Women in the Qur'ân and Women in the Bible

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Qur'ân: "And the believers, men and women, are protecting friends one of another; they enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and they establish worship and they pay the poor-due, and they obey Allâh and His messenger. As for these, Allâh will have mercy on them. Lo! Allâh is mighty, wise." (9):71

Qur'ân: "And they (women) have rights similar to those of men over them in a just manner" (2):228

Qur'ân: "Whoso does an ill deed, he will be repaid the like thereof, while whoso does right, whether male or female, and is a believer, (all) such will enter the garden, where they will be nourished without stint." (40):40.

Bible: "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." (1 Timothy 2:11-14)

Bible says: "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." (1 Corinthians 14:34)

Bible says: "Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as christ also is the head of the church, he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church is subject to christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything." (Ephesians 5:22-24)

Qur'ân: "And of His signs is this: he created for you spouses from yourselves that you might find tranquillity in them, and he ordained between you love and mercy. Lo, herein indeed are signs for folk who reflect." (30):21

The Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "The best believers are the best in conduct, and the best of you are those who are best to their wives." (Tirmidhi) narrated by Abû Hurayrah

Bible: "A bad wife brings humiliation, downcast looks, and a wounded heart. Slack of hand and weak of knee is the man whose wife fails to make him happy. Woman is the origin of sin, and it is through her that we all die. Do not leave a leaky cistern to drip or allow a bad wife to say what she likes. If she does not accept your control, divorce her and send her away" (Ecclesiasticus 25:25).

Qur'ân: "...But consort with them in kindness, for if you hate them it may happen that you hate a thing wherein Allâh has placed much good." (4):19

Bible: If a father / husband does not endorse his daughter's / wife's vows, all pledges made by her become null and void, in other words a woman cannot make any contract on her own without the permission of a husband or father: "but if her father forbids her when he hears about it, none of her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand ....Her husband may confirm or nullify any vow she makes or any sworn pledge to deny herself" (Numbers. 30:2-15)

In Islam a woman's wealth is her own and her husband has no rights over it:

Qur'ân: "...and covet not the thing in which Allâh has made some of you excel others. Unto men a fortune from that which they have earned, and unto women a fortune from that which they have earned. (Envy not one another) but ask Allâh of his bounty. Verily! Allâh is knower of all things." (4):32.

Bible says: "A virgin who is raped must marry her rapist (if they are "found")- (Deut 22:28-29) "if a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay the girl's father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the girl, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives" Deuteronomy 22:28-30

Qur'ân: "And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not four witnesses (to support their allegations) - flog them with eighty stripes; and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors" (24:4)

The Bible blames Eve for the original sin: (genesis 3:12-16) "and the man (Adam) said, the woman (Eve) whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord god said unto the woman, what is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, the serpent beguiled me, and I did eat..unto the woman He said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee."

In the Qur'ân, both Adam and Eve share the blame for eating from the tree. This can be seen in the Qur'ân in such verses al-Baqarah (2):36, al-A'raf (7):22-24. They were also both forgiven by God Almighty for this sin.

Qur'ân: "O Adam dwell with your wife in the garden and enjoy as you wish but approach not this tree or you run into harm and transgression. Then satan whispered to them in order to reveal to them their shame that was hidden from them and he said: 'your Lord only forbade you this tree lest you become angels or such beings as live forever.' And he swore to them both that he was their sincere adviser. So by deceit he brought them to their fall: when they tasted the tree their shame became manifest to them and they began to sew together the leaves of the garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them: 'did I not forbid you that tree and tell you that satan was your avowed enemy?' They said: 'our Lord we have wronged our own souls and if You forgive us not and bestow not upon us Your mercy, we shall certainly be lost' " (7:19-23).

The Bible says that giving birth to a female child makes a woman more "unclean" than if she had a male child. Leviticus 12:2-5 "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, if a woman have conceived seed, and born a male child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying thirty three days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. But if she bear a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying sixty six days."

Ecclesiastics 7:26-28 "and I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare....While I was still searching but not finding, I found one upright man among a thousand but not one upright woman among them all."

