Women Behind the Men

[Ummati]

Aoawrwb.

This is adapted from a lecture by Ustadha Sobia Qasim on Saturday, 19th March 2011.

"We did not create the jinn and men except to worship us" [Surah adh-Dhariyyat, verse 56)

Everything Allah created has a purpose, a function. The function of a light bulb is to give us light, the cow to give us milk, the plants to give us fruit and flowers. If the light bulb were to fuse, we would throw it away, because it no longer performed it’s function, and had thus became useless to us.
Nothing of the creation of Allah has been created without purpose. As humans, our primary purpose in life is to worship Allah. We are sold creatures, sold to Allah SWT. Our lives are for Him.

A lot of people wrongly assume that women have no rights in Islam, or they are somehow inferior beings. But Allah SWT tells us,

".. 'I will not let the good deed of any worker among you, whether a male or a female, be wasted… '" (3:195)

By this, we realize that where it truly matters, in our purpose of life, men and women are on par, they are equal.

In this world we find that if someone has a son and a daughter, and can only afford to teach one of them, then the boy is taught is favor of the girl. He is sent to school with this thought in mind that he will earn for us.

In matters of the Deen, we see that our scholars say- if you have to decide between teaching your daughter the Deen or your son, teach your daughter.. Because educating a girl means educating an entire family.

We realize we have so much potential as women, so much potential we are losing on.

Now shedding some light on the topic, ‘Women behind the men’ .. behind every successful man is a woman..

We will now look at the Women of our Deen.

These women, who are youth are so unfamiliar with. If you ask the average teenage girl, she probably will be able to tell you about the cricketers on our team, or the fact that today’s Pakistan VS Australia.. She will also know that recently there was a tsunami in Japan. She will tell you the exact numbers of people who have been victimized. But she will not, illah Masha Allah, be able to tell you all the names of our Umm ul Mumineen. We are so unfamiliar with our spiritual mothers, with their lives and characters. How will we then be able to mould our lives to their colors? How will we make the pattern of our lives like theirs?

[Ummati]

Hazrat Khadija RA

Look at Hazrat Khadija RA, the first wife of the Prophet SAW. When Prophet SAW received the first revelation, he was so scared, so terrified at the huge burden that had been placed on his shoulders. He rushed away from Cave Hira, seeing hazrat Jibreel AS everywhere. He would see him sprawled, with his wings outstretched, all over the horizon.

He rushed back to his wife Khadija RA, and said Zammiluni Zammiluni.. Cover me Cover me, In fear for my life. He went to Khadija RA expecting peace and comfort, and that is what he got.

Nowadays, when husbands return home, wives have a whole list of complains, the plumber did this, the car didn’t work, this issue and that issue. .but look at the example of Khadija RA, how she comforted the Prophet SAW, as she said to him: "By Allah," Khadija said, "Allah shall never subject you to any indignity..., for you always maintain your ties with those of your kin, and you are always generous in giving; you are diligent, and you seek what others regard as unattainable; you cool the eyes of your guest, and you lend your support to those who seek justice and redress. Stay firm, O cousin, for by Allah I know that He will not deal with you except most beautifully, and I testify that you are the awaited Prophet in this nation, and your time, if Allah wills, has come."

With these comforting words, with these consoling words of Hazrat Khadija RA, began the start of Nabuwat.

We see here then that the first person to accept Islam was a woman. to receive the first noor of Nabuwat, was a woman.

We further see the first martyr of Islam, too, was a women- Hazrat Sumayya RA.

Such are our women. Such is our potential.


Asma bint Abu Bakr RA

When Muhammad SAW was given the permission to perform Hijrah, he went to Abu Bakr RA’s house, his most trusted confidante and told him of the news.

As they made plans, who was given the responsibility to bring them food while they sought refuge is Cave Saur? It was Asma RA, the daughter of Abu Bakr RA. Some narrations say she was only 7 at the time, others say 8, still others 9 or 10. She was but a little girl. But a girl with so much determination and will power.

Such was her bravery. Compare it to our 7 and 8 year olds. They are such that even if the mother shows her a stern look, they quieten.

But Asma RA, against all odds, took on this responsibility.

Abu Bakr RA thought she was but a little kid, and no one would suspect her, and she would come to them running and playing about.

Once, however, Abu Jahl intercepted her and asked her where she was going. Look at the valor of this girl, who refused to answer. He then asked her, Where is your father? She said I will not tell you. He asked, Where is Muhammad? Again the little girl refused to disclose any information. She never said I do not know, but she said I will not tell you.

Abu Jahl then took her by the hair and hurled her, she fell and hit herself on a rock and started bleeding. He approached her again and shook her by her hair, threatening to take her life, if she didn’t tell.

