Directive words for women

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds [i.e., people] and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone who has no partner and that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger.

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allâh in Islâm) men and women, the believers men and women (who believe in Islâmic Monotheism), the men and the women who are obedient (to Allâh), the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and the women who are patient (in performing all the duties which Allâh has ordered and in abstaining from all that Allâh has forbidden), the men and the women who are humble (before their Lord - Allâh), the men and the women who give Sadaqât (i.e. Zakât, and alms), the men and the women who observe Saum (fast) (the obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadân, and the optional Nawâfil fasting), the men and the women who guard their chastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the men and the women who remember Allâh much with their hearts and tongues - Allâh has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)." [Surat Al Ahzab: 35].

At-Tirmidhy reported in his Sunan from the Hadith of Um `Imarah Al Ansariyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: "I do not see but everything is about men and I do not find any mention of women.' So this Ayah was revealed: "For Muslim men and women for believing men and women." [Surat Al Ahzab: 35]." [1]

These are some recommendations with which I recommend my Muslim sisters, and I ask Allah to benefit Muslims from them. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "The believers, men and women, are Auliyâ' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden); they perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) and give the Zakât, and obey Allâh and His Messenger (peace be upon him). Allâh will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise." [Surat At-Tawbah: 71].

The first recommendation is: Holding fast with monotheism and warning against polytheism. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Tâghût and believes in Allâh, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower." [Surat Al Baqarah: 256].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "And whosoever submits his face (himself) to Allâh, while he is a Muhsin (good-doer i.e. performs good deeds totally for Allâh's sake without any show off or to gain praise or fame and does them in accordance with the Sunnah of Allâh's Messenger Muhammad peace be upon him), then he has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold [Lâ ilâha illallâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh)]. And to Allâh return all matters for decision." [Surat Luqman: 22].

The Shaykh of Islam, Muhammad ibn `Abdul-Wahhab, mentioned that the origin of Islam and its great base is two matters, they are:

The first is: The command with worshipping Allah alone without associating any partner with Him, exhortation to achieve this, adhering to Allah, and calling those who leave His Way as disbelievers. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Say (O Muhammad peace be upon him): "O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allâh (Alone), and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allâh. Then, if they turn away, say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims."" [Surat Al `Imran: 64].

So, Allah (may He be Exalted) commanded His Prophet to call the People of the Scriptures to the meaning of "There is no deity but Allah" to which He called the Arabs and others. The straight word is "There is no deity but Allah" i.e., no one is worthy of worship except Allah, so there is no supplication, nor appeal for help, slaughter, vow, and no act of worship should be directed except for Allah (Glory be to Him); and this is the call of all Messengers (peace be upon him).

The second is: Warning against associating partners with Allah in worship. You should be strict in preventing that, setting rivalry for His Cause, and calling whoever falls in disbelief as a disbeliever; so monotheism is not complete without negating any partner with Him. It is the religion of all Messengers who warned their peoples against falling into polytheism. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allâh (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Tâghût (all false deities i.e. do not worship Tâghût besides Allâh)."" [Surat An-Nahl: 36].

Polytheism cancels all actions whether major or minor and Allah does not accept any action from a polytheist whether obligatory or voluntary. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And We shall turn to whatever deeds they (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust." [Surat Al Furqan: 23]. [2]

Of the things which cause the hearts and bodies to shiver is the messages which the polytheists broadcast in satellite channels along with other means of communications which endeavor to cast doubts in Muslims' hearts in regard to their religion, and call them cunningly to give it up, so beware because this is the greatest danger. As for the second danger, it is the spread of soothsayers and foretellers because many people go to them. It is not permissible for a Muslim woman to go to those soothsayers, who claim to know the Unseen, to treat her sickness. It is not permissible for her to believe them in what they say because they speak without knowledge or call the jinn to tell them about the Unseen; the ruling of such people is disbelief if they claim the knowledge of the Unseen. Imam Muslim reported in his Sahih from the Hadith of Safiyah from some of the Prophet's wives that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "He who visits a foreteller and asks him about anything, his Salah extending to forty nights will not be accepted." [3]

There are many dangers that we cannot get rid of except by monotheism, adhering to it, knowing polytheism and disbelief and warning against them, and freeing oneself of polytheists.

