A Knowledge about Hazrat Umar-e-Farooq (r.a) (ENGLISH)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="style1" style="color: #003366; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><strong style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">Hazrat Umar-e-Farooq (r.a)</strong></div><div align="justify" class="style1" style="color: #003366; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">Second Caliph ( 582-644 C.E )</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n7wGHuqJCp8bhMD673rW5KVBKAUpAb-GYaaQrQY-ixEPgix8fG4TtubZJ-0Pt1a8MJTQbOhX_zwuR-wYgtA9HIkTJrxl3LSVFdWbltoZd9px6wgkXDJCdj9m5a8S1kBadbo3ui7dBL0/s1600/Hazrat-Umar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n7wGHuqJCp8bhMD673rW5KVBKAUpAb-GYaaQrQY-ixEPgix8fG4TtubZJ-0Pt1a8MJTQbOhX_zwuR-wYgtA9HIkTJrxl3LSVFdWbltoZd9px6wgkXDJCdj9m5a8S1kBadbo3ui7dBL0/s320/Hazrat-Umar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="justify" class="style1" style="color: #003366; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><br /><br />Hazrat Umar Farooq (r.a) is the most respectful personality in Muslim Ummah after Abu Bakr (r.a). He is also one of the Companions (r.a) of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w), who was given the reward of Heaven in the world by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w). He was born in the tribe of "Adi", a branch of Quresh, 40 years before migration of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w), from Makkah to Madinah and 13 years after the incident of Aam-ul-Feel in 582 C.E. His name was "Abu Hafs", a patronymic name of old traditions. He was the strongest and brave one in all the Makkah. No body in Makkah existed in His youth who could dare to fight with Him. But after embracing Islam He was the most fair and just in ever. On 6th year of Prophet hood by Muhammad (s.a.w.w), he embraced Islam. His embracing Islam, is the most popular story of the Islamic history. He was the one who took Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w) and a small group of Muslims in Kaaba to offer Namaz for the first time in history. The wordings to Kuffars was: "If anyone want to make his children Orphan and wife as a widow, do stop us!". The same words were heard by the Kuffars again at the time of migration of Muslims to Madinah. Hazrat Umar Farooq (r.a) earned the title of "Al-Farooq" (the one who makes the clear difference between Right and Wrong) from the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w). He participated in all the battles of Islam with Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w). History notes that He donated his half of the property when being asked for by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w) in the way of ALLAH. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w) noted and said many times that it looks, Umar speaks and Quran is bestowed upon. Few examples of ALLAH's rule are; Hijab, offering 2 prayers as "Nafal" at "Baab-e-Ibrahim" in Kaaba, solution for the prisoners of Badr, not to offer Duua on "Munafiq" grave etc.... Hazrat Umar Farooq (r.a) passed his great Caliphate of approximately 10 years after the death of Hazrat Abu Bakr (r.a). His Caliphate is the most popular and memorable Caliphate according to fair and just amongst all others. A Jew named "Abu-Lolou-Feroz" inserted a dagger in His back, while He was offering the Fajr prayers to Muslims in the position of prostrating (Sajdah). Jews kept the name of a stone in name of their partner who martyred Hazrat Umar Farooq (r.a) as "Feroza" (a sky blue like stone usually been wore in the form of a ring in finger. Hazrat Umar Farooq (r.a) breathed his last on 26th Dhul-Hajj, 23 Hijri. He is buried next to the side of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w).<br /><br />Sayings of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w):<br /><br />1. I see that devil either from humans or jinn, runs away from Umar. (Tirimzi)<br /><br />2. I saw in a dream that I was given a bowl of milk which I drunk and remaining I gave it to Umar. (Tirimzi)<br /><br />3. No doubt, ALLAH has issue truth, on the tongue and in the heart of Umar. (Tirimzi)<br /><br />4. I saw a dream that I am in the Heaven, there I saw Rameesa (my quilt aunt) and I heard someone's footstep, I asked: who is this?. I was answered: it is Bilal and I saw a palace with a handmaid standing in front of it, I asked: whose palace is this?. She said: Umar bin Khattab's. I wished to see it from inside but, Oh Umar!, I divided my attention from your shame. Hazrat Umar (r.a) said: My father and mother be sacrificed upon You, should I ponder from Your saying?. (Bukhari)<br /><br />5. If some else Prophet should have been proposed by ALLAH after me, would have been Umar bin Khattab. (Tirimzi)</span></div></div>

A Knowledge about Hazrat Umar-e-Farooq (r.a) (ENGLISH)

Hazrat Umar-e-Farooq (r.a) Second Caliph ( 582-644 C.E ) Hazrat Umar Farooq (r.a) is the most respectful personality in Muslim Ummah after A...

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A Knowledge about Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (r.a) (ENGLISH)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="style1" style="color: #003366; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><strong style="background-color: #eeeeee;">Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (r.a)</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhND0BWnmuOevjW8rcsvll44GvOJsW7BtxlU8GF9xbN1Gs511J1JtWttmgtazr44bHFavAC48kqVsoNCqj3ORfKAQnPAEtJTKwNtDgjXV0E0Qx4wtPTtOuLLptJnmdaj1ijAHNJIgEnQ/s1600/images+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhND0BWnmuOevjW8rcsvll44GvOJsW7BtxlU8GF9xbN1Gs511J1JtWttmgtazr44bHFavAC48kqVsoNCqj3ORfKAQnPAEtJTKwNtDgjXV0E0Qx4wtPTtOuLLptJnmdaj1ijAHNJIgEnQ/s1600/images+(1).jpg" /></a></div><div align="justify" class="style1" style="color: #003366; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">First Caliph ( 573-634 C.E. )<br /><br />Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (r.a) is the biggest personality in Muslims after the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w) and Messengers of ALLAH. He is one of the Companions of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w), who was give the reward of Heaven in the world by the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w). He was born in Amul-Feel, ( an Abyssinian Christian General named Abraha Came to attack Makkah with an army of some 60,000 men and several elephants ), i.e. after 2-1/4 years in Makkah in 573 C.E. Abu Bakr Siddiq (r.a) was named as Abdullah. Abu Bakr was his Patronymic name (Kynniya), (a sir name which is usually derived from the name of the first son or daughter according to Muslim traditions). He was the most respectful and attractive personality in Makkah before embracing Islam. He use to be respected by all due to His humble and pious character. Abu Bakr Siddiq (r.a) was the first person to embrace Islam in the (in the men). He was the most trusted companion of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w) and also earned the title of "As-Siddiq" (the most truthful and sincere person in faith) from the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w). He alone accompanied amongst all the companions with the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w), during migration from Makkah to Madinah. He participated in all the battles of Islam with Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w). History notes that He donated all the households and the property whenever Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w) desired to do so in the way of ALLAH. Abu Bakr Siddiq (r.a) was the only one who led 17-18 Salah prayers in the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w) due to sickness of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w). Abu Bakr Siddiq (r.a) continued His Caliphate for about 2 years after the death of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w). He executed the order and sent "Lashkar-e-Usama" against the Kuffars on the last orders given by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w). He made a call for Jihad against those Muslims who after the death of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w), over-rided the rule to give Zakat. Yes!, this was Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (r.a) who cut their necks with a group of Sahabah (r.a) and told the reason why He is going to do this as; "These are the ones who will let down the pillars of Islam tomorrow". A person named Musaylma Kazzab, claimed himself to be a Prophet of ALLAH. Hazrat Abu Bakr (r.a) warned him for this false attitude and when the limits exceeded, was being sentenced on the orders of Hazrat Abu Bakr (r.a), as a "Murtid". Hazrat Abu Bakr (r.a) breathed his last on the 22nd Jamadi-us-Saani of 13 Hijri. He is buried next to the side of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w).<br /><br />Sayings of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w):<br /><br />1. Abu Bakr except from all Prophets are supreme in all human beings. (Tibrani)<br /><br />2. The most merciful on my Ummah, in my Ummah, is Abu Bakr. (Tirimzi)<br /><br />3. Oh Abu Bakr!, you will be my companion on the pond of Heaven as you were also my companion in the cave. (Tirimzi)<br /><br />4. Tell Abu Bakr from my side to offer Salat to people (Muslims). [In absence of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w)] (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirimzi, Ibn-e-Majah)<br /><br />5. I don't know uptil when I remain with you, so follow the ones (who will become Caliphs) after me. [Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w) pointed towards Abu Bakr (r.a) and Umar (r.a)]. And follow the way of Ammar and the words that Abdullah bin Masood tell you, verify it. (Tirimzi)<br /><br />Note: In every Arabic Madrasa, a book named "Husami" is being taught to the Alims. There comes a topic called as "Ijm'a". It is "Ijm'a" that: "The one who don't accept Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (r.a) as the First Caliph, denying "Ijm'a" is a "Kafir".</span></div></div>

A Knowledge about Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (r.a) (ENGLISH)

Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (r.a) First Caliph ( 573-634 C.E. ) Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (r.a) is the biggest personality in Muslims after the Prop...

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The Status of Muslim Women in Life

