Thank You Sandra

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   Thank you Sandra, 
Thank you very much as your posts helped me to strengthen my FAITH. Your words motivated me to increase my knowledge about my religion. It helped me to be far more THNKFUL to Allah for making me MUSLIM. Alhumdolillah

Don��t be surprised. Let me explain. It was evident from your posts that your mind was already made-up about we Muslim women and you were just here to criticize. Alhumdolillah I am a muslim woman, happy and contented over my status. Your posts were so disturbing for me that I decided to write in detail the benefits that we Muslim women enjoy. So that every visitor in the forum come to know that how blessed and contented we Muslim women are. This research showed me so many aspects that were still hidden to me and this filled me with thankfulness. ALHUMDOLILLAH. Allah u Akbar. 

Now I feel far more strengthen in my faith. This helped me to be more thankful to Allah for the Blessings That Allah bestows unto me as a Muslim woman.  I am proud to be a Muslim woman. 

Inshallah I will share whatever I read. 

http://www.themodernreligion.com/women/w_117.htm
There you will find compilation of all the verses in Quran that are about women.
To Separate Fact From Fiction
�P         Contrary to widespread erroneous belief, 
�P         Contrary to widespread negative stereotyping, and 
�P         Contrary to regrettable practices in some Islamic societies where anti-Islamic culture traditions have won over Islamic teachings and where women are subdued (and men even more so) 
This information has been written with the objective of briefing you on the true Islamic teachings regarding women laid down by the Quran and prophet Mohammad over 14 centuries ago. 
�h  Islam declared women and men equal. 

�h  Islam condemned pre-Islamic practices degrading and oppressing women. 

�h  The same injunctions and prohibitions of Islam equally apply to both sexes. 

�h  Islam gave woman the right of inheritance and the right of individual independent ownership unhampered by father, husband, brother, son or anyone else. 

�h  Islam gave women the right to accept or reject a marriage proposal free from pressure, and by mutual agreement to specify in the marriage contract that she has the right to divorce (if she misses that option she has the right to seek court divorce if she deems the marriage to have failed beyond repair). 

�h  Islam does not require woman to change her name at marriage. 

�h  Islam protects the family and condemns the betrayal of marital fidelity. It recognizes only one type of family: husband and wife united by authentic marriage contract. 

�h  "Heaven is at the feet of mothers", is a basic Islamic teaching. 

�h  "The best of you are the kindest to their wives and I am your best to mine", is a teaching by prophet Mohammad. 

�h  Islam enjoins sounds morality in thinking, behavior and appearance. Dress fashions and social patterns that reduce woman to a sex object and exploit her as such are not acceptable to Islam. 

�h  The observance of chastity and moral standards is equally demanded by Islam from both men and women. "Women are the siblings of men", is a saying of prophet Mohammad. 

published by Islamic Center of Southern California 
For more information please contact: 
 Islamic Center of Southern California 
434 S. Vermont Avenue 
Los Angeles, CA 90020 
(213) 382 - 9200 
Source: http://www.themodernreligion.com/women/w_facts_fiction.htm