Now just look at the reply of this girl. She said: You can take my life, but you cannot extract the knowledge of their location from my heart!




Umm Sulaym

Umm Sulaym was the mother of hazrat Anas RA, the khaadim-e-khaas of Muhammad SAW. Initially, she was married to a Kaafir. She then accepted Islam, at which her husband used to rebuke her. She would secretly teach her son the Kalima. Later, after her husband died in a battle, a lot of offers for her hand were made but she refused so that she could do proper tarbiat of her son.

She then offered her son to Prophet SAW for his khidmat. Imagine, those of you who are mothers would realize what a big sacrifice this truly was. But she desired the company of the Prophet SAW for her son.

Hazrat Anas RA did khidmat of Prophet SAW for 10 years, and is reported to have said that he wouldn’t have been in the position he was if it weren’t for the sacrifice of his mother.

Another incident related to Umm Sulaym was regarding her role as an excellent wife to Abu Talha, who she later married. Abu Talha often used to travel for the service of the Deen. On one such occasions, when he wasn’t present, their son passed away.

As the janazah shouldn’t be delayed, he was buried immediately. Abu Talha was to arrive the same night, after a long time of travel. Umm Sulaym’s patience and forbearance was such that she dressed up and made dinner.

When Abu Talha RA asked about his son, him not being well when he left, Umm Sulaym said that do not worry, for he is well rested. Abu Talha didn’t interpret her meaning. And they spent the night together.

The following morning, when Umm Sulaym saw that her husband was well-rested, she questioned him such- if someone had kept an amaanat with us, and asked for it back, should we be allowed to show any hesitancy? Should we say no, not right now- we will give it later? Abu Talha RA replied to the contrary. And so Umm Sulaym told him about the passing away of his son. Abu RA was very angry and scolded her for waiting so long to tell him and took her to the Prophet SAW to complain.

When Prophet SAW heard what had happened, he praised Umm Sulaym’s patience and asked Allah to bless them with many children. And so, they were.

[Ummati]

Fatima bint Al Khattab

Hazrat Umar RA is known as the Muraad-e-Mustafa. As he was the Murad, the sought one- who Prophet SAW prayed for to Allah SWT.

One day, before his conversion to Islam,`Umar went out carrying his sword towards the house of Al-Arqam where the Prophet used to meet with his companions.

Someone asked him, "Where are you going, `Umar? Why do you carry your sword? `Umar replied, "I am going to kill Muhammad who dispersed us and insulted our gods. The man said, "Do you think that Banu 'Abd Manaf (The Prophet's family) would let you do that without taking vengeance. The man, then, suggested to him that instead of killing Muhammad, he should reform his kin. He told him that his sister Fatima and her husband Sa’id Ibn Zayd embraced Islam.

Enraged with anger, `Umar went to his sister's house. When reached there, he heard the recitation of some words that he did not understand. All of sudden, he rushed into their house calling loudly upon his sister.

`Umar said, I heard that you followed Muhammad." All of a sudden, Umar pounced on Sa'eed and threw him on the floor. When Fatimah dashed forward to defend her husband, Umar gave her such a brutal slap on her face that she started bleeding.

She rose up and said, O Umar we have drunk the milk of the same mother. At such an invoking of his brotherly love, his heart softened and he realized he’d hit his very own sister.

'Umar was so struck with the sincerity and fortitude that he asked to see the leaf from which they had been reading. Fatima refused and then said what perhaps only a sister could have, "You are impure. You have first to do ablution. "Having done ablution and read the copy, his soul was touched, the leaf contained same portion of the surah of Ta-Ha Having read up to Allah's saying,

"For every soul to receive its reward by the measure of its endeavor." (Ta-Ha: 15)

And he thus accepted Islam.

Subhan Allah.

A sister was responsible for the acceptance by such a man, who even Shaytaan avoids! It is said, when Umar RA walks along a road, Shaytaan changes his way and goes somewhere else!

Imam Malik’s daughters

Then is the story of Imam Malik. One of the greatest scholars of our Deen. He used to give dars e hadith in the masjid and his daughters would sit and listen behind a pardah.

He would listen to his students, and if someone were to make a mistake, his daughters would hit something against their hands, to notify him of the mistake.

Such was their dedication to learning about the Deen!

Imam Ghazali’s mother

Imam Mohammad Ghazali’s brother Ahmed Ghazali wouldn’t pray Salah behind him. Once Imam Ghazali went to his mother to complain that everyone prays salah behind him but his brother and it is so embarrassing for him. So his mother called Ahmed Ghazali and asked him to not do so and pray behind his brother for her sake. Ahmed Ghazali agreed.

