What is Maslak-e-Aala Hazrat r.a. ?
QUESTIONWhat is Maslak-e-Aala Hazrat r.a.?ANSWERMaslak-e-Aala Hazrat is not any innovated religion in the name of Aala Hazrat Rehmatullah Alaih. Really it is the same way which is well known amongst the Sunnis in the name of Maslak-e-Ahle Sunnat Wa Jama'at. I have recently delivered a speech concerning this issue in Harare. I would like you to go over this speech which is available on the web.Ja Nashine Mufti Azam, Allama Mufti Mohammed Akhtar Raza Khan Azhari QaadiriHarare Lecture by Taajush Shariah, Hadrat Allama Mufti Mohammed Akhtar Raza Khan Azhari QaadiriAala Hazrat Rehmatullah Alaih never innovated any religion in his name. Aala Hazrat Rehmatullah Alaih has been awarded from ALLAH and His Holy Prophet (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) for his dedication to serve Islam and reforms the practices of our Rasool (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wasallam). Therefore, ALLAH'S real Deen is introduced by the name of Aala Hazrat Rehmatullah Alaih, that's why, Maslake Aala Hazrat is another name of Maslak-e-Ahle Sunnat Wa Jama'at. There is not enough time to elaborate his teaching; however, I can compress all his thoughts and teachings in a few stanzas of his poetry which present the real faith and right beliefs of a real Muslim concerning the Holy Prophet (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) as he says:“Allah Ki Sar Ta Baa Qadam Shaan Hain Yeh,Insaa Nahin Insaan, Woh Insaan Hain Yeh,Quran To Imaan Batata Hai Inhein,Imaan Yeh Kahta Hai Meri Jaan Hain Yeh”I have come to explain what Aala Hazrat Rehmatullah Alaih says, indicating to His Revered and Very Esteemed Rasool (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) as he is looking at him. This is the Glory and Jalwa of ALLAH from head to bottom (feet). This is such a man that no man is like him. Moreover, I have to say aforesaid quatrain of Aala Hazrat Rehmatullah Alaih comprises one more belief which is not spoken but it is understood easily through the indication “THAT IS AQIDA-E-HAZIR-O-NAZIR” which can be explained in English in this manner that our Prophet (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) is present everywhere, observing everyone by his knowledge and through his insight. That is why the Muslim is instructed while performing Namaaz to consider himself in the presence of Holy Prophet Muhammed (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) and to say with due respect, “As Salaam-0-Alaika Ya Ayyuhan Nabi, Wa Rahmatullahi-Wa-Barakatuhu”. If he is unable to look at his beloved Rasool (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam), he must believe that his Rasool (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) is alive and he is in front of him observing his actions and looking at the condition of his heart wherever he may be. This way Aala Hazrat Rehmatullah Alaih guides Muslims how to believe the Holy Prophet (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) and what is the right belief regarding the Holy Prophet (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam)? One can realize himself through his Aqida that Muhammad (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) is quite unparallel, unique and peerless so nobody in the whole Creation can compare to Him. Quran calls on people to believe the Holy Prophet (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) and calls him Imaan but Imaan states that the Holy Prophet (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) is "my spirit."This is not only the teachings of Aala Hazrat Rehmatullah Alaih but also the teachings of Kalimah and it is the voice of every Muslim's heart so now you can know who the real Muslims are? There in no real Muslim but Ahle Sunnat Wa Jama'at. In this connection, I would like to recall some stanzas of Hazrat Hassan Ibn Sabit Radi Allaho Ta'ala Anhu, the great poet of the dawn of Islamic age. Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) used to lay down the pulpit for him and commanded him so many times to stand on the pulpit depending the Reverential Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) and communicated good news to Hazrat Hassan Ibn Sabit Radi Allaho Ta'ala Anhu stating “Roohul Qudus” Hazrat Jibraeel Alaihe Salaato Wasallam is defending him. As longer he is defending his Holy Prophet (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam). So the above-mentioned poet of the dawn of Islamic age Hazrat Hassan Ibn Sabit Radi Allaho Ta'ala Anhu, praising his revered Rasool (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) says, “Never an eye witnessed more glorious than you, women have never given birth to the virtuous than you, you have been created free from every blemish, you seem to be created as you wished.” Every one can know through these words that Aala Hazrat Rehmatullah Alaih is not alone in regard with his belief concerning Holy Prophet (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam), in realistic manner he complies in his belief with the faith of Holy Companions of Holy Prophet (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam), and it proves that this is the real manner to believe Rasool (Sallal-Lahu Alaihi Wassallam) and the beliefs of Ahle Sunnat Wa Jamaat have been inherited from the companions of Holy Prophet (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam). That's why Aala Hazrat Rehmatullah Alaih says: “Ahle Sunnat Ka Hai Beda Paar, Ashaba Huzoor Najm Hai, Aur Nau Hai Itrat Rasool Allah Ki”i.e. “Ahle Sunnat are delivered at trust the companions of your excellence of the leading stars and your descendents are just like a boat for deliverance”This sense is the derivation from a Hadith in which Holy Prophet (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) has compared his companions with the stars that has likened his defendants with the boat of Hazrat Nooh Alaihi Salaam. In the meantime, there are some people trying to represent Islam in a wrong way, actually, they are not representing Islam but they are only trying to deprive Muslims from the spirit of Islam, as they say, “Muhammad (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) is a man like others”. Unfortunately, they try to justify this wrong tenet by means of the verses of Holy Quran, Para (16) “Say you, apparently in facial outlook of a man, I am like you, I receive Revelation that your Allah is one”. (Al-Kahf: Verse 110).In this verse, ALLAH has commanded His Holy Prophet (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) only to state in a humble way that he is apparently like others. Meanwhile, he is clarifying the things which separate him from the mankind, stating that the revelation comes to him that your deity is one so whilst ALLAH has commanded only His Rasool (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) to make such a statement in a humble way, how can his believers dare to turn the simile and claim that they are like the Holy Prophet (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam).
