Women and Gender in Islam

Women and Gender in Islam

(Alimah Sobia Hasan)

Are men and women equal in Islam?

Men and women are not equal to each other. Men are not superior to women, women are not inferior to men.

Women and men are mutually superior to each other.

They have the same spiritual potential and same opportunity to gain knowledge of deen and dunya in Islam. Men and women both can become scholars of all the sciences of deen, and become close to Allah (wali of Allah).

The purpose of life is to worship Allah.

Allah has placed a division of labour in dunya. This does not mean that Allah wishes to deprive women.

Are men guardians over women?

Men are caretakers of women 4:34

Qawwamoon=caretaker, guardian

There will always be more barakah in following the advice of the husband and the father.

Inheritance: do women get half as much as men?

Three types of cases:

1. Woman gets half as much as a man
2. Equal shares
3. Woman gets twice as much as a man

verse 4:11

A woman is supported by her father or husband. Even if you are a neurosurgeon you have the right to stay home and do nothing the whole day and have your husband provide for you.

A woman’s money in shariah is 100% her own money.

The woman gets mahr when she gets married.

1. Son/daughter: son gets double compared to daughter because he has to support his parents, wife and children. He has to give mahr. He has to earn.
2. When deceased leaves behind children and parents, both parents receive equal share (one third).
3. When a son dies, mother gets ⅓ and father ⅙. If there are only parents left and no children. Because women usually live longer than men, and men earn.

Parents can give children equal amounts by gifting them equal amounts in their lifetime. (You can’t do it on your deathbed.)

You can make a will for up to ⅓ of your wealth, the rest is distributed Islamically.

Testimony of a woman

2:282

The greatest testimony a person can give in our deen (after the shahada) is to say that I heard a saying from the Prophet s.a.w.

Testifying in court to a crime or a financial transaction.

To prevent a woman from going to a court of law alone. And to cut unnecessary intergender interaction if there were one man and one woman only as witnesses. The two women can mutually support each other.

Four types of cases:

1. A woman’s testimony is half (in court, crimes, financial transactions).
2. A woman’s testimony is equal (for a hadith, for testifying to a will.)
3. A man’s testimony doesn’t count (childbirth, number of menstruation cycles after divorce, wet nursing).
4. Only a man can testify

Hijab

Deen of fitrah

7:22

Zeenat (beautification)

Khimar (head cover)

Jilbab (outer garment)

Hijab (literally means barrier)

Lowering the gaze 24:30-31

The cosmetic industry focuses on the face. Concealer, primer, base, dark circle remover, blush-on, contouring brush, different brushes, eye shades, eye liner, eye pencil, eye gel, mascara and neverending!

We have to be honest with ourselves as to what is considered beautiful, when we understand the command to cover our zeenat.

Dress simply, wear sombre colours (of abaya).

Don’t fall for the belief that nobody falls for a girl in hijab or abaya. See what happens in MSAs.

The burial shroud of a man and a woman is different; women’s shroud is more covered.

Khimar: hair cover, chest cover.

Jilbab: Wrapped from head to feet, face and nose covered.

Covering the hands is mustahab, not farz.

State of Ihram

The cloth can’t touch your face in ihram, but you are still supposed to cover your face such that the cloth does not touch your face.

Intergender Interaction

The Prophet s.a.w used to address women on Wednesdays.

It is appropriate to sit in a car with a driver because the windows are see-through and you can exit the car any time (fatwa).

33:32

When the purest of women are told to guard themselves against the purest of men, then who are we to say that we do not need to follow these guidelines.

The precautions are necessary for the purity of the hearts.

Do we think we are purer than Amma Ayesha r.a?

Are men allowed to beat their wives?

4:34

If men fear “nushuz” from their wives, i.e. disobedience to Allah and to the husband. For example, adultery. “Faizuhunna”, counsel her, admonish her. Then separate your bed from her. Another step not mentioned in the ayah is to call people to reconcile the couple. Finally, hit her. Does this mean husbands are allowed to beat their wives?