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><br /><div align="center" class="style22" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="style22" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;"><img height="354" src="http://www.missionislam.com/discover/digrf/womenislam.jpg" width="500" /></div><div align="center" class="style22" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Dr. Jamal Badawi</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>I. INTRODUCTION</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em>The status of women in society is neither a new issue nor is it a fully settled one.</em></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em>The position of Islam on this issue has been among the subjects presented to the Western reader with the least objectivity.</em></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em>This paper is intended to provide a brief and authentic exposition of what Islam stands for in this regard. The teachings of Islam are based essentially on the Quran (God's revelation) and Hadith (elaboration by Prophet Muhammad).</em></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The Quran and the Hadith, properly and unbiasedly understood, provide the basic source of authentication for any position or view which is attributed to Islam.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The paper starts with a brief survey of the status of women in the pre-Islamic era. It then focuses on these major questions: What is the position of Islam regarding the status of woman in society? How similar or different is that position from "the spirit of the time," which was dominant when Islam was revealed? How would this compare with the "rights" which were finally gained by woman in recent decades?</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"></div><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>II. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">One major objective of this paper is to provide a fair evaluation of what Islam contributed (or failed to contribute) toward the restoration of woman's dignity and rights. In order to achieve this objective, it may be useful to review briefly how women were treated in general in previous civilizations and religions, especially those which preceded Islam (Pre-610 C.E.). Part of the information provided here, however, describes the status of woman as late as the nineteenth century, more than twelve centuries after Islam.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>Women in Ancient Civilization</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Describing the status of the Indian woman, Encyclopedia Britannica states:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">In India, subjection was a cardinal principle. Day and night must women be held by their protectors in a state of dependence says Manu. The rule of inheritance was agnatic, that is descent traced through males to the exclusion of females.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">In Hindu scriptures, the description of a good wife is as follows: "a woman whose mind, speech and body are kept in subjection, acquires high renown in this world, and, in the next, the same abode with her husband."</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">In Athens, women were not better off than either the Indian or the Roman women.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Athenian women were always minors, subject to some male - to their father, to their brother, or to some of their male kin.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Her consent in marriage was not generally thought to be necessary and "she was obliged to submit to the wishes of her parents, and receive from them her husband and her lord, even though he were stranger to her."</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">A Roman wife was described by an historian as: "a babe, a minor, a ward, a person incapable of doing or acting anything according to her own individual taste, a person continually under the tutelage and guardianship of her husband."</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">In the Encyclopedia Britannica, we find a summary of the legal status of women in the Roman civilization:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">In Roman Law a woman was even in historic times completely dependent. If married she and her property passed into the power of her husband... the wife was the purchased property of her husband, and like a slave acquired only for his benefit. A woman could not exercise any civil or public office, could not be a witness, surety, tutor, or curator; she could not adopt or be adopted, or make will or contract. Among the Scandinavian races women were: under perpetual tutelage, whether married or unmarried. As late as the Code of Christian V, at the end of the 17th Century, it was enacted that if a woman married without the consent of her tutor he might have, if he wished, administration and usufruct of her goods during her life.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>According to the English Common Law:</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">...all real property which a wife held at the time of a marriage became a possession of her husband. He was entitled to the rent from the land and to any profit which might be made from operating the estate during the joint life of the spouses. As time passed, the English courts devised means to forbid a husband's transferring real property without the consent of his wife, but he still retained the right to manage it and to receive the money which it produced. As to a wife's personal property, the husband's power was complete. He had the right to spend it as he saw fit.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Only by the late nineteenth Century did the situation start to improve. "By a series of acts starting with the Married women's Property Act in 1870, amended in 1882 and 1887, married women achieved the right to own property and to enter contracts on a par with spinsters, widows, and divorcees." As late as the Nineteenth Century an authority in ancient law, Sir Henry Maine, wrote: "No society which preserves any tincture of Christian institutions is likely to restore to married women the personal liberty conferred on them by the Middle Roman Law."</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">In his essay The Subjection of Women, John Stuart Mill wrote:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">We are continually told that civilization and Christianity have restored to the woman her just rights. Meanwhile the wife is the actual bondservant of her husband; no less so, as far as the legal obligation goes, than slaves commonly so called.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Before moving on to the Quranic decrees concerning the status of woman, a few Biblical decrees may shed more light on the subject, thus providing a better basis for an impartial evaluation. In the Mosaic Law, the wife was betrothed. Explaining this concept, the Encyclopedia Biblical states: "To betroth a wife to oneself meant simply to acquire possession of her by payment of the purchase money; the betrothed is a girl for whom the purchase money has been paid." From the legal point of view, the consent of the girl was not necessary for the validation of her marriage. "The girl's consent is unnecessary and the need for it is nowhere suggested in the Law."</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">As to the right of divorce, we read in the Encyclopedia Biblical: "The woman being man's property, his right to divorce her follows as a matter of course." The right to divorce was held only by man. "In the Mosaic Law divorce was a privilege of the husband only.... "</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The position of the Christian Church until recent centuries seems to have been influenced by both the Mosaic Law and by the streams of thought that were dominant in its contemporary cultures. In their book, Marriage East and West, David and Vera Mace wrote:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Let no one suppose, either, that our Christian heritage is free of such slighting judgments. It would be hard to find anywhere a collection of more degrading references to the female sex than the early Church Fathers provide. Lecky, the famous historian, speaks of (these fierce incentives which form so conspicuous and so grotesque a portion of the writing of the Fathers... woman was represented as the door of hell, as the mother of all human ills. She should be ashamed at the very thought that she is a woman. She should live in continual penance on account of the curses she has brought upon the world. She should be ashamed of her dress, for it is the memorial of her fall. She should be especially ashamed of her beauty, for it is the most potent instrument of the devil). One of the most scathing of these attacks on woman is that of Tertullian: (Do you know that you are each an Eve? The sentence of God on this sex of yours lives in this age: the guilt must of necessity live too. You are the devil's gateway: you are the unsealer of that forbidden tree; you are the first deserters of the divine law; you are she who persuades him whom the devil was not valiant enough to attack. You destroyed so easily God's image, man. On account of your desert - that is death - even the Son of God had to die). Not only did the church affirm the inferior status of woman, it deprived her of legal rights she had previously enjoyed.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>III. WOMAN IN ISLAM</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">In the midst of the darkness that engulfed the world, the divine revelation echoed in the wide desert of Arabia with a fresh, noble, and universal message to humanity:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"O Mankind, keep your duty to your Lord who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate (of same kind) and from them twain has spread a multitude of men and women...". [Noble Quran 4:1]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">A scholar who pondered about this verse states: "It is believed that there is no text, old or new, that deals with the humanity of the woman from all aspects with such amazing brevity, eloquence, depth, and originality as this divine decree."</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Stressing this noble and natural conception, them Quran states:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"He (God) it is who did create you from a single soul and therefrom did create his mate, that he might dwell with her (in love)..." [Noble Quran 7:189]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"The Creator of heavens and earth: He has made for you pairs from among yourselves" [Noble Quran 42:11]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"And Allah has given you mates of your own nature, and has given you from your mates, children and grandchildren, and has made provision of good things for you. Is it then in vanity that they believe and in the grace of God that they disbelieve?" [Noble Quran 16:72]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The rest of this paper outlines the position of Islam regarding the status of woman in society from its various aspects - spiritually, socially, economically and politically.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>1. The Spiritual Aspect</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The Quran provides clear-cut evidence that woman is completely equated with man in the sight of God in terms of her rights and responsibilities. The Quran states:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"Every soul will be (held) in pledge for its deeds" [Noble Quran 74:38]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">It also states:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"...So their Lord accepted their prayers, (saying): I will not suffer to be lost the work of any of you whether male or female. You proceed one from another..." [Noble Quran 3:195]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily to him will We give a new life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to their actions." [Noble Quran 16:97, see also 4:124]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>Woman according to the Quran is not blamed for Adam's first mistake. Both were jointly wrong in their disobedience to God, both repented, and both were forgiven. [Noble Quran 2:36, 7:20-24]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">In one verse in fact [20:121], Adam specifically, was blamed.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">In terms of religious obligations, such as the Daily Prayers, Fasting, Poor-due, and Pilgrimage, woman is no different from man. In some cases indeed, woman has certain advantages over man. For example, the woman is exempted from the daily prayers and from fasting during her menstrual periods and forty days after childbirth. She is also exempted from fasting during her pregnancy and when she is nursing her baby if there is any threat to her health or her baby's. If the missed fasting is obligatory (during the month of Ramadan), she can make up for the missed days whenever she can. She does not have to make up for the prayers missed for any of the above reasons. Although women can and did go into the mosque during the days of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and thereafter attendance at the Friday congregational prayers is optional for them while it is mandatory for men (on Friday).</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">This is clearly a tender touch of the Islamic teachings for they are considerate of the fact that a woman may be nursing her baby or caring for him, and thus may be unable to go out to the mosque at the time of the prayers. They also take into account the physiological and psychological changes associated with her natural female functions.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>2. The Social Aspect</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">a) As a child and an adolescent</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Despite the social acceptance of female infanticide among some Arabian tribes, the Quran forbade this custom, and considered it a crime like any other murder.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"And when the female (infant) buried alive - is questioned, for what crime she was killed." [Noble Quran 81:8-9]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Criticizing the attitudes of such parents who reject their female children, the Quran states:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"When news is brought to one of them, of (the Birth of) a female (child), his face darkens and he is filled with inward grief! With shame does he hide himself from his people because of the bad news he has had! Shall he retain her on (sufferance) and contempt, or bury her in the dust? Ah! What an evil (choice) they decide on?" [Noble Quran 16:58-59]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Far from saving the girl's life so that she may later suffer injustice and inequality, Islam requires kind and just treatment for her. Among the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) in this regard are the following:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favor his son over her, God will enter him into Paradise. [Ibn Hanbal, No. 1957]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Whosoever supports two daughters till they mature, he and I will come in the Day of Judgment as this (and he pointed with his two fingers held together).</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">A similar Hadith deals in like manner with one who supports two sisters. [Ibn-Hanbal, No. 2104]</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The right of females to seek knowledge is not different from that of males. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim". [Al-Bayhaqi]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Muslim as used here including both males and females.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">b) As a wife:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The Quran clearly indicates that marriage is sharing between the two halves of the society, and that its objectives, besides perpetuating human life, are emotional well-being and spiritual harmony. Its bases are love and mercy.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Among the most impressive verses in the Quran about marriage is the following.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">"And among His signs is this: That He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest, peace of mind in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Lo, herein indeed are signs for people who reflect." [Noble Quran 30:21]</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">According to Islamic Law, women cannot be forced to marry anyone without their consent.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>Ibn 'Abbas reported that a girl came to the Messenger of God, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and she reported that her father had forced her to marry without her consent. The Messenger of God gave her the choice... (between accepting the marriage or invalidating it). [Ibn Hanbal No. 2469]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">In another version, the girl said:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"Actually I accept this marriage but I wanted to let women know that parents have no right (to force a husband on them)" [Ibn Majah, No. 1873]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Besides all other provisions for her protection at the time of marriage, it was specifically decreed that woman has the full right to her Mahr, a marriage gift, which is presented to her by her husband and is included in the nuptial contract, and that such ownership does not transfer to her father or husband. The concept of Mahr in Islam is neither an actual or symbolic price for the woman, as was the case in certain cultures, but rather it is a gift symbolizing love and affection.