It would be a very irrespective attitude towards respected Rasool (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam). They believe one part of this verse, meanwhile they do not believe the other part i.e. “I receive Revelation” (Al-Kahf: 110). The revelation comes to me, therefore, ALLAH states about such people i.e. they believe in some parts of divine (Quran) and they do not believe in some others, while ALLAH states about Sunnis those who have got the certain knowledge, say, “We did believe the whole Book, every Aayat is from our Lord, the Almighty ALLAH.” One can know through these verses that the Revelation to the Prophet (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) requires an eye quite different from the eyes of whole mankind and it requires ears quite different from the ears of the mankind and a heart quite different from the hearts of mankind. Therefore, he Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam states: “My eyes sleep and my heart does not.”Through this statement one can derive that there is no relation corresponding to his eminence in any manner, except visible conditions and regarding his intrinsic status. He is quite different from the whole mankind, it seems to be eminent mankind but it has been classified in the highest rank of Angels like other Prophets, moreover, he is virtuous among all his Prophets. Therefore, Ulama say: “Prophets have been placed among the mankind is in regard with the apparent manners but regarding their intrinsic status they have been classified with the Angels, therefore, they observe the whole earth from East to West in one sight, they hear the cracking of Heaven and they smell the fragrance of Hazrat Jibraeel Alaihi Salaam while he intends to descend down to the Prophets and all creations that's why he himself says about him “If I intended to make anyone my intimate, I had Abu Bakr (Radi Allah-o-Taa`la Anhu) as my friend (companion). However, there is a relation between me and you in Islam and your Master is Khaleel (intimate) of Rehman (The Compassionate).” Naseem-ur-Riaz, the distinguished work of Imam Shahbuddin Khifajyi.That's why our Holy Prophet (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) says, “I witness what you do not witness and I hear what you do not hear”. It is quite short which has been mentioned above, much more has been left out. I conclude with these few words: May ALLAH accept them and may ALLAH bestow all of us to keep on the right path having the reverence and respect of His Holy Prophet (Sallal-Laahu Alaihi Wassallam) and all the belongings of him. May Allah keep us away from the company of misled people AMEEN.
Monday, February 16, 2009
DUTIES AND REWARDS IN A MARRIAGE
Nikah is a great Sunnah of our Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), about which he has
said, “He who marries secures one half of his religion, so let him beware of Allah where the other
half is concerned.” However, with marriage comes responsibilities and duties which need to be
fulfilled by both spouses in order for the marriage to be successful. Insha Allah below we will
discuss a few points regarding the duties of the husband and wife as well as the rewards they
attain, as told to us by Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
Allah Ta’ala states in the Glorious Qur’an, “They are a garment for you and you are a garment for
them.” [Surah 2, Verse 187] The purpose of a garment is to protect, beautify and hide the faults
and blemishes of the person wearing the garment. In the same way the husband and wife should
protect, beautify and hide the faults of each other. Instead, we find today that husbands instead of
protecting their wives, abuse them and both husband and wife expose each other’s faults to
everyone. This type of behaviour goes against what Allah Ta’ala has told us in the Holy Qur’an
and we should correct our behaviour if we are to have success in our marriages.
Regarding the rights of the wife, Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Qur’an, “...And treat them with
kindness.” [Surah 4, Verse 19] From this we learn that Allah Ta’ala has commanded us to treat our
wives with kindness. In another Verse Allah Ta’ala states regarding Talaaq, “...Retain them with
honour and release them with kindness. And do not retain them intending harm that you may
transgress the limit.” [Surah 2, Verse 231] Here again we are commanded to treat them with
kindness even though we might be giving them Talaaq.
Regarding the above verse, Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan Naeemi (Rahmatullah Alaih) states that to
increase the period of Iddat merely to gain something from the wife or to ill-treat her is regarded
as cruel and sinful. The laws of Allah must not be treated lightly by using marriage or divorce as a
means of tormenting the wife. If you do this you will be in great harm, as you will become the
criminal of Allah. [Tafseer Noorul Irfaan]
Regarding the duties of the husband, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has stated, “The
best of you is the best to his family. If you spend a dinar in Allah’s cause, a dinar to free a slave, a
dinar in alms for the poor, and a dinar for your family, the most meritorious is the one you spend
on your family.” [Ihya-ul-Uloom, Vol. 2] We should take heed of this because many of us are
miserly when it comes to spending on the family, yet the entire community knows us to be very
generous people due to the amount of charity we give to others. From this Hadith we learn that
spending on the family reaps the most reward; and why not, when we know that to look after the
family is incumbent on the husband, whereas to give charity is a Nafl Ibaadat.
