Indeed, in this are signs for those who reflect." [Soorah Ar-Rum 30:21]
Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer (d.774H) - rahimahullaah - said, whilst explaining the term mawaddah means love and affection, and ar-rahmah means compassion and piety - "since a man takes the hand of a women either due to love for her, or because of compassion and piety for her, by giving to her a child from himself…" [3]
And the unique stance that the prophet 's wife Khadeejah took, had a huge effect in calming and reassuring Allah's Messenger , when the angel Jibreel - alayhis-salam - first came to him in the cave of Hiraa. So the Prophet returned to his wife Khadeejah with the first Revelation and with this his heart trembling and beating severely, and so he said to her: "Cover me! Cover me!" So they covered him until his fear was over, after which he told Khadeejah - everything that had happened, and said: 'I fear that something may happen to me." So she said to him: "Never! By Allah! Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good ties with relations, you help the poor and the destitute, you serve your guests generously and assist those who have been afflicted with calamities." [4]
took, had a huge effect in calming and reassuring Allah's Messenger , when the angel Jibreel - alayhis-salam - first came to him in the cave of Hiraa. So the Prophet returned to his wife Khadeejah with the first Revelation and with this his heart trembling and beating severely, and so he said to her: "Cover me! Cover me!" So they covered him until his fear was over, after which he told Khadeejah - everything that had happened, and said: 'I fear that something may happen to me." So she said to him: "Never! By Allah! Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good ties with relations, you help the poor and the destitute, you serve your guests generously and assist those who have been afflicted with calamities." [4] And do not forget about Aaishah and her great effect. Since even the great Sahaabah (Companions) use to take knowledge of Hadiths from her, and many of the Sahaabiyaat (female companions) learn the various rulings pertaining to women's issues from her…
and her great effect. Since even the great Sahaabah (Companions) use to take knowledge of Hadiths from her, and many of the Sahaabiyaat (female companions) learn the various rulings pertaining to women's issues from her… And I have no doubt that my mother - may Allah shower His mercy upon her - had a tremendous effect upon me, and has a great excellence over me, in encouraging me to study; and she assists me in it. May Allah greatly increase her reward and reward her with the best of rewards for what she did for me.
And there is no doubt also, the house in which there is kindness, gentleness, love and care, along with the correct Islamic tarbiyah (Education and cultivation) will greatly affect the man. So he will become - if Allah wills - successful in his affairs and in any matter - whether it be seeking knowledge, trading, earning a living, or other than this. So it is Allah Alone that I ask to grant success and to guide us all to that which he loves and is pleased with. And may the prayers of peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad , and upon his Family, his companions and his followers.
FOOTNOTES:
- Hasan: Related by Maalik in al-Muwattaa (2/899) and al-Haakim (1/93), from Ibn 'Abbass radiaalahu'anhu. It was authenticated by al-Albaanee in as-Saheehah (no.1871).
- Related by al-Bukhari (no.59710 and Muslim (7/2), from Abu Hurayrah radialliaahu'anhu
- Tafseer Qur'aanul-Adheem (3/4439) of Ibn Katheer.
- Related by al-Bukhari (1/22) and Muslim (1/139), from the lengthy narration of Aaishah radiallahu'anhaa
Hadith - Bukhari 3:85, Ibn 'Abbas
The Prophet said, "A woman should not travel* except with a Dhu-Mahram (her husband or a man with whom that woman cannot marry at all according to the Islamic jurisprudence), and no man may visit her except in the presence of a Dhu-Mahram**." A man got up and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I intend to go to such and such an army and my wife wants to perform Hajj." The Prophet said (to him), "Go along with her (to Hajj)."
said, "A woman should not travel* except with a Dhu-Mahram (her husband or a man with whom that woman cannot marry at all according to the Islamic jurisprudence), and no man may visit her except in the presence of a Dhu-Mahram**." A man got up and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I intend to go to such and such an army and my wife wants to perform Hajj." The Prophet said (to him), "Go along with her (to Hajj)." *this is referring to lengthy travel; for instance, a trip that exceeds two days time, etc.
** dhu-mahrahm: A male whom a woman can never marry because of close relationship (i.e. brother, father, uncle, etc.) or her own husband.
Hadith - Sahih Muslim, Narrated Abu Hurayrah, R.A.
"Do not permit your women to travel, except that she has with her a mahram(Dhu mahram)."
Shaykh Al Albaanee declares it authentic in Saheeh Al Jaami' vol. 2, no. 7646.
Hadith - Muwatta 20.263
Malik said, concerning a woman who had never been on hajj, "If she doesn't have a mahram, or if she has, but he cannot come with her, she does not abandon Allah's making of the hajj obligatory for her. Let her go in a group of women."
Hadith - Bukhari 1:652, Narrated Sahl bin Sa'd As'Sa'idi
Allah's Apostle said, "If something happens to anyone during his prayer he should say Subhan Allah. If he says so he will be attended to, for clapping is for women."
said, "If something happens to anyone during his prayer he should say Subhan Allah. If he says so he will be attended to, for clapping is for women." Hadith - Bukhari 1:329, Narrated Maimuna (the wife of the Prophet)
"During my menses, I never prayed, but used to sit on the mat beside the mosque of Allah's Apostle . He used to offer the prayer on his sheet and in prostration some of his clothes used to touch me."
. He used to offer the prayer on his sheet and in prostration some of his clothes used to touch me." Hadith - Bukhari 4:460, narrated Abu Huraira
Allah's Apostle said, "If a husband calls his wife to his bed (i.e. to have sexual relation) and she refuses and causes him to sleep in anger, the angels will curse her till morning."
said, "If a husband calls his wife to his bed (i.e. to have sexual relation) and she refuses and causes him to sleep in anger, the angels will curse her till morning." Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi 3257, narrated Talq ibn Ali
Allah's Messenger said, "When a man calls his wife to satisfy his desire she must go to him even if she is occupied at the oven."
said, "When a man calls his wife to satisfy his desire she must go to him even if she is occupied at the oven." [Tirmidhi transmitted it.]
Hadith - Bukhari 1:28, Narrated Ibn 'Abbas
The Prophet said: "I was shown the Hell-fire and that the majority of its dwellers were women who were ungrateful." It was asked, "Do they disbelieve in Allah?" (or are they ungrateful to Allah?) He replied, "They are ungrateful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors and the good (charitable deeds) done to them. If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them and then she sees something in you (not of her liking), she will say, 'I have never received any good from you."
said: "I was shown the Hell-fire and that the majority of its dwellers were women who were ungrateful." It was asked, "Do they disbelieve in Allah?" (or are they ungrateful to Allah?) He replied, "They are ungrateful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors and the good (charitable deeds) done to them. If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them and then she sees something in you (not of her liking), she will say, 'I have never received any good from you." Hadith - Bukhari 7:123, Narrated AbuHuraira
"...she should not allow anyone to enter his house except with his permission..."
Hadith - Bukhari 1:280, Narrated Um-Salama (the mother of the believers)
Um Sulaim, the wife of Abu Talha, came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Verily Allah is not shy of (telling you) the truth. Is it necessary for a woman to take a bath after she has a wet dream (nocturnal sexual discharge)?" Allah's Apostle replied, "Yes, if she notices a discharge."
and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Verily Allah is not shy of (telling you) the truth. Is it necessary for a woman to take a bath after she has a wet dream (nocturnal sexual discharge)?" Allah's Apostle replied, "Yes, if she notices a discharge." - Fear Allah and abstain from evil, desiring to be pious above all other qualities to possess
- Do not engage in lengthy travel without the escort of a Dhu-Mahrahm
- Do not visit with a man, except with the presence of a Dhu-Mahrahm
- Do not deny sexual relations to your husband as a means to punish him out of anger or otherwise.
- Obey your husband and do things that please him.
- Observe Hijab and guard your modesty. Remain chaste.
- Take a bath (ghusl) after a wet dream when a discharge is noticed. Also perform ghusl after sexual relations.
- Don't be overly critical of your husband, but instead be grateful. And surely the best of ways to show love to your husband is to show your love for Allah, subhana watala, by obeying Allah's commands.
WOMEN OF PARADISE Part 1: 'The Black Woman'
Paradise is for believing men and women.
We often hear speakers in Friday prayer or in admonitions talking about Paradise and all of us find our hearts, minds and thoughts tuned on to that 'frequency'. However, majority of the speakers talk about Paradise as if it were a house for men only. Reality is not like that. Paradise is for the believing men and women. The only price for it is sound belief in Allaah, love of Allaah and His Messenger salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam, and obedience to Allaah and His Messenger salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam.
In what follows are the glad tidings given by the Messenger of Allaah salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam, to some of the women among his companions.
* Narrated 'Aisha radhiya Allaahu anha: I did not feel jealous of any of the wives of the Prophet as much as I did of Khadija (although) she died before he married me, for I often heard him mentioning her, and Allaah had told him to give her the good tidings that she would have a palace of Qasab (i.e. pipes of precious stones and pearls in Paradise), and whenever he slaughtered a sheep, he would send her women-friends a good share of it. [Sahih al-Bukhari]
* Anas reports that the Messenger of Allaah, salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam, said: 'The best women of mankind are four: Mariam daughter of `Imraan, Assiya wife of Pharaoh, Khadija daughter of Khuwailid, and Fatima the daughter of the Messenger of Allaah.' [Bukhari and Muslim]
* Narrated Abu Huraira: Jibreel (Gabriel) came to the Prophet and said, 'O Allaah's Apostle! This is Khadija coming to you with a dish having meat soup (or some food or drink). When she reaches you, greet her on behalf of her Lord (i.e. Allaah) and on my behalf, and give her the glad tidings of having a Qasab (palace in Paradise) wherein there will be neither any noise nor any fatigue (trouble).' [al-Bukhari]
* Narrated 'Ata bin Abi Rabah: Ibn 'Abbas said to me, 'Shall I show you a woman of the people of Paradise?' I said, 'Yes.' He said, 'This black woman came to the Prophet and said, 'I get attacks of epilepsy and my body becomes uncovered; please invoke Allaah for me.' The Prophet said (to her), 'If you wish, be patient and you will have (enter) Paradise; and if you wish, I will invoke Allaah to cure you.' She said, 'I will remain patient,' and added, 'but I become uncovered, so please invoke Allaah for me that I may not become uncovered.' So he invoked Allaah for her.' [al-Bukhari]
The aforementioned ahadeeth clearly state the stature of some of the women given the glad tidings of Jannah (Paradise). What can the women of today do in order to achieve that pinnacle of success, Paradise?
To do so one MUST learn how these women lived, how they behaved, how they spoke, how they dressed, how they walked, etc. In this issue of al-Mu'minah we will try to learn from the black woman mentioned in the last Hadith, insha'Allaah. The black woman is not even known by her name, or her exact whereabouts, rather she is known by her deeds, her faith, her modesty, her chastity, and for her being an inmate of Paradise. And, in the end, that is what matters most. When Abdullah Ibn Abbas radhiya Allaahu anhu said 'this black woman', he did not mean to point at her race or to belittle her in any way. Indeed, he but meant to teach the people around him a great principle of Islam which is mentioned in the verse, [in the meaning of] : 'O people! We have created you from a man and a woman and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may know each other, verily the most honorable among you in the sight of Allaah are the most pious.'