Qur'ân: "And their Lord has heard them (and he says): Verily! I suffer not the work of any worker, male or female, to be lost. You proceed one from another." (3):195.

Qur'ân: "And whoso does good works, whether of male or female, and he (or she) is a believer, such will enter paradise and they will not be wronged the dint in a date stone." The Noble Qur'ân, an-Nisâ (4):124.

Qur'ân: "Whosoever does right, whether male or female, and is a believer, him verily we shall quicken with good life, and We shall pay them a recompense in proportion to the best of what they used to do." (16):97.

"A man asked the prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam: 'whom should I honor most?' The prophet replied: 'Your mother'. 'And who comes next?' Asked the man. The prophet replied: 'Your mother'. 'And who comes next?' Asked the man. The prophet replied: 'Your mother'. 'And who comes next?' Asked the man. The prophet replied: 'Your father' " (Bukhari and Muslim).

Bible says that a woman must cover her head as a sign of man's authority over her:

"And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head - it is just as though her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or shaved off, she should cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head" (1 Corinthians 11:3-10).

Bible: 1 corinthians 11:5-10: "But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head."

Bible: 1 corinthians 11:13: "Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto god (with her head) uncovered?"

The Qur'ân teaches that a woman must be covered out of modesty and to protect her from harassment:

Qur'ân: "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty......And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms...." (24:30,31).

Qur'ân "O prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their bodies (when abroad) so that they should be known and not molested" (33:59).

According to the Bible (Numbers 27:1-11), widows and sisters don't inherit at all. Daughters can inherit only if their deceased father had no sons.

Qur'ân: "Unto the men (of a family) belongs a share of that which parents and near kindred leave, and unto the women a share of that which parents and near kindred leave, whether it be little or much, a legal share." (4):77.

Bible: Leviticus 15:19-30 "And if a woman have an issue (her period/menses), [and] her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even. And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean. And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even. And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even. And if it [be] on [her] bed, or on any thing whereon she sitteth, when he toucheth it, he shall be unclean until the even.....(It goes on and on)."

by Sultana Yusufali

Source: Toronto Star Young People’s Press
Courtesy Of: SunnahOnline.com

The Greatest Women Who Ever Lived

Sparkling gems in their own times, they continue to glisten beyond their age, making their appeal everlasting...Each one a legend in her own right, they were declared the best of women by the Last Prophet (SAW)...So what were the special characteristics these illustrious women had and how can we follow in their footsteps in our times? Fatima Barakatullah looks for answers and finds inspiration and guidance.

What are the most famous women of today celebrated for? Those held up as role models for the modern woman include actresses, singers, footballers WAGs (wives and girlfriends) and glamour models - all celebrated for their physical appeal. Very rarely will a woman be deemed 'successful' for other than what is really just superficial and then, as is often the case, when she ages and her physical features fade, she will fall out of favour with the media and younger women will replace her as the icons of their era.

But Allah shows us in His Book that a woman is so much more than the outer shell that is her body. Our history is replete with examples of great women who were gems of their times and whose sparkling appeal is timeless. Islam defines for us that the truly successful are those of integrity, who fulfil the purpose of their creation and rise to the challenges that are presented to them throughout life with tenacity, thereby gaining the pleasure of their Creator and everlasting victory in the next life.

The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said in an authentic Hadeeth:

"The best women from the people of Jannah are Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Fatima daughter of Muhammad, Aasiya bint Muzaahim - the Wife of Pharoah and Mary daughter of Imran, may Allah be pleased with them all."

In fact Allah specifically mentions two of these great women in the Qur'an, as role models for believing men as well as women. In Surat ut-Tahreem Allah says:
"And Allah has set forth an example for those who believe: The wife of Pharaoh, when she said: "My Lord! Build for me a home with you in Paradise, and save me from the Pharaoh and his actions, and save me from the people who are oppressors.

And Maryam, the daughter of Imran who guarded her chastity. And we breathed into the sleeve of her garment through our Ruh, and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and believed in His books and was of those who are obedient to Allah."