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The rules for married life in Islam are clear and in harmony with upright human nature. In consideration of the physiological and psychological make-up of man and woman, both have equal rights and claims on one another, except for one responsibility, that of leadership. This is a matter which is natural in any collective life and which is consistent with the nature of man.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The Quran thus states:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"...And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them, and men are a degree above them." [Noble Quran 2:228]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Such degree is Quiwama (maintenance and protection). This refers to that natural difference between the sexes which entitles the weaker sex to protection. It implies no superiority or advantage before the law. Yet, man's role of leadership in relation to his family does not mean the husband's dictatorship over his wife. Islam emphasizes the importance of taking counsel and mutual agreement in family decisions. The Quran gives us an example:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"...If they (husband wife) desire to wean the child by mutual consent and (after) consultation, there is no blame on them..." [Noble Quran 2:233]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Over and above her basic rights as a wife comes the right which is emphasized by the Quran and is strongly recommended by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); kind treatment and companionship.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The Quran states:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"...But consort with them in kindness, for if you hate them it may happen that you hate a thing wherein God has placed much good." [Noble Quran 4:19]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"The best of you is the best to his family and I am the best among you to my family."</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and best of you are those who are best to their wives. [Ibn-Hanbal, No. 7396]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Behold, many women came to Muhammad's wives complaining against their husbands (because they beat them) - - those (husbands) are not the best of you.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">As the woman's right to decide about her marriage is recognized, so also her right to seek an end for an unsuccessful marriage is recognized. To provide for the stability of the family, however, and in order to protect it from hasty decisions under temporary emotional stress, certain steps and waiting periods should be observed by men and women seeking divorce. Considering the relatively more emotional nature of women, a good reason for asking for divorce should be brought before the judge. Like the man, however, the woman can divorce her husband with out resorting to the court, if the nuptial contract allows that.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">More specifically, some aspects of Islamic Law concerning marriage and divorce are interesting and are worthy of separate treatment.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">When the continuation of the marriage relationship is impossible for any reason, men are still taught to seek a gracious end for it.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The Quran states about such cases:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"When you divorce women, and they reach their prescribed term, then retain them in kindness and retain them not for injury so that you transgress (the limits)..." [Noble Quran 2:231] [See also Quran 2:229 and 33:49]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">c) As a mother:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Islam considered kindness to parents next to the worship of God.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"And we have enjoined upon man (to be good) to his parents: His mother bears him in weakness upon weakness..." [Noble Quran 31:14] [See also Quran 46:15, 29:8]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Moreover, the Quran has a special recommendation for the good treatment of mothers:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"Your Lord has decreed that you worship none save Him, and that you be kind to your parents..." [Noble Quran 17:23]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">A man came to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) asking:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">O Messenger of God, who among the people is the most worthy of my good company? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, Your mother. The man said then who else: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, Your mother. The man asked, Then who else? <strong>The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, Your mother. The man asked, Then who else? Only then did the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say, Your father. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>A famous saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is: "Paradise is at the feet of mothers." [In An-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, Ahmad]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">"It is the generous (in character) who is good to women, and it is the wicked who insults them."</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>3. The Economic Aspect</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Islam decreed a right of which woman was deprived both before Islam and after it (even as late as this century), the right of independent ownership. According to Islamic Law, woman's right to her money, real estate, or other properties is fully acknowledged. This right undergoes no change whether she is single or married. She retains her full rights to buy, sell, mortgage or lease any or all her properties. It is nowhere suggested in the Law that a woman is a minor simply because she is a female. It is also noteworthy that such right applies to her properties before marriage as well as to whatever she acquires thereafter.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">With regard to the woman's right to seek employment it should be stated first that Islam regards her role in society as a mother and a wife as the most sacred and essential one. Neither maids nor baby-sitters can possibly take the mother's place as the educator of an upright, complex free, and carefully-reared children. Such a noble and vital role, which largely shapes the future of nations, cannot be regarded as "idleness".</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">However, there is no decree in Islam which forbids woman from seeking employment whenever there is a necessity for it, especially in positions which fit her nature and in which society needs her most. Examples of these professions are nursing, teaching (especially for children), and medicine. Moreover, there is no restriction on benefiting from woman's exceptional talent in any field. Even for the position of a judge, where there may be a tendency to doubt the woman's fitness for the post due to her more emotional nature, we find early Muslim scholars such as Abu-Hanifah and At-Tabari holding there is nothing wrong with it. In addition, Islam restored to woman the right of inheritance, after she herself was an object of inheritance in some cultures. Her share is completely hers and no one can make any claim on it, including her father and her husband.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"Unto men (of the family) belongs a share of that which Parents and near kindred leave, and unto women a share of that which parents and near kindred leave, whether it be a little or much - a determinate share." [Noble Quran 4:7]</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Her share in most cases is one-half the man's share, with no implication that she is worth half a man! It would seem grossly inconsistent after the overwhelming evidence of woman's equitable treatment in Islam, which was discussed in the preceding pages, to make such an inference. This variation in inheritance rights is only consistent with the variations in financial responsibilities of man and woman according to the Islamic Law. Man in Islam is fully responsible for the maintenance of his wife, his children, and in some cases of his needy relatives, especially the females. This responsibility is neither waived nor reduced because of his wife's wealth or because of her access to any personal income gained from work, rent, profit, or any other legal means.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Woman, on the other hand, is far more secure financially and is far less burdened with any claims on her possessions. Her possessions before marriage do not transfer to her husband and she even keeps her maiden name. She has no obligation to spend on her family out of such properties or out of her income after marriage. She is entitled to the "Mahr" which she takes from her husband at the time of marriage. If she is divorced, she may get an alimony from her ex-husband.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">An examination of the inheritance law within the overall framework of the Islamic Law reveals not only justice but also an abundance of compassion for woman.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>4. The Political Aspect</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Any fair investigation of the teachings of Islam into the history of the Islamic civilization will surely find a clear evidence of woman's equality with man in what we call today "political rights".</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">This includes the right of election as well as the nomination to political offices. It also includes woman's right to participate in public affairs. Both in the Quran and in Islamic history we find examples of women who participated in serious discussions and argued even with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself (see the Noble Quran 58:14 and 60:10-12).</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">During the Caliphate of 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab, a woman argued with him in the mosque, proved her point, and caused him to declare in the presence of people: "A woman is right and 'Umar is wrong."</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Although not mentioned in the Quran, one Hadith of the Prophet is interpreted to make woman ineligible for the position of head of state. The Hadith referred to is roughly translated: "A people will not prosper if they let a woman be their leader." This limitation, however, has nothing to do with the dignity of a woman or with her rights. It is rather, related to the natural differences in the biological and psychological make-up of men and women.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">According to Islam, the head of the state is no mere figurehead. He leads people in the prayers, especially on Fridays and festivities; he is continuously engaged in the process of decision-making pertaining to the security and well-being of his people. This demanding position, or any similar one, such as the Commander of the Army, is generally inconsistent with the physiological and psychological make-up of woman in general. It is a medical fact that during their monthly periods and during their pregnancies, women undergo various physiological and psychological changes. Such changes may occur during an emergency situation, thus affecting her decision, without considering the excessive strain which is produced. Moreover, some decisions require a maximum of rationality and a minimum of emotionality - a requirement which does not coincide with the instinctive nature of women.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Even in modern times, and in the most developed countries, it is rare to find a woman in the position of a head of state acting as more than a figurehead, a woman commander of the armed services, or even a proportionate number of women representatives in parliaments, or similar bodies. One can not possibly ascribe this to backwardness of various nations or to any constitutional limitation on woman's right to be in such a position as a head of state or as a member of the parliament. It is more logical to explain the present situation in terms of the natural and indisputable differences between man and woman, a difference which does not imply any "supremacy" of one over the other. The difference implies rather the "complementary" roles of both the sexes in life.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>IV. CONCLUSION</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The first part of this paper deals briefly with the position of various religions and cultures on the issue under investigation. Part of this exposition extends to cover the general trend as late as the nineteenth century, nearly 1300 years after the Quran set forth the Islamic teachings.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">In the second part of the paper, the status of women in Islam is briefly discussed. Emphasis in this part is placed on the original and authentic sources of Islam. This represents the standard according to which degree of adherence of Muslims can be judged. It is also a fact that during the downward cycle of Islamic Civilization, such teachings were not strictly adhered to by many people who professed to be Muslims.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Such deviations were unfairly exaggerated by some writers, and the worst of this, were superficially taken to represent the teachings of "Islam" to the Western reader without taking the trouble to make any original and unbiased study of the authentic sources of these teachings.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Even with such deviations three facts are worth mentioning:</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The history of Muslims is rich with women of great achievements in all walks of life from as early as the seventh century (A.D.)</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">It is impossible for anyone to justify any mistreatment of woman by any decree of rule embodied in the Islamic Law, nor could anyone dare to cancel, reduce, or distort the clear-cut legal rights of women given in Islamic Law.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Throughout history, the reputation, chastity and maternal role of Muslim women were objects of admiration by impartial observers.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">It is also worthwhile to state that the status which women reached during the present era was not achieved due to the kindness of men or due to natural progress. It was rather achieved through a long struggle and sacrifice on woman's part and only when society needed her contribution and work, more especially during the two world wars, and due to the escalation of technological change.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">In the case of Islam such compassionate and dignified status was decreed, not because it reflects the environment of the seventh century, nor under the threat or pressure of women and their organizations, but rather because of its intrinsic truthfulness.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">If this indicates anything, it would demonstrate the divine origin of the Quran and the truthfulness of the message of Islam, which, unlike human philosophies and ideologies, was far from proceeding from its human environment, a message which established such humane principles as neither grew obsolete during the course of time and after these many centuries, nor can become obsolete in the future. After all, this is the message of the All-Wise and All-Knowing God whose wisdom and knowledge are far beyond the ultimate in human thought and progress.</div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>BIBLIOGRAPHY</strong></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em>The Holy, Quran: Translation of verses is heavily based on A. Yusuf 'Ali's translation, The Glorious Quran, text translation, and Commentary, The American Trust Publication, Plainfield, IN 46168, 1979.</em></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em>'Abd Al-Ati, Hammudah, Islam in Focus, The American Trust Publications, Plainfield, IN 46168, 1977.</em></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em>Allen, E. A., History of Civilization, General Publishing House, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1889, Vol. 3.</em></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em>Al Siba'i, Mustafa, Al-Alar'ah Baynal Fiqh Walqanoon (in Arabic), 2nd. ea., Al-Maktabah Al-Arabiah, Halab, Syria, 1966.</em></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em>El-Khouli, Al-Bahiy, "Min Usus Kadiat Al-Mara'ah" (in Arabic), Al-Waay Al-lslami, Ministry of Walcf, Kuwait, Vol.3 (No. 27), June 9, 1967, p.17.</em></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em>Encyclopedia Americana (International Edition), American Corp., N.Y., 1969, Vol.29.</em></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em>Encyclopedia Biblical (Rev.T.K.Cheynene and J.S.Black, editors), The Macmillan Co., London, England, 1902, Vol.3.</em></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em>The Encyclopedia Britannica, (11th ed.), University Press Cambridge, England, 191 1, Vol.28.</em></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em>Encyclopedia Britannica, The Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., Chicago, III., 1968, Vol.23.</em></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em>Hadith. Most of the quoted Hadith were translated by the writer. They are quoted in various Arabic sources. Some of them, however, were translated directly from the original sources. Among the sources checked are Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal Dar Al-Ma'aref, Cairo, U.A.R., 1950, and 1955, Vol.4 and 3,SunanIbnMajah, Dar Ihya'a Al-Kutub al-Arabiah, Cairo, U.A.R., 1952, Vol.l, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Vol.3.</em></div><div class="style21" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em>Mace, David and Vera, Marriage: East and West, Dolphin Books, Doubleday and Co., Inc., N.Y., 1960.</em></div></div>