The same principle is mentioned in the Hadith: 'Allaah does not look at your pictures (shapes) and bodies but He looks at your hearts (and your deeds).' [Muslim] She (the black woman) was physically sick, yet she sought cure in the du`a of the Messenger of Allaah, salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam. She knew that the one who cures, ash-Shaafee, is Allaah, and Allaah would answer the du`a of His Messenger salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam. We conclude from that that du`a heals all diseases be they of the body or of the heart. When commenting on this Hadith, al-Hafidh Ibn Hajar said: 'It is inferred from this hadith that the cure of diseases through du`a and supplication to Allaah (wa al-iltijaa' ilaa Allaah) is the most successful way of healing, but this cannot be fulfilled unless two conditions are satisfied: pure intention and sincere trust in the effectiveness of the du`a, and righteousness and reliance on Allaah.
The fact that the Prophet salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam said: 'If you wish, be patient and you will have (enter) Paradise' is a proof for the virtue and reward of patience during sickness. In another Hadith, he, salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam, says: 'Whenever a hardship affects the Muslim, he will be forgiven for it even when he is picked by a spike.' [Muslim]
And in another Hadith, also narrated by Muslim, Ummu as-Sa'ib cursed fever, to which the Prophet salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam told her: 'Do not curse fever, for it takes away the sins like the blaze [fire] takes away the impurities of iron.' The black women preferred the suffering of this world to getting the eternal reward of Paradise! She suffered from sickness, yet her pain and discomfort did not force her to forego pleasing Allaah! And no matter who one is, if one is in the path of Allaah, one will encounter difficulties, because Paradise is rounded by hardships. If things are easy and life is rosy, then one must check oneself; are we following the true Islam? Especially in this western environment it may be difficult for a young woman to wear the dress of modesty, the hijab (even though it is mandatory), not to talk to men and keep away from them (which is also mandatory), except if necessary.
All these may be difficult to achieve for some in the beginning, but when one overcomes herself for the sake of Allaah, then all the other obstacles become baseless. So, how to overcome oneself? By knowing Allaah by His names and attributes; by loving and obeying Allaah and His Messenger, salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam; and then the help of Allaah will come, insha'Allaah. She (the black woman) preferred being patient, but could not tolerate that her honor, her modesty and her chastity be damaged or even touched, nor that any part of her body be uncovered, though she had no control over it. Indeed she was a real slave and servant of Allaah; she was a faithful, a believer, a Muslimah, a righteous and pious woman, a truthful woman, and she was loyal to Allaah and His Messenger, salla Allaahu alaihi wa sallam. Not only having these awe-inspiring qualities, she was also a wise and a great woman, as her memorable words rang ...: '... but I become uncovered, so please invoke Allaah for me that I may not become uncovered.'
If words are to be written in Gold, these words should be written in gold ... Remember this simple equation: Iman + Suffering + Patience = Paradise It can also be inferred that the righteous Muslim woman inherently loves to be covered, loves modesty and chastity and hates revealing her body and her beauty. The black woman, radhiya Allaahu `anha could sustain being so sick but could not bear to be uncovered in front of people.
The issue, one must understand, is not of black or white or Arab or non-Arab, rich or poor, noble[with lineage] or not, it is rather of a creed so deeply rooted in the hearts of Muslims like blood flows in the arteries and veins of people. They are those who are totally committed to Islam. Fourteen Hundred years of history showed that Muslim women could sustain hunger, poverty, sickness but could never sustain disobeying Allaah. The wife would tell her husband when leaving for work: 'Fear Allaah in us, for we can sustain hunger and thirst but we cannot sustain Hell fire [i.e. do not acquire unlawful earning].'
Dear sisters, ask yourself what made Khadija radhiya Allaahu `anha be greeted by Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta`ala and by Jibreel alaihi as-Salaam. Ask yourself what made Khadija be rewarded a Palace in Jannah as no one can imagine. Reading the biography of Khadija and others like her in greatness, one would wish to be at their service; to carry their shoes, wash their clothes, to serve them in any possible way and get du`a from them. It is sad that we just don't know the great personalities of this Ummah. If only we strive to study the lives of the righteous that preceded us, we would find in them immense guidance for our existence, and if we know them and follow them we could be in the forefront of mankind ...
It is said, 'Iman (faith) is not by hope, it is rather what occurs in the heart and is proved by the deeds [maa waqa`a fil qalbi wa saddaqahul-`amal].' We leave you to think about this and pray to Allaah to make us all among the dwellers of Paradise and to bestow upon us the faith and the patience that lead us to Paradise. And to bless the present Muslim Ummah with many women like the black woman, radhiya Allaahu `anha (may Allaah be pleased with her), who help us focus on the straight path ...
Acknowledgment: Some of the ideas were expressed in an article written by Haled Abu Sail which appeared in the Da`wah magazine, Iss. 1514, page 32.
An elderly Arab lady was sitting at the trunk of a tree, on the way to Haj. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) happened to pass that way. He was also heading for Baitullah, for Hajj, and to the Sacred tomb of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam). Seeing this lady very disturbed and in a state of despair, (distressed) he spoke to her. The discussion is recorded as follows:
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah
The lady: "The word from a merciful Lord is Peace" (Surah 36 Aayat 58). She meant that the reply of salaam is from Allah, Most High, Himself.
She said further: "Those whom Allah sendeth astray, there is no guide for them." (Surah 7 Aayat 186). She meant that she has lost her way.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Where are you coming from?
The lady: "Glorified be He who carried His servant by night from the Musjid-e-Aqsa (invioble place of worship) to the Musjid-e-Haraam" (Far distant place of worship) (Surah17 Aayat1). She meant that she had come from Musjid-e-Aqsa.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): How long are you in this place?
The lady: "For three nights" (Surah 19 Aayat10).
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): What arrangements are made for your food?
The lady: "And who (Allah) feedeth me and watereth me" (Surah 26 Aayat 79). She meant that somehow or the other, her food is provided to her by Allah.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Is there any water for Wudhu?
The lady: "And ye find not water, then go to high clean soil and (make tayammum) rub your faces and hands." (therewith) (Surah 4 Aayat 43). She meant that she makes tayammum, due to not finding water.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Here is some food. Partake of it.
The lady: "Strictly observe the fast till nightfall" (Surah 2 Aayat 187). She indicated that she is fasting.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): This is not the month of Ramadaan.
The lady: "And he who does good of his own accord (for him) lo! Allah is responsive, aware". (Surah 2 Aayat158) meaning that I have observed an optional (nafl) fast.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): It is permitted to break the fast when in a journey.
The lady: "And that ye fast is better for you, if you did but know." (Surah 2 Aayat 184)
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Speak like how I speak.
The lady: "He (man) uttereth no word but there is with him an observer ready" (Surah 50 Aayat 18). She meant that since every word of a person is observed and recorded, she is taking precaution by speaking only in the words of the Holy Quran.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Which clan do you belong to?
The lady: "Follow not that whereof thou hast no knowledge, lo! The hearing and the sight and heart of each of these it will be asked" (Surah 17 Aayat36). She meant those things that you have no knowledge of, nor do they concern you, you are wasting your strength (senses) by enquiring about them.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Forgive me. I have certainly made a mistake.
The lady: "Have no fear this day. May Allah forgive you" (Surah 12 Aayat 92)
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Would you like to travel on my camel and meet your caravan?
The lady: "And whatsoever good ye do Allah knoweth it" (Surah 2 Aayat 197). Meaning that if you will do this good deeds towards me, Allah will recompense you for it.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Well, then you may mount it.
Saying this he made the camel to sit down.
The lady: "Tell the believing men (when confronted by women) to lower their gaze". (Surah 24 Aayat 30).
Hadhrat Abdullah understood and (turned) looked away. While she was mounting, the camel jerked and her clothes got estrangled in the saddle (dorsers) and she proclaimed: "whatever of misfortune striketh you, it is what your hands have earned." (Surah 42 Aayat 30).
In other words she was drawing Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak's (RA) attention towards this mishap. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) understood and he tied the legs of the camel and he straightened the straps of the saddle (or dorser).
She applauded him for his proficiency and capability by saying "And we made Sulaiman to understand" (Surah 21 Aayat 79). When the journey was about to begin, the lady recited the Aayats which are read when undertaking a journey "Glorified be he who hath subdued these unto us, and we were not capable (of subduing them). And lo, unto our Lord we are returning." (Surah 43 Aayat 13).
Hadhrat Abdullh bin Mubarak (RA) held the bridle (or nose string) of the camel. He began to hum the (Huddi) famous Arabic song for travelling, and he started walking very fast.
The lady: "Be modest in thy bearing and subdue thy voice" (Surah 31 Aayat 19). Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) understood. He began walking slower and he lowered his voice.
The lady: "Recite of the Quran that which is easy for you." She meant that instead of humming the Huddi, he should rather recite the Holy Quran.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) began reciting the Holy Quran.
The lady became very pleased and said "but none remember (accept advice) except men of understanding" (Surah 2 Aayat 269).
After reciting the Holy Quran for a while, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) asked (the lady if she had a husband) (if he was alive) "O Aunt, have have you a husband? (meaning is he living)
The lady: "O you who believe, ask not of things which if they were made known unto you, would trouble you" (Surah 5 Aayat 101). She meant that no questions should be asked regarding this matter which indicated that her husband has most probably passed away. Finally they (caught up) met the caravan.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Do you have any son or relative (friend) in this caravan who has connection (contact) with you?
The lady: "Wealth and children are an ornament of life of the world" (Surah 18 Aayat 46). She meant that her sons were with this caravan and he has provisions with him.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): What work are your sons doing for the caravan? (Hadhrat Abdullah's object for asking was to make it easy for him to recognise her son).
The lady: "And landmarks, and by the star they find a way" (Surah 16 Aayat 16). She meant that he is a guide for the caravan.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Can you tell me their name?
The lady: "Allah chose Ibrahim as (for) a friend" (Surah 4 Aayat 125). And Allah spoke directly unto Moosa" (Surah 19 Aayat 12). By reciting these Aayats the lady informed him that her sons names were Yahya, Ibrahim and Moosa.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) called out these names in the caravan and immediately three young people came forward.
The lady: (addressing her children) "Now send one of you with this your silver coin unto the city. And let him see what food is purest there and bring you a supply thereof" (Sura 18 Aayat 19) In other words she instructed them to feed Hadhrat Abdullah (RA).
When the food was brought, she told Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): "Eat and drink at ease for that which ye sent on before you in the past days." (Surah 69 Aayat 24), and with this Aayat she recited another Aayat, the object of which was to convey (show) her gratefulness to him for his good conduct and courtesy. The Aayat was: "Is the reward of goodness aught save goodness?" (Surah 55 Aayat 60).
Their conversation terminated on this Aayat. The lady's son informed Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) that his mother has been speaking in this manner, i.e. using only the Aayats of the Holy Quran in her speech, for the last forty years.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah
The lady: "The word from a merciful Lord is Peace" (Surah 36 Aayat 58). She meant that the reply of salaam is from Allah, Most High, Himself.