So what were the characteristics that made them worthy of such accolades? What made Allah and His Messenger single out these women above all others? And more importantly, how can we benefit and learn from their example?

They affirmed the Trith immediately

Scholars state that these 4 women were from the Siddeeqoon, who, after the Prophets, have the greatest status in Allah's Sight. A Siddeeq is someone whose submission to the Truth and to the commands of Allah is immediate, without any hesitation. We see from their stories that Mariam accepted the huge task that Allah had set for her, of going through pregnancy and childbirth by herself, unsupported by a man and then of presenting her child to the people who would inevitably accuse her of being unchaste.

Khadijah accepted Islam immediately and was the first Muslimah. When the Prophet returned from Mount Noor having received the first revelation from Angel Jibreel, it was Khadijah who immediately accepted his message and believed in him even though he himself was shaken by the event.

Lesson I: Today, there is a culture amongst us of 'Fatwa Shopping'. In other words, when an Islamic ruling makes us feel uncomfortable, instead of saying 'We hear and we obey', we just go and ask someone who has another opinion until we find the opinion that is most akin to our own desires. We must become women who, when faced with the truth in any matter, sincerely accept it and submit without hesitation.

They had a strong relationship with Allah

Their knowledge of Allah and His attributes made them close to Him. When the Prophet returned from the Cave of Hira, fearing something bad had happened to him Khadijah knew Allah would never forsake him. She said: "Allah would never humiliate you, for you are good to your relatives, you are true to your word, you help those who are in need, you support the weak, you feed the guest and you answer the call of those who are in distress." She knew that Allah is Just and does not humiliate the righteous.

Aasiya knew when Pharaoh was torturing her to turn her from her faith, that Allah could hear her cries and her du'a, she asked Allah to build for her, with Him a house in Paradise. During her ordeal, Allah showed her house in Paradise to her, which made her smile, just as she was martyred at the hands of her husband.

Mariam had such a close relationship to her Lord that he would provide her with the fruits of the Summer in the Winter and the fruits of the Winter in Summer. When the Prophet Zakariyyah (AS) saw this he quizzed her about the origin of the food she always had. She said, "This is from Allah. Verily, Allah provides sustenance to whomsoever He wills without limit."

Lesson II: If we are to become close to Allah we too must have correct knowledge of Him and His names and attributes and mention Him often through His Dhikr. If we remember Him much in times of ease, only then will we be able to remember Him in times of difficulty.

They had Qunoot

Allah describes the True Believing women as being Qaanitaat and described Maryam in particular as having the characteristic of Qunoot. He says in Surah Aal Imran, Aayah 43:
"O Maryam! Submit yourself with obedience (Uqnuti) to your Lord and prostrate yourself, and bow down along with those who bow down."

Qunoot means to stand for long periods in prayer and this was particularly a characteristic of Maryam and Fatima. Qunoot also means to be devoutly obedient and to submit to Allah.

Lesson III: We must become true worshippers of Allah, not only striving to establish our prayers, but striving to concentrate and to lengthen our prayers, in particular, the Night Prayer (tahajjud). We must have soft hearts that accept Allah's commands and obey him with devotion.

They supported the Believing men in their lives

Aasiya saved the baby Musa from Pharoah and brought him up & believed in him. Mariam was pivotal to the message of Eesa and she brought him to the people as a sign from Allah. Fatima defended her father when the idolators in Makkah threw the blood and carcass of a dead camel on her father's back while he prayed. She removed the filth and stood up to the men who had attacked her father, only to be slapped in the face by Abu Jahl.

Khadijah stood by the Prophet (saw) and spent her wealth for the sake of his message. She endured the difficult boycott period when the Muslims and their supporters were forced to dwell in a valley away from the people of Makkah and were refused food or trade. The Muslims used to eat the leaves of the trees due to the extreme state of poverty they were in. Khadijah endured these hardships and stood by the Prophet (saw).

