Virtues of Pregnancy

When a woman is pregnant with a child, all the angels will make Istighfar (repentance) on her behalf. Allah SWT will, for each day of her pregnancy, write for her 1000 good deeds and erase from her 1000 bad deeds.

· When a pregnant woman starts to feel the pain from contractions, Allah SWT will write in her records as someone who is doing jihad (spiritual or physical struggle) in His path.

· When a woman becomes pregnant by her husband and he is pleased with her, she obtains the reward of a person engaging in fasting for Allah SWT and a person spending the night in ibaadah (worship).

· A woman from the time of pregnancy until childbirth and weaning the baby, is like the Mujahid (someone fighting in the path of Allah, swa) who is stationed on the frontiers of the Islamic land. If she dies during this period, she dies the death of a shahid (martyr).

· Two raka'at salaat performed by a pregnant woman is better than 80 raka'at salaat performed by a non-pregnant woman.

· A woman who is pregnant gets the reward of fasting during the day and of doing ibaadah (worship) during the nights.

· A woman who gives birth gets the reward of 70 years of salaat (prayer) and fasting. For each vein that feels pain, Allah SWT gives her the reward of one accepted hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah).

· If the woman dies within 40 days of giving birth, she will die as a shahid (matyr).

(Hadith)......."A woman that dies in her virginity or during her pregnancy or at the time of birth or thereafter (in nifaas) will attain the rank of a martyr"

Nabi(salalaallahu alayhi wa Alehi wassallam) is reported to have also said ".......When her labour pains commence, the inhabitants of the earth and the sky are unaware of the stores of comfort that are prepared for her. When she delivers and breast feeds her child, then she will be granted a reword for every gulp of milk, if she had to remain awake during the night for the sake of the child, she will receive the reword of emancipating seventy slaves in the path of Allah Ta'ala. O Salaamat! Do you know who these women are? They are pious, upright, with a delicate nature yet obedient to their husbands and not ungrateful to them"

The Social Aspect of Woman in Islam

a) As a child and an adolescent

Despite the social acceptance of female infanticide among some Arabian tribes, the Qur'an forbade this custom, and considered it a crime like any other murder.

"And when the female (infant) buried alive - is questioned, for what crime she was killed." (Qur'an 81:8-9).
Criticizing the attitudes of such parents who reject their female children, the Qur'an states: When news is brought to one of them, of (the Birth of) a female (child), his face darkens and he is filled with inward grief! With shame does he hide himself from his people because of the bad news he has had! Shall he retain her on (sufferance) and contempt, or bury her in the dust? Ah! What an evil (choice) they decide on? (Qur'an 16: 58-59). Far from saving the girl's life so that she may later suffer injustice and inequality, Islam requires kind and just treatment for her. Among the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (P.) in this regard are the following :

Whosoever has a daughter and he does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favor his son over her, God will enter him into Paradise. (Ibn Hanbal, No. 1957). Whosoever supports two daughters till they mature, he and I will come in the day of judgment as this (and he pointed with his two fingers held together).

A similar Hadeeth deals in like manner with one who supports two sisters. (Ibn-Hanbal, No. 2104).
The right of females to seek knowledge is not different from that of males. Prophet Muhammad (P.) said:

"Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim". (AlBayhaqi). Muslim as used here including both males and females.

b) As a wife:

The Qur'an clearly indicates that marriage is sharing between the two halves of the society, and that its objectives, beside perpetuating human life, are emotional well-being and spiritual harmony. Its bases are love and mercy. Among the most impressive verses in the Qur'an about marriage is the following. "And among His signs is this: That He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest, peace of mind in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Lo, herein indeed are signs for people who reflect." (Qur'an 30:2 1). According to Islamic Law, women cannot be forced to marry anyone without their consent. Ibn Abbas reported that a girl came to the Messenger of God, Muhammad (P.), and she reported that her father had forced her to marry without her consent. The Messenger of God gave her the choice ... (between accepting the marriage or invalidating it). (Ibn Hanbal No. 2469). In another version, the girl said: "Actually I accept this marriage but I wanted to let women know that parents have no right (to force a husband on them)" (Ibn Maja, No. 1873).