A World Where Womanhood Reigns Supreme (The Seeds of My Own Re-evaluations) 
by MARY WALKER who was Production Coordinator on the BBC2 series "Living Islam". Article courtesy of Impact Magazine   
When I joined the team of "Living Islam" two years ago, my perception of Islam was dominated by prejudice and ignorance, and I found its treatment of women abhorrent. To me the veil symbolised the oppression of women, making them invisible, anonymous and voiceless, and the cause of this oppression lay in the will to perpetuate the family and maintain a patriarchal framework - the very basis of an Islamic Society. I thought women were entirely submerged by divine justification of their role as wife and mother. 
"Living Islam" was filmed over two years in 19 different countries and on location I was a lone female in an otherwise male team. I was aware that I especially should behave appropriately. In my mind, women were to be neither seen nor heard. My first trip took me to Mali - to an untypical Muslim community in the bush. Making sure to cover every bit of naked flesh while the men wandered around in short sleeves, I wondered what rooms I was permitted to enter and who I was permitted to talk to. But I also wondered whether my new-found meekness was not in part a reaction to the overpowering atmosphere of the patriarchal society I found my self in. Was this how Muslim women felt - resignation in the face of impossible odds? 
The first Muslim woman I met in Mali was far removed from my preconception about the Muslim female. She was the wife of a Shaikh dedicated to converting pagan villagers to Islam. A sophisticated, well-educated woman, previously married to a diplomat, she had renounced a Western lifestyle for a life in purdah. In my eyesshe had sentenced herself to life imprisonment. But here was no prisoner, no poor downtrodden slave. A sharp intelligent and influential woman stood before me, clearly the one "who wore trousers" round here. Here seclusion gave her a status of honour and allowed her to exercise control from behind closed doors without confrontation. She was the bargainer, the head of the household, and the manager of her husbands affairs and schedule. 
The emancipated woman in the West faces the conflict between confirmation of her femininity and the privileges that she associates with it, and repudiation of the confines of her female role and all the limitations that men want her to assume. From where I stood, this woman had transformed those limitations into priviliges. 
On my next trip to northern Nigeria I met twoi more women who would alter my views even further. These were two women from the household of Shaikh Zakzaky, a fervent preacher of Jihad who urges his supporters to follow the example of Iran and replace the imerialistic western regime with an Islamic state. Zeenah Ibraheem, Zakzaky's wife and Fatima Yunus, her friend, had agreed to be interviewed about the role of women in Islam. They were in purdah and would only speak to another woman. The producer asked me to interview them. I was nervous apart from the fact that I had never interviewed anyone before. I was worred that my feminist sympathies would antagonise the women. But it was precisely these sympathies that Zeenah and Fatima themselves were questioning. Once again, the women were educated and articulate. And once again they had rejected the Western lifestyle which I considered so superior to Islam in its treatment of women. 
As I took my seat on a carpet in the courtyard, the invisible boundary between men and women was a welcome partition, and within this boundary womanhood reigned supreme. This was a sharp contrast with the feelings from the previous days in locations where my presence had been acceptable only as an "honarary man". We had been filming the medieval theatrics of the 'Salla' celebrations that marked the end of Ramadan. Men, men, men everywhere: 500,000 men gathered for prayer on the morning of the Salla, men pouring into the inner courtyard of the Emirof Kano's inner courtyard to pay homage - I was grateful to be allowed to witness these events but at what price? The complete annihilation of my female identity? 
But now I was taking the reins because of my sex. No more the feeling of inferiority and exclusion, as a novice in things Islamic surrounded by a team of experts, as a woman in a patriarchal society. Now the men were excluded. Apart from the cameraman and sound recordist, they were encouraged to stand well back. The cameraman covered his head and the camera with a black cloth - his very own veil. I was now in a world where the men had no voice. 
The women talked and in their answers I saw the seeds of my own re-evalutions. They argued that the veil signified their rejection of an unacceptable system of values which debased women while Islam elevated women to a position of honour and respect. "It is not liberation where you say women should go naked. It is just oppression, because men want to see them naked." Just as to us the veil represents Muslim oppression, to them miniskirts and plunging necklines represent oppression. They said that men are cheating women in the West. They let us believe we're liberated but enslave us to the male gaze. However much I insist on the right to choose what I wear, I cannot deny that the choice is often dictated by what will make my body more attractive to men. Women cannot separate their identity from their appearance and so we remain trapped in the traditional feminine world, where the rules are written by men. 
By choosing to wear the veil, these women were making a conscious decision to define their role in society and their relationship with men. That relationship appeard to be based more on exchange and mutual respect (a respect that was often lacking in the personal relationships I saw in the West), than the master/servant scenario I had anticipated. The Veil to them signified visual confirmation of their religious commitment, in which men and women were united, and for Zeenah and Fatima an even stronger commitment to a political ideal. 
So were my notions of oppression in the form of the veil disqualified? If my definition of equality was free will then I could no longer define that oppression as a symptom of Islam. The women had all excercised their right to choose. To some extent, they were freer than me - I had less control over my destiny. I could no longer point at them and say they were oppressed and I was not. my life was influenced by male approval as theirs - but the element of choice had been taken out of mine. their situations and their arguments had, after all, served to highlight shortcomings in my view of my own liberty. 