She said further: "Those whom Allah sendeth astray, there is no guide for them." (Surah 7 Aayat 186). She meant that she has lost her way.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Where are you coming from?
The lady: "Glorified be He who carried His servant by night from the Musjid-e-Aqsa (invioble place of worship) to the Musjid-e-Haraam" (Far distant place of worship) (Surah17 Aayat1). She meant that she had come from Musjid-e-Aqsa.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): How long are you in this place?
The lady: "For three nights" (Surah 19 Aayat10).
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): What arrangements are made for your food?
The lady: "And who (Allah) feedeth me and watereth me" (Surah 26 Aayat 79). She meant that somehow or the other, her food is provided to her by Allah.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Is there any water for Wudhu?
The lady: "And ye find not water, then go to high clean soil and (make tayammum) rub your faces and hands." (therewith) (Surah 4 Aayat 43). She meant that she makes tayammum, due to not finding water.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Here is some food. Partake of it.
The lady: "Strictly observe the fast till nightfall" (Surah 2 Aayat 187). She indicated that she is fasting.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): This is not the month of Ramadaan.
The lady: "And he who does good of his own accord (for him) lo! Allah is responsive, aware". (Surah 2 Aayat158) meaning that I have observed an optional (nafl) fast.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): It is permitted to break the fast when in a journey.
The lady: "And that ye fast is better for you, if you did but know." (Surah 2 Aayat 184)
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Speak like how I speak.
The lady: "He (man) uttereth no word but there is with him an observer ready" (Surah 50 Aayat 18). She meant that since every word of a person is observed and recorded, she is taking precaution by speaking only in the words of the Holy Quran.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Which clan do you belong to?
The lady: "Follow not that whereof thou hast no knowledge, lo! The hearing and the sight and heart of each of these it will be asked" (Surah 17 Aayat36). She meant those things that you have no knowledge of, nor do they concern you, you are wasting your strength (senses) by enquiring about them.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Forgive me. I have certainly made a mistake.
The lady: "Have no fear this day. May Allah forgive you" (Surah 12 Aayat 92)
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Would you like to travel on my camel and meet your caravan?
The lady: "And whatsoever good ye do Allah knoweth it" (Surah 2 Aayat 197). Meaning that if you will do this good deeds towards me, Allah will recompense you for it.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Well, then you may mount it.
Saying this he made the camel to sit down.
The lady: "Tell the believing men (when confronted by women) to lower their gaze". (Surah 24 Aayat 30).
Hadhrat Abdullah understood and (turned) looked away. While she was mounting, the camel jerked and her clothes got estrangled in the saddle (dorsers) and she proclaimed: "whatever of misfortune striketh you, it is what your hands have earned." (Surah 42 Aayat 30).
In other words she was drawing Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak's (RA) attention towards this mishap. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) understood and he tied the legs of the camel and he straightened the straps of the saddle (or dorser).
She applauded him for his proficiency and capability by saying "And we made Sulaiman to understand" (Surah 21 Aayat 79). When the journey was about to begin, the lady recited the Aayats which are read when undertaking a journey "Glorified be he who hath subdued these unto us, and we were not capable (of subduing them). And lo, unto our Lord we are returning." (Surah 43 Aayat 13).
Hadhrat Abdullh bin Mubarak (RA) held the bridle (or nose string) of the camel. He began to hum the (Huddi) famous Arabic song for travelling, and he started walking very fast.
The lady: "Be modest in thy bearing and subdue thy voice" (Surah 31 Aayat 19). Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) understood. He began walking slower and he lowered his voice.
The lady: "Recite of the Quran that which is easy for you." She meant that instead of humming the Huddi, he should rather recite the Holy Quran.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) began reciting the Holy Quran.
The lady became very pleased and said "but none remember (accept advice) except men of understanding" (Surah 2 Aayat 269).
After reciting the Holy Quran for a while, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) asked (the lady if she had a husband) (if he was alive) "O Aunt, have have you a husband? (meaning is he living)
The lady: "O you who believe, ask not of things which if they were made known unto you, would trouble you" (Surah 5 Aayat 101). She meant that no questions should be asked regarding this matter which indicated that her husband has most probably passed away. Finally they (caught up) met the caravan.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Do you have any son or relative (friend) in this caravan who has connection (contact) with you?
The lady: "Wealth and children are an ornament of life of the world" (Surah 18 Aayat 46). She meant that her sons were with this caravan and he has provisions with him.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): What work are your sons doing for the caravan? (Hadhrat Abdullah's object for asking was to make it easy for him to recognise her son).
The lady: "And landmarks, and by the star they find a way" (Surah 16 Aayat 16). She meant that he is a guide for the caravan.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Can you tell me their name?
The lady: "Allah chose Ibrahim as (for) a friend" (Surah 4 Aayat 125). And Allah spoke directly unto Moosa" (Surah 19 Aayat 12). By reciting these Aayats the lady informed him that her sons names were Yahya, Ibrahim and Moosa.
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) called out these names in the caravan and immediately three young people came forward.
The lady: (addressing her children) "Now send one of you with this your silver coin unto the city. And let him see what food is purest there and bring you a supply thereof" (Sura 18 Aayat 19) In other words she instructed them to feed Hadhrat Abdullah (RA).
When the food was brought, she told Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): "Eat and drink at ease for that which ye sent on before you in the past days." (Surah 69 Aayat 24), and with this Aayat she recited another Aayat, the object of which was to convey (show) her gratefulness to him for his good conduct and courtesy. The Aayat was: "Is the reward of goodness aught save goodness?" (Surah 55 Aayat 60).
Their conversation terminated on this Aayat. The lady's son informed Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) that his mother has been speaking in this manner, i.e. using only the Aayats of the Holy Quran in her speech, for the last forty years.
Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid(R)
She was born in the year 68 BH to Khuwaylid b. Asad and Faatimah bint. Za'idah. She was raised on praiseworthy characteristics and was well-known and praised for her intelligence, chastity, and prudence until people began to call her "Taahirah" or "the pure one." She was a successful businesswoman, who achieved her wealth through hiring men to take it on merchant trips to sell. She was first married to Abu Halah b. Zurarah of the Banu Tameem and was the mother of two sons, one of whom died at the Battle of al-Jamal, fighting on the side of 'Ali. It reached her that the Messenger of Allah(S) was known for his truthfulness and generosity. One day Abu Taalib said to his nephew: "I am a man without wealth, and times have become tough on us, and these disagreeable years harass us, and we have neither material possessions nor merchandise, and this [woman] Khadeejah sends men from among your people to do business with her wealth and they gain profit. So if she comes to you, convey to her your honesty.
So Khadeejah sent for him and proposed that he go with her wealth to ash-Sham as a merchant. In return, she would give him more than she used to give to the other traders. She would also send with him a young servant of her's called Maysarah. So the Messenger of Allah(S) accepted that and went with her wealth and her servant Maysarah until he reached the foot of ash-Shaam. So he sold his commodoties which he had left with and bought what he desired [to buy on Khadeejah's behalf. Then he, along with Maysarah, embarked to Makkah with a caravan. So his trading gained twice as much profit as what was usually gained. So the Messenger(S)'s wages were double what was usually given.
And when the servant Maysarah told her about what he s.a.w of the character of Muhammad(S), she sent for him(S). Then she said to him: "O cousin, indeed, I like in you our blood relationship and the undoubted nobility of your descent, your trustworthiness and sincerity, as well as the integrity of your character and the truthfulness of your speech." Then she suggested marriage to him. So the Messenger of Allah(S) mentioned that to his uncles. So Hamzah(R) went with him until they called upon Khuwaylid, who said: "He is the stallion whose nose cannot be touched (i.e. He is strong)." So the Messenger of Allah(S) married her and gave her 20 camels as a dowry. She was 40 years old when she married the Messenger of Allah(S), and he was 25 years old. She was the first lady that the Messenger of Allah(S) married, and he never married anyone else as long as he was married to her until she died. She gave him 6 children: Al-Qaasim, 'Abdullah, Zaynab(R), Ruqayyah(R), Um Kulthoom(R), and Faatimah(R).
And when the Prophet(S) received prophethood, she was the first to believe in Allah and His Messenger Muhammad(S); she was the first to believe in what His Lord sent him and strengthened him in his affairs. So the Prophet(S) used not to hear anything from the polytheists that he hated to hear and of disbelief in him except that Allah comforted him through Khadeejah(R), who stood by him and the da'wah and she used to lessen his grief over what he used see from his people.
Narrated 'Aisha(R), the mother of the faithful believers: The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah's Apostle was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright day light, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship (Allah alone) continuously for many days before his desire to see his family. He used to take with him the journey food for the stay and then come back to (his wife) Khadeejah(R) to take his food like-wise again till suddenly the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira. The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet replied, "I do not know how to read."
The Prophet added, "The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more." He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, "I do not know how to read." Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read but again I replied, "I do not know how to read." Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said, {Read in the name of your Lord, who has created (all that exists), has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.} Then Allah's Messenger(S) returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely. Then he went to Khadeejah(R) bint Khuwaylid and said, "Cover me! Cover me!" They covered him till his fear was over, and after that he told her everything that had happened and said, "I fear that something may happen to me." Khadeejah(R) replied, "Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your Kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones."
Khadeejah(R) then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqah b. Nawfal b. Asad b. 'Abdul-'Uzza, who, during the Pre-Islamic Period became a Christian and used to write the writing with Hebrew letters. He would write from the Gospel in Hebrew as much as Allah wished him to write. He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadeejah(R) said to Waraqah, "Listen to the story of your nephew, O my cousin!" Waraqah asked, "O my nephew! What have you seen?" Allah's Apostle described whatever he had seen. Waraqah said, "This is the same one who keeps the secrets (angel Gabriel) whom Allah had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out." Allah's Apostle asked, "Will they drive me out?" Waraqah replied in the affirmative and said, "Anyone (man) who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly." But after a few days Waraqa died, and the Divine Revelation was also paused for a while.
The Messenger of Allah(S) and Khadeejah(R) continued to pray in secret as long as Allah willed. 'Afeef Al-Kanadee reported: "I came to Makkah during the Days of Ignorance, and I wanted to sell on behalf of my family some clothes and perfume. I went to Al-'Abbaas b. 'Abdul-Muttalib." He said: "While I was at his house, I looked at the Ka'bah. The sun came out, when a young man came until he was close to the Ka'bah. Then he raised his head toward the sky and faced the Ka'bah while standing. Then a youth came and stood on his right. It did not take long before a woman came and stood behind them. Then the young man bowed. Then the youth and the woman bowed. Then the young man raised his head, and the youth and the woman raised their heads. Then the young man prostrated himself, and the youth and the woman prostrated themselves."
He said: "So I said: 'O 'Abbaas! Indeed, I see a great man." Then Al-'Abbaas(R) said: "A great matter. Do you know who this young man is?" I said: "No, I don't know." He said: "This is Muhammad b. 'Abdullah b. 'Abdul-Muttalib, my nephew. Do you know who this [woman] is?" I said: "I don't know." He said: "This is Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid, the wife of this nephew of mine. This nephew of mine who you see has reported to us that his Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth and that He has ordered him to this religion that he is following. I swear by Allah that I do not know of anyone else on earth who is following this religion other than those three." 'Afeef said: "I wanted to be the fourth one of them."