The second recommendation is: Keeping to Salah and fulfilling its pillars, conditions, and obligations. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Guard strictly (five obligatory) As-Salawât (the prayers) especially the middle Salât (i.e. the best prayer - 'Asr). And stand before Allâh with obedience [and do not speak to others during the Salât (prayer)]." [Surat Al Baqarah: 238].

It is the first matter about which a person shall be asked on the Day of Recompense. At-Tabarany reported in Al Mu`jam Al Awsat from the Hadith of `Abdullah ibn Qurt that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The first action a person is held accountable for on the Day of Recompense is Salah. If it is complete, his entire actions will be complete, but if it is incomplete, his entire actions shall be incomplete." The last thing which the Prophet recommended before his death was: "Salah, Salah, and women who are under your custody."

Abu Dawud reported in his Sunan from the Hadith of `Ubadah ibn As-Samit (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying: There are five Salahs which Allah has prescribed on His servants. If anyone offers them, not losing any of them, and not treating them lightly, Allah guarantees that He will admit him to Paradise. If anyone does not offer them, Allah does not take any responsibility for such a person. He may either punish him or admit him to Paradise." [4]

My dear sister, let it be known that the faith of a woman is not complete but after fulfilling the five pillars of Islam. Al Bukhari and Muslim reported from the Hadith of `Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Islam is based on (the following) five (principles): 1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Messenger. 2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) Salah dutifully and perfectly. 3. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity). 4. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan. 5. To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Makkah)."

The third recommendation is: Good study of religion. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allâh's Signs and Verses)." [Surat Az-Zumar: 9].

Al Bukhari and Muslim reported in their Sahih from the Hadith of Mu`awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If Allah wants to do good to a person, He makes him comprehend the religion." [5]

Therefore, a Muslim woman should be keen to learn and study her religion by attending lessons and lectures, listening to useful tapes, and reading useful books; of their most important is memorizing the Book of Allah because it is the head of all sciences and the origin of wisdom. Riyad As-Salihin which will protect its readers from error if they ponder over it and act accordingly. `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The best women are the women of Al Ansar (The Supporters) whose shyness did not prevent them from studying their religion." [6]

The fourth recommendation is: The fear of Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) in secret and public because Allah's Fearing is the recommendation of Allah to the former and the later.

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And verily, We have recommended to the people of the Scripture before you, and to you (O Muslims) that you (all) fear Allâh." [Surat An-Nisa': 131].

The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to recommend his Companions with Allah's Fearing. It was reported in the Hadith of Al `Irbad ibn Sariyah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "I recommend you of Allah's Fearing and with listening and obeying [To Him]." Warning against sins, whether major or minor because Allah (may He be Exalted) promised those who avoid grievous sins to expiate their minor sins and to admit them to a noble entrance [into Paradise]. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "If you avoid the great sins which you are forbidden to do, We shall expiate from you your (small) sins, and admit you to a Noble Entrance (i.e. Paradise)." [Surat An-Nisa': 31].

The fifth recommendation is: Enjoining good and forbidding evil. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allâh), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner." [Surat Al Ahzab: 32].

This is a discourse for the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in order to protect them, and all the believing women are addressed with this discourse. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "The believers, men and women, are Auliyâ' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden); they perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) and give the Zakât, and obey Allâh and His Messenger (peace be upon him). Allâh will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise." [Surat At-Tawbah: 71].

A Muslim woman has to keep to this great rite, especially at her home before her children and relatives. When she sees shortage or negligence from her Muslim sisters in regard to Allah's Obedience whether in Salah, fasting, the rights of their husbands or anything else, she has to advise them with good words and nice preaching, following the example of the female Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). 