The next time, he got up and started praying with Imam Ghazali. But after one rakah, he did salaam and left the prayer. Now the people started talking more, that before Imam Ghazali’s brother wouldn’t pray- but now he started the prayer but only prayed 1 rakah.

Imam Ghazali was so upset by this that he went to his mother again. Upon questioning, Ahmed Ghazali replied that I cannot pray behind someone who doesn’t concentrate upon Allah in Salah. My brother was thinking about something else.

Imam Ghazali admitted he started thinking of some matter of fiqh that was troubling him and had to be discussed with others later.

Hearing this, their mother was saddened and said that I have failed with both of you. One of you thinks about matters of Shariah in his Salah and the other is more concerned with the Salah of his brother than his own.

Such were the priorities of the mothers of that time!
Such were the mothers who raised some of the most eminent people of the time!

Nowadays mothers think their children have failed them when they do not get admission into a college, or get bad grades in O and A levels- those things are important, academics should be considered.. But our priorities are in disarray.


Then was the mother of Abdul Qadir Al jalani who offered him for the service of the Deen at the age of 7.

Then there’s the really sweet story of yet another mother who wanted his son to become a scholar, an inheritor of the Prophets. The child is sent for education at an early age.

One day, he was feeling lonely and missing his mother so he went to his teacher to seek permission to go home. There were still a few days to go before they would be free to go, so his teacher told him to learn his lesson first. He quickly did so and was permitted to go home.

As soon as he knocked upon the door, his mother realized it was him. But she wondered how it could be so since there were still some days before he was to arrive. She questioned who was at the door. Upon receiving acknowledgement that it was her son, look at what she said in response. She said I also had a son of the same name, but I had sent him for the service of the deen and he is not to return until a few days- so who are you?!

Imam Bukhari’s Mother

Imam Bukhari, the Ameer ul Mumineen of Hadith, who wrote the second most authentic book available, after the Quran- lost his sight when he was but a child.

Seeing this, his mother would shed many tears and pray for him in tahajjud. Praying that oh Allah I wanted him to be used in the khidmat of Your Deen.

That woman prayed so fervently, and it is said when a mother makes dua for her child, the doors of the Arsh open up to receive the prayer.

Her dedication was such that once Hazrat Ibrahim AS came in her dream and said that your prayers and tears have been accepted and gave her the glad tidings that her son’s sight has been restored.

Subhan Allah. A mother’s dua and the legacy of Imam Bukhari!

Ayesha RA

About whom, Prophet Muhammad SAW has said, My Ayesha is half the Deen!

Out of the 1 lakh 24,000 companions, 14 were such whose fatawa superseded all others. If they gave a fatwa, rest of the sahaba would take back theirs and consider that from one of the 14.

Hazrat Ayesha RA was one of the 14.

Prophet SAW loved her a lot and would say that I do justice to all my wives, but oh Allah do not call me to account for what I cannot control (as pertains to matters of the heart).

Khawla RA

She was the sister of Zarrar RA. Her brother was once captured.

During battle, the people saw a remarkable warrior fighting, with a huge sword and a lot of valor. But they couldn’t see his face.

Later, Khalid bin Walid, impressed with the bravery of the warrior asked for identification. But there was no reply. Upon questioning again, it was revealed that in reality the brave warrior was Hazrat Khawla RA fighting for the release of her brother!

In the battle of Uhad

A rumor started that the Prophet SAW had been martyred. One of the women got so terrified that she marched up to investigate. She met a Sahaba along the way, and asked What is the condition of Muhammad SAW? The companion replied I do not know, but your husband has been martyred and he lies over there. She went forward and met another companion. She repeated the same question to another companion, who replied that he too hadn’t seen Muhammad SAW but her son had been martyred and lay there. She still went on and so forth till was told her brother had been martyred, and her father.

Finally, she saw Muhammad SAW. Seeing him, she went and sat at his feet and said,

“Every calamity other than the calamity of your death is tolerable, O Prophet of Allah. No affliction has as hard of an impact as the tragedy of losing you.”

Prophet Muhammad SAW gave her his shawl and praised her sabr.

On occasion of Miraj

Prophet SAW saw that more women occupied Hell fire. He asked Jibreel AS about it and was told it was so due to ingratitude.

Let us take a lesson from this and Our Women and pray to Allah that,

Oh Allah. Choose us for your Deen and mould us to the patterns of these great women of our history. Ameen.

[affinity]

Thanks a lot for such faith enlightening information. Jazak'Allah khair.
All are the women of great character and virtue. Especially the story of Umm Sulym is heart moving. May Allah bless us with the best of both worlds.

[Maria]

subhanAllah....!!!