The Status of Muslim Women in Life

Dr. Jamal Badawi I. INTRODUCTION The status of women in society is neither a new issue nor is it a fully settled one. The position of Islam ...

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Islam - Elevation of Women's Status

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div align="center" class="style19" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;"><img height="350" src="http://www.missionislam.com/discover/islamelevateswomen.jpg" width="237" /></div><div align="left" class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">by Sheikh Ali Al-Timimi</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Assalaamu `Alaykum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuhu</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Al hamdu lillaah was salaatu was salaamu `alaa rasoolillaah, `amma ba`d:</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The topic that I was asked to discuss here at McGill University is the elevation of the status of women in Islam. Many, upon hearing the title of this lecture, might assume it to be an oxymoron because the prevalent idea - at least in the West - is that Islam. does not elevate the status of women, but that Islam. oppresses and suppresses women. So people might find the title in itself to be shocking or a curiosity at least.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">In discussing this topic - since it appears to me that this is a mixed audience of Muslims and non-Muslims - I'd like to make my remarks and comments brief. I will take no more than thirty to forty five minutes, and then allow you an opportunity to ask your questions. Perhaps the question and answer session might be more fruitful in addressing specific accusations, understandings or misunderstandings regarding the status of women in Islam.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">As we all know, in the world today, there are - for the overwhelming majority of humanity - basically two world views. These two views are often in conflict - not only on the personal level where individual human beings are making choices, but also on the international level in terms of the debate over the authenticity and correctness of these two world views.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The first world view, which I am sure most of us are aware of, is the Western liberal view. A view which claims to draw its roots from the Judeo-Christian tradition that probably, upon investigation, is more well rooted in the ideas that appeared after the reformation; ideas that are rooted in secularism and the world view that appeared thereafter during the 'era of enlightenment'.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The second view is that of the Muslims - the Islamic world view, and this view says that its roots and ideas lie in the revelation given by God (or Allah in Arabic) to the prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam). Those who proclaim this view say that it can be used by humanity during all ages and times, and that its relevance and benefit is not restricted to a certain period of time, geographic area or certain race of human beings. Likewise, the adherents of the first view, that of</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Western secularism and the liberal tradition, believe that their world view, ideas, culture and civilization are the best for humanity. Some of you might have read a book that came out a few years ago by an American author of Japanese decent (Francis Fukuyama) called "The End of Time". He basically put forth the theory that human development in terms of its ideas has concluded with this final period of liberal secular thought and nothing more will come to humanity. However in his book he adds that that the only part of the world which has not adopted this secular human view is the Islamic world and proposes that there will be a conflict in terms of this ideology in the Islamic world.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">With that brief introduction, one of the topics of contention between these two worlds views, that of the secular liberal humanist in the West and the Islamic tradition, concerns women. What is the position and status of women? How are women looked to? Are women elevated in one culture and oppressed in another?</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The Western view is that women are elevated only in the West and that they are getting more and more rights with the passage of time, while their sisters - they say - in the Islamic world are still being suppressed. The Muslims who they encounter say that in actuality it is the Islamic system that provides the true freedoms for men and women alike, and women in the West as well as men, are deceived into an idea of freedom which really doesn't exist. What I'd like to discuss this evening is exactly how Islam. looks to women. And therefore my discussion will be more upon - what we might say for the lack of a better term - the philosophical basis, rather than the individual practices which vary from one country to the other. How women are understood in Islam. cannot be properly understood - and this is more significant, I feel - unless one understands exactly what we might call the philosophical basis or ideological understanding - since this is really a theological concept.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">First, let's review how exactly women were thought of and understood in the western tradition, to compare and contrast perspectives. We know that the western tradition sees itself as the intellectual inheritors of the Greek tradition that existed before the prophet Jesus Christ (peace be upon him), and so therefore many of the intellectual traditions of the West are found to some degree in the writings of the early Greek philosophers like Aristotle, Plato and so forth.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">How did they look towards women? What were the ideas of Aristotle and Plato towards women? When one reviews the works of these early Greek philosophers, he finds that they had very disparaging views of women. Aristotle in his writings argued that women were not full human beings and that the nature of woman was not that of a full human person. As a result, women were by nature deficient, not to be trusted and to be looked down upon. In fact, writings describe that the free women in many aspects of the Greek society - except for the very few women of the elite classes - had positions no better than animals and slaves.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">This Aristotelian view of women was later carried on into the early Christian tradition of the Catholic church. Saint Thomas of Aquinas in his writings proposed that women were the trap of Satan. The issue of Adam and Eve added a dimension to the earlier Greek ideas of Aristotle; women were the cause of the downfall of man and therefore were Satan's trap and should be looked at with caution and weariness because they caused the first downfall of humanity and all thus evil precedes from women. This type of thought was persistent within the writings of the Church fathers throughout the Middle Ages. In their writings we find this theme proposed in one aspect or another. However, after the Protestant reformation Europe decided to free itself from the shackles and chains of the Catholic church. Ideas which have been entitled as the Age of Enlightenment or thought of as such, caused them to feel that they needed to free themselves from many of these ideas. Some of these ideas were scientific in nature, that the earth goes around the sun, instead of the sun going around the earth; theological in nature, as in the writings of Martin Luther; and also social in nature, like the position of women in society. However, the writers of the Enlightenment still carried this basic theme that was not much of a switch - women where not full human beings. French writers during the revolution, like Rousseau, Voltaire and others, looked at women as a burden that needed to be taken care of. This is why I believe it's Rousseau in his book "Emile", which he wrote concerning the education of women, proposed a different form of education for women based upon the fact that women were unable to understand what men were able to understand.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">This is the tradition that the West inherited and thereafter we find in the 1800's the first writings appearing by women and some men calling for the change of these ideas. And with this we have the origins of the first feminine movements. One of the first books written was the "Vindication for the Rights of Women" by Mary Walsencraft which appeared in the 1800's. Thereafter the tradition of women receiving certain rights came. The first of these were basically legal rights because until the 1800's women were not able to own property and were not able to dispose of their wealth as men did. It is very well known that the first laws that allowed women to own property in the United States or in Europe appeared only in the last couple of decades of the 1800's.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The Industrial Revolution caused another impetus, another search, to this feminist movement. Women in the Industrial Revolution, especially England, were forced to labor for many hours in the coal mines and so forth, and would receive no pay whatsoever compared to men. So therefore the first calling of the movement was that people who work the same amount of hours deserved the same amount of money or pay.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Finally a break occurred in this century of basically all which is understood from the Western tradition. Coming from the latter feminist movement which appeared after World War II, a new movement called for the emancipation of women not only in terms of legal rights, but it also questioned some of the morals of society and called for greater sexual freedoms for women and men alike. It contended that basically a lot of problems were caused by the institution of marriage and the ideas of family and so forth. People wrote concerning the need to break from these.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">And finally in the 1990's, the prevalent argument in the West is that we should discuss genders, not sexes. This idea was expressed recently in a book which came out a year ago called "The Age of Extremes". The author discusses the idea that there is no difference between male or female and that gender is so only due to environment. So therefore we can change the environment so that men could take the roles of women and women take the roles of men by changing the education and climate. This is where it has ended up now. So we find in this 2500 year old western tradition, we come from the first extreme which was expressed by the Greeks, where women were denied their essential humanity, to this extreme expressed today where there is no differences between the sexes and it is an issue of gender, climate and environment. This is, of course, a very brief summary of the first world view. I didn't do justice to those 2500 years in just those few minutes, but it just gives us an idea.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The other view which I would like to talk about in more detail is the Islamic view. How does Islam. look at the issue of women? Well, first of all, we should understand that Muslims unlike, for instance, the Greek philosophers or the French writers after the French revolution, do not feel that their concepts, ideas and beliefs are those of fellow men. But rather they believe that what they are taught, what they believe, what they practice, and all that is tied to this, is part of a divine revelation given to them by God. And so, its truth and veracity is not questionable because of it being revelation from God. The argument is that God knows best that which He created. He created human beings, He is a God of wisdom, and a God of all knowledge and so therefore He knows what is best. And He decrees that which is best for humanity, His creatures. Therefore, Muslims try to live by a code of law which is an expression of that belief.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Now I don't want to discuss the various details of the code of law because that, I feel, would not really benefit us in this lecture. Although perhaps some of that might come out in the question and answer session and I'll be glad to entertain any questions you might have. But what I would like to discuss is how does Islam. look at women, i.e. what is womanhood in Islam.? Did Muslims believe like the early Greek writers or early church fathers that women were not full human begins? Did they feel that women where Satan's trap, so therefore should be shunned and looked at as something evil and dangerous? How did they perceive women? Upon investigating into the traditions of Islam. which is, as I said, based on revelation known as the Qur'an, we find that it becomes very clear that Muslims are taught that men and women share a single humanity - that they are equal in their humanity and that there is no difference in the amount of human nature in them. We might now take that for granted, but as I explained, the initial western civilization was based on the fact that women were not full human beings.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">So this being something that was taught 1400 years ago was a revolutionary idea in the sense that it is only within the last 100 years or so that the issue of women being full human beings has come to be accepted in western intellectual circles. Initially, women were not considered full human beings.