And the Messenger of Allah(S) used to honor her and cherish her. And he used not to disagree with her before he received revelation. Then he used to remember her a lot after her death, and he didn't get tired of praising her, until 'Aishah(R), the Mother of the Believers, got jealous, and said to the Prophet(S): "Verily, Allah has given you better than that old woman." The Prophet(S) became angry and said: "No, by Allah, I swear that Allah has never given me better than her. She was the wife who believed in me when everyone else disbelieved in me. She affirmed my truthfulness when everyone else accused me of lying. She supported me with her money when everyone else deprived me. And Allah provided me with children through her when no other woman has given me chilren." In fact, the Prophet(S) became so angry at what I said until his forehead trembled. So I said to myself: "O Allah, if the Messenger of Allah(S)'s anger abates, I will never again say anything like I said."
And 'Aishah(R) also said: "I was never jealous of any of the other wives of the Prophet(S) like I was jealous of Khadeejah(R). And I have not seen her, but the Prophet(S) used to remember her a lot. Sometimes, he would sacrifice a sheep, then cut its limbs and send them to Khadeejah(R)'s friends. So sometimes, I said to him: "It is as if there were no other woman in the world other than Khadeejah(R)." So he would say: "How can I forget her? She also gave me children most loving." 'Aishah(R) also said: "The Messenger of Allah(S) almost used not to leave the house before he would mention Khadeejah and praise her.
Khadeejah(R), the Mother of the Believers, died helping the Messenger of Allah(S) in conveying the call to Islam. She died three years before the migration to Madeenah at the age of sixty five. The Prophet(S) then buried her with his own hands. Her death was a great misfortune for the Prophet(S).
Fatimah Bint MuhammadFatimah was the fifth child of Muhammad and Khadijah. She was
born at a time when her noble father had begun to spend long
periods in the solitude of mountains around Makkah, meditating
and reflecting on the great mysteries of creation.
This was the time, before the Bithah, when her eldest sister
Zaynab was married to her cousin, al-Aas ibn ar Rabiah. Then
followed the marriage of her two other sisters, Ruqayyah and Umm
Kulthum, to the sons of Abu Lahab, a paternal uncle of the
Prophet. Both Abu Lahab and his wife Umm Jamil turned out to be
flaming enemies of the Prophet from the very beginning of his
public mission.
The little Fatimah thus s.a.w her sisters leave home one after the
other to live with their husbands. She was too young to
understand the meaning of marriage and the reasons why her
sisters had to leave home. She loved them dearly and was sad and
lonely whe n they left. It is said that a certain silence and
painful sadness came over her then.
Of course, even after the marriage of her sisters, she was not
alone in the house of her parents. Barakah, the maid-servant of
Aminah, the Prophet's mother, who had been with the Prophet
since his birth, Zayd ibn Harithah, and Ali, the young son of
Abu Ta lib were all part of Muhammad's household at this time.
And of course there was her loving mother, the lady Khadijah.
In her mother and in Barakah, Fatimah found a great deal of
solace and comfort. in Ali, who was about two years older than
she, she found a "brother" and a friend who somehow took the
place of her own brother al-Qasim who had died in his infancy.
Her othe r brother Abdullah, known as the Good and the Pure, who
was born after her, also died in his infancy. However in none of
the people in her father's household did Fatimah find the
carefree joy and happiness which she enjoyed with her sisters.
She was an unusually sensitive child for her age.
When she was five, she heard that her father had become Rasul
Allah, the Messenger of God. His first task was to convey the
good news of Islam to his family and close relations. They were
to worship God Almighty alone. Her mother, who was a tower of
str ength and support, explained to Fatimah what her father had
to do. From this time on, she became more closely attached to
him and felt a deep and abiding love for him. Often she would be
at Iris side walking through the narrow streets and alleys of
Makkah , visiting the Kabah or attending secret gatherings off,
the early Muslims who had accepted Islam and pledged allegiance
to the Prophet.
One day, when she was not yet ten, she accompanied her father to
the Masjid al-Haram. He stood in the place known as al-Hijr
facing the Kabah and began to pray. Fatimah stood at his side. A
group of Quraysh, by no means well-disposed to the Prophet,
gathe red about him. They included Abu Jahl ibn Hisham, the
Prophet's uncle, Uqbah ibn Abi Muayt, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, and
Shaybah and Utbah, sons of Rabi'ah. Menacingly, the group went
up to the Prophet and Abu Jahl, the ringleader, asked:
"Which of you can bring the entrails of a slaughtered animal and
throw it on Muhammad?"
Uqbah ibn Abi Muayt, one of the vilest of the lot, volunteered
and hurried off. He returned with the obnoxious filth and threw
it on the shoulders of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant
him peace, while he was still prostrating. Abdullah ibn Masud,
a companion of the Prophet, was present but he was powerless to
do or say anything.
Imagine the feelings of Fatimah as she s.a.w her father being
treated in this fashion. What could she, a girl not ten years
old, do? She went up to her father and removed the offensive
matter and then stood firmly and angrily before the group of
Quraysh thu gs and lashed out against them. Not a single word
did they say to her. The noble Prophet raised his head on
completion of the prostration and went on to complete the Salat.
He then said: "O Lord, may you punish the Quraysh!" and repeated
this imprecati on three times. Then he continued:
"May You punish Utbah, Uqbah, Abu Jahl and Shaybah." (These whom
he named were all killed many years later at the Battle of Badr)
On another occasion, Fatimah was with the Prophet as he made;
tawaf around the Kabah. A Quraysh mob gathered around him. They
seized him and tried to strangle him with his own clothes.
Fatimah screamed and shouted for help. Abu Bakr rushed to the
scene a nd managed to free the Prophet. While he was doing so,
he pleaded:
"Would you kill a man who says, 'My Lord is God?'" Far from
giving up, the mob turned on Abu Bakr and began beating him
until blood flowed from his head and face.
Such scenes of vicious opposition and harassment against her
father and the early Muslims were witnessed by the young
Fatimah. She did not meekly stand aside but joined in the
struggle in defence of her father and his noble mission. She was
still a young girl and instead of the cheerful romping, the
gaiety and liveliness which children of her age are and should
normally be accustomed to, Fatimah had to witness and
participate in such ordeals.
Of course, she was not alone in this. The whole of the Prophet's
family suffered from the violent and mindless Quraysh. Her
sisters, Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum also suffered. They were
living at this time in the very nest of hatred and intrigue
against the Prophet. Their husbands were Utbah and Utaybah, sons
of Abu Lahab and Umm Jamil. Umm Jamil was known to be a hard and
harsh woman who had a sharp and evil tongue. It was mainly
because of her that Khadijah was not pleased with the marriages
of her daught ers to Umm Jamil's sons in the first place. It
must have been painful for Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum to be living
in the household of such inveterate enemies who not only joined
but led the campaign against theft father.
As a mark of disgrace to Muhammad and his family, Utbah and
Utaybah were prevailed upon by their parents to divorce their
wives. This was part of the process of ostracizing the Prophet
totally. The Prophet in fact welcomed his daughters back to his
home w ith joy, happiness and relief.
Fatimah, no doubt, must have been happy to be with her sisters
once again. They all wished that their eldest sister, Zaynab,
would also be divorced by her husband. In fact, the Quraysh
brought pressure on Abu-l Aas to do so but he refused. When the
Qurays h leaders came up to him and promised him the richest and
most beautiful woman as a wife should he divorce Zaynab, he
replied:
"I love my wife deeply and passionately and I have a great and
high esteem for her father even though I have not entered the
religion of Islam."
Both Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum were happy to be back with their
loving parents and to be rid of the unbearable mental torture to
which they had been subjected in the house of Umm Jamil. Shortly
afterwards, Ruqayyah married again, to the young and shy Uthma n
ibn Allan who was among the first to have accepted Islam. They
both left for Abyssinia among the first muhajirin who sought
refuge in that land and stayed there for several years. Fatimah
was not to see Ruqayyah again until after their mother had
died.< P> The persecution of the Prophet, his family and his
followers continued and even became worse after the migration of
the first Muslims to Abyssinia. In about the seventh year of his
mission, the Prophet and his family were forced to leave their
homes and s eek refuge in a rugged little valley enclosed by
hills on all sides and defile, which could only be entered from
Makkah by a narrow path.
To this arid valley, Muhammad and the clans of Banu Hashim and
al-Muttalib were forced to retire with limited supplies of food.
Fatimah was one of the youngest members of the clans -just about
twelve years old - and had to undergo months of hardship and
suffering. The wailing of hungry children and women in the
valley could be heard from Makkah. The Quraysh allowed no food
and contact with the Muslims whose hardship was only relieved
somewhat during the season of pilgrimage. The boycott lasted for
three years. When it was lifted, the Prophet had to face even
more trials and difficulties. Khadijah, the faithful and loving,
died shortly afterwards. With her death, the Prophet and his
family lost one of the greatest sources of comfort and strength
which h ad sustained them through the difficult period. The year
in which the noble Khadijah, and later Abu Talib, died is known
as the Year of Sadness. Fatimah, now a young lady, was greatly
distressed by her mother's death. She wept bitterly and for some
time was so grief-striken that her health deteriorated. It was
even feared she might die of grief.
Although her older sister, Umm Kulthum, stayed in the same
household, Fatimah realized that she now had a greater
responsibility with the passing away of her mother. She felt
that she had to give even greater support to her father. With
loving tendernes s, she devoted herself to looking after his
needs. So concerned was she for his welfare that she came to be
called "Umm Abi-ha the mother of her father". She also provided
him with solace and comfort during times of trial, difficulty
and crisis.
Often the trials were too much for her. Once, about this time,
an insolent mob heaped dust and earth upon his gracious head. As
he entered his home, Fatimah wept profusely as she wiped the
dust from her father's head.
"Do not cry, my daughter," he said, "for God shall protect your
father."
The Prophet had a special love for Fatimah. He once said:
"Whoever pleased Fatimah has indeed pleased God and whoever has
caused her to be angry has indeed angered God. Fatimah is a part
of me. Whatever pleases her pleases me and whatever angers her a
ngers me."
He also said: "The best women in all the world are four: the
Virgin Mary, Aasiyaa the wife of Pharoah, Khadijah Mother of the
Believers, and Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad." Fatimah thus
acquired a place of love and esteem in the Prophet's heart that
was o nly occupied by his wife Khadijah.
Fatimah, may God be pleased with her, was given the title of
"az-Zahraa" which means "the Resplendent One". That was because
of her beaming face which seemed to radiate light. It is said
that when she stood for Prayer, the mihrab would reflect the
light of her countenance. She was also called "al-Batul" because
of her asceticism. Instead of spending her time in the company
of women, much of her time would be spent in Salat, in reading
the Quran and in other acts of ibadah.
Fatimah had a strong resemblance to her father, the Messenger of
God. Aishah. the wife of the Prophet, said of her: "I have not
seen any one of God's creation resemble the Messenger of God
more in speech, conversation and manner of sitting than Fatimah,
may God be pleased with her. When the Prophet s.a.w her
approaching, he would welcome her, stand up and kiss her, take
her by the hand and sit her down in the place where he was
sitting." She would do the same when the Prophet came to her.
