Islam, the mercy of Almighty Allah, is for all of mankind and makes no preference to sex. Neither has a greater value, nor is one of greater importance. Both are subject to Divine Retribution which is equal for the capacity of each. The Holy Quran expounds upon this in multiple verses and exists as an illuminating miracle for those who reflect. It may as well be argued that although women constitute half of the world population, their influence exceeds their number, since women, for good or ill, influence their husbands and children. The poet Hafiz Ibrahim struck this note when he described the woman as a whole school, the sound management of which leads to the production of a noble society. For these reasons scientists, thinkers, leaders, reformers, preachers and educators have all shown interest in the case of the woman. They have called for doing her justice, treating her with respect and for the abolition of forms of unfairness and repression towards her so that she can have her rightful access to learning, work, responsibility and choice in marriage. Muslims have a divine document that truly honours women and treats her with justice; it is a document that rescued her from the gloomy injustice of Pre-Islamic darkness. This document of The Noble Qur’an-honours the woman as a human being, as a feminine being, as a daughter, wife, mother and, no less, as a full member of her society. Islam was revealed at a time when a lot of people denied the humanity of the woman and with the advent of Islam, circumstances improved for the women folk. The woman’s dignity and humanity were restored. Islam confirmed her capacity to carry out Allah’s commands, her responsibilities and observation of the commands that lead to heaven. Islam considered the woman as a worthy human being, with a share in humanity equal to that of the man. Men and women are two branches of a single tree and two children from the same father, Adam, and mother, Eve. Their single origin, their general human traits, their responsibility for the observation of religious duties with the consequent reward or punishment, and the unity of their destiny all bear witness to their equality from the Islamic point of view. In this regard, Holy Qur’an says: ” O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam) and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you. ” [Surah 4:1] That people all people men and women, were created by their Lord from a single person or self, that this self is a nucleus from which Allah created an integral counterpart that completes this original self and is completed by it, is stated in another verse: ” It is He Who has created you from a single person (Adam), and (then) He has created from him his wife (Eve), in order that he might enjoy the pleasure of living with her.” [Surah 7:189] Eventually Allah, out of this nuclear pair, scattered the multitudes of men and women, all worshippers of a single God and children of the same parents implying they are united in a fraternity, embracing men and women alike. Islam teaches purpose of life to worship Allah and to devote oneself to seeking His love, ingrained into a person’s soul before birth. Azan (call to Prayer), Muslims recite in an infant’s right ear immediately after birth, therefore, from the very beginning the child is subconsciously attracted to the Truth and Beauty of The Creator, Allah. But how does one keep this goal in mind while going about one’s daily business? When one is involved in the mundane routine of daily life, it may appear difficult to maintain the spiritual level required to win Allah’s love. Allah himself provided mankind with the means to do this. Allah revealed Himself through the Holy Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and raised him up to be the “Perfect Leader” and teacher of the Quranic law to all people everywhere until the end of time. It is essential to study life and character of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) for a successful life. We will find no situation in daily life for which guidance from the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) does not exist. A practicing Muslim is in constant spiritual association with the Messenger of Allah, day and night. A true Muslim women prays as he did, she teaches her children moral values by quoting the hadith to them, she greets fellow Muslims with his words of greeting, and she supplicates Allah to shower His blessings on the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and his people. There is another tool which is provided by Islamic teaching to help keep a Muslim on the path of the righteous, ie., taqwa. The word “taqwa” can best be defined as the “fear of Allah.” However, that is not to say that one should live in the dread of the Almighty, or that He is a Dreadful Being. Rather, it should be regarded as the fear of the loss of Allah’s love. Allah’s love for His creatures is boundless, but a Muslim should be aware that if she disregards His commands, she may lose His Protection and His Bounty. No one can become truly righteous until taqwa has entered every facet of their daily life. Ubbay bin Kab (R.A.), a companion of the Holy Prophet, aptly explained taqwa by likening muttaqi (the righteous) to one who walks through thorny bushes, taking care that his clothes are not caught in and torn by their branches. Taqwa can be demonstrated in daily life if simple values are constantly practiced, such as sympathy, tolerance, humility, kind speech and gentleness, patience and truthfulness. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) advised his followers that offering the required prayers at their proper times is especially pleasing to Allah. Salaat is offered five times daily, at the appointed times of Fajr (at dawn); Zuhr (after midday); Asr (late afternoon); Maghrib (after the sun sets) and Isha (at night). Observing these prayers is the most important activity of a Muslim’s day. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) advised Muslims that offering the required prayers at their proper times is especially pleasing to Allah. He further instructed that recitation of the Holy Qur’an after Fajr prayer every morning is also pleasing to Him, even if only a few verses are read. Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: (a) Prayer is the essence of worship. (b) Prayer averts misfortune. (c) Beg of Allah all that you stand in need of, even the salt you need or the shoelace that has snapped. (d) He who is desires that Allah should accept his prayers when is distressed and hard-pressed, should pray constantly when he is at ease. Salaat is the central and principal form of Islamic worship, and must be observed with all its rituals and etiquettes including a ritual ablution (wudhu) before performing salaat. A Muslim woman must be dressed modestly, with head, arms (at least to the elbow), and legs covered. A woman is not permitted to perform salaat during their monthly period, nor enter the prayer area of a mosque, until she has taken a ritual bath. However Islamic worship is not limited to salaat alone, for the need to communicate with one’s Creator arises constantly during the day. This need is fulfilled by reciting prayers and remembrance of Allah (Zikre Illahi) at any time. The most important points to remember are to act with taqwa (the fear of Allah) in your heart, and to keep in mind the commandments of Allah, and the sunnah (practices) and hadith (sayings) of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Whether or not you are employed outside your home, your daily activities focus first and foremost on the material, moral and spiritual needs of your family members.