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The Qur'an in describing the origins of human beings tells them, the translation of which would be something like "O humanity! Verily we have created you from a single male and a single female, and have made you into tribes and peoples so that you may know one another. Verily the most honorable of you are those who are most pious with God." [49:13] This verse in the Qur'an teaches that humans come from a single male and a single female. The indication here is that the male and female in terms of their human nature are at an equal level. Likewise another verse, from a chapter which is known in the Qur'an as the chapter of Women - because most of the issues discussed there are laws dealing with women - starts off with a verse which could be translated as "O humanity! Verily We have created you from a single soul, and have made from it its mate," this is a reference to Adam and Eve, "and have made from both of them many people, men and women, and scattered them throughout the earth." [4:1] So here again is the issue of men and women and all human beings coming from a single source, a single family, a single set of parents. This shows that women share in full humanity with men.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Likewise in the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) - which is the second source of the Islamic religion - we find that the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said in a Hadith that indeed verily women are the twin halves of men. The Arabic word shaqaa'iq, which I translated as twin halves, means taking something and splitting it in half. The understanding is that there is a single humanity, a single essence which is shared, and there are twin halves of that - one is man and one is women. This is repeated often in the Qur'an The words of the Prophet Mohammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) also emphasize this. As I said, this is a very important concept to understand when one reflects on how traditional western civilization looked at women as not being full partners and not sharing in humanity. Although now, we might not find much surprise to that because it is a given perhaps that men and women are full human beings. But this is something that is a late occurrence in western traditions.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Let us take it to another step, what is the aim of humanity? What is the purpose for which human beings exist on earth, to what ends do they strive? What will occur to them if they strive to those ends and what will occur to them if they did not strive to those ends? Since Islam. is a religion which sees itself as revelation from God and the truth, Muslims would feel that human beings have a set purpose here on earth; that in everything of God's creation there is wisdom. There is nothing of God's creation that does not have any wisdom. There is nothing for sport or play and so therefore human beings have a purpose, and that purpose has been elucidated for them in the teaching of Islam. They were created to worship God. A verse from the Qur'an says that God says that He has not created human beings except to worship Him. So therefore, the essence of humanity is the same between male and female, and they also share the same aim and that is to worship God. And that is the most important issue in the Islamic culture and civilization. You know that the Islamic culture and civilization is rooted in religious belief. American civilization is rooted in what? In the writings of the founding fathers of the United States of America. It is rooted in the Declaration of Independence, the ideals which were placed therein. It is rooted in the Constitution of the United States. It is rooted in some of the arguments between monarchy or democracy which were written by some of the early writers or founding fathers. So it is rooted in a political thought. Yes, it might have some traditions which go back further and extend to certain ideas like in parts of Christianity and so forth, but in its essence it is a political thought, unlike Islam. which is a religion in its essence.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The civilization of Islam. - a civilization which is 1400 years old - is one which is rooted in religion. For a Muslim the greatest aim is to serve God, to worship God alone, and that is what the word Muslim means.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Muslim is not a racial description, it is not an ethnic category, Muslim means one who submits. Islam. means submitting to the will of God - the voluntary submission to God - so Islam. is a religion of submission. Therefore, in the most important aspect of the Islamic religion, we find that men and women share in the same aim and are expected to have the same responsibilities, in that men and women are both required or obligated to testify that there is none worthy of worship but Allah alone - God alone - and that Muhammad is His Messenger. Men and women are both obligated to pray five times a day, which is the second pillar of Islam. They are obligated to fast the month of Ramadan. They are obligated to make pilgrimage to Makkah. They are obligated to give charity. They are obligated to have the same beliefs. They are obligated to have the same type of morality and the same type of code of conduct and behavior.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Men and women share these essential ingredients of Islamic behavior, which define a Muslim from a non-Muslim. And this is of extreme importance because it breaks from the tradition of religions. For instance fifty years before the birth of the prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) who was born around 560 CE we find that there was a gathering of bishops in France to discuss whether women possessed souls or not, and that, if they do possess souls, what would be their purpose on earth? Was it to worship God? And if they worshipped God, would they go to paradise? In the end it was decided that, yes, women do possess souls - which was a break from previous tradition - but that their purpose was not just to worship God, but also to serve men.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">In Islam., however, the basis of submission is not that women are submitting to men, but that men and women together submit to God. So therefore, when you read the passages of the Qur'an, it becomes very clear that the obedient from among both the believing men and women receive paradise, which is the greatest aim and objective in a Muslim's life, and the basis of that civilization. Likewise, those who are disobedient and who are renegades, and who do not want to worship God also receive the same punishment whether they are male or female. This is why throughout the Qur'an you find the wording addressed to both males and females. The Arabic language like French has two types of verbs, one representing the feminine and one the masculine. So in the Qur'an you'll find both categories of the human race, both sexes, being addressed. This you find over and over and over. There is no need to now recite all these passages, but they are there if anyone wants to know.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">In summary we found three bases: that they share the same humanity, that they have the same aim on this earth, and also, they expect the same reward, which is the goal which they are working for collectively as human beings. And this is a break as I said from the previous religious traditions and also political and social understanding prevalent among the philosophers before the coming of Islam. And as a result of that, we find that Islam. accorded women rights which perhaps we take for granted now, but were given by God to men and women some 1400 years ago. These rights like the right to own property, the right to dispose of property according to their own wishes as long as they follow the laws of the religion of Islam., which apply the same for men or women and the right to certain what we would call now political rights, like the right to enter into a treaty with combatant, are something very recent relatively speaking in the West.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">One of the rights given by Islam. in the time of the prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) was that if a woman gives a treaty to a combatant from a non-Muslim attacking force - her treaty would be considered as was the case with a female companion of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam). In the Christian church these companions would be called disciples for instance, the disciples of the Prophet Muhammad are the companions as they are called. They were in the hundreds and thousands not just twelve as with Jesus Christ, and there are both men and women amongst them. When the prophet Muhammad came to Mecca, one of the women companions by the name of Umm Hani, who was an inhabitant of Mecca and a believer in the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam), accorded certain relatives of hers protection that they would not be harmed. Her brother who was one of the main companions of the Prophet Muhammad and married his daughter, Ali Bin Abi Talib, wanted to execute two of these men who were known for harming the Muslims and fighting against them. So Umm Hani went to the Prophet Muhammad and complained that she had accorded them protection and the Prophet recognized her giving protection to those two individuals.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">This is what we might call, in the classification and terminology that we now use, a political right. In the sense of according protection for another person during the state of war is something which is relatively new in the West and was a known tradition in the Islamic world 1400 years ago. Likewise, in terms of what we might call public participation, there are certain acts of worship which are public acts of worship in Islam., and there are certain acts of worship which are private. One of the public acts is the pilgrimage, when men and women all make pilgrimage, and this is one of the pillars of Islam. Likewise another public act of worship is the two `Eid prayers which occur twice a year, once after the pilgrimage and once after the pass of Ramadan. Men and women both participate in that publicly. Likewise, we have a verse which shows that the social contract between men and women is the same in Islam. This verse might be translated as the following: "And the believing men and women are," what we might translate as, "awliyaa" - the word in Arabic for friends or allies or supporters of one another, "they" - meaning men and women - "bid to that which is correct" i.e. they commend that which is correct, "and they forbid that which is evil". And this is a corrective process in society, removing evil and commending that which is good. And then "they perform the prayer", both men and women, "they pay the alms", or the charity to the poor, "and they obey God and His Messenger." And then God shows them the reward and that they are those upon whom God will have mercy and God is Almighty and All-Wise.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">So in this verse, we find that the social contract between men and women, as individuals in the society, is the same, that they both go for the highest goal of bidding or commanding that which is correct, forbidding that which is evil, and that they share in the two major acts of worship, which are the prayer and giving charity. They share in the beliefs and obedience to God and obedience to the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) and likewise, they share in the reward in the end of obtaining Allah's mercy. This is a very important concept, which is in contradiction with what the western tradition is upon today, and that is as I said as a result of the initial extreme of the Greek philosophers that women did not share in humanity. As the result of that extreme another extreme occurred - at least the Muslims consider it extreme - that there is no difference between men and women.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">So therefore, the idea of having genders - this is a term which is not used in a biological sense, as we might use the word sex in a biological sense for male and female, but the understanding today is that the traits that define maleness or femaleness, the social traits and so forth are determined by upbringing, culture, and environment and that there is no inherent difference in the way men and women think or act or what their make up is and so forth. And that is why they use the term gender.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">This extreme resulted from the initial extreme that occurred 2000 years ago, when the Greek thought that the women did not posses humanity. So as a result of this 2000 year processes we now come to another extreme - at least this is what Muslims would say - this extreme now is that men and women are the same, that there is no difference.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Islam., although confirming that men and women do share in the same essence of humanity, also confirms that men and women are different. But does this difference mean that men are inherently good or women are inherently evil? No. And this is why when you look at one of the verses in the Qur'an that sheds light on this aspect, God says, recounting His creation, that He is the One Who created the night, as it envelops, as it comes - if you look at the horizon, it comes like a sheet enveloping the horizon - and He is the One Who created the day as it comes bursting, shining, - that is how Sun rises and He is the One Who created male and female. And then the next verse says, verily, what you strive for - human beings are into different ends, diverse ends - some strive for God's pleasure, some strive for disobedience of God, some strive to do good to humans, some strive to do harm, different ends. But what is the example here? God mentions night and day and then mentions male and female. The understanding is, yes, night has a purpose, and in the Qur'an you always find verse after verse, describing that night has a wisdom behind it. And also it tells humanity that had it been only night and no day human beings could not live on earth. And this is now shown scientifically that if it was only night and there was no sunlight, certain hormones of body would not be able to reproduce and human beings would die. Life as we know it on earth would not exist. And likewise, day has its wisdoms behind it. But can one argue and say, that night is good and day is evil? No, and no Muslim would believe that. And can one argue and say that day is good and night is evil? No. Likewise, male and female also have their roles to play. But can one say that the role of men is inherently good and the role of women is inherently evil? No. And can one say the opposite to that - the role of women is inherently good and the role of men is inherently evil? No. But they both have a role.