By HARUN RAZAQ

We thank almighty Allah for sparing our lives to witness the great acts of worship in Islam such as Hajj, Umrah, Day of Arafah (for those on Hajj 2013), Edul-Adha, Al-Udhiyyah, Ayyamut Tashriq, etc. It is very important to understand the fact that the aforementioned acts of Ibadah and many others emanated from Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) and his family.

Allah distinguished Ibrahim first in the Qur’an with the title of Khalilu llah (intimate friend of Allah). On this Allah says:“….And Allah did take Ibrahim as an intimate friend (Q 4:125) Again, Allah addressed him as Ummah, Obedient, Hanif, in the following verse of the Qur’an:  Verily, Ibrahim was an Ummah (a leader having all the good righteous qualities); or a nation obedient to Allah, Hanifa (i.e. to worship none but Allah), and he was not one of those who were Al-mushirikin (Polytheists).

Thirdly, there is a special place in Ka’abah called “Maqam Ibrahim (Station of Ibrahim) in which the Hujaj are encouraged to perform Mafilah.

Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is regarded as the father of the religion with revealed books more importantly Islam. A surah in Qur’an (i.e. Suratul Ibrahim) Qur’an Chapter 14 was named after Ibrahim. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) named one of his sons after Nabi Ibrahim (AS) etc. But, most of us do not really understand what Ibrahim (AS) went through before he became prominent in the sight of Allah to the extent Allah commands believers to emulate Ibrahim. Allah said …

Indeed, there has been an excellent example for you in Prophet Ibrahim… It is on record that Allah tested him with regard to his faith; faced persecution from mushrikeen; he was asked to discard his family (wife and son) in a barren land (Makkah); he did not gave birth to a child untill his old age; he was asked to slaughter his only son among other trials among other trials.

 
Sister’s corner: Women rights and duties

O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women.” (An-Nisaa: 1)

A woman is a source of peace and tranquility for her husband at home, while the latter is her guardian and provider, yet both have their rights and obligations.

The focus of Islam is that women’s role in educating generations and helping men to grow and prosper, should not be treated with levity.  It sets for them the prominent mission of building society and preparing the young ones for life. Women are very vital to the development of any society as they serve as both mothers and eductors. So, they are placed in high esteem. That is why Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)  urged us to treat them nicely when he said, “So act kindly towards women.”

For good upbringing of the community, Islam has guaranteed women the right to education and learning. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) used to dedicate a day to teach and guide them. Such a Prophetic teachings and guidance have indeed helped many women throughout history to emerge as preachers, religious jurists and scholars. Aisha (r.d.t), said, “the best of the women are the women of the Ansar.

Nothing should ditter them from inquiring about religion and from acquiring deep understanding in it.  My dear Muslim Sister, to what extent have you engaged yourself with the acquisition of  Islamic knowledge? How do you intend to distinct yourself from those who dont know?   When the prophet was asked about attention to the parents: He said, “your mother, again your mother, again your mother, then your father,” meaning she was worth three times the reward of the father.

Fulfilling women’s rights is both a religious requirement and an act of civility that helps in the  noble task of building the family and ensuring stability in the society.

A mother is supposed to look after her children, providing them with beneficial education and warm-hearted care. She must not neglect them, or fall short in her duties towards them. On this matter, the Prophet (s.a.w) said, “woman is a guardian over the household of her husband and his children and shall be questioned about them (as to how she managed the household and brought up the children).”

As a wife, she needs to be the person to whom the husband turns in search for tranquility. Allah says, “And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy.” (Ar-Rum: 21).

Thus, she needs to treat him nicely and his relatives and preserve his wealth, integrity and interests. The Prophet said, “Let me inform you about the best a man hoards; it is a virtuous woman who pleases him when he looks at her, obeys him when he gives her a command, and guards his interests when he is away from her.”

Let those who are iinformed encourage other women to continue learning and working for the sake of the family, society and nation; seek to foster healthy family relationships and honour rights and duties between husbands and wives.

It is also advised that dialogue should be adopted when dissagreement sets in.  Avoid arguments and animosities, avoid issues that could lead to divorce, because divorce is capable of harming the children emotionally and psychologically.

Women are encouraged to be chaste, emulate those pious women in the scriptures – Virgin Mary in her purity, Sayida Khadija in her faithfulness, Fatima bint Rosulullah in her righteousness and Sayida Aisha in her knowledge, may Allah be pleased with them all.

O Allah, Give us piety and purify our souls, amend our intentions, grant that our spouses and our offspring are successful in this world and in the hereafter. O Allah guide us to know what is good, make us benefit from what we have learnt, and increase our knowledge. O Allah, we seek Your favour to bless us with beneficial knowledge, let our hearts be full of Your gratitude and keep our tongue moist with Your remembrance. May Allah bless us with good provision and blessed living life and progeny.