[zammiluni]

Mar 20, 2011 17:58:24 GMT 5 Ummati said:

Hazrat Khadija RA

Look at Hazrat Khadija RA, the first wife of the Prophet SAW. When Prophet SAW received the first revelation, he was so scared, so terrified at the huge burden that had been placed on his shoulders. He rushed away from Cave Hira, seeing hazrat Jibreel AS everywhere. He would see him sprawled, with his wings outstretched, all over the horizon.

He rushed back to his wife Khadija RA, and said Zammiluni Zammiluni.. Cover me Cover me, In fear for my life. He went to Khadija RA expecting peace and comfort, and that is what he got.

Nowadays, when husbands return home, wives have a whole list of complains, the plumber did this, the car didn’t work, this issue and that issue. .but look at the example of Khadija RA, how she comforted the Prophet SAW, as she said to him: "By Allah," Khadija said, "Allah shall never subject you to any indignity..., for you always maintain your ties with those of your kin, and you are always generous in giving; you are diligent, and you seek what others regard as unattainable; you cool the eyes of your guest, and you lend your support to those who seek justice and redress. Stay firm, O cousin, for by Allah I know that He will not deal with you except most beautifully, and I testify that you are the awaited Prophet in this nation, and your time, if Allah wills, has come."

With these comforting words, with these consoling words of Hazrat Khadija RA, began the start of Nabuwat.

We see here then that the first person to accept Islam was a woman. to receive the first noor of Nabuwat, was a woman.

We further see the first martyr of Islam, too, was a women- Hazrat Sumayya RA.

Such are our women. Such is our potential.


Asma bint Abu Bakr RA

When Muhammad SAW was given the permission to perform Hijrah, he went to Abu Bakr RA’s house, his most trusted confidante and told him of the news.

As they made plans, who was given the responsibility to bring them food while they sought refuge is Cave Saur? It was Asma RA, the daughter of Abu Bakr RA. Some narrations say she was only 7 at the time, others say 8, still others 9 or 10. She was but a little girl. But a girl with so much determination and will power.

Such was her bravery. Compare it to our 7 and 8 year olds. They are such that even if the mother shows her a stern look, they quieten.

But Asma RA, against all odds, took on this responsibility.

Abu Bakr RA thought she was but a little kid, and no one would suspect her, and she would come to them running and playing about.

Once, however, Abu Jahl intercepted her and asked her where she was going. Look at the valor of this girl, who refused to answer. He then asked her, Where is your father? She said I will not tell you. He asked, Where is Muhammad? Again the little girl refused to disclose any information. She never said I do not know, but she said I will not tell you.

Abu Jahl then took her by the hair and hurled her, she fell and hit herself on a rock and started bleeding. He approached her again and shook her by her hair, threatening to take her life, if she didn’t tell.

Now just look at the reply of this girl. She said: You can take my life, but you cannot extract the knowledge of their location from my heart!




Umm Sulaym

Umm Sulaym was the mother of hazrat Anas RA, the khaadim-e-khaas of Muhammad SAW. Initially, she was married to a Kaafir. She then accepted Islam, at which her husband used to rebuke her. She would secretly teach her son the Kalima. Later, after her husband died in a battle, a lot of offers for her hand were made but she refused so that she could do proper tarbiat of her son.

She then offered her son to Prophet SAW for his khidmat. Imagine, those of you who are mothers would realize what a big sacrifice this truly was. But she desired the company of the Prophet SAW for her son.

Hazrat Anas RA did khidmat of Prophet SAW for 10 years, and is reported to have said that he wouldn’t have been in the position he was if it weren’t for the sacrifice of his mother.

Another incident related to Umm Sulaym was regarding her role as an excellent wife to Abu Talha, who she later married. Abu Talha often used to travel for the service of the Deen. On one such occasions, when he wasn’t present, their son passed away.

As the janazah shouldn’t be delayed, he was buried immediately. Abu Talha was to arrive the same night, after a long time of travel. Umm Sulaym’s patience and forbearance was such that she dressed up and made dinner.

When Abu Talha RA asked about his son, him not being well when he left, Umm Sulaym said that do not worry, for he is well rested. Abu Talha didn’t interpret her meaning. And they spent the night together.

The following morning, when Umm Sulaym saw that her husband was well-rested, she questioned him such- if someone had kept an amaanat with us, and asked for it back, should we be allowed to show any hesitancy? Should we say no, not right now- we will give it later? Abu Talha RA replied to the contrary. And so Umm Sulaym told him about the passing away of his son. Abu RA was very angry and scolded her for waiting so long to tell him and took her to the Prophet SAW to complain.

When Prophet SAW heard what had happened, he praised Umm Sulaym’s patience and asked Allah to bless them with many children. And so, they were.