The maximum limit is to hit with a miswak, three times.

The Quran is best understood through the example of the Prophet s.a.w.

Impermissible to beat wife out of anger. It is haram.

Physical and spiritual health

Physical and spiritual health

(Shaykh Kamaluddin Ahmed)

Allah has made human (insan) in a very incredible way. Physicians are well versed with the incredible nature of human creation. There are different aspects of health: physical, mental and spiritual. A truly healthy person is healthy on all three counts.

Spiritual health is something in the heart, is has to do with the qalb and nafs of a person. Inside the person is a ruh, and the heart of the ruh, called the qalb. The spiritual heart is the most critical part of a person’s ruh. If someone has spiritual heart disease, it’s a serious matter.

If I showed up to you with a blood test, and all the levels of blood substances are beyond the normal range, you would think it was a very serious matter. Same with spiritual health.

Suhbah: The Prophet s.a.w did the tazkiyah of the Companions through Suhbah.

Ashab us suffah.

The Companions asked questions from the Prophet s.a.w.

Itiba. Following the Prophet s.a.w

If you don’t know, ask the people of zikr. (Quran)

First things first. Fix your salah! Salah is the daily check. Prayer is when the lover is talking to the Beloved. Can a lover say that when I am alone with my Beloved, and talking with my Beloved, I feel no love at all?

If someone says they can’t taste sweet flavour, no matter how much sweet you give them, that means that they are ill.

Why don’t we pray a goal oriented prayer? The goal of salah is to love, remember Allah. Salah is a test of our spiritual health.

We have to get busy. It would be so tragic if someone is so talented in dunya but has no talent in deen.

Not everyone of you will be able to reach the height of your profession in dunya. However, every single one of you has the potential to be the wali of Allah.

You can be a Jannati Sahabi.

You can take one shukr candy a day. Open your fridge, do shukr to Allah.

Find an opportunity to have sabr towards Allah. The only thing that happens when you are not patient, is that you lose out on Allah. It’s about changing your heart.

If you give a fellow believer an unexpected happiness, Allah’s Mercy will come on you and you will be forgiven by Allah.

Ramadan is not the month to change your schedule. Ramadan is the month to change your heart.

The importance of zikr (remembrance of Allah)

"The person gets the noor of this ilm through mujahida. Imagine if you try to fly an aircraft without fuel. The aircraft is going to crash. This is what happens to us. When we try to acquire knowledge of the deen, also trying to keep our parents and family happy, all of a sudden we feel like we are crashing. You are not going to be able to do this mujahida if you do not do this zikr. If you don't give the fuel you need you are going to crash and everyone else on the aircraft is also going to crash with you. Zikr is the ruh of everything, it is the ruh of ibadat, the ruh of ilm, the ruh of khidmat."
(Alimah Sobia Hasan)

Summary of 9th juz of the Quran

Recap Juz 9

After narrating these incidents Allâh says, "When your Rabb extracted from the backs of the children of Âdam their progeny and called them to witness over themselves saying, 'Am I not your Rabb?' They replied, 'Certainly! We attest to it.'" (verse 172)

Allâh then says that those people who are greedy and live only to fulfil their desires are like dogs that pant with their tongues hanging out. Allâh has made Jahannam for these people because "They have hearts with which they cannot understand, they have eyes with which they cannot see and they have ears with which they cannot hear. (In fact) They are like animals, but even more deviated." (verse 179)

Allâh tells Rasulullâh Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam it that if the Kuffâr call him a wizard or a madman, he should not heed their taunts and should tell them that he is a warner to them and a bearer of glad tidings to those who will accept his message.

Allâh also explains to Rasulullâh Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam that he should bear the harassment of the Kuffâr with tolerance so that any reaction of his should not obstruct the propagation of Islâm.

In verse 199 Allâh enjoins Rasulullâh Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam saying, "Adopt forgiveness, enjoin what is right and ignore the ignorant." In addition to this, Allâh also commands Rasulullâh Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam to engage in dhikr morning and evening in the heart as well as verbally.