A Muslim woman has the power to make her home a heaven or a hell, according to her own piety and actions. So it is very necessary to have continuous religious training at home. Bliss can be achieved by constant devotion and care to fear Allah and follow the example of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) emphasized the value of a simple life. Some of his hadith are: (a) A simple way of life is part of Faith. (b) Truly rich is he who has no desire for that which others have. (c) Beware of luxury for the true servants of Allah love not luxury. Courtesy and good behavior are a very important part of the Islamic way of life. The Holy Qur’an says: “Whatever good you do, Allah will recognize its value.” (2:198) The essence of good conduct is in moderation, balance, harmony, restraint, patience and forgiveness. As with all matters concerning a Muslim’s life, Islam provides guidance for a pure and healthy life. The Holy Qur’an says: “O ye who believe, eat of the good things We have provided for you, and render thanks to Allah, if it is He Whom you worship. He has made unlawful to you only that which dies of itself, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which the name of any other than Allah has been invoked. But he who is driven by necessity, being neither disobedient nor exceeding the limit, it shall be no sin for him. Surely, Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful.” (2:173,174) The first three categories are prohibited because they are harmful to the body, and that which is harmful to the body is harmful to the spirit. The last prohibition relates to something which is directly harmful morally and spiritually, as it amounts to association of others with God. The term “halal” means “that which is lawful for you”; thus halal meat is that which has been slaughtered in the name of Allah, and has had the blood drained out from it. The term “haram” means that which is unlawful for you, and includes blood, pork and alcohol. Allah has further commanded that you eat only what is “tayyab,” that is, food that is good and wholesome. Something may be halal, but it may not be tayyab, and thus should be avoided. Islam teaches that the condition of the body affects the condition of the spirit, and thus great care should be taken to keep one’s body healthy and fit.
Islam further teaches that all food should be taken in moderation, and nothing should be indulged into excess. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) never ate his fill. He has said: (a) Kill not your hearts with excessive eating and drinking. (b) There is no vessel worse for a person to fill than his stomach. A few mouthfuls should suffice to keep him on his feet. But if he must eat more, then let him fill one-third of his stomach with food, one-third with drink and leave one-third for easy breathing. (c) When you begin to eat, pronounce the name of Allah the Exalted. If you forget in the beginning, say “In the name of Allah first and last.” (d) Do not drink liquor, for it is the key to every vice. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) always used his right hand for eating, drinking and putting on his clothes, and the left for purposes other than these. In accordance with the Islamic belief that the condition of the body affects the mind, physical cleanliness is essential for spiritual well-being. Allah says: “Allah desires not to put you in a difficulty: but desires to purify you and complete His favors unto you that you may prosper.” ( Qur’an, 5:7) The concern here is for the purification of the mind and soul, and Islam emphasizes that external purity leads to internal purity, just as external impurity leads to internal impurity. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) stressed the importance of cleanliness. He said: (a) Cleanliness is half of faith. (b) Purification is the key of prayer. (c) When you visit your brethren tidy up your clothes and your mounts for Allah does not like dirt and untidiness. Thus if you maintain outward cleanliness, you are preparing yourself for inner purification. A pure mind in a pure body is a Muslim’s goal. Islam teaches two ways of cleaning the body, ablution and bathing: (a) Wudhu (Ablution) and (b) Bathing. It is also a sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) to take a bath in preparation for religious occasions, such as Friday (Juma) prayers and holiday (Eid) prayers. In addition, certain other hygienic practices like oiling and combing of hair after washing, using perfume, keeping fingernails and toenails trimmed and clean, and removal of superfluous body hair, including the armpits and pubic areas have been encouraged for all Muslims. Muslims are commanded to keep their clothes clean and neat also. Islam stresses the relationship between body and mind. The wearing of the outer garments and veiling of the body leads to veiling of the heart and shielding it from impure thoughts. The Holy Qur’an tells women to wear an outer covering and to draw their head coverings over their bosoms. It also advises them to cover their faces. The conduct of a Muslim woman is a very important part of observing hijab/purdah. Whether at work, or among family and friends, a Muslim woman must conduct herself with great propriety and decorum. All religions have their own special days of worship, celebrations, rituals and observances. Islamic festivals and ceremonies are also distinct ways of glorifying Allah and sharing the joy that flow from the blessings of being the “best people” who are guided to the true faith. In brief, men and women have similar obligations and responsibilities to reform and correct the society to the best of their capability. Men and women shoulder the responsibility of enjoining good and forbidding evil equally, as Allah, the Exalted, states in the Quran: The believers, men and women, are helpers, supporters, friends and protectors of one another, they enjoin all that is good, and forbid all that is evil, they offer their prayers perfectly, and give Zakah (Obligatory Charity) and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will bestow Mercy on them. Surely Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
(The authors write regularly on “ Islamic topics” for “ Kashmir Horizon” exclusively. Views are their own)