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) also said, “The most perfect of believers in faith is he
who has the best character, and is most gentle towards his family.” [Ihya-ul-Uloom, Vol. 2]
In another Hadith Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) reiterated, “The perfect believer is
one who is the best in courtesy and good manners, and the best among you people is one who is
most kind and courteous to his wives.” [Tirmidhi Shareef ]
In yet another Hadith regarding the duty of the husband, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam) said, “It is sin enough for a man to neglect those in his care. [Ihya-ul-Uloom, Vol. 2]
He further said, “The best of you is the best toward his wife, and I am the best of you toward my
wives.” [Ihya-ul-Uloom, Vol. 2] We can therefore see that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasllam) has stressed in numerous Ahadith how to treat our wives and hence we should try to
follow the example of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and be gentle and kind to our
wives.
Hazrat Imam Hassan (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), the beloved grandson of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam), states that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) once said, “You must treat
the womenfolk with kind consideration, for they are captives at your disposal. They have nothing
they can call their own. You hold them only by virtue of the trust of Allah, and it is only because
of the word of Allah that you can claim lawful access to their genital organs.” [Ghunyalit Taalibi
Tareeqal Haq, vol. 1]
Regarding the duties of the wife Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The best of your
women is she who is pleased when her husband looks at her, who obeys him when he commands
her, and who guards for him in his absence both herself and his property.” [Ibn Majah]
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) also said, “The woman who leaves the house without the
permission of her husband is cursed by the angels until she returns.” [Tibraani ]
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) further stated, “A woman who dies, leaving her husband
content with her, will enter Paradise.” [Ihya-ul-Uloom, Vol. 2]
The greatest right of the husband is that the wife should obey him in every respect, as long as he
does not command anything against the Shariah. Once, a man who was going on a journey made
his wife promise that she would not come downstairs from the upper quarters of the house. Now,
her father lived downstairs and he fell sick. The woman therefore sent for Rasoolullah (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam) to ask permission to go down to her father. The Blessed Prophet (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Obey your husband!” Then her father passed away, so she asked again,
but again he said, “Obey your husband!” Then her father was buried. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam) then sent word to her that Allah Ta’ala had forgiven her father on account of
her obedience to her husband.” [Ihya-ul-Uloom, Vol. 2] From this incident we learn how much
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has stressed for the wives to obey the husband and we
also learn that the wife’s obedience to the husband has merits that we ourselves cannot sometimes
understand.
Let us now look at some of the rewards that are attained in a marriage. Hazrat Anas (Radiallahu
Ta’ala Anh) reported that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Whenever a woman
takes something away from her husband’s house and disposes of it, wishing to effect an
improvement by doing so, Allah Ta’ala records a good deed to her credit, erases a bad deed from
her balance sheet and promotes her to a higher spiritual level. Whenever a woman becomes
pregnant by her husband and bears his child, her spiritual reward is equal to that of the man who
stays awake all night in prayer, of the man who fasts all day long, and of the warrior in the cause
of Allah. Whenever a woman experiences labour pains, for every pain she is credited with the
emancipation of a living soul, for every act of suckling she is credited with the manumission of a
slave, and then, when she weans her child, an angelic voice calls out to her from the heavens, “O
woman, you have satisfactorily completed the task in the time that has gone by, so set about the
task anew in the time that still remains.””
On hearing this, Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) said, “The women seem to have
been given a lot, so what about all you menfolk?” The Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam) smiled at this and then went on to say, “Whenever a man takes his wife seductively by
the hand, Allah Ta’ala records a good deed to his credit. When he hugs her he is credited with ten
good deeds. When he has sexual intercourse with her, it is worth more than this world and all
that it contains. Then, when he gets up to perform Ghusl, the water does not reach a hair on his
body without a good deed being recorded in his favour, a bad deed being erased from his balance
sheet, and a promotion to a higher spiritual level being awarded to him. What he receives for his
Ghusl is worth more than this world and all that it contains. Allah Ta’ala will commend him to
the angels in glowing terms, saying, “Just look at My servant! He got up in the middle of a chilly
night to remove his ritual impurity by taking a bath. He must be surely convinced that I am his
Lord. Bear witness, all of you, to the fact that I have forgiven him!”” [Ghunyalit Taalibi Tareeqal
Haq, vol. 1]
On another occasion Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Whoever endures his wife’s
bad character, Allah will give him a reward like that He gave to Hazrat Ayub (Alaihis Salaam) for
his tribulation, while to one who endures the bad character of her husband, Allah will give a
recompense like that of Hazrat Asiya (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha), the wife of Firoun.” [Ihya-ul-
Uloom, Vol. 2]
Hazrat Anas (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) reports that once the women sent him as their
representative to Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and asked him to say on their
behalf, “Ya Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), the menfolk have carried off all the merit,
especially for doing battle in the cause of Allah, so what worthy task is there for us to perform, by
which we could match the worthy task of those warriors in the cause of Allah?” Our Beloved
Aaqa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, “The housework done by any one of you women, in
her own home, is equal to the worthy task of those warriors in the cause of Allah.” [Ghunyalit
Taalibi Tareeqal Haq, vol. 1]
In another Hadith, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has stated, “The best of the men in
my Ummah are those who are the best to their wives, and the best of the women in my Ummah
are those who are the best to their husbands. In the credit account of every woman among them,
every day and night, there is filed the reward of a thousand martyrs, slain while fighting patiently
and self-sacrificingly in the cause of Allah. The superiority of any such woman over the maidens
of Paradise is comparable to the superiority of Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) over the
most inferior man amongst you. The best woman of all in my Ummah is she who seeks to delight
her husband in everything that gives him pleasure, as long as it involves no disobedience to
Almighty Allah. The best man of all in my Ummah is he who treats his wife as tenderly as a
mother would treat her child. To the credit of every such man, every day and night, there is
recorded the reward of a hundred martyrs, slain while fighting patiently and self-sacrificingly in
the cause of Allah.”