Lesson IV: We must support our men folk and help them to be 'real men'. We must stand by them in times of difficulty and strengthen them when they feel weak in their Iman. It's amazing the effect that a woman can have on a man's self-esteem and confidence. Insha Allah, we will be rewarded for helping our men to be better servants of Allah.

They had Courage

Fatima was often seen in the wars that the Muslims fought, treating the wounded and stood up to Abu Jahl when he attacked the Prophet (saw). Mariam had the courage to bring Eesa to people after her difficult ordeal. She knew they would accuse her of being unchaste, yet she bravely obeyed Allah's command. Khadijah had the courage to follow and encourage the Prophet (saw) in his mission even though she endured hardship due to it. Aasiyah courageously stood up to Pharoah, the greatest tyrant of that time and refused to become a disbeliever.

Lesson V: We have to be prepared to do difficult things in our lives. We must have the courage to speak out to defend the oppressed and to tell people about our Deen without watering it down and we must be prepared to sacrifice anything for the sake of the Truth.

They had Istiqamah and Sabr

Istiqamah means to stand firm upon the straight path and sabr is patient perseverance. In other words, they tenaciously held on to the truth come what may.

Asiyah stayed firm upon the Deen of Musa throught her torture and martyrdom. Mariam had sabr when facing her peoples' accusations and stayed firm throughout the tests she faced. Khadijah and Fatima endured the three-year boycott that was imposed on them and went through the persecution of Makkah and kept their Iman.

Lesson VI: We live in a time when we need Istiqamah. We need to stay true to the message of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and not be tempted to water-down our Deen to appease other people. It will mean being patient and displeasing people sometimes, but ultimately we will have pleased Allah and He will give us success.

They had Tawakkul (Reliance Upon Allah)

When she was being persecuted for worshipping Allah, Aasiya's reliance upon Allah made her stay firm upon Iman and not yield under the intense pressure. Fatima faced poverty and physical hardship after her marriage to Ali to the point that her hands became rough and her face changed colour due to the physically demanding work she was doing. Despite this she was not allowed to receive Zakah and was not granted a servant when she wanted one. Instead the Prophet taught her and Ali to say 'Subhan Allah' 33 times and 'Alhamdulillah' 33 times and 'Allahu Akbar' 34 times. He reminded them that Allah was the One who would make things easier for them so they should put all of their trust in Him. All four of the women persevered in the tests they faced due to their reliance upon Allah and knowledge that He would make their affairs right.

Lesson VII: We must learn to truly have tawakkul in Allah and trust that after we have done our bit, Allah will make everything turn out right as long as we are conscious of Him.

They had Zuhd (were not attached to the life of this world)

The Prophet (saw) once told Fatima to remove the gold bangles she was wearing as he wanted to teach her not to desire this life. She immediately removed the bangles and gave them away in charity. Khadijah spent her wealth in supporting the Da'wah during the Makkan period, she gave up her status as one of the most noble and esteemed women of the Quraysh in order to stand by the Prophet.

Aasiya could have had a life of luxury as she was married to the richest and most powerful man in the world. She gave up the material delights she could have enjoyed if she complied with Pharaoh's wishes. Yet she chose what was with Allah over this worldly life.

Lesson VIII: We must be willing to give up all we have for the sake of Allah. We must avoid joining in the race to have the best and latest commodities and realise that what is with Allah is so much more.

Glad Tidings Of Jannat For Women

Allah has said that those women who are Muslims, who put their îmân in order, who are obedient, who give in charity, who fast, who protect their honour and chastity, who remember Allah abundantly - Allah has set aside forgiveness and a great reward for them.

Allah has said that pious women have the following qualities: they are obedient, and they protect their honour even if the husband is not at home. Allah has further stated that such women are good women, who are steadfast on the Sharî‘ah, whose beliefs are in order, who are obedient, if they commit any act that is contrary to the Sharî‘ah they repent immediately, who occupy themselves in the ‘ibâdah of Allah, and who fast.

Ahâdîth

1. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "Allah's mercy descends on a woman who wakes up for tahajjud and awakens her husband as well."

2. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "The woman who passes away in her virginity, while delivering a child or while in her nifâs shall receive the status of a martyr."

3. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "The woman who loses three of her children and exercises patience considering it to be an act of reward, will be entered into jannah." A woman asked: "What if she only loses two children in this way?" He replied: "The reward for two is the same." Another narration mentions that a Sahâbî asked about one child and Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam also mentioned a great reward for such a mother.

4. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "The woman who miscarries, that child will draw its mother towards jannah as long as she exercises patience hoping to be rewarded."

5. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "The best possession is a pious wife: when the husband looks at her he is pleased with her, when he orders her to do something she obeys, when the husband goes out, she protects her honour and chastity and remains in her home."

6. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "Among the Arab women, the women of the Quraysh surpass all other women in two aspects: they are very compassionate to their children and they protect the wealth of their husbands."

Lesson: We learn from this that women should possess these two characteristics. These days, women spend the wealth of their husbands very lavishly. They should display far more compassion and attention to reforming their habits and mannerisms than what they display for their children’s food and clothing. If they do not do this, their compassion and tenderness will be incomplete.

7. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "Marry virgin women because their relationship with their husbands is soft and tender, and they are pleased with the minimum that is spent on them."

Lesson: We learn from this that modesty, consideration and contentment are good characteristics in a woman. This does not mean that one should not marry widows. Instead, this is actually in praise of virgin women. There are certain Ahâdîth in which Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam made du‘â for a certain Sahâbî for marrying a widow.

8. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "When a woman offers her five times salât, keeps the fasts of Ramadân, safeguards her honour, and obeys her husband; she can enter jannah from whichever door she wishes."

Lesson: This means that if she is steadfast on the necessary forms of ‘ibâdah, there is no need to engage in other forms of ‘ibâdah which are very taxing. The status and reward that one receives for engaging in the other forms of ‘ibâdah can be obtained by a woman by merely obeying her husband, tending to her children, and fulfilling her domestic tasks.

9. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "The woman who passes away in such a state where her husband is pleased with her will enter jannah."

10. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "The person who has been blessed with four things has in fact been blessed with the treasures of this world and the hereafter. They are: a grateful heart, a tongue that remembers Allah, a body that exercises patience at the time of calamities and difficulties, a woman who does not cause any taint or blemish with regard to her honour and her husband's wealth."

Lesson: In other words, she should not lose her honour nor should she spend her husband's wealth without obtaining his pleasure.

11. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "A noble and rich woman who is widowed and yet becomes dirty on account of serving and rearing her children to such an extent that they mature and live on their own or pass away, shall be close to me in jannah just as the index finger and middle finger are close to each other."

Lesson: This does not mean that there is more reward for a woman to abstain from remarrying. What this means is that if a woman feels that by her remarrying, her children will go astray and she has no inclination towards beautifying herself and no desires, then this will be her status.
12. A person said to Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam: "O Rasûlullâh! A certain woman offers plenty of nafl salâts, fasts abundantly and gives a lot in charity. However she causes much verbal harm to her neighbours." He replied: "She will go into jahannam." The same person then said: "A certain woman does not offer many nafl salâts, does not fast abundantly nor does she give a lot in charity; she merely gives pieces of panîr (a type of cheese) in charity. However she does not cause any harm to her neighbours." He replied: "She will go into jannah."

13. A woman came to Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam with two children, one she was carrying and the other she was holding by the hand. Upon seeing this scene, he said: "These women bear the children in their wombs, thereafter they give birth to them, and thereafter they display so much of love and compassion for them. Had their relationship with their husbands not been bad, and had they offered their salâts regularly, they would have went directly into jannah."

A selection of Ahâdîth from Kanzul ‘Ummâl

1. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam addressed women and said: "Aren't you pleased that when a woman falls pregnant through her husband and he is happy with her falling pregnant, she will receive a reward equal to a person fasting in the path of Allah and engaging in ‘ibâdah at night in the path of Allah? When she experiences labour pains, the things which are kept in store for her and which will provide her with comfort are not known to all those in the heavens and the earth. Thereafter when the child is born, for every drop of milk that he drinks and each time that he sucks her breast, one reward will be recorded in her favour. When the mother has to wake up at night on account of the child, she will receive the reward of freeing 70 slaves in the path of Allah. O Salâmat! Do you know who these women are? They are those who, despite being pious and delicately brought up, are obedient to their husbands and are not ungrateful to them."

2. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: "When a woman gives anything in charity from her husband's house without destroying it, she will be rewarded on account of her giving. The husband will also be rewarded because it is his hard-earned money. The person who has been entrusted to distribute the charity will also receive a similar reward. No one's reward will decrease on account of the other."

Lesson: A woman should not be under the misconception that if the income is the husband's she would not receive any reward.

3. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "O women! Your jihâd is performing hajj."

Lesson: Look at the concession that he has given. That is, by performing hajj, in which they do not have to bear the difficulties of jihâd, they receive the reward of waging jihâd which is the most difficult form of ‘ibâdah.

4. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "There is no jihâd on women, no jumu'ah, nor do they have to accompany the janâzah."

Lesson: Here again, look at the rewards that they receive by merely staying at home.

5. When Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam took his wives on hajj, he said to them: "This hajj is sufficient for you. Now you must remain on your mats (i.e. in your homes)."
Lesson: This means that they should not undertake any journey without any dire need to do so.

6. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "Allah loves the woman who has love and affection for her husband and safeguards herself from other men."

Lesson: This means that she should not consider it below her dignity to express her love and adulation for her husband as is the habit of certain proud and haughty women.

7. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "Women are also parts of men."

Lesson: It is a well-known fact that Hawwâ was created from Âdam ‘alayhimas salâm. The meaning of this Hadîth is that rules that are applicable to men are applicable to women as well, except for certain specific rules. Based on this, even if their virtues are not mentioned separately, then too there is nothing to complain about. The virtues for good deeds which are mentioned with regard to men are applicable to women as well.

8. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "Allah has prescribed jealousy for women and jihâd for men. If a woman exercises patience with îmân in the hope for reward on account of a certain action which may cause her to be jealous, such as her husband marrying a second wife, then she will receive the reward of a martyr."

Lesson: Look at the great reward that a woman receives on account of a little self-control and patience as opposed to the man who has to undergo so many difficulties to receive that reward (i.e. the reward of a martyr).

9. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "By doing your wife's work you will receive the reward of charity."

Lesson: Look at how the Sharî‘ah has shown you the ways of providing comfort to women. It has promised to reward you in such a way that every Muslim will provide comfort to his wife in the hope for this reward.

10. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "The best woman is the one whom when her husband looks at her he is pleased with her, when he orders her to do something she obeys him, and she does not displease him by doing anything contrary regarding his wealth and honour."

11. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "May Allah have mercy on women who wear izâr."

Lesson: On account of purdah, wearing the izâr is something that is natural to women. Despite this, Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam has made du‘â for such women. This is a great form of compassion towards women.

12. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "The immorality of one woman is equal to the immorality of 1000 men. The piety of one pious woman is equal to the ‘ibâdah of 70 ’auliyâ’."

Lesson: Look at the immense reward for a mere small act. If this is not in consideration of women then what is it?

13. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "The fulfilling of domestic tasks by a woman can cause her to reach the stage of jihâd - Inshâ’ Allah."

Lesson: How marvellous! There is no end to the bounties of Allah Ta‘âlâ.

14. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "The best woman among you is the one who is untainted with regard to her honour and chastity, and who loves her husband."

Lesson: To love the husband is actually happiness of the heart. Despite this, there is virtue and reward in it.

15. A person said to Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam: "O Rasûlullâh! I have a wife. When I go to her, she says to me: 'Welcome to my chief and the chief of my household.' When she sees me sad and sorrowful, she says: 'Why are you worrying about the world? Your hereafter is being made easy for you.'" Upon hearing this, Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "Inform her that she is from among all those who are working for Allah (i.e. doing good deeds) and she is receiving half the reward of those waging jihâd."

Lesson: Look at the immense reward she received for this insignificant gesture of hers (which caused comfort to her husband).