http://www.themodernreligion.com/women/w_supreme.htm

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amna_ali Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 06 April 2005 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 65	Post Options Post Reply Quote amna_ali Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Thank You Sandra Posted: 12 July 2005 at 2:41am
	Thank you Sandra, Thank you very much as your posts helped me to strengthen my FAITH. Your words motivated me to increase my knowledge about my religion. It helped me to be far more THNKFUL to Allah for making me MUSLIM. Alhumdolillah Don��t be surprised. Let me explain. It was evident from your posts that your mind was already made-up about we Muslim women and you were just here to criticize. Alhumdolillah I am a muslim woman, happy and contented over my status. Your posts were so disturbing for me that I decided to write in detail the benefits that we Muslim women enjoy. So that every visitor in the forum come to know that how blessed and contented we Muslim women are. This research showed me so many aspects that were still hidden to me and this filled me with thankfulness. ALHUMDOLILLAH. Allah u Akbar. Now I feel far more strengthen in my faith. This helped me to be more thankful to Allah for the Blessings That Allah bestows unto me as a Muslim woman. I am proud to be a Muslim woman. Inshallah I will share whatever I read. http://www.themodernreligion.com/women/w_117.htm There you will find compilation of all the verses in Quran that are about women. To Separate Fact From Fiction �P Contrary to widespread erroneous belief, �P Contrary to widespread negative stereotyping, and �P Contrary to regrettable practices in some Islamic societies where anti-Islamic culture traditions have won over Islamic teachings and where women are subdued (and men even more so) This information has been written with the objective of briefing you on the true Islamic teachings regarding women laid down by the Quran and prophet Mohammad over 14 centuries ago. �h Islam declared women and men equal. �h Islam condemned pre-Islamic practices degrading and oppressing women. �h The same injunctions and prohibitions of Islam equally apply to both sexes. �h Islam gave woman the right of inheritance and the right of individual independent ownership unhampered by father, husband, brother, son or anyone else. �h Islam gave women the right to accept or reject a marriage proposal free from pressure, and by mutual agreement to specify in the marriage contract that she has the right to divorce (if she misses that option she has the right to seek court divorce if she deems the marriage to have failed beyond repair). �h Islam does not require woman to change her name at marriage. �h Islam protects the family and condemns the betrayal of marital fidelity. It recognizes only one type of family: husband and wife united by authentic marriage contract. �h *"Heaven is at the feet of mothers"*, is a basic Islamic teaching. �h *"The best of you are the kindest to their wives and I am your best to mine"*, is a teaching by prophet Mohammad. �h Islam enjoins sounds morality in thinking, behavior and appearance. Dress fashions and social patterns that reduce woman to a sex object and exploit her as such are not acceptable to Islam. �h The observance of chastity and moral standards is equally demanded by Islam from both men and women. "Women are the siblings of men", is a saying of prophet Mohammad. published by Islamic Center of Southern California For more information please contact: Islamic Center of Southern California 434 S. Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90020 (213) 382 - 9200 Source: http://www.themodernreligion.com/women/w_facts_fiction.htm A World Where Womanhood Reigns Supreme (The Seeds of My Own Re-evaluations) by MARY WALKER who was Production Coordinator on the BBC2 series "Living Islam". Article courtesy of Impact Magazine When I joined the team of "Living Islam" two years ago, my perception of Islam was dominated by prejudice and ignorance, and I found its treatment of women abhorrent. To me the veil symbolised the oppression of women, making them invisible, anonymous and voiceless, and the cause of this oppression lay in the will to perpetuate the family and maintain a patriarchal framework - the very basis of an Islamic Society. I thought women were entirely submerged by divine justification of their role as wife and mother. "Living Islam" was filmed over two years in 19 different countries and on location I was a lone female in an otherwise male team. I was aware that I especially should behave appropriately. In my mind, women were to be neither seen nor heard. My first trip took me to Mali - to an untypical Muslim community in the bush. Making sure to cover every bit of naked flesh while the men wandered around in short sleeves, I wondered what rooms I was permitted to enter and who I was permitted to talk to. But I also wondered whether my new-found meekness was not in part a reaction to the overpowering atmosphere of the patriarchal society I found my self in. Was this how Muslim women felt - resignation in the face of impossible odds? The first Muslim woman I met in Mali was far removed from my preconception about the Muslim female. She was the wife of a Shaikh dedicated to converting pagan villagers to Islam. A sophisticated, well-educated woman, previously married to a diplomat, she had renounced a Western lifestyle for a life in purdah. In my eyesshe had sentenced herself to life imprisonment. But here was no prisoner, no poor downtrodden slave. A sharp intelligent and influential woman stood before me, clearly the one "who wore trousers" round here. Here seclusion gave her a status of honour and allowed her to exercise control from behind closed doors without confrontation. She was the bargainer, the head of the household, and the manager of her husbands affairs and schedule. The emancipated woman in the West faces the conflict between confirmation of her femininity and the privileges that she associates with it, and repudiation of the confines of her female role and all the limitations that men want her to assume. From where I stood, this woman had transformed those limitations into priviliges. On my next trip to northern Nigeria I met twoi more women who would alter my views even further. These were two women from the household of Shaikh Zakzaky, a fervent preacher of Jihad who urges his supporters to follow the example of Iran and replace the imerialistic western regime with an Islamic state. Zeenah Ibraheem, Zakzaky's wife and Fatima Yunus, her friend, had agreed to be interviewed about the role of women in Islam. They were in purdah and would only speak to another woman. The producer asked me to interview them. I was nervous apart from the fact that I had never interviewed anyone before. I was worred that my feminist sympathies would antagonise the women. But it was precisely these sympathies that Zeenah and Fatima themselves were questioning. Once again, the women were educated and articulate. And once again they had rejected the Western lifestyle which I considered so superior to Islam in its treatment of women. As I took my seat on a carpet in the courtyard, the invisible boundary between men and women was a welcome partition, and within this boundary womanhood reigned supreme. This was a sharp contrast with the feelings from the previous days in locations where my presence had been acceptable only as an "honarary man". We had been filming the medieval theatrics of the 'Salla' celebrations that marked the end of Ramadan. Men, men, men everywhere: 500,000 men gathered for prayer on the morning of the Salla, men pouring into the inner courtyard of the Emirof Kano's inner courtyard to pay homage - I was grateful to be allowed to witness these events but at what price? The complete annihilation of my female identity? But now I was taking the reins because of my sex. No more the feeling of inferiority and exclusion, as a novice in things Islamic surrounded by a team of experts, as a woman in a patriarchal society. Now the men were excluded. Apart from the cameraman and sound recordist, they were encouraged to stand well back. The cameraman covered his head and the camera with a black cloth - his very own veil. I was now in a world where the men had no voice. The women talked and in their answers I saw the seeds of my own re-evalutions. They argued that the veil signified their rejection of an unacceptable system of values which debased women while Islam elevated women to a position of honour and respect. "It is not liberation where you say women should go naked. It is just oppression, because men want to see them naked." Just as to us the veil represents Muslim oppression, to them miniskirts and plunging necklines represent oppression. They said that men are cheating women in the West. They let us believe we're liberated but enslave us to the male gaze. However much I insist on the right to choose what I wear, I cannot deny that the choice is often dictated by what will make my body more attractive to men. Women cannot separate their identity from their appearance and so we remain trapped in the traditional feminine world, where the rules are written by men. By choosing to wear the veil, these women were making a conscious decision to define their role in society and their relationship with men. That relationship appeard to be based more on exchange and mutual respect (a respect that was often lacking in the personal relationships I saw in the West), than the master/servant scenario I had anticipated. The Veil to them signified visual confirmation of their religious commitment, in which men and women were united, and for Zeenah and Fatima an even stronger commitment to a political ideal. So were my notions of oppression in the form of the veil disqualified? If my definition of equality was free will then I could no longer define that oppression as a symptom of Islam. The women had all excercised their right to choose. To some extent, they were freer than me - I had less control over my destiny. I could no longer point at them and say they were oppressed and I was not. my life was influenced by male approval as theirs - but the element of choice had been taken out of mine. their situations and their arguments had, after all, served to highlight shortcomings in my view of my own liberty. http://www.themodernreligion.com/women/w_supreme.htm
	Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. God is free of all wants and He is most forebearing. (Al baqra: 263)