When Hazrat Umar ibn Khattaab (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) heard this he exclaimed, “Ya
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), how can it be that the woman is credited with the
reward of a thousand martyrs while the man gets only that of a hundred martyrs?”
The Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, “Surely you must have realized by now
that the woman is entitled to a vastly greater recompense, and to a far superior spiritual reward,
since Allah Ta’ala promotes the man to higher spiritual levels in the Garden of Paradise, above
and beyond his personal level of attainment, because of his wife’s approval of him and in response
to her prayer of supplication (Dua) on his behalf? Surely you must have realized by now that the
most serious sinful offense after the attribution of partners to Allah Ta’ala is that committed by a
wife when she disobeys her husband? You must be very conscious of your duty to Almighty
Allah, especially where the two weaklings are concerned, because Allah will hold you responsible
for them both, namely the orphan and the woman. If someone treats them well, he will attain to
Allah and earn His good pleasure, but if anyone treats them badly, he can be sure of nothing but
Allah’s wrath. The right of the wife over the husband is like my right over you. If someone fails to
respect my right, he has failed to respect the right of Allah. If anyone fails to respect the right of
Allah, he has brought the wrath of Allah upon himself; the place he is bound for is Hell, and that
is a terrible destination!” [Ghunyalit Taalibi Tareeqal Haq, vol. 1]
It is therefore important for both spouses to be firmly convinced of the reality of the spiritual
reward referred to in the above Ahadith, at the time of the marriage contract as well as
throughout their subsequent conjugal relationship. Each must faithfully discharge the duty owed
to the other, in accordance with the words of Almighty Allah, “And the women have rights
similar to those over them according to law, and men have superiority over them and Allah is
Dominant, Wise.” [Surah 2, Verse 228] This is required of them so that they may both be obedient
to Almighty Allah and may both be in compliance with His commandment.
From these Qur’anic Verses and Ahadith we should remember that in the same way that it is
incumbent on the husband to treat the wife gently and with kindness, similarly it is incumbent
on the wife to be strictly obedient to the husband. The problem in this day and age is that couples
get married without knowing their respective rights and duties and insignificant matters lead to
huge arguments and divorces. Both spouses usually fail to some extent in fulfilling their
obligations.
Insha Allah we should all make an effort to gain the knowledge about marriage and the
responsibilities therein so that we may realise our duties and identify our shortcomings. We
should also, before criticizing the other or being harsh with the other due to some shortcoming,
look at ourselves first and realize our own shortcomings so that we may strive to correct
ourselves. And most importantly we must try to attain the knowledge of how Rasoolullah
(Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) treated his beloved wives and how they respected and obeyed him so
that we may follow their most beautiful example and live in harmony Insha Allah.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to gain the knowledge pertaining to the rights of the
husband and wife and may He in His Infinite Mercy grant us the Taufeeq to follow the beautiful
example of His Beloved Habeeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Ameen.
said, “He who marries secures one half of his religion, so let him beware of Allah where the other
half is concerned.” However, with marriage comes responsibilities and duties which need to be
fulfilled by both spouses in order for the marriage to be successful. Insha Allah below we will
discuss a few points regarding the duties of the husband and wife as well as the rewards they
attain, as told to us by Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
Allah Ta’ala states in the Glorious Qur’an, “They are a garment for you and you are a garment for
them.” [Surah 2, Verse 187] The purpose of a garment is to protect, beautify and hide the faults
and blemishes of the person wearing the garment. In the same way the husband and wife should
protect, beautify and hide the faults of each other. Instead, we find today that husbands instead of
protecting their wives, abuse them and both husband and wife expose each other’s faults to
everyone. This type of behaviour goes against what Allah Ta’ala has told us in the Holy Qur’an
and we should correct our behaviour if we are to have success in our marriages.
Regarding the rights of the wife, Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Qur’an, “...And treat them with
kindness.” [Surah 4, Verse 19] From this we learn that Allah Ta’ala has commanded us to treat our
wives with kindness. In another Verse Allah Ta’ala states regarding Talaaq, “...Retain them with
honour and release them with kindness. And do not retain them intending harm that you may
transgress the limit.” [Surah 2, Verse 231] Here again we are commanded to treat them with
kindness even though we might be giving them Talaaq.
Regarding the above verse, Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan Naeemi (Rahmatullah Alaih) states that to
increase the period of Iddat merely to gain something from the wife or to ill-treat her is regarded
as cruel and sinful. The laws of Allah must not be treated lightly by using marriage or divorce as a
means of tormenting the wife. If you do this you will be in great harm, as you will become the
criminal of Allah. [Tafseer Noorul Irfaan]
Regarding the duties of the husband, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has stated, “The
best of you is the best to his family. If you spend a dinar in Allah’s cause, a dinar to free a slave, a
dinar in alms for the poor, and a dinar for your family, the most meritorious is the one you spend
on your family.” [Ihya-ul-Uloom, Vol. 2] We should take heed of this because many of us are
miserly when it comes to spending on the family, yet the entire community knows us to be very
generous people due to the amount of charity we give to others. From this Hadith we learn that
spending on the family reaps the most reward; and why not, when we know that to look after the
family is incumbent on the husband, whereas to give charity is a Nafl Ibaadat.
