Innal hamdalillaah was-salaat was-salaam ‘aala rasoolillaah.
The following article was taken from Al-Istiqaamah newsletter (Issue No.1 Dhul-Hijjah 1416/May 1996) and is by the beloved late Scholar – who was the Grand Mufti of our time – Shaikh ‘Abdul-Azeez bin Baaz (rahimaullaah):
The Muslim Woman: Her Status in the Ummah
The status of the Muslim woman in Islaam is a very noble and lofty one, and her effect is very great in the life of every Muslim. Indeed, the Muslim woman is the initial teacher in the building of a righteous society, providing she follows the guidance from the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Since adherence to the Qur’aan and the Sunnah distances every Muslim – male or female – from being misguided in any matter. The misguidance that the various nations suffer from, and their being deviated, does not come about except from being far away from the path of Allaah – the Most Perfect – and from what His Prophet and Messengers, may Allaah’s peace and prayers be upon them all, came with. The Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “I am leaving behind two matters, you will not go astray as long as you cling to them both, the Book of Allaah and my Sunnah.” [1]
The great importance of the Muslim woman’s role – whether as wife, sister or daughter, and the rights that are due to her and the obligations due from her – have been explained in the noble Qur’aan, and further details of this have been explained in the purified Sunnah.
The secret of her importance lies in the tremendous burden and responsibility that is placed upon her, and the difficulties that she has to shoulder – responsibilities and difficulties some of which not even a man bears. This is why from the most important obligations upon a person is to show gratitude to the mother, and kindness and good companionship with her. And in this matter, she is to be given precedence over and above the father. Allaah – the Most High – says:**
“And We have enjoined upon man to be dutiful and good to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Show gratitude and thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination.”** [Soorah Luqmaan 31:14]
A man came to Allaah’s Messenger salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam and said: O Messenger of Allaah! Who from amongst mankind warrants the best companionship from me? He replied: “Your mother.” The man asked: then who? So he replied: “Your mother.” The man then asked: Then who? So the Prophet replied again: “Your mother.” The man then asked: Then who? So he replied: “Then your father.” [2] So this necessitates that the mother is given three times the like of kindness and good treatment than the father.
As regards the wife, then her status and her effect in making the soul tranquil and serene, has been clearly shown in the noble aayah (verse), in His – the Most High’s – saying:**
“And from amongst His signs is this: That He created for you wives from amongst yourselves, so that you may find serenity and tranquility in them. And He has put between you love and compassion. Indeed, in this are signs for those who reflect.”** [Soorah Room 30:21]
Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer (d.774H) – rahimahullaah – said, whilst explaining the terms mawaddah and rahmah which occur in the (Arabic) of the above verse: “Al-mawaddah means love and affection, and ar-rahmah means compassion and pity – since a man takes the hand of a woman either due to his love for her, or because of compassion and pity for her; by giving to her a child from himself …” [3]
And the unique stance that the Prophet salallaahu ‘alahi wa sallam’s wife Khadeejah – radhi’allaahu ‘anhaa – took, had a huge effect in calming and reassuring Allaah’s Messenger salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, when the angel Jibreel – ‘alayhis-salaam – first came to him in the cave of Hiraa. So the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam returned to Khadeejah with the first Revelation and with his heart trembling and beating severely, and he said to her: “Cover me! Cover me!” So they covered him until his fear was over, after which he told Khadeejah – radhi’allaahu ‘anhaa – everything that happened, and said: “I fear that something may happen to me.” So she said to him:** “Never! By Allaah! Allaah will never disgrace you. You keep good ties with relations, you help the poor and destitute, you serve your guests generously and assist those who have been afflicted with calamities.”** [4]
And do not forget about ‘Aaishah – radhi’allaahu ‘anhaa – and her great effect. Since even the great Sahaabah (Companions) used to take knowledge of Hadeeth from her, and many of the Sahaabiyaat (female Companions) learn the various rulings pertaining to women’s issues from her …
And I have no doubt that my mother – May Allaah shower His mercy upon her – had tremendous effect upon me, and has a great excellence over me, in encouraging me to study; and she assisted me in it. May Allaah greatly increase her reward and reward her with the best of rewards for what she did for me.
And there is no doubt also, that the house in which there is kindness, gentleness, love and care, along with the correct Islaamic tarbiyah (education and cultivation) will greatly affect the man. So he will become – if Allaah wills – successful in his affairs and in any matter – whether it be seeking knowledge, trading, earning a living, or other than this. So it is Allaah alone that I ask to grant success and to guide us all to that which He loves and is pleased with. And may the prayers and peace of Allaah be upon out Prophet Muhammad, and upon his Family, his Companions and his followers.
1 Hasan: Related by Maalik in al-Muwattaa (2/899) and al-Haakim (1/93), from Ibn ‘Abbaas radhi’allaahu ‘unhu. It was authenticated by al-Albaani in as-Saheeh (no.1871).
2 Related by al_Bukhaaree (no.5971) and Muslim (7/2), from Abu Hurayrah radhi’allaahu ‘anhu.
3 *Tafseer Qur’aanul-‘Adhee *(3/439) of Ibn Katheer.
4 Related by al_bukhaaree (1/22) and Muslim (1/139), from the lenghthy narration of ‘Aaishah radhi’allaahu ‘anhaa