Gift of Honor

By Bint Farouk

Bismillah

One day a muslim woman was passing through the market of the Banu Qaynuqah (a Jewish tribe).Some Kufaar men wanted her to uncover her face, however she refused. A man amongst them decided to play a hurtful trick on her. He tied her lower garment to her headpiece so that her body becomes exposed when she moves. The moment she got up, her body was exposed for all to see. She let out a scream due to shock and embarrassment. The men around her laughed and mocked at this pitiable sight. A Muslim man saw this and he was over taken with such strong gheerah ( strong sense of honour) for this woman, so much so that he went to the perpetrator and killed him. In retaliation, another kaafir man killed the muslim brother. The news of this incident reached Nabi Muhammad صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ . Immediately Nabi Muhammad صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ gathered an entire ARMY to take revenge upon what happened to the innocent Muslimah and the Muslim man.

This was the degree of honour a Muslimah held in the eyes of her fellow brothers. Men would not even approach her because of the honor and respect they had for her. And any type of dishonour she encountered would cause heads to roll and that being literally. She was loved and respected. Not because of her beauty, not because of the "position" she carried in the "man's world", not because she was wealthy, young, and had many degrees. No!.... She was loved and respected because this was and still is her due. She is honoured because Islam gives her this honour.

Indeed, it was Islam who raised her status as a daughter. She opens the door of Jannah for her father.

It was Islam who raised her status as a wife; just by pleasing her husband she is guaranteed a place in Jannah. Islam honours her as a mother, because beneath her feet Jannah lies. She is so honoured that her Creator dedicates an entire Surah in her name-" Surah Nisaa, The Women". The following ahadith illustrates to us the magnitude of honour she possesses as a mother.

A man came to Nabi Muhammad صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ and said, ‘O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said: Your mother. The man said, ‘Then who?' The Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said: Then your mother. The man further asked, ‘Then who?' The Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said: Then your mother. The man asked again, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said: Then your father. (Bukhari, Muslim)

Islam came to liberate her from the bondage of men. Islam crushed the idea of the Ancient Greek philosophers that women had no soul. Islam tells us that yes, she has a mind and a soul. That yes, she may inherit. That yes, she has rights in marriage. That yes, men and women are equal in the sight of God. But their roles differ. As the Hadith tells us: Abdullah ibn Umar (May اَللَّه be Pleased with Him) reported that He heard Nabi Muhammad صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ saying:

“Every one of you is a guardian, and responsible for what is in his custody.
The ruler is a guardian of his subjects and responsible for them;
a husband is a guardian of his family and is responsible for it;
a lady is a guardian of her husband’s house and is responsible for it,
and a servant is a guardian of his master’s property and is responsible for it.
A man is a guardian of his father’s property and is responsible for it so all of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and things under your care).” (Bukhari 3/592).

Yet again Our Nabi صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ gives us women a very important role. We are responsible for our husbands home and everything in it, including the upbringing of our children. Men are responsible for livelihood, for going out there and seeking sustenance for the family. For looking after the needs of the family. A Woman's responsibility is more spiritual. She has to bring up her children in the best Islamic way possible. She is responsible for inculcating Islamic morals and values in her children. It is on her lap that the first Madrassah shall begin. The first "Institute" of Islamic fostering begins with her and if she "moulds" her child correctly, she will produce a whole generation of upright people.

Islam tells us that unlike men, her jihaad is more "personal"

Nabi صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said in a hadith "Take care of the home. That is your Jihad" (Musnad Ahmad) Hadith 2357.

According to another hadith, during pregnancy and nursing the believing mother is like a soldier on active duty. If she dies, she gets the reward of a martyr. And what is the reward of a martyr?....before his blood touches the ground all his sins are forgiven. The martyr will even get the honour of interceding for 70 people on the day of Qiyamah.

A pious scholar once compared the role of the Muslim woman in society to the archers of Uhud. These archers were not in the midst of the fighting, but they carried the most important task: To guard the safety of the army. To keep the army together. The welfare of the entire army rested on their shoulders. My dear sisters, You ARE the silent army. You are the foundation keeping this Ummah together. The welfare of the entire Ummah rests on your shoulders.

And so as Muslimahs, we should be proud. Because Islam gifted us this honour. Not men. Not status. Not degrees, but Islam.

I call upon the "Fatimahs" of today, I call upon the "Sumayyas" of today, I call upon the Muslimahs of today to stand up and reclaim this lost honour. You are the most important "ingredient" in this Ummah. Stand up and take back what rightfully belongs to you!

This "Gift of Honour" was bestowed upon u, dear Muslimah, 1400 years ago.

Accept it. Embrace it. Love it! But most importantly.... Honour it. Honour it with all your heart and soul because it is the most sacred gift a Muslimah can possess.

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