WOMEN IN ISLAM: DAUGHTERS, WIVES, MOTHERS ARE NOT BURDEN BUT A REWARD FOR THE AFTERLIFE

By Ajape Sefiu A.

Islam sees women as having the same rights as men but with different obligations.

In an Islamic household, a woman assumes the role of a daughter from the moment of her birth.

There is a saying that a girl brings two “Noors” (lights) into the world when she is born, whereas a male brings one.

The family, however, is blessed to have them both.

Furthermore, women are the road to paradise, even if they don’t have the hard work ethic needed to govern the household. According to a narration, “One who loves his daughters and withstands the hardship of grooming and getting them married, Almighty Allah makes Jannah (paradise) compulsory on him and keeps him protected from the Fire of Jahannam (hell).” This narration explains how much the Almighty has made daughters valuable in Islam, making it compulsory to be merciful towards them.

Every father who raises his daughters in accordance with Islamic law, meets their necessities, and legitimately hands them up in marriage deserves paradise as a gift. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Whoever brings up two girls till they reach the age of puberty, he and I will come on the Day of Resurrection like this (and he joined his index and middle fingers).” Who wouldn’t want that as a father? The Prophet (peace be upon him) cherished his four daughters without reservation. He always saw them as a bundle of benefits rather than a burden.

He made a statement like, “(My daughter) Fatima is a part of me, so whoever angers her angers me.” [Al Bukhari and Muslim]. It is depressing to know how people are still unaware of the role of women as daughters in Islam and how sometimes parents can look at them as a burden. Daughters are not a burden, but a reward for the afterlife.

Furthermore, when a woman’s wali becomes her husband with her permission, as Islam does not permit forced marriage, which is against the teachings of Islam, she becomes a wife. “When a man gives his daughter in marriage and she dislikes it, the marriage shall not be accepted” [Sahih Bukhari].

Going further, when it comes to “wife in Islam,” the impression embeds staying at home as becoming a “slave.” That’s not the case. A wife in Islam is never to be taken for granted or put down. Her wishes and goals can be granted and reached with her husband’s permission. She does not have to give it all up because she is a “wife.” She is allowed to balance her goals and duties without disappointing her spouse. She has to obey her husband but is allowed to voice her opinions regarding any matter.

Meanwhile, a wife has to guard her and her husband’s honor. She is entrusted with the money and properties of her husband. When it comes to household chores, the responsibilities have to be fairly shared, and she is to serve and run the house as a favor, not as an obligation. In English, she is called “housewife,” but in Arabic, she is known as “Rabbaitul Bait” or “The Queen of the House.”

That definitely sounds like a beautiful impression. A wife is to be protected by her husband. Quran states “Men are the protectors of women, because Allah made some of them excel others and because they spend their wealth on them….” [4:34]. A wife in Islam helps her husband to obey the commands of Allah, be the color to his world, share his burdens and help him face his ups and downs also respect his family and do things that make him happy. And most of all respect him and be loyal and shower each other with abundant love. Prophet (peace be upon him) narrated “When they (a husband and wife) hold hands, their sins will fall away from between their fingers.”

In the same vein, Allah said in the Quran “And we Created you in pairs” [78:8]. This ayah explain that male and female complete each other and be one with no boundaries and differences. One of the best hadith of Prophet (peace be upon him) stated “The woman who dies in the state of her husband being pleased with her will enter Jannah (paradise).”

And, Family is the foundation and pillar of strength. As we are aware that father is the head of the family the role of the mother is equally important. Islam has a higher level of respect towards a “mother”. The mother has the greater responsibility and the greater reward in bringing up her children accordingly. There is a saying “no love can be matched to a mother’s love”. Quran states Their mothers bore them in hardship and delivered them in hardship. Their ˹period of˺ bearing and weaning is thirty months. In time, when the child reaches their prime at the age of forty, they pray, “My Lord! Inspire me to ˹always˺ be thankful for Your favors which You blessed me and my parents with, and to do good deeds that please You. And instill righteousness in my offspring. I truly repent to You, and I truly submit ˹to Your Will˺.” [46:15]. This ayah of the Quran explains us a great deal about the extents a mother goes to bring her children to the world and build a generation with risks but it’s all done with utmost love. Mothers are precious gifts to the world, they should be treated with love and kindness and obeyed at all circumstances. The following narration of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in an occasion states: “God has forbidden for you to be undutiful to your mothers” [Sahih Bukhari]. Hence, when a women becomes a mother she is an even more important figure in Islam. She is valued so much that Jannah lies under her feet. Prophet (peace be upon him) said “Paradise lies at the feet of your mother” [Tirmidhi].

In this regard, women are so privileged and honored in Islam that a whole chapter in the Holy Quran is dedicated to them [Surah An Nisa, Chapter 4]. It is a blessing and pride to be born as women in Islam. The first martyr in Islam was a woman – Summaya (peace be upon her). The first who believed in Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a woman – Khadeeja (peace be upon her). Women have their own rights to education, independence, marriage, dignity and inheritance in Islam. A women carries the title of “Muslimah” with her all throughout her life and is authorized with many rights and protected. It is always to be reminded and remembered “Muslim Women are not oppressed”.