Besides all other provisions for her protection at the time of marriage, it was specifically decreed that woman has the full right to her Mahr, a marriage gift, which is presented to her by her husband and is included in the nuptial contract, and that such ownership does not transfer to her father or husband. The concept of Mahr in Islam is neither an actual or symbolic price for the woman, as was the case in certain cultures, but rather it is a gift symbolizing love and affection.

The rules for married life in Islam are clear and in harmony with upright human nature. In consideration of the physiological and psychological make-up of man and woman, both have equal rights and claims on one another, except for one responsibility, that of leadership. This is a matter which is natural in any collective life and which is consistent with the nature of man.

The Qur'an thus states :

"And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them, and men are a degree above them." (Qur'an 2:228). Such degree is Quiwama (maintenance and protection). This refers to that natural difference between the sexes which entitles the weaker sex to protection. It implies no superiority or advantage before the law. Yet, man's role of leadership in relation to his family does not mean the husband's dictatorship over his wife. Islam emphasizes the importance of taking counsel and mutual agreement in family decisions. The Qur'an gives us an example:

"... If they (husband wife) desire to wean the child by mutual consent and (after) consultation, there is no blame on them ..." (Qur'an 2: 233). Over and above her basic rights as a wife comes the right which is emphasized by the Qur'an and is strongly recommended by the Prophet (P); kind treatment and companionship.

The Qur'an states :

"... But consort with them in kindness, for if you hate them it may happen that you hate a thing wherein God has placed much good." (Qur'an 4: l9).

Prophet Muhammad. (P) said :

The best of you is the best to his family and I am the best among you to my family. The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and best of you are those who are best to their wives. (Ibn-Hanbal, No. 7396) Behold, many women came to Muhammad's wives complaining against their husbands (because they beat them) - those (husbands) are not the best of you. As the woman's right to decide about her marriage is recognized, so also her right to seek an end for an unsuccessful marriage is recognized. To provide for the stability of the family, however, and in order to protect it from hasty decisions under temporary emotional stress, certain steps and waiting periods should be observed by men and women seeking divorce. Considering the relatively more emotional nature of women, a good reason for asking for divorce should be brought before the judge. Like the man, however, the woman can divorce her husband with out resorting to the court, if the nuptial contract allows that. More specifically, some aspects of Islamic Law concerning marriage and divorce are interesting and are worthy of separate treatment. When the continuation of the marriage relationship is impossible for any reason, men are still taught to seek a gracious end for it.

The Qur'an states about such cases :

When you divorce women, and they reach their prescribed term, then retain them in kindness and retain them not for injury so that you transgress (the limits). (Qur'an 2:231). (See also Qur'an 2:229 and 33:49).

c) As a mother:

Islam considered kindness to parents next to the worship of God.

"And we have enjoined upon man (to be good) to his parents: His mother bears him in weakness upon weakness ..." (Qur'an 31:14) (See also Qur'an 46:15, 29:8). Moreover, the Qur'an has a special recommendation for the good treatment of mothers : "Your Lord has decreed that you worship none save Him, and that you be kind to your parents ..." (Qur'an 17:23).

A man came to Prophet Muhammad (P) asking : O Messenger of God, who among the people is the most worthy of my good company? The Prophet (P) said, Your mother. The man said then who else: The Prophet (P) said, Your mother. The man asked, Then who else? Only then did the Prophet (P) say, Your father. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). A famous saying of The Prophet is "Paradise is at the feet of mothers." (In Al'Nisa'I, Ibn Majah, Ahmad).

"It is the generous (in character) who is good to women, and it is the wicked who insults them."

Muslim Women Should be Both; Pure and Educated

The success or failure of societies depends a lot on the women. In Islam, this point is mentioned again and again. If a Muslim woman is corrupted and uneducated, the whole society will be corrupted and backward, but if the woman is pure and educated, the society will flourish materially and spiritually.

In many Muslim societies, only one of these aspects is stressed. Some Muslim men strive to make their wives, mothers, sisters and daughters so pure that they prohibit the women from going out of the house. The think by keeping women in the house, Muslim women will become pure and be good mothers, wives and daughters.