ummziba Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Female Joined: 16 March 2005 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1158	Post Options Post Reply Quote ummziba Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 July 2005 at 3:25am
	Assalamu alaikum Sister Amna_ali, Alhamudilillah! A very good post and some excellent points raised! Peace, ummziba.
	Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words...they break my soul ~

J.R. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 25 June 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 87	Post Options Post Reply Quote J.R. Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 July 2005 at 7:11am
	Assalamu Alaikum, I too can not express the happiness in my heart to be a Muslim woman. I respect the opinions of every human being. Thank you, Sister Amna Ali for taking the time to write this post ofr the Muslims and non-Muslims who are part of this forum. I encourage you to continue your studies even more and insha Allah update this post as much as possible so it can be seen regularly at the top of the sister discussion forum page. Fee Amanallah, J.R.
	Smile

amna_ali Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 06 April 2005 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 65	Post Options Post Reply Quote amna_ali Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 July 2005 at 9:44am
	Asslamualaikum Alhumdolillah Jazak Allahu Khair. Yes I know its the voice of all muslim women. I hope that all of us put our share to show the world how free and powerful we muslim women are. I am happy and all the time thank Allah. I was just thinking how ignorant these poor creatures are who consider hijab a hindrance, a sign of oppression. Hey why you criticize my veil? Why you think it a hindrance? Why you take it as a sign of oppression? Oh, How ignorant you are!!!! You cant even imagine the satisfaction and protection that we experience while in veil. The veil is not a hindrance rather it provides us with energy that enables us to fully concentrate over our wok. http://www.themodernreligion.com/poetry/poem_objectdespair.h tm#woman Go to this site. Many poems that reflect the contentment of muslim women. Here is one to share now. MY SHADE by Khadija Javed You wonder what my shade is, What it represents. Call me anything; An extremist, a fundamentalist, Anything you desire. I don't care. My shade is My protection from this evil world, from roaming eyes, from diseased hearts. Call me anything; Vain or Submissive. I don't care. My shade is My Protection of my beauty, reserved for one special gift that God has given me; My Life Partner. This world is but a fleeting moment about to end at Any Time. The Signs are here. The Day of Judgement is coming. No one will enter my grave with me except My body, my heart, my soul. Call me a pessimist, Distressed, Repressed, Oppressed, I don't care. My shade Covers me Like a tree from the sun; Like a coat of wax on your shiny new sportscar. My shade My protection, is my Khimaar, I am a woman of Islaam. Ma Salaam
	Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. God is free of all wants and He is most forebearing. (Al baqra: 263)

J.R. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 25 June 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 87	Post Options Post Reply Quote J.R. Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 July 2005 at 10:30am
	Assalamu Alaikum, Thank you again, Sis, for posting this and that wonderful poem. Even though we get ignorant people in this website, let's thank Allah (swt) for all the considerate, tolerant, and intelligent non-Muslim women who care enough to come on here and educate themselves about Islam or at least open their ears a little. Another point on hijab which I'd like to mention here before I forget is that Allah (swt) recommends that we wear hijab and amongst the many reasons He tells us to do so is that we become symbols of Islam to others, even more than Muslim men. We take on this role of representing Islam as a reminder to Muslims who cross our paths and to non-Muslims. This role given to us by Allah (swt) is such an amazing honor for women! We become leaders ourselves through this role, givign us such unique power that if we are responsible with this role comes such great rewards!! So how can hijab possibly be oppressive? It's an honor. When other Muslims see us in our hijab they are reminded of their faith and of Allah (swt). Certiainly we will be rewarded for this. Allah (swt) has blessed us with such a great role. Peace, J.R.
	Smile