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">This is the main contention now between western thought and Islamic belief. Western thought has basically accepted, except for maybe some few corners perhaps in the Vatican or so, that men and women share in their humanity and that they are the same. Muslims have believed this for 1400 years. But the difference is that in western thought, as a reaction to the initial thought that women did not share humanity fully, the argument is that the roles of men and women in society are only defined by culture, environment and upbringing, therefore there is really no true role for men and no true role for women and that we can switch this, if we just teach the society correctly. But in Islam. there is a defined role for men and a defined role for women. Who is the one who defines this role for men and women? It's their creator. This is the major, if you want to use the term philosophical, even though it is an inaccurate term in that sense, but we can just use if for the lack of</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">better term, philosophical, ideological or theological difference between the two opposing arguments. Now with that said, it is important to understand that when Islam. gave these roles to men and women alike, it put responsibilities equal to obligations to both. I will give you an example for that: Islam. senses that women have the nature of mother not by cultural tradition or by sociological system but inherently are better in providing and taking care of the offspring, that there is a bond there which goes beyond tradition. A psychological bonding, a physical bonding, something which is more than just traditions of human beings. As a result of that it has placed greater responsibilities upon women towards their children are then those of men.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">At the same time, the obligations that children have towards their mother in Islam. is greater than they have towards their fathers, and this is why when the prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) was asked by a man one was his companions "Who should I befriend in this world?" The prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) replied "your mother." And then the man asked a second time, and the prophet replied your mother, and then a third time, and again he replied your mother, and on the fourth time, he said "your father". Likewise in the Qur'an we find that it tells human beings that your mother bore you from one hardship to the other hardship, talking about the labors and difficulties of pregnancy and childhood, and then fed you for two years, suckled you, and tells us to be kind to our parents and reminds us of our mother first before our fathers.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">The point is that even though it has defined a role for women with the children which is different than the role of the father, at the same time it gives women honor and respect from their children which is greater than that received by the fathers. The fathers do receive respect and their honor, they are not just thrown out of the picture, but it is given to them and according to the degree of their responsibility. And likewise, because the mother inherently, not just because of cultural tradition, has something inherent which makes that bond greater between her and her child then the male. She receives a greater honor and respect from the child and at the same time she is required to give a greater obligation.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">I only gave that as an example to show you that while Islam. recognizes differences between the sexes, it does not accept the concept that gender is just an issue of upbringing or cultural traditions, for there are inherent differences in males and females, and as a result of that the obligations and responsibilities of each of the two sexes are together. Imported from that is another matter that even though men and women are different, they are not in opposition to one another, which is the basis of much of the western thought and especially of feminist traditions. That there's a struggle between men and women, "There is a battle of sexes", as it is sometimes said in the popular sort of designation. This doesn't exist in Islam. Men and women work in tandem, just like day and night revolve, and you live in day time and you live in night time. You cannot live only in night, and you cannot live only in day, likewise, men and women are not against one another, they are not pitted against one another but rather they share in the same aim, the same purpose of being, the same humanity. They have different roles, but these roles complement one another and are needed by one another in order for the success of humanity, not in this world, but also - of course since Muslims believe in the hereafter- in the hereafter, which is the ultimate goal for Muslims.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Now, I would like to make one final comment and then I'll leave it open for questions. Let's look at the applicabilities of both of these programs. We discussed a lot of ideas, thoughts and beliefs and historical concepts, but when they are actually applied, which of the two view points is more successful. Which brings more bliss to humanity? Is it the secular western view or is it the Islamic view? And I have a concrete example which I'd like to share with you. When I was in Beijing this last summer for the UN 4th world conference on the women, there was a platform for action which was being discussed by the different nations and organizations there. The aim of the platform for action was to upraise, uplift, and to embetter the status of women around the world, which are of course noble and correct aims, there is no contention concerning that. The platform for action was divided into different areas of concentrations, such as poverty, health, finances, conflicts and violence and so forth, and one of it was the girl child. The 12th issue of the 12 concerned areas for the platform for action, the girl child, the status of girls - future women - in the world today. The country which was hosting the conference, China is known for the practice of killing girls. The reason why is because of their population. You can only have one child per couple and Chinese by their tradition view males as fewer then females and so as a result they will usually kill the female child, in hope that the wife gives birth to a boy.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">This is an issue which exists and because the hosts were the Chinese, the United Nations didn't really want to get into this issue. They didn't want to talk about it because it was not politically correct to address that issue in China. Moreover, even though they might have passed certain regulations, platforms for actions and certain commitments which they have required of citizens of the world to follow, they at the end will see that perhaps in twenty-five to fifty years the status of the world child will not have markedly improved.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">We can see from other things, one of the major issues which the United Nations was created for after World War II, was the slaughter of so many million human beings, six million Jews in Europe, and yet fifty years later, in the year of the fiftieth celebration of the UN, a genocide has taken place in Europe of the Bosnians. All the human rights, all of the declarations in the last fifty years has not been able to change anything on the ground. Now when the prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) was sent to the Arabs, the Arabs had the same practice. They used to kill their girl children. The Arabs killed their girls for a number of reasons, most of the time due to poverty. Being a desert people without industry or any sort of means of trade, existence was very minimal. And as a result, out of fear of poverty they would kill their girl children, and they would bury them alive. This is a fact which is mentioned in the Qur'an and was well known during the time of the prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam). God condemns in the Qur'an with verses, the idea of killing of the girl child, the burying in the ground, and also the attitudes of the Arabs towards girls. One verse in the Qur'an says that "when he is given the good news that his wife is given birth." God calls it a good news, " - to a female child, a girl - his face becomes blackened and he becomes ashamed. Will he hide the fact "that he has given birth to a girl and not tell the people, because he feels it as a shame. "Or will he bury it in the ground", this is a condemnation of the practice of the people. And likewise the companions of the prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) before they accepted Islam., many of them killed their girl children. One man came to prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) and said I killed ten of my daughters in my lifetime, will I receive paradise? For will God accept my repentance for this sin, now that I have left this pagan religion of before, worshipping idols and killing girl children and so forth. Within one generation, within 23 years this was how long the prophet was amongst the Arabs, the practice of killing girls ended. It no longer existed in Arabia. And likewise, it didn't just stop like that, but a change in attitude came towards women, in educating them and making morally upright people.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">People receive no other reward, but paradise. Again that is the greatest aim for the Muslim and that is their motivation and reason of being. So Islam not only tried removing the negative aspect of murdering girls, but also included the positive aspect of educating girls and raising them in society, and this brings me to my final point. This is something of course which we can look at the previous declarations of human rights or whatever, irrespective of whether these being true or false, but they have not been able to achieve the aims which they have stated. As the example of human rights and the UN in Bosnia shows.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Fifty years after the creation of the UN, there is no change in Europe, the same land which killed six million Jews. The same genocide of the Bosnians occurs fifty years later by the same people who started the UN. They are unable to stop their own from this matter, and with this I come to my final point, that I would like to leave you with. Islamic civilization unlike any other civilization is based, of course on revelation, but it is in its essence supported and founded by women. The first person to believe in Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) was his wife Khadeejah, and it was through her money and through her support of him, her financial backing, and also her encouragement that the prophet was able to spread the message of Islam. in his first year of prophecy. The pagans did not have the ideas of freedom of religion, that you can take your own beliefs. This was not practiced by the pagans of Arabia - they saw this as an insurrection, they saw this as a changing of their ways, so they sought to stop it out by torture, by killing and by all other means that they could. And likewise, they tried to stop the Islamic revelation, this tradition, when the prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) converted only the people of Arabia. But as you know there are about one billion Muslims in the world. They are in every single continent of the world, even in Beijing where the UN was convening. There was a mosque there which is over a thousand years old. And the neighborhood that lives there is about forty to fifty thousands Muslims. Now the king’s palace, the forbidden city in front of Tien Anh Man square which many of you have heard of, is only 500 years old. This shows how the growth of Islam. and the sprit of Islam. is not just a Middle Eastern phenomenon or an Arabian phenomenon but extends to all people and races throughout the world.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Where is this teaching from, of course when prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) died after twenty three years Islam. only spread in Arabia. This religion of Islam was basically spread by four or five individuals who had the most in teaching. One of them was the prophet's wife `Aa’isha. She is among the most to have narrated his statements and likewise she is amongst the three, four, five who have mostly given religious pronouncements, who have given religious verdicts, explained what these verses in the Qur'an meant or what the words of the prophet meant.</div><div class="style18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Look at any other civilization in the history of humanity, you will not find a women playing a role in its establishment where it can be attributed to her efforts for its establishment. The Greeks - look at the philosophers Plato, Aristotle and others - all were men. The early church fathers writings were basically men and until today the idea of women scholarship is limited in some areas of the church. The French writers at the French revolution and Voltaire and the Russians were men. The founding fathers of the United States were men, and also other civilizations are basically based upon men. Islam is the only civilization which is known by humanity where a leading input in terms of its transmission and establishment was based upon the efforts of women. Central - and this is an historical matter which is not open to interpretation, it is a fact - these are the people who transmitted these teachings these are the people who supported it hereafter. Those are just some thoughts and impressions concerning how Islam. uplifted women.</div></div>