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) also said, “The most perfect of believers in faith is he
who has the best character, and is most gentle towards his family.” [Ihya-ul-Uloom, Vol. 2]
In another Hadith Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) reiterated, “The perfect believer is
one who is the best in courtesy and good manners, and the best among you people is one who is
most kind and courteous to his wives.” [Tirmidhi Shareef ]
In yet another Hadith regarding the duty of the husband, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam) said, “It is sin enough for a man to neglect those in his care. [Ihya-ul-Uloom, Vol. 2]
He further said, “The best of you is the best toward his wife, and I am the best of you toward my
wives.” [Ihya-ul-Uloom, Vol. 2] We can therefore see that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasllam) has stressed in numerous Ahadith how to treat our wives and hence we should try to
follow the example of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and be gentle and kind to our
wives.
Hazrat Imam Hassan (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh), the beloved grandson of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam), states that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) once said, “You must treat
the womenfolk with kind consideration, for they are captives at your disposal. They have nothing
they can call their own. You hold them only by virtue of the trust of Allah, and it is only because
of the word of Allah that you can claim lawful access to their genital organs.” [Ghunyalit Taalibi
Tareeqal Haq, vol. 1]
Regarding the duties of the wife Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The best of your
women is she who is pleased when her husband looks at her, who obeys him when he commands
her, and who guards for him in his absence both herself and his property.” [Ibn Majah]
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) also said, “The woman who leaves the house without the
permission of her husband is cursed by the angels until she returns.” [Tibraani ]
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) further stated, “A woman who dies, leaving her husband
content with her, will enter Paradise.” [Ihya-ul-Uloom, Vol. 2]
The greatest right of the husband is that the wife should obey him in every respect, as long as he
does not command anything against the Shariah. Once, a man who was going on a journey made
his wife promise that she would not come downstairs from the upper quarters of the house. Now,
her father lived downstairs and he fell sick. The woman therefore sent for Rasoolullah (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam) to ask permission to go down to her father. The Blessed Prophet (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Obey your husband!” Then her father passed away, so she asked again,
but again he said, “Obey your husband!” Then her father was buried. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam) then sent word to her that Allah Ta’ala had forgiven her father on account of
her obedience to her husband.” [Ihya-ul-Uloom, Vol. 2] From this incident we learn how much
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has stressed for the wives to obey the husband and we
also learn that the wife’s obedience to the husband has merits that we ourselves cannot sometimes
understand.
Let us now look at some of the rewards that are attained in a marriage. Hazrat Anas (Radiallahu
Ta’ala Anh) reported that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Whenever a woman
takes something away from her husband’s house and disposes of it, wishing to effect an
improvement by doing so, Allah Ta’ala records a good deed to her credit, erases a bad deed from
her balance sheet and promotes her to a higher spiritual level. Whenever a woman becomes
pregnant by her husband and bears his child, her spiritual reward is equal to that of the man who
stays awake all night in prayer, of the man who fasts all day long, and of the warrior in the cause
of Allah. Whenever a woman experiences labour pains, for every pain she is credited with the
emancipation of a living soul, for every act of suckling she is credited with the manumission of a
slave, and then, when she weans her child, an angelic voice calls out to her from the heavens, “O
woman, you have satisfactorily completed the task in the time that has gone by, so set about the
task anew in the time that still remains.””
On hearing this, Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) said, “The women seem to have
been given a lot, so what about all you menfolk?” The Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam) smiled at this and then went on to say, “Whenever a man takes his wife seductively by
the hand, Allah Ta’ala records a good deed to his credit. When he hugs her he is credited with ten
good deeds. When he has sexual intercourse with her, it is worth more than this world and all
that it contains. Then, when he gets up to perform Ghusl, the water does not reach a hair on his
body without a good deed being recorded in his favour, a bad deed being erased from his balance
sheet, and a promotion to a higher spiritual level being awarded to him. What he receives for his
Ghusl is worth more than this world and all that it contains. Allah Ta’ala will commend him to
the angels in glowing terms, saying, “Just look at My servant! He got up in the middle of a chilly
night to remove his ritual impurity by taking a bath. He must be surely convinced that I am his
Lord. Bear witness, all of you, to the fact that I have forgiven him!”” [Ghunyalit Taalibi Tareeqal
Haq, vol. 1]
On another occasion Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Whoever endures his wife’s
bad character, Allah will give him a reward like that He gave to Hazrat Ayub (Alaihis Salaam) for
his tribulation, while to one who endures the bad character of her husband, Allah will give a
recompense like that of Hazrat Asiya (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha), the wife of Firoun.” [Ihya-ul-
Uloom, Vol. 2]
Hazrat Anas (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) reports that once the women sent him as their
representative to Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and asked him to say on their
behalf, “Ya Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), the menfolk have carried off all the merit,
especially for doing battle in the cause of Allah, so what worthy task is there for us to perform, by
which we could match the worthy task of those warriors in the cause of Allah?” Our Beloved
Aaqa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, “The housework done by any one of you women, in
her own home, is equal to the worthy task of those warriors in the cause of Allah.” [Ghunyalit
Taalibi Tareeqal Haq, vol. 1]
In another Hadith, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has stated, “The best of the men in
my Ummah are those who are the best to their wives, and the best of the women in my Ummah
are those who are the best to their husbands. In the credit account of every woman among them,
every day and night, there is filed the reward of a thousand martyrs, slain while fighting patiently
and self-sacrificingly in the cause of Allah. The superiority of any such woman over the maidens
of Paradise is comparable to the superiority of Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) over the
most inferior man amongst you. The best woman of all in my Ummah is she who seeks to delight
her husband in everything that gives him pleasure, as long as it involves no disobedience to
Almighty Allah. The best man of all in my Ummah is he who treats his wife as tenderly as a
mother would treat her child. To the credit of every such man, every day and night, there is
recorded the reward of a hundred martyrs, slain while fighting patiently and self-sacrificingly in
the cause of Allah.”