amna_ali Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 06 April 2005 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 65	Post Options Post Reply Quote amna_ali Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 July 2005 at 10:58pm
	Asslamualaikum Jazak Allah J.R. I agree. Mere wearing of Hijab is not enough. Its important to know the true meaning of it. There must be coordination in our saying and deeds.The most important thing it to show through one's acts how a good muslim one is. True faith in Allah (SWT) will help us inshallah to be steadfast towards right path.MAy Allah Help us to understand Islam. May we be able to practise what we say. So lets share another good poem that represent us all. I am a Muslim Woman I am a Muslim Woman Feel free to ask me why When I walk, I walk with dignity When I speak, I do not lie I am a Muslim Woman, Not all of me you'll see But what you should appreciate Is that the choice I make is free I'm not plagued with depression I'm neither cheated nor abused I don't envy other women And I'm certainly not confused Note, I speak perfect English Et un petit peu de francais aussie I'm majoring in Linguistics So you need not speak slowly I own my own small business Every cent I earn is mine I drive my Chevy to school and work And no, that's not a crime You often stare as I walk by You don't understand my veil But peace and power I have found For I am equal to any male I am a Muslim Woman So please don't pity me For God has guided me to truth And now I'm finally free! http://www.themodernreligion.com/poetry/poem_objectdespair.h tm#woman Ma Salaam
	Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. God is free of all wants and He is most forebearing. (Al baqra: 263)