We should pray to Allâh to grant us the ability to accept the Prophethood of Rasulullâh Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam both verbally and practically.

May He also grant us conviction in the Âkhirâh and make us among those who can sincerely ask from Him.

Âmîn.

Allâh opens Sûrah Anfâl by discussing the distribution of the spoils of war. Allâh says, "The spoils of war are for Allâh and His messenger." (i.e. Rasulullâh would distribute one‑fifth of the booty among those who were deserving).

Thereafter Allâh invokes man saying, "So fear Allâh, correct your mutual relations and obey Allâh and His Nabî if you are believers." (verse 1).

Allâh then described the true Mu'minîn when He says, "The Mu'minîn are those whose hearts tremble when Allâh is mentioned, whose faith [Imân] increases when His verses are recited to them and they trust only in their Rabb. They are those who establish Salâh and spend from what We have provided for them. These are the true Mu'minîn! For them shall be ranks by their Rabb, forgiveness and bountiful sustenance." (verses 2-4)

Allâh then mentions the assistance that He rendered to the Muslims during the Battle of Badr when He sent thousands of angels to fight with them. Allâh also cast fear into the hearts of the Kuffâr despite their overwhelming numbers.

Allâh then declares that there awaits a severe punishment for those who oppose Allâh and Rasulullâh.

Thereafter, Allâh exhorts the Mu'minîn to fight in Jihâd with fervour. Allâh says, "Oh you who believe, when you meet the disbelievers in battle, do not turn your backs to them" (verse 15).

Allâh says that the person who flees from the battlefield because of cowardice shall draw Allâh's wrath upon himself.

Towards the end of the Juz, Allâh says, "Fight them until no anarchy [kufr] exists and all religion (worship) is for Allâh. So if they desist (from kufr and shirk), then indeed Allâh is watchful over what they do. If they turn away, then know that Allâh is your Protecting Friend. What a terrific Friend and what a terrific Helper!' (verses 39 and 40).

End of the ninth Juz

Summary of 8th juz of the Quran

Recap Juz 8

Allâh commands Rasulullâh Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam to announce to the people, "Certainly my Rabb has guided me to the straight path ... Surely my Salâh, all my acts of worship, my life and my death are for Allâh, the Rabb of the universe. He has no partner. With this have I been commanded and I am the first of those who surrender." (Sûrah An'âm, verses 161-163)

The following aspects have been emphasised in this Sûrah:1. Never ascribe any partner to Allâh.2. Treat parents kindly.3. Never slay your children for fear of poverty because Allâh sustains everyone.4. Never even come close to acts of promiscuity and immodesty.5. Never take the life of any person without a legal right to do so.6. Be just when weighing and measuring.7. Always speak the truth and implement justice even though it may impact negatively on one's relatives.8. Keep your word to Allâh and to fellow man.

Much of Sûrah A'râf concerns about the Âkhirah.

In this regard Allâh instructs man to"Follow what has been revealed to you from your Rabb and, leaving Him aside, do not follow other companions" (verse 3). Allâh also says, "We shall definitely question those to whom Ambiyâ were sent and We will surely question the Ambiyâ." (verse 6)

People will be questioned about whether they followed the teachings of the Ambiyâ and the Ambiyâ will also be asked whether they fulfilled the task of propagation and about the attitude of their people.Every person will definitely have to pass the scales to have his/her acts weighed.

Allâh draws man's attention to the fact that rejecting the truth like Qiyâmah and Risâlah [prophethood] is an act of Shaytân.

To illustrate this point, Allâh mentions the disobedience of Shaytân when he refused to prostrate to Hadhrat Âdam when Allâh commanded him to do so.

Allâh warns man not to act in a similar manner. Allâh also mentions that He granted man many favours when He settled him on earth and also granted him honour by commanding the angels to prostrate before his father Hadhrat Âdam Alayhis Salâm.

However, despite all these boons, man is still ungrateful.