Islam - Elevation of Women's Status

by Sheikh Ali Al-Timimi Assalaamu `Alaykum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuhu Al hamdu lillaah was salaatu was salaamu `alaa rasoolillaah, `amm...

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Why Were We Created?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="middle" class="style19" style="font-size: 12px;" valign="top"><div align="center"><img height="304" src="http://www.missionislam.com/discover/digrf/whycreated.jpg" width="470" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="style19" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><span class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">by Author: Bilâl Philips</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial;"></span><br /><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">All praise is due to All</span>â<span lang="EN-US">h and may His peace and blessings be upon his last </span>M<span lang="EN-US">essenger <em>sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam</em> and on all those who follow the path of righteousness until the last day.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">We have to answer the most fundamental question that every human being asks himself at some point in his or her lifetime. Not just Muslims, but every single human being.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong><span lang="EN-US">"Why was I created? Why am I here? What am I doing in this world? Why did God create me?"</span></strong></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">These questions, are questions which each and everyone of us reflects on at some point during their life. We have some answers, which are given generally, but usually these answers don’t satisfy us, they seem somewhat simplistic. We still wonder. "Why me? Why here?" I know all of you, generally speaking, in the back of your mind, you are saying "to worship Allâh, <em>khallas</em></span>(finish)<span lang="EN-US">, what more is there to say? Why do we need to have a big long talk on why we were created, when we all know it is to worship Allâh?" But wait, if this is presented to a non-Muslim, the next logical question would be  "why does Allâh want us to worship Him?" and then your stuck.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">It means, in our own minds it is not really clear to us. Why did Allâh create us to worship Him?</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">The question, why did Allâh create us, for some people, and we have to deal with those people around us, who don’t consider there to be any purpose in man’s creation because he is just a product of evolution that the forces of nature have produced him, and just as we don’t have apes, dogs or cows thinking about why they are here, then we don’t really have to think about it either. Of course that being the basis of the philosophy of western society, that man is without purpose, then the whole issue of government, morality etc has no basis in Revelation, there is no guidance there. The product of this is of course the corruption that we are living in.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">For a Muslim, when we go in to this topic, we have to find our understanding in divine revelation and not human speculation. Because human speculation has no bounds, we can imagine all kinds of things, and is any of you have studied philosophy of religion, you can see how many opinions exist about the creation of man and existence. Because of the variety of philosophies, which are out there, no one can say this one is correct or that one is incorrect, because there is no guidance behind it. No divine revelation. It is only from divine revelation that we can determine the reality of our creation, because it is Allâh who has created us and he knows the purpose of our creation. We can hardly understand ourselves, much less try to understand the essence of things.  So it is for Allâh to inform us through the revelation in the <em>Qur'</em></span><em>â</em><span lang="EN-US"><em>n</em> and the <em>Sunnah</em> which was brought by his last</span>M<span lang="EN-US">essenger <em>sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam</em> and the </span>M<span lang="EN-US">essengers before. Now if we are to look, initially into revelation, to determine why was man   created, there is a deeper question that we should be asking before that. "Why did </span>G<span lang="EN-US">od create?" Before we even get to man, why did god create, because man is not the greatest act of creation that we should be so focused on why man. No, because Allâh says:</span></div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>"The creation of the Heavens and the Earth is indeed greater then the creation of mankind; yet, most of mankind know not."</strong> </span>[<em><span lang="EN-US">S</span>û</em><span lang="EN-US"><em>rah</em>Ghâfir, verse 57</span>]</blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">Man is not the greatest act of creation, this universe is far more complex and far more magnificent then man. So the issue of creation should then go to why create? As opposed to simply why create man?</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">Fundamentally, we can say that the creation is the natural consequence of the attribute of creator. Allâh is the creator. That is one of his attributes. That is what he has informed us. That being his attribute, the creator, the natural consequence or the product of this attribute is his creation.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">A painter, if we are to draw a similitude on a lower level, who tells you that he is a painter, if you ask him where are his paintings and he replies I don’t have any. What kind of painter is this? The concept of a painter who doesn’t paint, there is some thing not quite gelling together here, of course Allâh is beyond this. But if we are to understand on the simplest level, the two go together. The perfection of a painter lies in his paintings. His quality and his ability to paint, is manifest in his paintings. And Allâh, beyond all that, as creator, this quality of creation is manifest in the creation itself. Allâh didn’t create out of a need. No, the fact that he is the creator, is manifest in the creation.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">Furthermore, consider the act of creation, this act, with regards to Allâh is unique. Though we use the term i.e. So and so created a table etc, actually it is in a limited sense. Human beings don’t really create, they manipulate, because they can only "create" what already exists. When we make a chair or a table, we didn’t create the wood, we had to take it from a tree, we didn’t create the metal, which makes the screws etc, we had to melt down rocks and take the metal out. So we are not creating from nothing. We are manipulating things which Allâh has already created in to different shapes and forms which are useful to us. We call it "creation" but the real act of creation, is creation from nothing, and this is unique to Allâh alone.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">This is a concept, which many people in ignorance, because they couldn’t grasp the idea of creation from nothingness, it lead them to conclude that the world is Allâh. Those who say "inside of each and every atom is Allâh." And you have people, who call themselves Muslims saying this. Non-Muslims have said this before and there are Muslims who claim this. That Allâh is inside each and everything, because Allâh is the reality and everything else is fake in their interpretation.  That means then, that the creation is Allâh, and Allâh is the creation. Very, very dangerous concept, which leads some of those who make this claim to say that you don’t have to worship outside of yourself. Ibn Arabi, was famous for this statement, he is considered to be one of the saints, amongst the so called <em>S</em></span><em>û<span lang="EN-US">f</span>î</em><span lang="EN-US"> religion. Ibn Arabi said "There is no need to worship one outside yourself, you are Allâh. It is sufficient to worship yourself." This is </span><em>S</em><span lang="EN-US"><em>hirk</em>.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">This concept of Allâh being within his creation, no distinction the creation and Allâh, it leads them to this shirk. Because they are unable to accept the uniqueness of Allâh’s creation, they compare the act of creation by Allâh to human creation. That is, just as we manipulate, Allâh took pieces of himself and made the earth and the universe. Others will say that all human beings have inside of themselves Allâh, that there is a part of Allâh inside each and everyone of us. The whole essence, the purpose of life is for us to realize that we have part of Allâh inside of ourselves, remove the material blocks which keep us from Allâh and again become one with Allâh in what they call "<em>fana</em>".  This is again a teaching of the <em>S</em></span><em>û<span lang="EN-US">f</span>î</em> <span lang="EN-US">religion.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">Becoming one with Allâh, returning back to Allâh in this sense. But this is in fact part of the teachings of <em>shirk</em>. Sha</span>y<span lang="EN-US">tân </span>(Satan) <span lang="EN-US">has deluded man into this imagination. It is part of the belief of the Hindus. Nirvana, the concept that when you die, you are reborn again, and you move up in stages, each time, if you are a good boy or good girl, you go up higher and higher, until you get to the top. You know you have reached the peak, because when you die the next time you become one with the universal soul, Nirvana. That is the end of rebirth. So your whole purpose is to return and become one with God again. This is all, as I said, a product of the inability to understand the concept of creation from nothingness, which is unique to Allâh. Allâh says:</span></div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>"There is nothing like him, and he is the hearer and seer of all."</strong></span></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">So when we try to interpret</span> Allâh’s <span lang="EN-US">creation like the way </span>we create, then we have made Him like his creation and it leads us ultimately to those aspects of <em>shirk</em> which I have mentioned. This is quite common amongst the Muslim world today, because when you look into the various branches of the <span lang="EN-US"><em>S</em></span><em>û<span lang="EN-US">f</span>î</em>religion, where they have prescribed various acts of purification, they call it <em>dhikr</em>, exercises to torture the body through spinning and dancing. What is the purpose of this? They will tell you, to liberate the soul from this earthly body and to achieve that state of "<em>fana</em>" or "<em>itih<span lang="EN-US">â</span>d</em>", a variety of names they have for it.</div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">It is this concept, which lead al-Hallaj, many centuries ago, when he was promoting this idea, and he was put before a panel of judges questioning these concepts, which he was expressing. When they asked him to recant, to take this stuff back, he stood up, opened up his cloak and said "There is nothing inside this cloak except Allâh". So they executed him. And of course, those in the <span lang="EN-US"><em>S</em></span><em>û<span lang="EN-US">f</span>î</em> religion, they have stories that when they cut his head off, it rolled around saying "Allâh, Allâh, Allâhu Akbar etc". It might have, that is <span lang="EN-US">Sha</span>y<span lang="EN-US">tân </span>may have entered and said these things, as happened with the calf of the <em>Isrealites</em>, when the Prophet Mûsa (Moses) let Egypt and the people, after crossing the red sea, had a desire to have a god that they could see, so they made a golden calf which they began to worship. This calf was saying "moo" like the calves do. This is what convinced them that this was the real thing. We know it wasn’t the calf saying this. The evil <em>jinn</em> can enter the in to physical entities, make sounds and give these impressions. So there is no problem for us to say ok, maybe when they cut of al-Hallaj’s head that it said these things, because this was part of a test. If we are clear in terms of creator and creation, this is no problem for us. </div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Allâh is the creator and everything besides Him is His creation, which He created from nothing. It is not Him, nor is He it. This is the pure concept as taught by the Prophet <em>sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam</em>, his companions, and the early generations of righteous scholars, the students of the companions and those who came after them. The best of generations. That is how they understood this matter. There was no confusion in their minds. It wasn’t until Islâm spread to areas like Egypt, India and Persia, areas where the Christians had already gotten into deep philosophies, trying to explain how Jesus was a man and god at the same time. When they came in to Islâm they brought it with them. This is the reality. It is not something we should necessarily condemn them for or feel is unusual. It is natural, when a person reverts to Islâm, that they will carry with them what they believed before. What has been clarified for them, of the basic principles, they accept, and they reject things, which obviously contradict. But it doesn’t mean that every last thought that they have, and everything that was wrong in their philosophies, ideology and concepts will be erased. They will carry these things in with them. This is why in the later part of the Prophet's <em>sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam</em> life, prior to his death, when he was coming back from one of the battles, his companions asked him to set aside a tree for them, that they could hang their weapons on, like the way the pagans would hang their weapons on trees, believing that when they hung the weapons, it became super-powerful, as if some power was coming from the tree, that their shields would now block steel and their swords would cut through the enemy. Some of the companions who had newly accepted Islâm, asked the Prophet <em>sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam</em> to designate one for them, a special one, an Islamic one. They understood that what the pagans had, this was wrong. These were the companions of the Prophet <em>sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam</em> and he had to clarify it for them. He said:</div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em>You are like the companions of Mûsâ who asked to have the calf built.</em></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">And he clarified for them that all of this is shirk and there is no place for it in Islâm. So if it could happen to some of the companions, then we cannot blame the generations who have come after them, who come into Islâm and carry with them some of their old ideas. What it is for us to do is to clarify.</div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">So what we have in front of us then, is that Allâh created this universe out of nothing, and everything that is in it was created. For example:</div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"Allâh created all things, and he is the agent, upon which, all things depend."</strong> [<em><span lang="EN-US">S</span>û</em><span lang="EN-US"><em>rah</em> </span>39, verse 62]</blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">This is the reality. This is stressed for us, in order for us to realize that ultimately, all good, all evil, that takes place in the world, only takes place by the permission of Allâh. Therefore we should not seek any other channels to protect ourselves from evil, or to gather for ourselves good, as people commonly do today. They will go to fortunetellers, this is big business today, all the magazines have various forms of fortunetellers like dial a horoscope etc. in a society that has lost touch with Allâh, this is what is open to them. Allâh has stressed for us that no calamity will befall us except by Allâh’s permission;</span></div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><strong>"Nothing is taking place in this world except by the permission of Allâh."</strong></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">And the </span>P<span lang="EN-US">rophet <em>sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam</em> further emphasized this principle by saying;</span></div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US"><em>"If the whole of mankind gathered to do some thing to help us, they could help in anything which Allâh had not already written for us. And if the whole of mankind gathered together to harm us, then they would not be able to harm with anything which Allâh had not already written for us."</em></span></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">Therefore what is required of us is to depend on Allâh, put our trust in Allâh. This is what we have to draw out of this attribute of Allâh being the creator. This creation exists because of that attribute. Its practical significance to us lies in putting our trust in Allâh.