She would sta nd up and welcome him with joy and kiss him.
Fatimah's fine manners and gentle speech were part of her lovely
and endearing personality. She was especially kind to poor and
indigent folk and would often give all the food she had to those
in need even if she herself remained hungry. She had no cravin
g for the ornaments of this world nor the luxury and comforts of
life. She lived simply, although on occasion as we shall see
circumstances seemed to be too much and too difficult for her.
She inherited from her father a persuasive eloquence that was
rooted in wisdom. When she spoke, people would often be moved
to tears. She had the ability and the sincerity to stir the
emotions, move people to tears and fill their hearts with praise
and g ratitude to God for His grace and His inestimable
bounties.
Fatimah migrated to Madinah a few weeks after the Prophet did.
She went with Zayd ibn Harithah who was sent by the Prophet back
to Makkah to bring the rest of his family. The party included
Fatimah and Umm Kulthum, Sawdah, the Prophet's wife, Zayd's wife
Barakah and her son Usamah. Travelling with the group also were
Abdullah the son of Abu Bakr who accompanied his mother and his
sisters, Aishah and Asma.
In Madinah, Fatimah lived with her father in the simple dwelling
he had built adjoining the mosque. In the second year after the
Hijrah, she received proposals of marriage through her father,
two of which were turned down. Then Ali, the son of Abu Talib,
plucked up courage and went to the Prophet to ask for her hand
in marriage. In the presence of the Prophet, however, Ali became
over-awed and tongue-tied. He stared at the ground and could not
say anything. The Prophet then asked: "Why have you come? Do
you need something?" Ali still could not speak and then the
Prophet suggested: "Perhaps you have come to propose marriage to
Fatimah."
"Yes," replied Ali. At this, according to one report, the
Prophet said simply: "Marhaban wa ahlan - Welcome into the
family," and this was taken by Ali and a group of Ansar who were
waiting outside for him as indicating the Prophet's approval.
Another re port indicated that the Prophet approved and went on
to ask Ali if he had anything to give as mahr. Ali replied that
he didn't. The Prophet reminded him that he had a shield which
could be sold.
Ali sold the shield to Uthman for four hundred dirhams and as he
was hurrying back to the Prophet to hand over the sum as mahr,
Uthman stopped him and said:
"I am returning your shield to you as a present from me on your
marriage to Fatimah." Fatimah and Ali were thus married most
probably at the beginning of the second year after the Hijrah.
She was about nineteen years old at the time and Ali was about
twen ty one. The Prophet himself performed the marriage
ceremony. At the walimah. the guests were served with dates,
figs and hais ( a mixture of dates and butter fat). A leading
member of the Ansar donated a ram and others made offerings of
grain. All Madin ah rejoiced.
On her marriage. the Prophet is said to have presented Fatimah
and Ali with a wooden bed intertwined with palm leaves, a velvet
coverlet. a leather cushion filled with palm fibre, a sheepskin,
a pot, a waterskin and a quern for grinding grain.
Fatimah left the home of her beloved father for the first time
to begin life with her husband. The Prophet was clearly anxious
on her account and sent Barakah with her should she be in need
of any help. And no doubt Barakah was a source of comfort and
sol ace to her. The Prophet prayed for them:
"O Lord, bless them both, bless their house and bless their
offspring." In Ali's humble dwelling, there was only a sheepskin
for a bed. In the morning after the wedding night, the Prophet
went to Ali's house and knocked on the door.
Barakah came out and the Prophet said to her: "O Umm Ayman, call
my brother for me."
"Your brother? That's the one who married your daughter?" asked
Barakah somewhat incredulously as if to say: Why should the
Prophet call Ali his "brother"? (He referred to Ali as his
brother because just as pairs of Muslims were joined in
brotherhood aft er the Hijrah, so the Prophet and Ali were
linked as "brothers".)
The Prophet repeated what he had said in a louder voice. Ali
came and the Prophet made a du'a, invoking the blessings of God
on him. Then he asked for Fatimah. She came almost cringing with
a mixture of awe and shyness and the Prophet said to her:
"I have married you to the dearest of my family to me." In this
way, he sought to reassure her. She was not starting life with a
complete stranger but with one who had grown up in the same
household, who was among the first to become a Muslim at a
tender age, who was known for his courage, bravery and virtue,
and whom the Prophet described as his "brother in this world and
the hereafter".
Fatimah's life with Ali was as simple and frugal as it was in
her father's household. In fact, so far as material comforts
were concerned, it was a life of hardship and deprivation.
Throughout their life together, Ali remained poor because he did
not set great store by material wealth. Fatimah was the only one
of her sisters who was not married to a wealthy man.
In fact, it could be said that Fatimah's life with Ali was even
more rigorous than life in her father's home. At least before
marriage, there were always a number of ready helping hands in
the Prophet's household. But now she had to cope virtually on
her own. To relieve theft extreme poverty, Ali worked as a
drawer and carrier of water and she as a grinder of corn. One
day she said to Ali: "I have ground until my hands are
blistered."
"I have drawn water until I have pains in my chest," said Ali
and went on to suggest to Fatimah: "God has given your father
some captives of war, so go and ask him to give you a servant."
Reluctantly, she went to the Prophet who said: "What has brought
you here, my little daughter?" "I came to give you greetings of
peace," she said, for in awe of him she could not bring herself
to ask what she had intended.
"What did you do?" asked Ali when she returned alone.
"I was ashamed to ask him," she said. So the two of them went
together but the Prophet felt they were less in need than
others.
"I will not give to you," he said, "and let the Ahl as-Suffah
(poor Muslims who stayed in the mosque) be tormented with
hunger. I have not enough for their keep..."
Ali and Fatimah returned home feeling somewhat dejected but that
night, after they had gone to bed, they heard the voice of the
Prophet asking permission to enter. Welcoming him, they both
rose to their feet, but he told them:
"Stay where you are," and sat down beside them. "Shall I not
tell you of something better than that which you asked of me?"
he asked and when they said yes he said: "Words which Jibril
taught me, that you should say "Subhaan Allah- Glory be to God"
ten ti mes after every Prayer, and ten times "AI hamdu lillah -
Praise be to God," and ten times "Allahu Akbar - God is Great."
And that when you go to bed you should say them thirty-three
times each."
Ali used to say in later years: "I have never once failed to say
them since the Messenger of God taught them to us."
There are many reports of the hard and difficult times which
Fatimah had to face. Often there was no food in her house. Once
the Prophet was hungry. He went to one after another of his
wives' apartments but there was no food. He then went to
Fatimah's ho use and she had no food either. When he eventually
got some food, he sent two loaves and a piece of meat to
Fatimah. At another time, he went to the house of Abu Ayyub
al-Ansari and from the food he was given, he saved some for her.
Fatimah also knew tha t the Prophet was without food for long
periods and she in turn would take food to him when she could.
Once she took a piece of barley bread and he, said to her: "This
is the first food your father has eaten for three days."
Through these acts of kindness she showed how much she loved her
father; and he loved her, really loved her in return.
Once he returned from a journey outside Madinah. He went to the
mosque first of all and prayed two rakats as was his custom.
Then, as he often did, he went to Fatimah's house before going
to his wives. Fatimah welcomed him and kissed his face, his
mouth and his eyes and cried.
"Why do you cry?" the Prophet asked.
"I see you, O Rasul Allah," she said, "Your color is pale and
sallow and your clothes have become worn and shabby." ,P."O
Fatimah," the Prophet replied tenderly, "don't cry for Allah has
sent your father with a mission which He would cause to affect
every house on the face of the earth whether it be in towns,
villages or tents (in the desert) bringing either glory or h
umiliation until this mission is fulfilled just as night
(inevitably) comes."
With such comments Fatimah was often taken from the harsh
realities of daily life to get a glimpse of the vast and
far-reaching vistas opened up by the mission entrusted to her
noble father.
Fatimah eventually returned to live in a house close to that of
the Prophet. The place was donated by an Ansari who knew that
the Prophet would rejoice in having his daughter as his
neighbor. Together they shared in the joys and the triumphs, the
sorrow s and the hardships of the crowded and momentous Madinah
days and years.
In the middle of the second year after the Hijrah, her sister
Ruqayyah fell ill with fever and measles. This was shortly
before the great campaign of Badr. Uthman, her husband, stayed
by her bedside and missed the campaign. Ruqayyah died just
before her father returned. On his return to Madinah, one of the
first acts of the Prophet was to visit her grave.
Fatimah went with him. This was the first bereavement they had
suffered within their closest family since the death of
Khadijah. Fatimah was greatly distressed by the loss of her
sister. The tears poured from her eyes as she sat beside her
father at the edge of the grave, and he comforted her and sought
to dry her tears with the corner of his cloak.
The Prophet had previously spoken against lamentations for the
dead, but this had lead to a misunderstanding, and when they
returned from the cemetery the voice of Umar was heard raised in
anger against the women who were weeping for the martyrs of Badr
a nd for Ruqayyah.
"Umar, let them weep," he said and then added: "What comes from
the heart and from the eye, that is from God and His mercy, but
what comes from the hand and from the tongue, that is from
Satan." By the hand he meant the beating of breasts and the
smiting of cheeks, and by the tongue he meant the loud clamor in
which women often joined as a mark of public sympathy.
Uthman later married the other daughter of the Prophet, Umm
Kulthum, and on this account came to be known as Dhu-n Nurayn -
Possessor of the Two Lights.
The bereavement which the family suffered by the death of
Ruqayyah was followed by happiness when to the great joy of all
the believers Fatimah gave birth to a boy in Ramadan of the
third year after the Hijrah. The Prophet spoke the words of the
Adhan int o the ear of the new-born babe and called him al-Hasan
which means the Beautiful One.
One year later, she gave birth to another son who was called
al-Husayn, which means "little Hasan" or the little beautiful
one. Fatimah would often bring her two sons to see their
grandfather who was exceedingly fond of them. Later he would
take them to t he Mosque and they would climb onto his back when
he prostrated. He did the same with his little granddaughter
Umamah, the daughter of Zaynab.
In the eighth year after the Hijrah, Fatimah gave birth to a
third child, a girl whom she named after her eldest sister
Zaynab who had died shortly before her birth. This Zaynab was to
grow up and become famous as the "Heroine of Karbala". Fatimah's
four th child was born in the year after the Hijrah. The child
was also a girl and Fatimah named her Umm Kulthum after her
sister who had died the year before after an illness.
It was only through Fatimah that the progeny of the Prophet was
perpetuated. All the Prophet's male children had died in their
infancy and the two children of Zaynab named Ali and Umamah died
young. Ruqayyah's child Abdullah also died when he was no t yet
two years old. This is an added reason for the reverence which
is accorded to Fatimah.
Although Fatimah was so often busy with pregnancies and giving
birth and rearing children, she took as much part as she could
in the affairs of the growing Muslim community of Madinah.