The sixth recommendation is: Having shyness. Allah (may He be Exalted) says about Moses (Peace be upon him) when he watered the sheep of the two woman: "Then there came to him one of the two women, walking shyly. She said: "Verily, my father calls you that he may reward you for having watered (our flocks) for us."" [Surat Al Qasas: 25].

It is noted that shyness became weak at many women, and you find them go out alone with the driver or wearing the veil which is worn down to the nose, leaving the eyes and the forehead exposed, or wearing trousers before women, or putting the cloak on their shoulders, or wearing tight or open clothes, or wearing short clothes. Imam Muslim reported in his Sahih on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There are two types of people who will be punished in Hell and whom I have not seen: one of them is: Women who will be dressed but appear to be naked, inviting to evil; and they themselves will be inclined to it. Their heads will appear like the humps of the Bactrian camel inclined to one side. They will not enter Paradise and they will not smell its fragrance which is perceptible from such and such a distance." [7]

A Muslim woman should pay attention to what the enemies of Allah are plotting against them: They want to spread corruption in women to make them cheap commodities in their hands, they want to extract them from their faith and religion, and deviate them from their pure nature, therefore they have to beware.

The seventh recommendation is: Paying frequent charities. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "There is no good in most of their secret talks save (in) him who orders Sadaqah (charity in Allâh's Cause), or Ma'rûf (Islâmic Monotheism and all the good and righteous deeds which Allâh has ordained), or conciliation between mankind; and he who does this, seeking the good Pleasure of Allâh, We shall give him a great reward." [Surat An-Nisa': 114].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "Say: "Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and (also) restricts (it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allâh's Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers."" [Surat Saba': 39].

It was reported in Sahih Muslim from the Hadith of Jabir ibn `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) preached women, saying: "Pay more charities, for most of you are the wood of Hell-Fire."[8]  

Ibn Al Qayyim said: Giving and charity were the most beloved things to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his joy of giving was more than his joy of taking. Moreover, he was the most generous with goodness, his right hand was like the sent wind, and when a needy came to him, he would prefer him to himself some time with food and some time with clothes. The Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded Muslims with charity and exhorted to it with actions and sayings. Therefore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was the most cheering, the most kind, and the most soft-hearted because charity has a wonderful effect in expanding the chest. [9]

One of the best kinds of charity is to fix a continual charity after a person's death such as digging wells, building masjids, printing books, fixing endowments for the poor and the needy and so on.

The eighth recommendation is: Keeping away from bad companionship, for Allah (Glory be to Him) informed the prophet that man shall regret on the Day of Recompense for accompanying bad people who misled them in the world and took them away from the right path. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And (remember) the Day when the Zâlim (wrong-doer, oppressor, polytheist) will bite at his hands, he will say: "Oh! Would that I had taken a path with the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him). * "Ah! Woe to me! Would that I had never taken so-and-so as a Khalîl (an intimate friend)! * "He indeed led me astray from the Reminder (this Qur'ân) after it had come to me. And Shaitân (Satan) is to man ever a deserter in the hour of need." * And the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him) will say: "O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Qur'ân (neither listened to it, nor acted on its laws and teachings)." [Surat Al Furqan: 27 - 30].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except Al-Muttaqûn (the pious)." [Surat Az-Zukhruf: 67].

Al Bukhari and Muslim reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The example of a good and a bad companion is that of a person carrying musk and another blowing a pair of bellows. The one who is carrying musk will either give you some perfume as a present, or you will buy some from him, or you will get a good smell from him, but the one who is blowing a pair of bellows will either burn your clothes or you will get a bad smell from him." [10]

How many girls failed in their study because of bad companions?! How many girls whose honors were violated and lost their dignity because of bad companions?! How many girls fell into the swamp of drugs and intoxication and the tragic events took place thereafter.

Therefore, I recommend my Muslim sisters to have a good Companionship.

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds [i.e., people]. May Allah send His Peace and Blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions!