Women in Islam
Women co-exist working hard every day, side by side making up the sum of humanity, still it’s always thought provoking watching facets of women’s lives come to the forefront; from their struggles to their achievements and a show of appreciation through International Women’s Day last Monday and this Sunday, Mother’s Day (in UK).
I hope my recent posts on the wives, daughters, foster mothers and Sahabbiyat have given an appreciation into the blessed lives of women around the Prophetﷺ. To see the transformation heﷺ brought by way of Islam to the quality of life for women; elevating their status, endowing them rights, education, protecting their welfare and so much more, unlike any civilisation before. While sadly problems exist today in our communities, especially around women’s issues tainted by un-Islamic practices, it is apt to share an example as a reminder of the high regard for women there is in Islam.
The Ansar said Umm Salama(ra) was the first woman to migrate to them but it hadn’t been easy. She endured much persecution; separated from her husband, her child taken away from her, her grief lasted a year-long until the intervention of a sympathetic tribe member, who saw to her being reunited with her family.
Later Umm Salama(ra) said, ‘O Messenger of Allahﷺ! Allah does not mention women in connection with the Hijra.’
So, Allah (swt) sent down the ayat, “So their Lord accepted of them (their supplication and answered them), ‘Never will I allow to be lost the work of any of you, be he male or female.’”[3:195]
Allah, SWT is Just and while His Divine words were always addressing both men and women, He answered Umm Salama(ra) with the reminder that men and women are spiritually equal; partners and not competitors in life, like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle they’re designed to match, compliment and complete each other. Allah, SWT gave affirmation to both genders in their own right and of the respect due to each for their different natures and the pivotal roles that each plays for betterment of society. No work of either gender could ever be lost in His eyes.
𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 of 𝗦.𝗡.𝗝𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗶 ✍🏼 (𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗯𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, Islamic chapter books for kids📚)