Before her marriage, she acted as a sort of hostess to the poor
and d estitute Ahl as-Suffah. As soon as the Battle of Uhud was
over, she went with other women to the battlefield and wept over
the dead martyrs and took time to dress her father's wounds. At
the Battle of the Ditch, she played a major supportive role
together with other women in preparing food during the long and
difficult siege. In her camp, she led the Muslim women in prayer
and on that place there stands a mosque named Masjid Fatimah,
one of seven mosques where the Muslims stood guard and performed
their d evotions.
Fatimah also accompanied the Prophet when he made Umrah in the
sixth year after the Hijrah after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. In
the following year, she and her sister Umm Kulthum, were among
the mighty throng of Muslims who took part with the Prophet in
th e liberation of Makkah. It is said that on this occasion,
both Fatimah and Umm Kulthum visited the home of their mother
Khadijah and recalled memories of their childhood and memories
of jihad, of long struggles in the early years of the Prophet's
mission .
In Ramadan of the tenth year just before he went on his Farewell
Pilgrimage, the Prophet confided to Fatimah, as a secret not yet
to be told to others:
"Jibril recited the Quran to me and I to him once every year,
but this year he has recited it with me twice. I cannot but
think that my time has come."
On his return from the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet did
become seriously ill. His final days were spent in the apartment
of his wife Aishah. When Fatimah came to visit him, Aishah would
leave father and daughter together.
One day he summoned Fatimah. When she came, he kissed her and
whispered some words in her ear. She wept. Then again he
whispered in her ear and she smiled. Aishah s.a.w and asked:
"You cry and you laugh at the same time, Fatimah? What did the
Messenger of God say to you?" Fatimah replied:
"He first told me that he would meet his Lord after a short
while and so I cried. Then he said to me: 'Don't cry for you
will be the first of my household to join me.' So I laughed."
Not long afterwards the noble Prophet passed away. Fatimah was
grief-striken and she would often be seen weeping profusely. One
of the companions noted that he did not see Fatimah, may God be
pleased with her, laugh after the death of her father.
One morning, early in the month of Ramadan, just less than five
month after her noble father had passed away, Fatimah woke up
looking unusually happy and full of mirth. In the afternoon of
that day, it is said that she called Salma bint Umays who was
loo king after her. She asked for some water and had a bath. She
then put on new clothes and perfumed herself. She then asked
Salma to put her bed in the courtyard of the house. With her
face looking to the heavens above, she asked for her husband
Ali.
He was taken aback when he s.a.w her lying in the middle of the
courtyard and asked her what was wrong. She smiled and said: "I
have an appointment today with the Messenger of God."
Ali cried and she tried to console him. She told him to look
after their sons al-Hasan and al-Husayn and advised that she
should be buried without ceremony. She gazed upwards again,
then closed her eyes and surrendered her soul to the Mighty
Creator.
She, Fatimah the Resplendent One, was just twenty nine years
old.Revelation of Al-Hijab
Hadith - Bukhari 1:148
The wives of the Prophet 
used to go to Al-Manasi, a vast open place (near Baqia at Medina) to answer the call of nature at night. 'Umar used to say to the Prophet "Let your wives be veiled," but Allah's Apostle did not do so. One night Sauda bint Zam'a the wife of the Prophet went out at 'Isha' time and she was a tall lady. 'Umar addressed her and said, "I have recognized you, O Sauda." He said so, as he desired eagerly that the verses of Al-Hijab (the observing of veils by the Muslim women) may be revealed. So Allah revealed the verses of "Al-Hijab" (A complete body cover excluding the eyes).
The Noble Qur'an - Al-Ahzab 33:59
used to go to Al-Manasi, a vast open place (near Baqia at Medina) to answer the call of nature at night. 'Umar used to say to the Prophet "Let your wives be veiled," but Allah's Apostle did not do so. One night Sauda bint Zam'a the wife of the Prophet went out at 'Isha' time and she was a tall lady. 'Umar addressed her and said, "I have recognized you, O Sauda." He said so, as he desired eagerly that the verses of Al-Hijab (the observing of veils by the Muslim women) may be revealed. So Allah revealed the verses of "Al-Hijab" (A complete body cover excluding the eyes).The Noble Qur'an - Al-Ahzab 33:59
O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils)* all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
- *the arabic word here is Jalabeeb (plural of Jalbaab), which is the loose outer garment that covers all a woman's body. It says here to use the Jalabeeb to cover all, and scholars say this means to use it to cover her head (agree upon by all scholars) and her face (agreed by many scholars, not all) and one or both eyes, in order for it to be known that she is a free woman and so not to be exposed to any harm.
Hadith - Bukhari 6:282
'Aisha used to say: "When (the Verse): 'They should draw their veils over their necks and bosoms,' was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets at the edges and covered their faces with the cut pieces."
Hadith - Abu Dawud, Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu'minin
used to say: "When (the Verse): 'They should draw their veils over their necks and bosoms,' was revealed, (the ladies) cut their waist sheets at the edges and covered their faces with the cut pieces." Hadith - Abu Dawud, Narrated Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu'minin
When the verse "That they should cast their outer garments over their persons" was revealed, the women of Ansar came out as if they had crows over their heads by wearing outer garments.
The lower half of the hijab is a garment that does not show the woman's figure. Jeans and certain obvious garments do not meet this requirement.
Hadith - Abu Dawud, Narrated Dihyah ibn Khalifah al-Kalbi
The Apostle of Allah was brought some pieces of fine Egyptian linen and he gave me one and said: Divide it into two; cut one of the pieces into a shirt and give the other to your wife for veil. Then when he turned away, he said: And order your wife to wear a garment below it and not show her figure.
The Apostle of Allah
was brought some pieces of fine Egyptian linen and he gave me one and said: Divide it into two; cut one of the pieces into a shirt and give the other to your wife for veil. Then when he turned away, he said: And order your wife to wear a garment below it and not show her figure. Prescribed Methods of Covering
Tafseer - Ibn Katheer
"Allah commanded the muslim women to cover this sheet on top of them to cover their bodies except one eye, when it is necessary for them to come out of their homes."
"Allah commanded the muslim women to cover this sheet on top of them to cover their bodies except one eye, when it is necessary for them to come out of their homes."
Tafseer - Commentary by Ibn Jarir and Ahkam-ul-Quran, Vol.III, p.457
Imam Muhammad bin Sirin said: "When I asked Ubaida bin Sufyan bin al-Harith (ra) the meaning of this verse and how the jalbaab was to worn, he demonstrated it to me by pulling a sheet of cloth over his head to cover his entire body, leaving the left eye uncovered. This was also the explanation of the word 'Alaihinna in this verse"
Imam Muhammad bin Sirin said: "When I asked Ubaida bin Sufyan bin al-Harith (ra) the meaning of this verse and how the jalbaab was to worn, he demonstrated it to me by pulling a sheet of cloth over his head to cover his entire body, leaving the left eye uncovered. This was also the explanation of the word 'Alaihinna in this verse"
Tafseer - Alu'si, Rul-ul-Ma'ani, Vol. 22, p. 89
"Ibn Jarir Tabari and Ibn Al-Mundhir described the method of wearing the jalbaab according to Ibn Abbas (ra) and Qatadah (ra). The sheet should be wrapped around from the top, covering the forehead, then bringing one side of the sheet to cover the face below the eyes so that most of the face and the upper body is covered. This will leave both eyes uncovered (which is allowed in necessity).
"Ibn Jarir Tabari and Ibn Al-Mundhir described the method of wearing the jalbaab according to Ibn Abbas (ra) and Qatadah (ra). The sheet should be wrapped around from the top, covering the forehead, then bringing one side of the sheet to cover the face below the eyes so that most of the face and the upper body is covered. This will leave both eyes uncovered (which is allowed in necessity).
Color of Garment
The female companions were known to wear black and dark colors (such as the hadith above, "crows on their heads"), but other colors are also permissible for a woman to wear. She must not wear any color, however, in vanity.
Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.715
...'Aisha said that the lady (came), wearing a green veil ...
Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.733
that he had seen Um Kulthum, the daughter of Allah's Apostle (saaws), wearing a red silk garment.
that he had seen Um Kulthum, the daughter of Allah's Apostle (saaws), wearing a red silk garment.
Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 7.713
The Prophet (saaws) was given some clothes including a black Khamisa. The Prophet said, "To whom shall we give this to wear?" The people kept silent whereupon the Prophet said, "Fetch Um Khalid for me." I (Um Khalid) was brought carried (as I was small girl at that time). The Prophet took the Khamisa in his hands and made me wear it and said, "May you live so long that your dress will wear out and you will mend it many times." On the Khamisa there were some green or pale designs (The Prophet s.a.w these designs) and said, "O Um Khalid! This is Sanah." (Sanah in a Ethiopian word meaning beautiful).
The Prophet (saaws) was given some clothes including a black Khamisa. The Prophet said, "To whom shall we give this to wear?" The people kept silent whereupon the Prophet said, "Fetch Um Khalid for me." I (Um Khalid) was brought carried (as I was small girl at that time). The Prophet took the Khamisa in his hands and made me wear it and said, "May you live so long that your dress will wear out and you will mend it many times." On the Khamisa there were some green or pale designs (The Prophet s.a.w these designs) and said, "O Um Khalid! This is Sanah." (Sanah in a Ethiopian word meaning beautiful).
Hadith - Sunan of Abu Dawood #4055, Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As
We came down with the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) from a turning of a valley. He turned his attention to me and I was wearing a garment dyed with a reddish yellow dye. He asked: What is this garment over you? I recognised what he disliked. I then came to my family who were burning their oven. I threw it (the garment) in it and came to him the next day. He asked: Abdullah, what have you done with the garment? I informed him about it. He said: Why did you not give it to one of your family to wear, for there is no harm in it for women.
We came down with the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) from a turning of a valley. He turned his attention to me and I was wearing a garment dyed with a reddish yellow dye. He asked: What is this garment over you? I recognised what he disliked. I then came to my family who were burning their oven. I threw it (the garment) in it and came to him the next day. He asked: Abdullah, what have you done with the garment? I informed him about it. He said: Why did you not give it to one of your family to wear, for there is no harm in it for women.
Must a Woman Wear Niqab (Veil)?
The general understanding in Islam regarding Sunnah, is that if the Prophet
or any of his wives (RA) or companions (RA) are recorded in authentic hadith to have engaged in an act that is not haram (prohibited) as defined by Qur'an or Sunnah, then the act is declared halal (permissible). If the companions engaged in an act that the Prophet was aware of and did not speak out against, it is halal. It is well-known that the wives of the Prophet covered their faces any time non-mahram men were near. A woman named Asma, who was not a wife of the Prophet , was also recorded as covering her face. Easily, one can conclude that wearing veil is halal (permissible).
covered their faces any time non-mahram men were near. A woman named Asma, who was not a wife of the Prophet , was also recorded as covering her face. Easily, one can conclude that wearing veil is halal (permissible). However, Muslims and Muslimahs across the world have been in "hot debate" for centuries, over the issue of whether or not covering the face is obligatory upon a Muslimah. Those who argue that it is not required, point to the use of the word khimar in the Qur'an, and explain that today's modern khimar does not cover the face, and argue that khimar has never referred to the covering of the face, but only to that of the hair, neck, and bosoms. While one cannot deny the support of Hadith that indicate that the Prophet's wives wore khimar, one must realize that they also covered their faces at all times in the presence of non-mahram men.