16. ’Asmâ’ bint Yazîd Ansâriyyah relates that she addressed Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam saying: "O Rasûlullâh! I have been sent as an envoy by other women. They are saying that men have surpassed us on account of their attending the jumu'ah salât, congregational salât, visiting the sick, attending the janâzah, hajj, ‘umrah, and defending the borders of the Islamic state." He replied: "Go back to these women and inform them that for them to beautify themselves for their husbands or fulfil the marital relationships with them, to search for those things which will cause the husband to be pleased with them, and to be obedient to the husband equals all the above actions (which are carried out by men)."

17. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "The reward that a woman receives from the time that she falls pregnant until she delivers the child and commences breast-feeding is equal to the person who is guarding the borders of the Islamic state and who has to be ever ready to wage jihâd. If this woman dies in the course of this period, she will receive the reward of a martyr."

18. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "When a woman breast-feeds her child, the reward that she receives for every sip is as if she has given life to a dead person. When she commences breast-feeding, an angel taps her on her back (a form of congratulation) and says to her: 'All your past sins are forgiven. Now whatever you do will be recorded from the very beginning.'" That is, the sins that you may commit will be written for the future. Minor sins are referred to in this context. However, having one's minor sins forgiven is no small feat.

19. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "O women! Remember that the pious among you will enter jannah before the pious men. (Later when their husbands will enter jannah) they (the pious women) will be given a bath, perfumed and then handed over to their husbands on red and yellow conveyances. They will have children with them who will be like scattered pearls."

Lesson: O women! What greater virtue do you wish to have? You have already reached jannah before the men. Obviously, the prerequisite is that you should become pious and this is not difficult.

20. Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "The woman whose husband is not at home, and she safeguards her honour, abandons beautifying herself, remains at home, abandons everything that is considered to be a form of beautification and offers salât with steadfastness will rise on the day of judgement as a virgin. If her husband was a true believer, she will be his wife in jannah. If he was not a true believer, e.g. if he passed away without îmân, Allah will perform her nikâh with a martyr."

21. Abû Dardâ' radiyallâhu ‘anhu narrates: "My friend, Abul Qâsim sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam, made me a bequest. He said: 'Continue spending on your house folk according to your ability.'"

Lesson: Those who act miserly when it comes to spending on their wives despite being able to spend should ponder over this Hadith.

22. ‘Alî radiyallâhu ‘anhu says: "A person will not become a manager over his house as long as he does not worry about how the house folk clothed themselves or how they extinguished the fire of hunger."

Lesson: Those men who do not worry about their house folk due to their (men) selfishness should take a lesson from these words of Hadrat ‘Alî.

Additional Ahâdîth from Mishkât

23. Abû Hurayrah radiyallâhu ‘anhu narrates that Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "Accept my advice of kindness towards women because they have been created from a rib...."

Lesson: In other words, do not expect to straighten them completely. Exercise patience over their lower understanding. Look at how we have been commanded to take them into consideration and be lenient towards them.

24. Abû Hurayrah radiyallâhu ‘anhu narrates that a believing man should not despise a believing woman (i.e. his wife) because if he does not like a certain habit or trait of hers, he is bound to like some other habit of hers.

Lesson: In other words, he should think about this and thereby exercise patience.

25. ‘Abdullâh bin Zam‘ah narrates that Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "Do not strike your wife as you would your slave and thereafter engage in sexual intercourse with her at the end of the day."

Lesson: In other words, if you do this, how will she show affection towards you?

26. Hakîm bin Mu‘âwiyah narrates from his father that he said: "O Rasûlullâh! What rights do our wives have over us?" He replied: "When you eat, you must also feed them. When you clothe yourself, you should also clothe them. Do not strike them on their faces. If you have any quarrel with her, it should be left in the house." In other words, if you have any quarrel with her, this quarrel should not go out of the house (or should not be mentioned to anyone).

27. Abû Hurayrah radiyallâhu ‘anhu narrates that Rasûlullâh sallallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "The best among the believers is he whose character is the best. And the best among you is the one who is best with his wife."