And when one of them is informed of the birth of a woman, his face becomes black and he removes the sorrow. He hides from the people because of the evil of which he has been informed. Should he keep him in humiliation or bury him in the ground? Unquestionably evil is what they decide. [16: 59]
The ignorant society never took women into account, even the birth of a girl was considered a curse and she was burned or buried alive. The members of the tribe were used to treating their wives as their servants and doing the worst of their lives. But after each dark night, follows a bright day. Islam entered the world and condemned the practices prevalent in the dark ages. Giving women the right to live, to shield and hide women in the protective shells of the Qur'anic teachings and to eradicate the oppressed practices inflicted on women is what Islam has done.
“Islamic civilization developed a construct of history that labelled the pre-Islamic period the Age of Ignorance and projected Islam as the sole source of all that was civilized…”
(Ahmed, 1992; p. 37).
Rights of Women in the Light of Quran
“O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from them both He created many men and women and fear ALLAH through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, ALLAH is Ever and All-Watcher over you.”
(Al-Nisa 4:1)
‘Islam exhorts men to respect and honour women.’
The honor and the respect of all towards the most venerated class of the society are worked by Islam in the most beautiful way possible. What is more prestigious for women than to devote all Sourrah to the most subjugated genre of antiquity, Surah Nisa.
“Treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers.”
An excerpt from the last sermon of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWW).
The woman, whether she takes the personality of her mother or daughter, her sister or her wife, wears the crown, because she is the most beautiful creature created by ALLAH and protected by the teachings of ALLAH.
‘The clearly observed “plight of women” in Arabia before Islam served to be the hellfire for the women but with the invasions of lands by Muslims and extending it to “all nations of the World” it was necessitated that the new Islamic law must be accepted as the most just system since the “advent of Islam brought profound changes to the Arabian society in general and to women in particular.’
Honored Being a Mother
“Heaven resided underneath your mother’s feet.”
Islam, which consecrates the privileged status of mother, teaches to hold the highest honor and kindness to the one who has kept you in her belly for nine months, then allowed you to stay in the cruel and selfish world by his selfless dedication to your education. And growth. By sacrificing her sleep and comfort to relieve you, your mother deserves the maximum of your love and the greatest of your kind and affectionate words and your acts of appreciation.
Although whatever you do, you will never be able to account for the pain she has suffered to bring you to the world and your acts of kindness and words if love is never enough to pay for her sleepless nights. The debt it owes you is huge and even the services of your life are not able to repay it.
‘Mothers are acknowledged for their mercy, tenderness, and selflessness through special mention in the Qur’an:
And we enjoined the man to take care of his parents. Her mother has worn her, increased her from weakness upon weakness, and her weaning takes place in two years. Be grateful to me and to your parents. To me is the [final] destination. [Quran 31:14]
Some Instances from History to Acknowledge Mothers’ Value
The immensely venerated status of a mother and your great responsibility towards her seem to have been emphasized many times by the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He preached among his companions to be kind and affectionate to their mothers, for they deserve it, and even a nice smile dedicated to him can bless you with infinite treasures of ALLAH's love and forgiveness.
‘On one occasion, Muʿāwiya b. Jāhima came to him saying, “O Messenger of ALLAH, I want to go out and fight [in jihad] and I have come to consult you.” He said, “Do you have a mother?” Muʿāwiya said, “Yes.” He said, “Then stay with her, for Paradise is at her feet.”’
‘The companion of Holy Prophet (PBUH) Abu Hurayra narrated, “A man came to the Messenger of ALLAH ﷺ and said, ‘O Messenger of ALLAH, which person is most deserving of my good company?’ He said, ‘Your mother.’ He said, ‘Then who?’ He said, ‘Then your mother.’ He said, ‘Then who?’ He said, ‘Then your mother.’ He said, ‘Then who?’ He said, ‘Then your father,’”
‘Ibn ʿUmar (ra) once saw a man circling the Kaʿbah while carrying his mother around his neck. The man asked him, “O Ibn ʿUmar, have I repaid her?” He said, “No, not even for a single contraction. But you have done well, and ALLAH will reward you for this little with much.”’
Blessing Being a Daughter
By revolutionizing the status of women and eliminating the fate of women in the Arab era, Islam not only revered the maternal state of a woman, it also condemned the oppressed practices once practiced by burying the living girls at birth. It showed the essence of this brutal treatment of women. Holy Prophet (PBUH) emphasizing this dark and condemned society, has served his life as a demonstration on how to treat, love and honor his daughters. By the way, he was treating his own daughters,
‘When his beloved daughter Fatima, the woman he called the ‘leader of the women of Paradise,’ walked into his home he would stand up to receive her, kiss her on the forehead, and seat her in the place he had been sitting. He said of her, “She is a piece of me.”’
By negating the notion of daughters being a burden, Holy Prophet (PBUH) said,
“Whoever raises two daughters and does well with their upbringing will be with me in paradise like these two fingers (holding together his index and middle finger).”
Yaʿqūb b. Bakhtān said,
“Seven daughters were born to me. Whenever a daughter was born, I would enter upon the scholar, Aḥmad b. Ḥanbal, and he would tell me, ‘O Abu Yūsuf! The prophets were fathers of daughters,’ and his statement would dispel my grief.”
Muhammad b. Sulayman would say,
“Boys are a blessing, and girls are good deeds. ALLAH questions about blessings, and rewards for good deeds.”
Contemplates Your Faith Being a Wife
It is believed that a Muslim woman contemplates the faith of her husband and the kindness in the conduct towards her reflects the character of her husband. The gestures of love, the words of affection and the gestures of anxiety are enough to melt and win the heart of your wife.
“…And live with them in kindness…”
(Quran 4:19)
Holy Prophet (PBUH) said,
“The best of you are those who are the best to their women.”
The Messenger of GOD also said,
“A believing man should not hate a believing woman. If he dislikes something in her character, he should be pleased with some other trait of hers.”
The relationship between husband and wife is the one that flourishes with the greatest kindness, tenderness, dedication, commitment, honesty and generosity, as well as the deep-rooted understanding that separates them and does not encroach on the woman's voice to say what she wants. Strong communication is the foundation for building a healthy relationship.
‘A husband should be willing to open up, and be willing to listen to his wife.’
Even the economic rights of wives are also preserved by Islam, which makes the financial responsibility of the wife obligatory and the religious obligation for the spouse.
"Respect for women simply involves practicing the Koran's teachings on marriage, which describes husbands and wives as" mercy "to one another."
And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who give thought. [Qur’an 30: 21]
Shields you from Evil Being a Sister
Do not be hard on your sisters, do not tie their feet, do not limit their thoughts, do not harden their hearts, do not stop them from educating, do not use hard and offensive words for them, do not take their freedom the greatest obligations to a Muslim brother. Being generous, protecting the sisters of the evil world and protecting their tender hearts is the primary duty of a brother. The innocent and affectionate status of a woman in terms of kinship is the source for inviting more blessings.
The Messenger of ALLAH (PBUH) said:
“ALLAH says: ‘I am al-Rahman (the Most Merciful) and this rahm (tie of kinship) has a name that is derived from My name. Whoever up hold it, I will take care of him, and whoever severs it, I will cut him off.’”
(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1907; Abu Dawood, 1694; classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 520).
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Whoever would like his lifespan to be extended and his provision to be increased, let him uphold the ties of kinship.”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1961; Muslim, 2557)
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