The group of scholars agree that it is a highly recommended act to cover the face. The scholars also agree that a woman must cover her adornment, yet some scholars argue that this does not include the face.
BASING ON CULTURE VS. QURAN AND SUNNAH. ...Most Muslim men, even in America, would be pleased if their wives veil, but some state that a veil draws too much attention, causing men to look upon her more than normal. However, one must realize that when men 'look', they have nothing of her to see! Regardless, this issue must stick to understanding and implementing Qur'an and Sunnah, and not making excuses based on the current culture. Muslims are ordered not to imitate the dress of any non-Muslim culture, so, surely, we cannot make the choice to wear Niqab based on the pressures of modern day society; instead, we choose, insha'Allah, to fear Allah, swt, and not mankind!
When in a state of ihram, the muslimah cannot wear niqab. However, according to several scholars, such as Sheikh ibn Baz, even when in a state of ihram, "she should lower her headcovering or outer cloak over her face when she is in the presence of non-mahram men." So, it is to say that she should not cover her face around the other women during ihram, but that she should cover it if a non-mahram man approaches. He bases this on the hadith below, narrated by 'Aisha .
- In Fathul Bari, chapter Hajj, a tradition reported on the authority of Aisha (RA) says:
- "A woman in a state of Ihram (during Hajj and Umrah) should stretch her head - cloth over to her face to hide it."
-
- Hadith - Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawud and ibn Majah, Narrated 'Aisha. [In his work Jilbab al-Marah al-Muslimah, al-Albani states (p. 108) that it is hasan due to corroborating evidence. Also, in a narration from Asma, Asma also covered her face at all times in front of men.]
- Narrated 'Aisha (RA) who said, "The riders would pass us while we were with the Messenger of Allah ). When they got close to us, we would draw our outer cloak from our heads over our faces. When they passed by, we would uncover our faces."
- Narrated 'Aisha (RA) who said, "The riders would pass us while we were with the Messenger of Allah
According to Shaikh ibn Uthaimin, "she is not required to cover her face during the prayer unless there are non-related men around her. She must then cover her face from them, as it is not allowed for a woman to uncover her face except to her husband and her male relatives i.e., mahram."
If a woman is not around any non-mahram men and does not fear that any will enter her area of salah, she may reveal her face and hands. This is agreed upon by the group of scholars.
So, whether agreeing that niqab is required or not, one must surely acknowledge that it is a desirous sign of piety. What better example of sunnah to follow for a muslimah than that of the Prophet and his wives RA. Every Muslimah is encouraged to cover to the fullest, showing only one or both eyes.
and his wives RA. Every Muslimah is encouraged to cover to the fullest, showing only one or both eyes. A woman does not have to wear a niqab (affixed veil), but she should emulate the female companions by using her hijab or other items, to lift and cover her face when a non-mahram man approaches, even during ihram (hajj), as this is in accordance with sunnah.
Hadith - Muwatta 20.16
Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn Urwa that Fatima bint al-Mundhir said, "We used to veil our faces when we were in ihram in the company of Asma bint Abi Bakr as-Siddiq."
Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn Urwa that Fatima bint al-Mundhir said, "We used to veil our faces when we were in ihram in the company of Asma bint Abi Bakr as-Siddiq."
The following Fatawa is from Sheikh Ibn Uthaimin:
"The Islamic hijab is for the women to cover everything that is forbidden for her to expose. That is, she covers everything that she must cover.
"The first of those bodily parts that she must cover is her face. It is the source of temptation and the source of people desiring her. Therefore, the woman must cover her face in front of those men that are not Mahram (i.e. father, huband, etc.).
"As for those who claim that Islamic hijab is to cover the head, shoulders, back, feet, shin and forearms while allowing her to uncover her face and hands, this is a very amazing claim. This is because it is well-known that the source of temptation and looking is the face. How can one say that the Shariah does no allow the exposure of the foot of the woman while it allows her to uncover her face?
"It is not possible that there could be in the Esteemed, Wise and Noble Shariah a contradiction. Yet everyone knows that the temptation from uncovering the face is much greater than the temptation that results from the uncovering of the feet. Everyone also knows that the most sought after aspect of the woman for men is the face. If you told a prospective groom that a woman’s face is ugly but her feet are beautiful, he would not propose to such a woman.
"However, if you told him that her face was beautiful but her hands, palms, or shins were less than beautiful, he would still propose to her. From this one can conclude that the face is the first thing that must be covered.
"There are also evidences from the Book of Allah (SWT) and the Sunnah of our Prophet (S.A.W). There are also statements from the Companions, the leading Imams and the great scholars of Islam that indicate that it is obligatory for the woman to cover all of her body in the presence of non-Mahram men. This obviously indicates that it is obligatory upon the woman to cover her face in front of such men."
Refutation For those who claim niqaab is not wajib and the face and hands of a woman can be seen by (ghairMahrrum) strange men.
Refutation from Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen
This is taken from the book "Hijaab" by Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen from Saudi Arabia. Printed by Madrasah Arabia Islamia Azaadville- South Africa.
Translated by Hafedh Zaheer Essack, Rajab 1416 (December 1995)
The Ulamah who are of the opinion that it is permissible to look at the face and hands of a strange woman (who is not mahrrum) say so mainly for the following reasons.
The hadeeth of Ayeshah (Radhiallaahu Ánha) when Asmaa (Radhiallaahu Ánha) the daughter of Abu Bakr came to the Rasulullaah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said: 'O Asmaa! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not proper that anything should remain exposed except this and this. He pointed to the face and hands. But this hadeeth is WEAK because of 2 main weaknesses.
- There is no link between Ayeshah (Radhiallaahu Ánha) and Khalid bin Dareek, who narrated the hadith from her. And in every chain of narrators Khalid bin Dareek is mentioned.
- In the chain of narrators Sa'eed bin Basheer appears, who is known by most of the Muhaditheen as being a weak narrator.
This has been mentioned by Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal (Rahimahullah), An-Nasai (Rahimahullah), Ibn Madeeni (Rahimahullah) and Ibn Ma'een (Rahimahullah). This is also why Imaam Bukhari (Rahimahullah) and Muslim (Rahimahullah) did not except this hadeeth to be in their books. (From Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen in the book "Hijaab" pages # 17 and 18.)
We also have to see that the Muhadith Abu Dawood when he quoted this hadeeth put with it that it is Mursal (with a broken chain that does not lead up to the Sahabah).
(From The Book "Hijaab wa Safur" under the fatwaa of Shaikh Abdul Aziz Bin Bazz on Page #61. Also stated as being weak by Shaikh Nasiruddeen Al-Albaani in his Daeef Sunan Abu Dawud in Kitab-ul-Libas under hadeeth number 4092 (which is the original hadeeth number.)
An other thing that shows the weakness of this hadith is that after the ayah for hijab (Surah Al-Ahzaab – Verse #59) was revealed then the women of Sahaba wore a complete veil and covered the faces and hands. This includes Asmaa (Radhiallaahu Ánha) the daughter of Abu Bakr, who is supposed to have narrated this hadeeth. Asmaa (Radhiallaahu Ánha) covered herself completely including the face, this has been narrated in authentic hadeeth in Imaam Malik's "MUWATTA Book 20 Hadeeth # 20.5.16."
What Age Must a Female Wear Niqab?
It is unquestionable that a female must begin covering by the age of puberty. In all situations, Muslims are to use the Prophet's
example for guidance. The Prophet married 'Aisha before she had reached puberty and consummated the marriage when she was approximately 9 years old. Getting married at such an age was not uncommon until recent times. Puberty begins two weeks before the onset of the first menstrual period, i.e. this is the time in which she is capable of becoming pregnant.
May Allah swt guide each parent to adequately prepare the daughter for hijab and their other responsibilities, in time for puberty. Amin.
If a mother or father recently converts to Islam and has a daughter who has reached puberty, s/he should immediately begin covering the daughter. The parents should educate the daughter to understand and appreciate the reasons and advantages for covering as a Muslimah is instructed to. The new revert to Islam should not feel apologetic for covering a daughter who was not previously covering. It is as much of an advantage to her as to the new adult muslimah revert, and children do not always know what is best for them, so, like other decisions you make daily for your children, do not leave the issue of wearing hijab up to your children. Make the transition as a family, not you first, then just hoping the children follow suit on their own.
Some guidelines for preparing a child for hijab.
- It is encouraged that as soon as the child is able to walk, she does not wear clothes that resemble the kafr, and that she should always have her knees and as much as possible of the arms and legs covered when leaving the house or having guests over.
- She should be taught modesty in behavior and dress from the cradle.
- It is ideal to sew small jilbabs (light overcoats) and khimaar (head/neck/chest covering) for the young muslimah, properly preparing her for full coverage at puberty. It is actually less fitnah on the parent to dress her in the simple attire of a muslim, as compared to looking for fashionable clothes in a shopping mall.
- At the age of 7, the parent should order her to pray salah, and of course, she must be wearing hijab (the entire head and body covering) for the salah.
- By the age of 10, her parents may and should punish her for missing fard (obligatory) salah, and once again, she must be wearing hijab to perform salah.
- When she reaches puberty, insha'Allah, she will wear niqab (literally: draw the khimaar over her face).
- By the age of puberty, she should already be used to wearing hijab (which is in her fitrah [natural state] to be covered).
- She may have already chosen to veil prior to reaching puberty, and with the proper instruction, she will look forward to and embrace this step in becoming a young woman.
- Hijab is not something a muslim parent gives as an option to a child. The muslim parent is responsible for seeing that the young muslimah is properly covered according to Qur'an and Sunnah.
- Parents will have to determine when their daughter has reached puberty, not the child, unless of course, she is a muslim revert with non-Muslim parents, in which case she should seek the counsel of a Muslim wali.
Depending on a woman's environment, she may simply keep her face uncovered and then draw the khimaar up over her face on the rare occasion of a non-mahram's presence; or, if this is too much fitnah to constantly draw it over her face, such as circumstances when men are frequently present, she may choose to affix a screen (i.e. the Niqab) that does this for her without her needing to use a hand to hold it over her face.
Hadith - Bukhari, Narrated Hishams father
Hadith - Bukhari, Narrated Hishams father
Khadija died three years before the Prophet departed to Medina. He stayed there for two years or so and then he married 'Aisha when she was a girl of six years of age, and he consumated that marriage when she was nine years old.
Hadith - Abu Dawud, narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin
[Also recorded al-Tirmidhi, Ahmad, and ibn Majah. Al-Albani says it is sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol. 2, p. 1280.]
died three years before the Prophet departed to Medina. He stayed there for two years or so and then he married 'Aisha when she was a girl of six years of age, and he consumated that marriage when she was nine years old. Hadith - Abu Dawud, narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin
[Also recorded al-Tirmidhi, Ahmad, and ibn Majah. Al-Albani says it is sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol. 2, p. 1280.]