Later in the Sûrah, Allâh cautions man not to transgress the limits that Allâh has set because "Allâh does not like those who transgress."

Allâh declares that He has forbidden all acts of immodesty, be they secret or public.

He has also forbidden people from ascribing partners to Him and from ascribing false statements to Him. This is referred to in verse 33 where Allâh says, "And that you say against Allâh what you do not know."

In verse 40 Allâh says, "Indeed those who deny our verses and are arrogant towards them, the doors of the heavens will not be opened to them and they will not enter jannah until a camel enters through the eye of a needle." It will therefore be impossible for them to enter Jannah.

On the other hand, the righteous ones have been promised entry into Jannah. Therefore, the Mu'minîn should respond to Allâh's call with hope in His mercy and fear for His punishment because Allâh's mercy is definitely close to the righteous ones.

Thereafter Allâh relates the incidents of several Ambiyâ and states how the nations of these Ambiyâ refused to accept the truth, thereby inviting Allâh's punishment to annihilate them.

These incidents are intended to be lessons for people so that they accept the message of Rasulullâh Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam.

End of the eighth Juz

Summary of 7th juz of the Quran

Recap Juz 7

Allâh also draws man's attention to the fact that the person who forbids something that Allâh has permitted will be guilty of following his carnal desires [his nafs] instead of Allâh's injunctions.

An example of this is the concept of monasticism that the Christians devised by which they would totally forsake the world and forbid themselves Halâl pleasures. This concept is incorrect and impermissible.

Allâh also reminds the Mu'minîn that they will be taken to task for every oath that they fail to fulfil.

The Kafâra [atonement] for breaching such a promise is that a person should either feed ten poor people, clothe them, set a slave free or fast for three days.

Allâh also urges Muslims not to take intoxicants, not to gamble and not to divine the future. Allâh declares these acts to be Harâm (temptations) of Shaytân.

Sûrah Mâ'idah mentions how Allâh will question every Nabî about his nation. They will declare that they only did as they were told and that Allâh alone knows the reality of all hidden matters. The Sûrah also mentions the penalty for hunting an animal while in the state of Ihrâm. Of course, every such situation has its own unique set of circumstances, which will necessitate a unique ruling. These matters should be referred to the men of knowledge.
On the Day of Qiyâmah Allâh will remind Hadhrat Îsa Alayhis Salâm about his miraculous birth, about the various miracles that Allâh allowed him to perform and about the favours that Allâh bestowed on him and his mother Hadhrat Maryam (R.A). Allâh will then ask him, "O Îsa, son of Maryam! Did you tell the people, 'Take myself and my mother both as deities instead of Allâh?'"Hadhrat Îsa will deny that he ever encouraged this and will accede, 'You know what is in my heart... I only told them what You had commanded me with i.e. 'Worship Allâh, Who is my Rabb and your Rabb!' ... If You punish them, then verily they are Your slaves, and if You pardon them, then surely You are the Mighty, the Wise.'" (verses 116-118 of Sûrah Mâ'idah).
Sûrah An'âm commences after Sûrah Ma'idah. Allâh mentions that it has always been the practice of the Kuffâr to ridicule the Ambiyâ and to call them wizards. However, Allâh's Dîn will always conquer and rise, while the Kuffâr will suffer a terrible doom for their falsehood.

Whereas Allâh provides sustenance to people and does not require any sustenance from them, other gods cannot provide sustenance for their devotees but rather require sustenance from them.

Allâh exhorts Rasulullâh Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam not to be distressed about the aversion of the Kuffâr, but to be patient because Allâh will definitely assist him.

The Sûrâh makes it clear that none will be required to account for the actions of another on the Day of Qiyâmah and every person will be held responsible for his/her own acts. On the Day of Qiyâmah the Kuffâr will come to learn the errors of their ways.On that day, all kingdoms will belong solely to Allâh and none shall have any say in any matter.

After describing how Hadhrat Ibrahîm recognised Allâh as his true Deity, Allâh tells the Quraysh of Makkah that his people denied him just as they (the Quraysh) deny the message of Rasulullâh Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam.