When Hazrat Umar ibn Khattaab (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) heard this he exclaimed, “Ya
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), how can it be that the woman is credited with the
reward of a thousand martyrs while the man gets only that of a hundred martyrs?”
The Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, “Surely you must have realized by now
that the woman is entitled to a vastly greater recompense, and to a far superior spiritual reward,
since Allah Ta’ala promotes the man to higher spiritual levels in the Garden of Paradise, above
and beyond his personal level of attainment, because of his wife’s approval of him and in response
to her prayer of supplication (Dua) on his behalf? Surely you must have realized by now that the
most serious sinful offense after the attribution of partners to Allah Ta’ala is that committed by a
wife when she disobeys her husband? You must be very conscious of your duty to Almighty
Allah, especially where the two weaklings are concerned, because Allah will hold you responsible
for them both, namely the orphan and the woman. If someone treats them well, he will attain to
Allah and earn His good pleasure, but if anyone treats them badly, he can be sure of nothing but
Allah’s wrath. The right of the wife over the husband is like my right over you. If someone fails to
respect my right, he has failed to respect the right of Allah. If anyone fails to respect the right of
Allah, he has brought the wrath of Allah upon himself; the place he is bound for is Hell, and that
is a terrible destination!” [Ghunyalit Taalibi Tareeqal Haq, vol. 1]
It is therefore important for both spouses to be firmly convinced of the reality of the spiritual
reward referred to in the above Ahadith, at the time of the marriage contract as well as
throughout their subsequent conjugal relationship. Each must faithfully discharge the duty owed
to the other, in accordance with the words of Almighty Allah, “And the women have rights
similar to those over them according to law, and men have superiority over them and Allah is
Dominant, Wise.” [Surah 2, Verse 228] This is required of them so that they may both be obedient
to Almighty Allah and may both be in compliance with His commandment.
From these Qur’anic Verses and Ahadith we should remember that in the same way that it is
incumbent on the husband to treat the wife gently and with kindness, similarly it is incumbent
on the wife to be strictly obedient to the husband. The problem in this day and age is that couples
get married without knowing their respective rights and duties and insignificant matters lead to
huge arguments and divorces. Both spouses usually fail to some extent in fulfilling their
obligations.
Insha Allah we should all make an effort to gain the knowledge about marriage and the
responsibilities therein so that we may realise our duties and identify our shortcomings. We
should also, before criticizing the other or being harsh with the other due to some shortcoming,
look at ourselves first and realize our own shortcomings so that we may strive to correct
ourselves. And most importantly we must try to attain the knowledge of how Rasoolullah
(Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) treated his beloved wives and how they respected and obeyed him so
that we may follow their most beautiful example and live in harmony Insha Allah.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to gain the knowledge pertaining to the rights of the
husband and wife and may He in His Infinite Mercy grant us the Taufeeq to follow the beautiful
example of His Beloved Habeeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Ameen.
Monday, February 2, 2009
THE MODE OF PRAYER (SALAAT) FOR WOMEN
THE MODE OF PRAYER (SALAAT) FOR WOMEN
Prayer to be offered by women differs from that of men only in the practical manner of its offering and not in the spiritual sense. The Prayer times, the supplications, the number of prostrations, bows, etc., do not differ. The difference in the physical aspects of Prayer arise from the fact that women’s physique differs from that of men, and follow from the commands which Allah (The Supreme) has stipulated for them in the Holy Quran and through the Hadith of the Holy Prophet .
Most differences relate to clothing, concealment of body, posture and concealment of voice. Prior to listing the differences in women’s mode of Prayer, we provide references from the Holy Quran and Hadith which are the PROOFS of, and form the main bases of these differences:
A. From The Holy Quran – Regarding Concealment Of The Body
1. [Surah Noor Verse 31] And command the Muslim women to keep their gaze low and to protect their chastity, and not to reveal their adornment except what is apparent, and to keep the cover wrapped over their bosoms; and not to reveal their adornment except to their own husbands or fathers or husbands’ fathers, or their sons or their husbands’ sons, or their brothers or their brothers’ sons or sisters’ sons, or women of their religion, or the bondwomen they possess, or male servants provided they do not have manliness, or such children who do not know of women’s nakedness, and not to stamp their feet on the ground in order that their hidden adornment be known; and O Muslims, all of you turn in repentance together towards Allah, in the hope of attaining success.
2. [Surah Ahzab Verse 59] O Prophet! Command your wives and your daughters and the women of the Muslims to cover their faces with a part of their cloaks; this is closer to their being recognised and not being harassed; and Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.
B. From The Holy Quran – Regarding Concealment Of Voice
3. [Surah Ahzab Verses 32 - 33] O the wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women - if you really fear Allah, then do not speak softly lest the one in whose heart is a disease have any inclination, and speak fairly. And remain in your houses and do not unveil yourselves like the unveiling prevalent in the times of ignorance, and keep the prayer established, and pay the charity, and obey Allah and His Noble Messenger; Allah only wills to remove all impurity from you, O the People of the Household, and by cleansing you make you utterly pure.