The Prophet said: Allah does not accept the prayer of a woman who has reached puberty unless she wears a khimaar.
said: Allah does not accept the prayer of a woman who has reached puberty unless she wears a khimaar. Hadith - Dawud, Narrated As-Saburah
[Also recorded by Ahmand and al-Hakim. Al-Syuti has give in a notation signifying that it is authentic. Al-Albani has graded it hasan. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol. 2, p. 1021.]
[Also recorded by Ahmand and al-Hakim. Al-Syuti has give in a notation signifying that it is authentic. Al-Albani has graded it hasan. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol. 2, p. 1021.]
The Prophet said: Order your children to pray at the age of seven. And beat them [lightly] if they do not do so by the age of ten. And separate them in their bedding.
said: Order your children to pray at the age of seven. And beat them [lightly] if they do not do so by the age of ten. And separate them in their bedding. Who Can She Uncover in front of?
A Muslimah should not uncover her adornment in front of any non-Mahrahm male. Muslimahs should especially be careful and remain covered, modest, and quiet around in-laws.
If a gay male is aware of female body parts, he should not be allowed to view a woman uncovered. And, of course, a bi-sexual male should not be allowed to view a woman without proper covering.
In addition, a Muslimah should not uncover that which she normally uncovers, in front of any non-Muslim female whom she fears may describe her to others. She may also choose to remain covered around any Muslim female whom she fears may describe her physical attributes to their husband or others.
The Noble Qur'an - An-Nur 24:30-31
The Noble Qur'an - An-Nur 24:30-31
Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.). That is purer for them. Verily, Allâh is All-Aware of what they do.
And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils* all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husband's sons, their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islâm), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.
* the arabic word here is Khumaar, which is the plural form of Khimaar.
Hadith - Bukhari 7:167
The Prophet said, "A woman should not look at or touch another woman to describe her to her husband in such a way as if he was actually looking at her."
Hadith - Muslim, narrated Aisha
said, "A woman should not look at or touch another woman to describe her to her husband in such a way as if he was actually looking at her." Hadith - Muslim, narrated Aisha
A eunuch used to come to the wives of Allah's Apostle and they did not find anything objectionable in his visit considering him to be a male without any sexual desire. Allah's Apostle one day came as he was sitting with some of his wives and he was busy in describing the bodily characteristics of a lady and saying: As she comes in front four folds appear on her front side and as she turns her back eight folds appear on the back side. Thereupon Allah's Apostle said: I see that he knows these things; do not, therefore, allow him to enter. She (Aisha) said: Then they began to observe veil from him.
Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #3109, narrated Abdullah ibn Mas'ud [Tirmidhi transmitted it.]
and they did not find anything objectionable in his visit considering him to be a male without any sexual desire. Allah's Apostle one day came as he was sitting with some of his wives and he was busy in describing the bodily characteristics of a lady and saying: As she comes in front four folds appear on her front side and as she turns her back eight folds appear on the back side. Thereupon Allah's Apostle said: I see that he knows these things; do not, therefore, allow him to enter. She (Aisha) said: Then they began to observe veil from him. Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #3109, narrated Abdullah ibn Mas'ud [Tirmidhi transmitted it.]
The Prophet said, "A woman should be concealed, for when she goes out the devil looks at her."
Muslimahs should not socialize with non-mahram men, and should only speak out of necessity to non-mahram men. Allah swt knew that mankind would be tempted to let their guard down and their hijab down, around in-laws. Surely Allah swt is all merciful to provide us the guidance we need in every aspect of our lives. In reference to socializing with in-laws, such close relations can easily lead to adultery which has the death penalty.
said, "A woman should be concealed, for when she goes out the devil looks at her." Muslimahs should not socialize with non-mahram men, and should only speak out of necessity to non-mahram men. Allah swt knew that mankind would be tempted to let their guard down and their hijab down, around in-laws. Surely Allah swt is all merciful to provide us the guidance we need in every aspect of our lives. In reference to socializing with in-laws, such close relations can easily lead to adultery which has the death penalty.
Hadith - Bukhari and Muslim
The Prophet said, "The in-laws are death."
said, "The in-laws are death." Shaking Hands
Men and women should not shake hands outside the mahram ties.
Hadith - Recorded by Malik, Ahmad, al-Nasai, al-Tirmidhi and ibn Majah.
[Al-Albani has graded it sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol. 1, p. 494.]
[Al-Albani has graded it sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol. 1, p. 494.]
The Prophet said, "I do not shake the hands of women."
Hadith - Bukhari 9:321 (& 7:211)
said, "I do not shake the hands of women." Hadith - Bukhari 9:321 (& 7:211)
The Prophet used to take the Pledge of allegiance from the women by words only after reciting this Holy Verse: (60.12) "..that they will not associate anything in worship with Allah." (60.12) And the hand of Allah's Apostle did not touch any woman's hand except the hand of that woman his right hand possessed. (i.e. his captives or his lady slaves).
Hadith - Sahih Muslim, narrated 'A'isha
used to take the Pledge of allegiance from the women by words only after reciting this Holy Verse: (60.12) "..that they will not associate anything in worship with Allah." (60.12) And the hand of Allah's Apostle did not touch any woman's hand except the hand of that woman his right hand possessed. (i.e. his captives or his lady slaves). Hadith - Sahih Muslim, narrated 'A'isha
By Allah, the hand of the Messenger of Allah never touched the hand of a woman. By Allah, the Messenger of Allah never took any vow from women except that which Allah had ordered him to take, and his palm never touched the palm of a woman. When he had taken their vow, he would tell that he had taken the oath from them orally.
never touched the hand of a woman. By Allah, the Messenger of Allah never took any vow from women except that which Allah had ordered him to take, and his palm never touched the palm of a woman. When he had taken their vow, he would tell that he had taken the oath from them orally. Speech
Wearing hijab must be accompanied by the proper mannerisms and speech befitting a modest, pious woman. She should not draw attention to her voice or use it in a soft, pleasing manner that may tempt a man.
Similarly, a muslim man should avoid being around women who speak soft (i.e. speak "sweet", flirt, are excessively thankful, etc), should definitely turn his eyes downward his eyes if viewing (even briefly) such a woman on t.v., and should not listen to female singers.
The Noble Qur'an - Al-Ahzab 33:32
O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allâh), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery, etc.) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner.
The Noble Qur'an - Luqman 31:18-19
And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allâh likes not each arrogant boaster.
And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the voice (braying) of the ass.
Ridiculing a Woman in Niqab
The Noble Qur'an - At-Taubah 9:64-67
The hypocrites fear lest a Sûrah (chapter of the Qur'ân) should be revealed about them, showing them what is in their hearts. Say: "(Go ahead and) mock! But certainly Allâh will bring to light all that you fear."
If you ask them (about this), they declare: "We were only talking idly and joking." Say: "Was it at Allâh (swt), and His Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and His Messenger that you were mocking?"
that you were mocking?" Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after you had believed. If We pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you because they were Mujrimûn (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, criminals, etc.).
The hypocrites, men and women, are from one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief and polytheism of all kinds and all that Islâm has forbidden), and forbid (people) from Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and they close their hands [from giving (spending in Allâh's Cause) alms, etc.]. They have forgotten Allâh, so He has forgotten them. Verily, the hypocrites are the Fâsiqûn (rebellious, disobedient to Allâh).
Women past child-bearing age who do not expect wedlock
The Noble Qur'an - An-Nur 24:60
And as for women past child-bearing who do not expect wedlock, it is no sin on them if they discard their (outer) clothing in such a way as not to show their adornment. But to refrain (i.e. not to discard their outer clothing) is better for them. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.
Action Items for the 
uttaqun:
uttaqun: - Teach the wives and daughters the value of wearing niqab; teach and encourage them in this matter.
- Teach the male muslim the importance of respecting a muslimah's privacy, that he should not even inquire about the physical appearance of a woman for personal reasons.
- Fear Allah's commands only... not the criticisms of the kafr.
- Recognize that wearing niqab is a blessing and protection for the woman, not a stifling command.
- Do not judge those who do not wear niqab; instead, show them Qur'an and Sunnah on the matter and the rest is, as they say, "on them" to decide. Allah, subhana watala, is the only true Judge.
- Do not be alone with persons of the opposite sex.
- Hadith - Bukhari 4.250, Narrated Ibn Abbas
- That he heard the Prophet saying, "It is not permissible for a man to be alone with a woman, and no lady should travel except with a Muhram (i.e. her husband or a person whom she cannot marry in any case forever; e.g. her father, brother, etc.)." Then a man got up and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I have enlisted in the army for such-and-such Ghazwa and my wife is proceeding for Hajj." Allah's Apostle said, "Go, and perform the Hajj with your wife."
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- Hadith - Recorded Ahmad and al-Tirmidhi. [Al-Albani says it is sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol. 1, p. 234.]
- The Prophet said, "A man is never alone with a woman except that Satan is the third."
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- Do not touch persons of the opposite sex (except for dhu-mahram*).
- Wear gloves if you are concerned that someone of the opposite sex may touch you, such as when at work.
- When receiving change from a cashier, you may want to have him/her lay it on the counter, and then pick it up.
- Only see a doctor or dentist that is the same gender that you are, unless you have no choice after trying to arrange it as such.
- When in the hospital, or other medical situations, insist that you remain covered at all possible moments. For instance, those hospital gowns are NOT acceptable for walking down the hall in, not even if you wear two of them as they suggest for extra coverage. With modesty, request and insist upon receiving a simple sheet to cover you entirely, or bring your own. Don't worry... they will cooperate, insha'Allah.
- Do not shake hands with the kufaar. There is a way to do it without being offensive... for instance, look down and state, "My religion does not permit me to do that," and immediately proceed with the conversation. Think about it... that two-second awkward pause will have little to no effect on the business at hand, insha'Allah. Trust Allah, subhana watala, and do not try to adapt to the kaffir ways, and certainly don't do something for their approval. Do not be deceived by shaytan to believe that you cannot survive in the business world if you don't shake hands.
- Realize that touching a person of the opposite sex shows great disrespect for your spouse.
- Develop habits that eliminate this form of touch... be adamant about not making exceptions beyond "life or death" or absolutely necessary situations.
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- Do not engage in social conversation with persons of the opposite sex (except for dhu-mahrahm*).
- This is simple... just don't do it. When a kaffir of the opposite sex asks you, "Did you have a good weekend," look down and say nothing in return, or perhaps only respond with, "Fine, Alhamdulilah". If the person asks what, "Alhamdulilah" means, drop some dawah, but make it very brief for members of the opposite sex. Quickly offer to put them in touch with your husband (or your wife if you are male and being approached by a female), or local imam.
- You may choose to greet the muslim with "As sala'amu alaikum," but beyond that, limit your conversation with the opposite sex to business, i.e. only that which is necessary. Muslimahs are not required to greet male muslims.
- Muslim men should not be the first to approach conversation with a Muslimah, except out of necessity, i.e. "As sala'amu alaikum. You dropped your $50 dollar bill; here it is."
- This includes situations when online... do not engage in "Instant Messages" or Email of a social or personal matter with members of the opposite sex. Make the effort to find out what gender the person is before getting into a personal private discussion.
- See The Noble Qur'an: al-Ahzab 32.
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- Desire to be known for the qualities of your character, not your looks.
- Save your internal and external beauty for your husband alone
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