They ordered women to wear HIJAB and observe other Islamic laws without educating them the reasons behind those orders and laws. They tell the women it is their Islamic duty to follow their husband's, father's and brother's orders without ever mentioning that they should only follow orders that are consistent with Allah's orders. Moreover, women are prohibited by their husbands, fathers and brothers to talk to anybody or involve in Islamic social activities. In some countries, they are even prohibited from looking out of the window. They are not encouraged to acquire higher education in universities or in some countries, they are encouraged not to got to school at all. All these prohibitions are done in the name of Islam and keeping the women 'pure'.

If we look at the statistics, they bulk of the illiterates in the Muslim World are WOMEN.

How can we expect Muslim countries to improve their material and spiritual condition if this ignorance continues? How can we expect to produce and educate, enlightened and revolutionary generation and Muslims if they are to be raised by uneducated, unenlightened and weak spirited mothers? How can we expect to produce real Muslim men and women who can protect the interests of Muslims if they had the examples only of women surrendering to subjugation, discrimination and abuse?

When Muslim women are protected and provided with the means for them to flourish as enlightened, educated and conscious Muslim women, that will mean true SUCCESS for all Muslim men. Why?

Because that would have meant they have done what Rasulullah (SAW) had reminded them to do. In his last sermon, Rasulullah had reminded Muslims about many things and one of them was to caution Muslim men not to abuse women, rather to take care of women as he had taken care of them.

But as women we cannot depend totally on men to change us. We must help ourselves and other women. We must encourage each other to educate ourselves with true teachings of Islam so that nobody can take advantage of us be they Muslims or non-Muslims. We must make sure we know why we do the things we do and why we follow the orders we follow. We must learn to be independent in our thoughts and actions because in the end we will be responsible for ourselves before Allah.

We should know more than cooking, sewing and raising children in the traditional way. We should learn to do everything in the Islamic way. We should learn about principles of hygiene, nutrition and building an Islamic environment in our homes and in our community. We also should strive to learn knowledge in various fields that can enrich and benefit human kind such as medicine, the arts, communications, economics, etc. However, we will not be able to do all these if we do not start learning, exchanging ideas with the people around us, keeping up to date with current issues and involving ourselves in the mosques or Islamic centers in our community.

"Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in faith) hath Allah promised good. But those who strive and fight hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward." (Al-Quran 4:95)

All that is good comes from Allah and the bad from myself. I beg forgiveness from Allah for my mistakes.

THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN ISLAM

A woman is a flower vase of beauty and fragrance. So smell her gently, do not wrestle with her! - Imam Ali (as)

Women are like flowers. Do not put on them responsibilities they can not bear! - Imam Ali (as)

According to Islam, being a human, woman is even superior to angels and all other living organisms. If she performs any good task or deed, she will be equally blessed as much as a man will for his good deeds.

She is the benefactor and patron of Islam, as lady Khadija (Wife of Holy Prophet [saw]).

She is a partner of prophethood, as lady Fatima (Daughter of Holy Prophet [saw]).

She is one of the greatest leaders, as lady Zainab (Daughter of Imam Ali [as])

She superior to man, as a mother.

She's respectable like a saint.

She is precious like an expensive pearl.

She is honorable like a delicate rose.

Islam emphasizes the equality of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or social status. Islam has prescribed different roles and responsibilities for men and women, with each gender complementing the other. Centuries before the modern world recognized women's rights, Islam acknowledged the equality of the two genders, and abolished the barbaric ritual of burying infant daughters alive, an outrageous crime practiced by the Arabs before the time of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).

Islam made women aware of their rights and gave them an identity, a personality, freedom, and independence. These rights, among others, include the right to inherit, to own property, to obtain a divorce, to collect a dowry, and to gain child custody. Regarding the equality of the genders, the Holy Qur'an states:

"Surely the men who submit and the women who submit, and the believing men and the believing women, and the obeying men and the obeying women, and the truthful men and the truthful women, and the patient men and the patient women and the humble men and the humble women, and the almsgiving men and the almsgiving women, and the fasting men and the fasting women, and the men who guard their private parts and the women who guard, and the men who remember Allah much and the women who remember-Allah has prepared, for them forgiveness and a mighty reward." (33:35)

Muslims consider four ladies to be the most noble and pious:
Aasiya - Wife of Fir'awn / Pharoah (peace be upon her)
Maryam / Mary - Mother of Isa / Jesus (peace be upon her)
Khadija - Wife of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon her)
Fatima - Daughter of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon her)

Awwwwwwww!........