amna_ali Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 06 April 2005 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 65	Post Options Post Reply Quote amna_ali Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 July 2005 at 1:06am
	Asslamualaikum, Here is another informative atricle about Muslim women rights. Collection of References from the Quran and Hadeeth about the Rights of Women guaranteed by Islam Spiritual Equality of Women and Men Allah has got ready forgiveness and tremendous rewards for the Muslim men and women; the believing men and women; the devout men and women; the truthful men and women; the patiently suffering men and women; the humble men and women; the almsgiving men and women; the fasting men and women, the men and women who guard their chastity; and the men and women who are exceedingly mindful of Allah. (Al-Ahzab 33:35) Attitudes towards women O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower ye have given them,-except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good. (An-Nisa 4:19) Collaboration and consultation The believing men and women, are associates and helpers of each other. They (collaborate) to promote all that is beneficial and discourage all that is evil; to establish prayers and give alms, and to obey Allah and his Messenger. Those are the people whom Allah would grant mercy. Indeed Allah is Mighty and Wise. (Al-Taubah 9:71) Examples of Consensual Decision Making If both spouses decide, by mutual consent and consultation, on weaning [their baby], there is no blame on either. If you want to have your babies breastfed by a foster mother you are not doing anything blame-worthy provided you pay to the fostermother what you had agreed to offer, in accordance with the established manner. Fear Allah and know that Allah is aware it what you are doing". (Al-Baqarah, 2:233) Women's Right to Attend Mosques Narrated Ibn Umar: The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "Allow women to go to the Mosques at night." (Bukhari Volume 2, Book 13, Number 22) Narrated Ibn Umar: One of the wives of Umar (bin Al-Khattab) used to offer the Fajr and the 'Isha' prayer in congregation in the Mosque. She was asked why she had come out for the prayer as she knew that Umar disliked it, and he has great ghaira (self-respect). She replied, "What prevents him from stopping me from this act?" The other replied, "The statement of Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) : 'Do not stop Allah's women-slave from going to Allah s Mosques' prevents him." (Bukhari Volume 2, Book 13, Number 23) Ibn 'Umar reported: Grant permission to women for going to the mosque in the night. His son who was called Waqid said: Then they would make mischief. He (the narrator) said: He thumped his (son's) chest and said: I am narrating to you the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), and you say: No! (Sahih Muslim Book 004, Number 0890) Ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Do not deprive women of their share of the mosques, when they seek permission from you. Bilal said: By Allah, we would certainly prevent them. 'Abdullah said: I say that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said it and you say: We would certainly prevent them! (Sahih Muslim Book 004, Number 0891) Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Said that Atika bint Zayd ibn Amr ibn Nufayl, the wife of Umar ibn al-Khattab, used to ask Umar ibn al-Khattab for permission to go to the mosque. He would keep silent, so she would say, "By Allah, I will go out, unless you forbid me," and he would not forbid her. (Sunan Abu Dawud Book 14, Number 14.5.14) The Common Performance of Ablutions Narrated Ibn Umar: "It used to be that men and women would perform ablutions together in the time of the Messenger of Allah's assembly." (Bukhari: 1: Ch. 45, Book of Ablution) Women's Right of Proposal Narrated Sahl: A woman came to the Prophet, and presented herself to him (for marriage). He said, "I am not in need of women these days." Then a man said, "O Allah's Apostle! Marry her to me." The Prophet asked him, "What have you got?" He said, "I have got nothing." The Prophet said, "Give her something, even an iron ring." He said, "I have got nothing." The Prophet asked (him), "How much of the Quran do you know (by heart)?" He said, "So much and so much." The Prophet said, "I have married her to you for what you know of the Quran." (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 72) Women's Right of Permission Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "A matron should not be given in marriage except after consulting her; and a virgin should not be given in marriage except after her permission." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! How can we know her permission?" He said, "Her silence (indicates her permission)." (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 67) Narrated Khansa bint Khidam Al-Ansariya that her father gave her in marriage when she was a matron and she disliked that marriage. So she went to Allah's Apostle and he declared that marriage invalid. (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 69) The Right of Women not to be Forced Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: Barira's husband was a slave called Mughith, as if I am seeing him now, going behind Barira and weeping with his tears flowing down his beard. The Prophet said to 'Abbas, "O 'Abbas ! are you not astonished at the love of Mughith for Barira and the hatred of Barira for Mughith?" The Prophet then said to Barira, "Why don't you return to him?" She said, "O Allah's Apostle! Do you order me to do so?" He said, "No, I only intercede for him." She said, "I am not in need of him." (Bukhari: Volume 7, Book 63, Number 206) Asserting Women's Rights Ibn Al-Jauzi narrated the