C. From The Hadith – Regarding Difference In Prayer Positions
4. Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be well pleased with him) narrates that the Holy Prophet said, 'When a woman sits in Sajdah by putting one thigh upon the other (i.e. close to one another) and at the time of Sajdah (prostration) her stomach touches her thighs and she also takes full consideration of Hijaab, then Allah Taãla looks at her and says to the angels, 'Bear witness that I have forgiven her.' (Baihaqi, Kanzul Ummaal)
5. Once the Holy Prophet saw two women offering Prayer and he said, 'When you (women) make Sajdah (prostrate) then let the limbs of your body touch one another and make them touch the ground.' Surely in this (prostration posture) women are not similar to men.' (Masaail Abu Dawood)
6. Wail ibn Hajar (may Allah be well pleased with him) said that the Holy Prophet taught him to offer Prayer and he said, 'O ibn Hajar! When you begin your Prayer then lift your hands up to your ears and show the women that they should lift up to their chests.' (Tabarrani)
7. Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be well pleased with him) was once asked on how women used to offer Prayer during the time of the Holy Prophet . He replied, 'First they used to read Prayer cross-legged, then they were commanded to cling to themselves,' (Jaami al-Masanid).
D. From Hadith – Regarding Concealment Of Voice During Prayer
8. Narrated Abu Huraira (May Allah be well pleased with him), The Holy Prophet once said: "The saying 'Sub Han Allah' is for men and clapping is for women." (If something happens in the prayer, the men can invite the attention of the Imam by saying "Sub Han Allah". And women, by clapping their hands). (Bukhari)
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN’S AND WOMEN’S PRAYER
1. Concealing the body (Satr-e-Aurat) – that is to conceal/cover the necessary parts of the body. For men, this consists of the body between the navel up to and including the knees. For women this consists of the entire body, except the face, hands and soles of the feet. Women must hide their faces from strangers whilst not in Prayers. Wearing clothes that are so thin that body colour is exposed will make the Prayer void. Similar is the case of the head scarf if the shine of hair is revealed. In fact, wearing such clothes is prohibited even outside Prayer. Before beginning Prayer the woman should make sure that (other than her face, palms and the soles of her feet) her entire body is properly covered with opaque clothes. If she offers Prayer in thin clothes which reveal the colour of the skin or the shine of her hair, it will render the Prayer void. It is obligatory to also hide the neck, ears, hair-locks hanging from the head, and the wrists.
2. If any part of the body (other than her face, palms and the soles of her feet) is exposed up to one fourth of its area, and she proclaims the “Takbeer Tahreemah” (“Allahu Akbar”) without hiding it, then the Prayer will be deemed to have not started at all. If one fourth or more of it gets exposed during the Prayer for a time in which "Subhaan-Allah" can be recited thrice, it will render the Prayer void.
3. While saying “Takbeer Tahreemah” (Allahu Akbar) a woman should raise her hands only up to her shoulders (and not up to the ears) and should not take them out of her cloak.
4. In the Qiyaam (standing position), she should place her left palm on the middle of her chest and the right palm over the left.
5. While bowing, she should only bow a little, enough for her hands to touch her knees, without holding them. The fingers should be kept straight. She should stand with her knees slightly bent, and her arms close to her body.
6. She should perform the prostration with her body drawn together i.e. she should keep the abdomen joined with the thighs, the thighs with the calves, the shins with the ground, the arms to the sides and the wrists spread on the ground. Further, instead of keeping the feet upright, both feet should be spread out towards the right.
7. While in Qaadah (sitting position), instead of keeping the right foot upright, both feet should be slid out towards the right, with her sitting on the left foot.
8. For women, praying in a room is better than praying out in the courtyard, and praying in a basement is better than praying in a room. (Abu Dawood).
OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS:
1. Women are exempted from offering Prayer whilst in state of impurity (due to menses or childbirth).
2. Women should take extra care during "Wuzu and Tayammum" by moving ornaments (such as rings) in order not to leave the area below them - whereas nail polish should be totally removed.
3. If several persons are praying in the same room, women should pray behind the men. They should not stand in line with the men.
4. Women should offer their five daily Prayers, Taraweeh and Witr individually. It is Makrooh Tahreemi for them to offer Prayer with congregation. (Shaami Vol.1). A woman cannot be a leader (Imam) in any congregational Prayer.
Prayer to be offered by women differs from that of men only in the practical manner of its offering and not in the spiritual sense. The Prayer times, the supplications, the number of prostrations, bows, etc., do not differ. The difference in the physical aspects of Prayer arise from the fact that women’s physique differs from that of men, and follow from the commands which Allah (The Supreme) has stipulated for them in the Holy Quran and through the Hadith of the Holy Prophet .
Most differences relate to clothing, concealment of body, posture and concealment of voice. Prior to listing the differences in women’s mode of Prayer, we provide references from the Holy Quran and Hadith which are the PROOFS of, and form the main bases of these differences:
A. From The Holy Quran – Regarding Concealment Of The Body
1. [Surah Noor Verse 31] And command the Muslim women to keep their gaze low and to protect their chastity, and not to reveal their adornment except what is apparent, and to keep the cover wrapped over their bosoms; and not to reveal their adornment except to their own husbands or fathers or husbands’ fathers, or their sons or their husbands’ sons, or their brothers or their brothers’ sons or sisters’ sons, or women of their religion, or the bondwomen they possess, or male servants provided they do not have manliness, or such children who do not know of women’s nakedness, and not to stamp their feet on the ground in order that their hidden adornment be known; and O Muslims, all of you turn in repentance together towards Allah, in the hope of attaining success.