The conclusion is drawn from this that the Quraysh also stand to face the same destructive consequences as the people of Hadhrat Ibrahîm Alayhis Salâm did.

Allâh also points out that the worst oppressor is the one who lies about Allâh and who rebels against Allâh's commands. Oppressors will never be successful, especially in the Âkhirâh. Allâh has promised that the Day of Qiyâmah shall take place.
Allâh advises the Women never to swear the gods of others so that they do not retort by swearing Allâh.

End of Seventh Juz

Summary of the 6th juz of the Quran

Recap Juz 6

The final section of Surah An-Nisaa returns to the theme of the relationship between Muslims and the "People of the Book" (i.e. Christians and Jews). The Quran warns Muslims not to follow in the footsteps of those who divided their faith, added things to it, and went astray from the teachings of their prophets.

As discussed before, much of Surah An-Nisaa was revealed shortly after the Muslims' defeat at the Battle of Uhud. The very last verse of this chapter outlines the rules for inheritance, which was immediately relevant to the widows and orphans from that battle.

The next chapter, Surah Al-Ma'ida, opens with a discussion of dietary laws, pilgrimage, marriage, and criminal punishment for certain crimes. These provide a spiritual framework for laws and practices that were enacted during the early years of the Islamic community in Madinah.

The chapter then continues to discuss the lessons to be learned from previous prophets, and invites the People of the Book to evaluate the message of Islam. Allah warns believers about mistakes that others made in the past, such as discarding part of a book of revelation, or making religious claims without knowledge. Detail is given about the life and teachings of Moses as an example.

One of the central themes of Sûrah Mâ'idah is that the laws of the Sharî'ah must be revered and upheld.

In explaining this, the following injunctions have been highlighted:

1. Hunting is prohibited after entering into the ihrâm.

2. Halâl animals may be consumed only when they are slaughtered in Allâh's name. Haram lists as:*Carrion is Harâm, *as is the flesh of pigs,*those animals that have been slaughtered in the name of any being besides Allâh,*those animals that have been throttled,*those that were beaten to death,*those that fell to their deaths,*those killed by collision, and*those that died after being attacked by wild beasts.

3. Allâh tells man that he should never attempt to foretell the future by means of omens and other means of divining because such acts are the practice of sinners.

All good and evil are in Allâh's control. Allâh tells the Muslims that they should have firm faith in their Dîn of Islâm which Allâh has perfected, thereby completing His enormous bounty on them. Therefore, Muslims should uphold the sanctity of Islâmic injunctions and critically distinguish between the lawful and the unlawful. Muslims are enjoined to abstain from evil and to be grateful.

Sûrah Mâ'idah contains laws that relate to man's religious, civil, social and political life. This Sûrah contains detailed guidance about:The etiquette of the Hajj journey

Revering the landmarks of Dîn

The perimeters of Halâl and Harâm

Marriage and interaction with the Ahlul Kitâb [Jews and Christians]

The laws of Wudhu, Ghusl and Tayammum

Dealing with rebellion

The punishment for robbery and theft

The prohibition of liquor and gambling

The Kafâra [atonement] for breaking vows and

The detailed laws concerning testimony.

Allâh ordains that the hand of a male or female thief is to be cut off. The Muslims are also warned against taking the Jews and Christians as friends.Allâh makes it clear that the belief in the 'Trinity' constitutes kufr and that enmity and hatred for the Muslims have been entrenched into the hearts of the Kuffâr until Qiyâmah.

Allâh entreats Rasulullâh Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, not to be grieved about the disbelief of the Kuffâr because he is not responsible for them.

Sûrah Mâ'idah also states that Jannah is forbidden for the Mushrikîn and that oppressors will have none to aid them against Allâh.Allâh says that those people of the past who adhered to the divine religions of their times will attain salvation if they firmly believed in Allâh and in the Day of Qiyâmah.

End of the Sixth Juz