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">There is another aspect, besides the fact that the creation exists because Allâh is the creator. We can also see from what the </span>P<span lang="EN-US">rophet <em>sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam</em> has informed us, that in the creation there is manifestation of Allâh’s attributes of mercy, forgiveness, kindness etc etc. Allâh created man in paradise, they disobeyed Allâh, but Allâh had taught them how to repent, how to turn back to him and seek his forgiveness, then he would forgive them. Having done that, they were forgiven, Adam became the first prophet, and mankind was absolved of that sin. The story of Adam and Eve is the story of human existence. Human beings are given a consciousness of Allâh. When Allâh created all human beings, as he states in the <em>Qur'ân</em>, he took from </span>Â<span lang="EN-US">dam </span>(Adam) <span lang="EN-US">all of his descendents, and made them all bear witness that Allâh is their </span>L<span lang="EN-US">ord. So we are all born with that consciousness. He has also given us a consciousness of what is right and what is wrong.</span></div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>"We have inspired each and every soul to an awareness of corruption and righteousness."</strong></span></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">Allâh gave revelation through his commandments, not to eat of the tree. However, human beings forget. And when they forget Allâh then they fall into sin. We can absolve ourselves of that sin by means of repentance, and Allâh forgives us when we repent sincerely. The </span>P<span lang="EN-US">rophet <em>sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam</em> said;</span></div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US"><em>"The one who repents is like the one without sin."</em></span><br /><span lang="EN-US"><em>"If you did not commit sins and turn to Allâh seeking his forgiveness, then he would replace you with another people who would sin, ask Allâh’s forgiveness and he would forgive them."</em></span></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">So in our sinning and asking Allâh’s forgiveness, the attribute of Allâh’s mercy and forgiveness becomes manifest. Allâh knew what we were going to do before he created us, he knew that he was creating a species who would sin. If he didn’t wan t them to sin, if it was not his intention to permit them to sin, then he could have created angels, more angels. But the had already created angels, so he chose to create a being, that would disobey his commandments through forgetfulness or just simple disobedience, but would turn back to him in repentance, and his attribute of forgiveness would become manifest. Similarly, his mercy;</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">The Prophet <em>sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam</em> is quoted as saying that when Allâh created the universe, He made an obligation on Himself, recorded in a document, kept by Him, that <em>"My mercy precedes my wrath."</em> He <em>sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam</em> also was reported as saying;</span></div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US"><em>"Allâh created mercy with a hundred parts. One of which was sent down upon the jinn and human beings and other living creatures. It is out of this one part that they love each other, show kindness to one another, and even the animals treat their offspring with affection. Allâh has reserved the remaining ninety-nine parts for his true worshippers on the Day of Judgment."</em></span></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">This is the mercy of Allâh manifest in his creation. What is also manifest in creation, in the act of creation, the creation of man, is his attribute of justice, fairness, which comes out as the judgment at the end of this world. I am sure we have all read the </span><em>ah</em><span lang="EN-US"><em>adîth</em> in which the </span>P<span lang="EN-US">rophet <em>sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam</em> said</span>:</div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US"><em>"Allâh created some people for hell and some people for paradise."</em></span></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">For allot of people, this is something very heavy. And the companions, they asked the prophet <em>sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam</em> then what is the point in doing good deeds? If Allâh created some for heaven and some for hell then what is the pin in doing anything? It has already been decided. The</span>P<span lang="EN-US">rophet <em>sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam</em> said</span>:</div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US"><em>"Each one of you will find it easy to do what he was created for."</em></span></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">So if you choose the evil way, you find it easy and you carry on in that way, then that was what you were created for. But ultimately it is your choice. You choose hell. The fact hat Allâh has recorded, before anything was created, who would be in hell and who would be in heaven does not change the fact that it is we who choose. The judgment is only to manifest to those who go to hell, that they deserve to be in hell. It is only for them basically. Because if Allâh created you, and put you in paradise, with all that is in paradise, and you see those people in hell suffering, are you going to ask Allâh, why did you put me in paradise? No. your going to say "all praise be to Allâh!" you don’t want to question or to wonder, all you will be is ecstatic that you are of those in paradise. So the judgment is not for you, it is for those who are going to hell. If you happen to be amongst those who were created for and put in hell, you would say, why me? Why did you put me in hell? And Allâh would say; because you would have done so and so in your life. But you would say; no, no I wouldn’t. If  you give me a chance I would do good deeds. You would not give up arguing.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">So Allâh has allowed us to live out our lives. So when we stand before him, our book of deeds is spread before us, we know without a shadow of a doubt, that we chose hell. That Allâh’s judgment is just. There is no injustice in it, in any way shape or form. Allâh says he oppresses no one. We will know that we chose hell.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">And the only thing that remains for us, and I pray that it is not in fact us, who are going to hell, is to beg Allâh for another chance. Allâh says;</span></div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>"If you cold only see when the sinners will bow their heads before their lord, saying; O Lord, we have now seen and heard, so send us back and we will do righteous deeds. Verily, we now believe with certainty."</strong></span></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">This is the only response, which will be left for them. Or as Allâh said;</span></div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>"And those whose light scales of good deeds, they ruined themselves and they will be in hell eternally. The fire will burn their faces, and they will grin with disfigured lips, I will say to them; Were My Verses not recited to you, and you rejected them? They will reply; Our Lord, our misery overcame us and we were a people astray. Our Lord, bring us out of this, and if we ever return we will truly be unjust."</strong></span></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">When we die, there remains behind us a barrier, the <em>Barzakh</em>, none of us will come back, it is a one-way ticket. Those poor individuals who think they will get another chance, this is the new age religion, they think it is new, but it is just plain old </span><em>H<span lang="EN-US">indu</span></em><span lang="EN-US"> delusion, that when you die, you get another chance to come back again. The effects of this actually, among </span><em>H<span lang="EN-US">ind</span>us</em><span lang="EN-US">, where I am in the UAE, there are a lot of </span><em>Hi</em><span lang="EN-US"><em>ndus</em> here, everyday in the news paper you read about a </span><em>H<span lang="EN-US">indu</span></em><span lang="EN-US"> man or woman who ties a rope to a ceiling fan, which is found in many of the homes, put it around their neck, kicked away the chair and passed out of this world. Suicide is common amongst them. Why? Because they think they have another chance. It will be a rude awakening for them when they meet the angel of death and find themselves in the next life, realizing that there is no coming back.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">In the creation of man is manifest the grace of Allâh. This is a particular point which all of us should reflect on and be thankful to Allâh for. His grace, and Christians, they like to refer to us </span>M<span lang="EN-US">uslims as those who don’t believe in the grace of God, we are those who look at God’s judgment and it is just about deeds, you do good then you go to heaven, you do bad and you go to hell, that is it, no grace there at all. For them the grace of God is there for all those who accept that he became a man, and was crucified by man, to provide salvation for human beings who’s sins had become so great that they could not remove that sin through any act themselves. So it was with the spilling of the "Blood of God" that we could be absolved of our sins. For them, if you accept that God spilt his blood for mankind’s salvation, then you have earned the grace of God. Does not matter what you do as long as you have accepted this belief in the grace of God.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">Muslims also believe in the grace of God. Actually it plays a major and significant role. Often it is not stressed but it is important for us to realize how the grace of Allâh is manifest in our creation. The </span>P<span lang="EN-US">rophet<em> sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam</em> said;</span></div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US"><em>"Observe moderation, but if you fail, try to do as much as you can moderately and be happy. For none of you will enter Paradise only because of his deeds."</em></span></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">Of course when the companions heard that they said;</span></div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US"><em>"O messenger of Allâh, not even you? And the prophet sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam said, not even me. Were it not that Allâh wrapped me in his mercy. And bear in mind that the deed most loved by Allâh is one done constantly even if it is small"</em></span></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">What does this mean? It means that God’s grace is manifest in our lives in that were He to call us to account, one good deed, one evil deed, equal to each other, then we would not enter paradise, not even the prophets of Allâh. But Allâh through his grace and mercy has multiplied the value of the good deeds. Allâh says;</span></div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><div dir="ltr"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>"Whoever brings a good deed, shall the value of ten like it. And whoever brings an evil deed will be punished with one like it. And they will not be wronged."</strong></span> [<em><span lang="EN-US">S</span>û</em><span lang="EN-US"><em>rah</em> </span>Â<span lang="EN-US">l</span>-'<span lang="EN-US">Imrân, verse 160</span>]</div></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">This is Allâh’s grace. Good deeds erase evil deeds. One good deed will erase at least ten evil deeds. Allâh’s grace is not arbitrary, simply because you say I believe you have his grace, no matter what you do, no. The more good you do, the more of his grace is manifest in you. If you chose evil and reject the good, then you don’t receive His grace, it doesn’t matter what you say. If you say, I am a Muslim, I believe, but really you don’t believe, it is just some words you are saying, them you will not be subject to the grace of Allâh.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">So the creation is a manifestation of Allâh’s attribute of being the creator. In the creation of man within the scheme of things, there is manifest Allâh’s attribute of mercy, his attribute of justice and this is the reason for the creation of man from the point of view of Allâh. From human perspective, why did God create man in terms of for what purpose? Then this is the one we all know and are familiar with;</span></div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>"We did not create the jinn and men except to worship us"</strong></span> [<em><span lang="EN-US">S</span>û</em><span lang="EN-US"><em>rah</em> </span>a<span lang="EN-US">dh-Dhari</span>yy<span lang="EN-US">at, verse 56)</span></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">So relative to Allâh, we were created in a means or a way in which Allâh has chosen to manifest his attributes of creation, mercy, grace etc and he could have chosen another one. But relative to us as human beings, we know that our purpose is to worship Allâh. As we said, Allâh does not need our worship, a Allâh didn’t need to create. When he created us to worship him, he didn’t create us, out of a need for our worship, because Allâh has no needs. In a famous <em>had</em></span><em>î<span lang="EN-US">th quds</span>î</em><span lang="EN-US"> in which Allâh says;</span></div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><em><span lang="EN-US">If all of you, jinn and mankind, were to worship like the most righteous amongst you, it would not increase the dominion of Allâh in any way shape or form. And if all of us, jinn and mankind</span> ...</em></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">Therefore when we look for the purpose of worship, we have to look into man. Allâh created us to worship him, because we need to worship him. It is something he has given us as a means of benefiting ourselves. We are the ones who benefit from it. Worship has been established, fundamentally for the growth, the spiritual growth of man. This growth takes place through the remembrance of Allâh. When you look at all the different aspects of worship, you will see the core of it is focused on the remembrance of Allâh.</span></div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>"Establish the prayer for My remembrance." </strong></span></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">This is the essence for the consciousness of God. Allâh says that he has</span>:</div><blockquote class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>"…prescribed for us fasting, as he prescribed it for those before us, so that we may fear him."</strong></span></blockquote><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">Worship is there for us to remember Allâh. And it is in the remembrance of Allâh, that we achieve that consciousness. Because it is when we forget Allâh, that Sha</span>y<span lang="EN-US">tân causes us to disobey Allâh and fall into sin. So it is only in His remembrance that we can attain salvation. All of the various acts of worship from saying "<em>Bismill</em></span><em>â<span lang="EN-US">h</span></em><span lang="EN-US">" when we eat is to help us remember Allâh in order to grow spiritually.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Allâh has said that he has created us to test us, to see which of us is best in deeds. He is not testing us to know, in the sense that he doesn’t  already know, but this world is a test for us in order again that we can grow spiritually.</div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">We cannot develop this spiritual characteristic of generosity unless some of us have more then others and then we are required to give of the wealth we have. When we give, we grow. Similarly, if we were not in a position where others had more then us then we wouldn’t have the ability to develop the higher spiritual quality of contentment, patience, satisfaction in what Allâh has given us.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">So it is all there in order to bring out the higher spiritual qualities, which enable us to attain the state, which makes us suitable and eligible to return to paradise. The paradise from which we were created, we were created in paradise and for paradise. Through our choices we have left, in this life, a field of testing, where we can grow to a state where we deserve paradise.</span></div><div class="style20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"><span lang="EN-US">The purpose of this life is the worship of Allâh, this life is a test. A test for us, will we worship Allâh, or will we forget Him. This is where our focus has to begin.</span></div></div>

Why Were We Created?

by Author: Bilâl Philips All praise is due to All â h and may His peace and blessings be upon his last  M essenger  sallallâhu 'alayhi w...

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