2. [Surah Ahzab Verse 59] O Prophet! Command your wives and your daughters and the women of the Muslims to cover their faces with a part of their cloaks; this is closer to their being recognised and not being harassed; and Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.
B. From The Holy Quran – Regarding Concealment Of Voice
3. [Surah Ahzab Verses 32 - 33] O the wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women - if you really fear Allah, then do not speak softly lest the one in whose heart is a disease have any inclination, and speak fairly. And remain in your houses and do not unveil yourselves like the unveiling prevalent in the times of ignorance, and keep the prayer established, and pay the charity, and obey Allah and His Noble Messenger; Allah only wills to remove all impurity from you, O the People of the Household, and by cleansing you make you utterly pure.
C. From The Hadith – Regarding Difference In Prayer Positions
4. Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be well pleased with him) narrates that the Holy Prophet said, 'When a woman sits in Sajdah by putting one thigh upon the other (i.e. close to one another) and at the time of Sajdah (prostration) her stomach touches her thighs and she also takes full consideration of Hijaab, then Allah Taãla looks at her and says to the angels, 'Bear witness that I have forgiven her.' (Baihaqi, Kanzul Ummaal)
5. Once the Holy Prophet saw two women offering Prayer and he said, 'When you (women) make Sajdah (prostrate) then let the limbs of your body touch one another and make them touch the ground.' Surely in this (prostration posture) women are not similar to men.' (Masaail Abu Dawood)
6. Wail ibn Hajar (may Allah be well pleased with him) said that the Holy Prophet taught him to offer Prayer and he said, 'O ibn Hajar! When you begin your Prayer then lift your hands up to your ears and show the women that they should lift up to their chests.' (Tabarrani)
7. Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be well pleased with him) was once asked on how women used to offer Prayer during the time of the Holy Prophet . He replied, 'First they used to read Prayer cross-legged, then they were commanded to cling to themselves,' (Jaami al-Masanid).
D. From Hadith – Regarding Concealment Of Voice During Prayer
8. Narrated Abu Huraira (May Allah be well pleased with him), The Holy Prophet once said: "The saying 'Sub Han Allah' is for men and clapping is for women." (If something happens in the prayer, the men can invite the attention of the Imam by saying "Sub Han Allah". And women, by clapping their hands). (Bukhari)
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN’S AND WOMEN’S PRAYER
1. Concealing the body (Satr-e-Aurat) – that is to conceal/cover the necessary parts of the body. For men, this consists of the body between the navel up to and including the knees. For women this consists of the entire body, except the face, hands and soles of the feet. Women must hide their faces from strangers whilst not in Prayers. Wearing clothes that are so thin that body colour is exposed will make the Prayer void. Similar is the case of the head scarf if the shine of hair is revealed. In fact, wearing such clothes is prohibited even outside Prayer. Before beginning Prayer the woman should make sure that (other than her face, palms and the soles of her feet) her entire body is properly covered with opaque clothes. If she offers Prayer in thin clothes which reveal the colour of the skin or the shine of her hair, it will render the Prayer void. It is obligatory to also hide the neck, ears, hair-locks hanging from the head, and the wrists.
2. If any part of the body (other than her face, palms and the soles of her feet) is exposed up to one fourth of its area, and she proclaims the “Takbeer Tahreemah” (“Allahu Akbar”) without hiding it, then the Prayer will be deemed to have not started at all. If one fourth or more of it gets exposed during the Prayer for a time in which "Subhaan-Allah" can be recited thrice, it will render the Prayer void.
3. While saying “Takbeer Tahreemah” (Allahu Akbar) a woman should raise her hands only up to her shoulders (and not up to the ears) and should not take them out of her cloak.
4. In the Qiyaam (standing position), she should place her left palm on the middle of her chest and the right palm over the left.
5. While bowing, she should only bow a little, enough for her hands to touch her knees, without holding them. The fingers should be kept straight. She should stand with her knees slightly bent, and her arms close to her body.
6. She should perform the prostration with her body drawn together i.e. she should keep the abdomen joined with the thighs, the thighs with the calves, the shins with the ground, the arms to the sides and the wrists spread on the ground. Further, instead of keeping the feet upright, both feet should be spread out towards the right.
7. While in Qaadah (sitting position), instead of keeping the right foot upright, both feet should be slid out towards the right, with her sitting on the left foot.
8. For women, praying in a room is better than praying out in the courtyard, and praying in a basement is better than praying in a room. (Abu Dawood).
OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS:
1. Women are exempted from offering Prayer whilst in state of impurity (due to menses or childbirth).
2. Women should take extra care during "Wuzu and Tayammum" by moving ornaments (such as rings) in order not to leave the area below them - whereas nail polish should be totally removed.
3. If several persons are praying in the same room, women should pray behind the men. They should not stand in line with the men.
4. Women should offer their five daily Prayers, Taraweeh and Witr individually. It is Makrooh Tahreemi for them to offer Prayer with congregation. (Shaami Vol.1). A woman cannot be a leader (Imam) in any congregational Prayer.
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