Child - custody

What is Islam’s view on child custody?

The Qur’an advises couples accordingly “Take mutual counsel together, according to what is just and reasonable” (65:6). Granting that couples cooperate and come to a mutual agreement on what is best for their children then, what ever they decide, Islam will support.

The issue of child custody is not fostered on gender; it is based on the capability and suitability of the parent, that is which parent is better prepared to raise the children. Nevertheless, when parents cannot agree on settling the issue of custody, then in most cases, the father would obtain custody of the children. Again, this is conditional based on the premise that the father was religious and morally qualified. Otherwise, the children may remain with the mother, and the father must continue to financially support his children.

If the father were granted custody of the children, it would not mean that the mother would be denied seeing the children. The mother would continue to have access to her children. A father could never deny a mother the opportunity to be with her children.
(A New Perspective: Women in Islam by Sayyid Moustafa al Qazwini & Fatma Saleh)

Inheritance

Why is it that, within the immediate family, sons acquire more of their parents’ inheritance than daugthers?

“God directs you in regards your children’s inheritance: to the male, a portion equal to that of two females” (4:11).


The basis of distribution is not a reflection of gender preference, but on the fundamental Islamic injunction that men are financial responsible for maintaining the family; therefore, monetary compensation is the main reason as to why the inheritance ratio was set.

Sons are financially responsible for their living mother and dependent siblings; hence, sons, as a means to provide financial sustenance for the family, could use the assets of the deceased father. It is a type of savings account that gives sons the responsibility of being the distributor and maintainer of the family.

Sons, unlike daughters, have the responsibility to maintain and financially support their immediate families. Women in Islam, whether they are daughters, sisters, wives, or mothers, are free from financially supporting themselves and others. What they earn and receive is theirs to keep. They are not obligated to maintain or support anyone. Women in Islam are entitled to inherit as a daughter, mother, wife, and sister; consequently, they may, in certain cases, become financially stronger than men.
(A New Perspective: Women in Islam by Sayyid Moustafa al Qazwini & Fatma Saleh)

Al-Batool

Nevertheless, Allah, The Exalted, relieved Fatima Zahra (A.S.) from such pollution, as He removed from her all abomination and purified her a total purification. This fact is authenticated by various traditions among which are the following:


1. Qanduzi reported in Yanabi' al-Mawaddah p.260. that the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said: "She was safeguarded from menstruation and childbed (bleeding)."


2. Muhammad Salih al-Kashfi al-Hanafi reported in Al-Manaqib that the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said: "Fatima was called Al-Batoul because she was safeguarded and relieved from that which women encounter every month (menstruation)."


3. A1-Amr-Tasri narrates in Arjah al-Matalib that the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was asked about the meaning of Batoul-someone said to him: "Messenger of Allah, we have heard you say that Maryam is Batoul and Fatima, too, is Batoul!!"


The Prophet replied: "Batoul is she who never see blood, meaning that she never discharges menstrual blood; because menstruation is resented if it occurs in Prophet's daughters."

The above-mentioned narration was authenticated by Al-Hakim.


4. A1-Hafez Abu Bakr Ash-Shafe'i narrates in Tarikh Baghdad v.13, p.331, on the account of Ibn Abbass that the Prophet said: "My daughter is a human huri, she never menstruates, nor does she encounter any menses."


Nisaee also narrates this tradition.


5. Ibn Asaker mentioned in At-Tarikh al-Kabir v.1, p.391, on the account of Anas Ibn Malik that Umme Salim said:

"Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her) has never menstruated nor discharged childbed blood."


6. Al-Hafez al-Suyuti said:


'Among Fatima's particularities is that she did not menstruate, and when she gave birth to a child, she would immediately become purified from childbed confinement so as not to miss her prayers."


7. Rafae mentioned in At-Tadween that Umme Salama said:


"Fatima never discharged blood during her childbed confinement; nor does she menstruate."


8. Tabari narrates in Dhakhaer al-Uqbi that Asma Bint Umais said:


"When Fatima gave birth to Al-Hassan, she did not bleed; she also does not bleed during periods of menstruation. (When I informed the Prophet of this) he said: `Do you not know that my daughter is pure and chaste; she does not discharge blood as a result of childbirth or menstruation."'