virtues and merits of Umar bin Al-Khattab (Allah bless him) in the following words: Umar forbade the people from paying excessive dowries and addressed them saying: "Don't fix the dowries for women over forty ounces. If ever that is exceeded I shall deposit the excess amount in the public treasury". As he descended from the pulpit, a flat-nosed lady stood up from among the women audience, and said: "It is not within your right". Umar asked: "Why should this not be of my right?" she replied: "Because Allah has proclaimed: 'even if you had given one of them (wives) a whole treasure for dowry take not the least bit back. Would you take it by false claim and a manifest sin'". (Al Nisa, 20). When he heard this, Umar said: "The woman is right and the man (Umar) is wrong. It seems that all people have deeper insight and wisdom than Umar". Then he returned to the pulpit and declared: "O people, I had restricted the giving of more than four hundred dirhams in dowry. Whosoever of you wishes to give in dowry as much as he likes and finds satisfaction in so doing may do so". quoted in: "On the Position and Role of Women in Islam and Islamic Society" Seeking advice and comfort Narrated 'Aisha (the mother of the faithful believers): ... Then Allah's Apostle returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely. Then he went to Khadija bint Khuwailid and said, "Cover me! Cover me!" They covered him till his fear was over and after that he told her everything that had happened and said, "I fear that something may happen to me." Khadija replied, "Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones." Khadija then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin 'Abdul 'Uzza ... (Bukhari Volume 1, Book 1, Number 3) The Characteristics of a Believing Man Narrated AbuHurayrah: Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said: a believing man should not hate a believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another. (Muslim Book 8, Number 3469) The Education of Women Narrated Abu Said: A woman came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Men (only) benefit by your teachings, so please devote to us from (some of) your time, a day on which we may come to you so that you may teach us of what Allah has taught you." Allah's Apostle said, "Gather on such-and-such a day at such-and-such a place." They gathered and Allah's Apostle came to them and taught them of what Allah had taught him. (Bukhari Volume 9, Book 92, Number 413) On the Treatment of Women Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri: I went to the Apostle of Allah (pbuh) and asked him: "What do you say (command) about our wives?" He replied: "Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them." (Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 11, Number 2139) "The best of you is one who is best towards his family and I am best towards the family". (At-Tirmithy). "None but a noble man treats women in an honourable manner. And none but an ignoble treats women disgracefully". (At-Tirmithy). A Husband must keep the Privacy of his Wife Narrated AbuSa'id al-Khudri: Allah's Messenger (peace_be_upon_him) said: The most wicked among the people in the eye of Allah on the Day of Judgement is the man who goes to his wife and she comes to him, and then he divulges her secret. (Muslim Book 8, Number 3369) A Husband's Attitude 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) said that a man came to his house to complain about his wife. On reaching the door of his house, he hears 'Umar's wife shouting at him and reviling him. Seeing this, he was about to go back, thinking that 'Umar himself was in the same position and, therefore, could hardly suggest any solution for his problem. 'Umar (RA) saw the man turn back, so he called him and enquired about the purpose of his visit. He said that he had come with a complaint against his wife, but turned back on seeing the Caliph in the same position. 'Umar (RA) told him that he tolerated the excesses of his wife for she had certain rights against him. He said, "Is it not true that she prepares food for me, washes clothes for me and suckles my children, thus saving me the expense of employing a cook, a washerman and a nurse, though she is not legally obliged in any way to do any of these things? Besides, I enjoy peace of mind because of her and am kept away from indecent acts on account of her. I therefore tolerate all her excesses on account of these benefits. It is right that you should also adopt the same attitude." quoted in Rahman, Role of Muslim Women page 149 The Prophet's Disapproval of Women Beaters Patient behavior was the practice of the Prophet, even when his wife dared to address him harshly. Once his mother-in-law- saw her daughter strike him with her fist on his noble chest. When the enraged mother -in-law began to reproach her daughter, the Prophet smilingly said, "Leave her alone; they do worse than that." And once Abu Bakr, his father-in-law, was invited to settle some misunderstanding between him and Aishah. The Prophet said to her, "Will you speak, or shall I speak?" Aisha said, "You speak, but do not say except the truth." Abu Bakr was so outraged that he immediately struck her severely, forcing her to run and seek protection behind the back of the Prophet. Abu Bakr said, "O you the enemy of herself! Does the Messenger of Allah say but the truth?" The Prophet said, "O Abu Bakr, we did not invite you for this [harsh dealing with Aishah], nor did we anticipate it." quoted in: Mutual Rights and Obligations And Allah (swt) knows best. Sources: http://www.maryams.net http://www.islamfortoday.com/womens_rights_references.htm May Allah give us Hidayet. Ma Salaam
	Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. God is free of all wants and He is most forebearing. (Al baqra: 263)

Rose Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 07 July 2005 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 167	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rose Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 July 2005 at 2:46am
	Al Salam 3alaikom amna_ali, I was looking through the web and came across something interesting, please read: The veil signified a woman's self-respect and social status. Women of lower classes would often wear the veil to give the impression of a higher standing. The fact that the veil was the sign of nobility was the reason why prostitutes were not permitted to cover their hair in the old Jewish society. However, prostitutes often wore a special headscarf in order to look respectable. 79 Jewish women in Europe continued to wear veils until the nineteenth century when their lives became more intermingled with the surrounding secular culture. The external pressures of the European life in the nineteenth century forced many of them to go out bare-headed. Some Jewish women found it more convenient to replace their traditional veil with a wig as another form of hair covering. Today, most pious Jewish women do not cover their hair except in the synagogue. 80 Some of them, such as the Hasidic sects, still use the wig. 81 What about the Christian tradition? It is well known that Catholic Nuns have been covering their heads for hundreds of years, but that is not all. St. Paul in the New Testament made some very interesting statements about the veil: "Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonours his head. 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" (I Corinthians 11:3-10). From all the above evidence, it is obvious that Islam did not invent the head cover. However, Islam did endorse it. The Quran urges the believing men and women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty and then urges the believing women to extend their head covers to cover the neck and the bosom: "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). The Quran is quite clear that the veil is essential for modesty, but why is modesty important? The Quran is still clear: "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).
	A thorn defends the rose,harming only those who would steal the blossom