Safari narrates this tradition in Nuzhat al-Majalis p.227.


9. It was mentioned in v.10 of Al-Bihar that Abu Basir quoted Imam Sadiq (A.S.) as saying:

'Allah, the Exalted, forbade Ali (A.S.) from marrying women while Fatima was still alive."


Abu Basir exclaimed: "Why was that?"


The Imam replied: "Because she was pure and does not menstruate."


Sheikh Majlisi commented on this narration by the following:

"This narration means either. First: Because Fatima did not menstruate, Ali (A.S.) had no reason to marry another woman. So Allah forbade him to marry other women in observance of her sanctity. Or, Second: Her eminence disallowed him from marrying another woman; where as this particularity of hers is part of this eminence."

Menstruatuion

Women's monthly menstruation, which starts at maturity and continues until the fifties or sixties, is nothing but the discharge of spoiled blood and tissues which were to hold the fetus had it been conceived.

Allah, the Almighty, says:

"They ask thee concerning women's menstruation. Say: They are a discomfort and a pollution."


This indicates that the discharged blood is a harmful substance, which would harm women if it stayed in their bodies. It is even noticeable that women's psychological and physiological states, including their facial appearance and everyday conduct change at this time of the month. By this, we conclude that the bleeding which results from monthly menstruation differs from the normal kind of bleeding, which any human being-including women-might suffer.


It is unquestionable that monthly menstruation causes women to feel nervous, shy and dejected despite the fact that this occurrence is an involuntary natural course. Yet women suffer this course, which is unmentionable to anyone especially to men. For this reason, women are not obligated to perform prayers or fast during menstruation. They are also forbidden from staying in Mosques or to enter the Sacred Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. In addition, reciting the chapters of Qalam, Najm, Alif Lam Mim Tanzil, and Ha Mim as Sajdah are not to be read during women's monthly periods.

These laws, which have just been mentioned, are also valid during confinement in childbed.

Menses

Sometimes as women we feel distanced from Allah during this time of the month because we are unable to pray, fast; and reading Quran earns us less reward. I stumbled across these hadeeths and I think they should put a smile on all your faces.

مستدرك‏الوسائل ج : 2 ص : 41
الْقُطْبُ الرَّاوَنْدِيُّ فِي لُبِّ اللُّبَابِ، قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص حَيْضُ يَوْمٍ لَكُنَّ خَيْرٌ مِنْ عِبَادَةِ سَنَةٍ صِيَامٍ نَهَارُهَا وَ قِيَامٍ لَيْلُهَا

(mustadrak 2/41)

The Prophet said, "A day of menstruation is better for you than the worship of one year in which you fast its days and pray its nights"

وَ قَالَ ص مَنْ مَاتَتْ فِي حَيْضِهَا مَاتَتْ شَهِيدَةً
He also said, "A woman who dies while in state of menses dies a martyr"

وَ قَالَ ص مَنِ اغْتَسَلَ مِنَ الْحَيْضِ أَوِ الْجَنَابَةِ أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ بِكُلِّ قَطْرَةٍ عَيْناً فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَ بِعَدَدِ كُلِّ شَعْرَةٍ عَلَى رَأْسِهَا وَ جَسَدِهَا قَصْراً فِي الْجَنَّةِ أَوْسَعَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً لَا عَيْنٌ رَأَتْ وَ لَا أُذُنٌ سَمِعَتْ وَ لَا خَطَرَ عَلَى قَلْبِ بَشَرٍ
He pbuh also said, "Whoever makes ghusl for menses or Janaba, Allah will give him for every drop (of water) a spring in Heaven and for every hair on her head and her body a castle in heaven; seventy times more than the breadth of the world. No eyes have seen this, nor ears heard of such, or has come to pass in one's imagination".

وَ فِيهِ، فِي الْخَبَرِ وَ إِذَا اغْتَسَلَتْ مِنْ حَيْضِهَا كُفِّرَ لَهَا كُلُّ ذَنْبٍ وَ لَمْ يُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهَا خَطِيئَةٌ إِلَى الْحَيْضَةِ الْأُخْرَى
"And if she makes ghusl from menses, Allah will forgive her sins and no error is written for her until her next menses"