Category Archives: Women
Manners for Sisters at the Mosque and Gatherings of Remembrance
August 16, 2003 / Jamad-uth-Thani 1424
Volume 1, Issue 2 (Part 7)
Going to the Mosque (Masjid) is a favor from Allah, Glorious and Great. As with all favors from Him, it is what we do with that favor that will turn it into a blessing or a curse for us. There are manners (adab) for attending Friday prayers and other visits to the Masjid and places of remembrance, especially for women. I say especially for women because it is not an obligation for us to attend the Friday prayer, it is a privilege.
Out of respect for the dignity of the occasion, before going to any function at a Masjid, or any building used as a place of worship or remembrance (Zikr), it is recommended to take a shower (ghusl). We should all wear our nicest and most modest clothes as Allah, Glorious and Great said:
Oh Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer…(Sura A’raf 7; 31)
It is especially important that women avoid wearing see through clothes or clothes that reveal the shapes of their bodies. Women should remember not to wear perfume or scented oils (attar) as it may distract our brothers from their worship and divert their attention towards women instead of towards Allah, Exalted is He! When we enter we should be certain to lower our gaze and guard our modesty:
And say to the believing women that they should Lower their gaze and guard their modesty that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must appear thereof. (Sura An Nur 24; 31)
Remember where we are and what is our intention in being there. We should take a seat next to any sisters who are already there, starting from the side furthest from the entrance. In this way the sisters who arrive after us do not have to climb over us or disturb us.
When arriving at a Masjid, it is recommended to offer two rakats Sunnah prayer as greetings to the Masjid. Then sit quietly, preferably doing silent remembrance (Zikr) or reading the Holy Qur’an. This is not the time for socializing, but an opportunity to contemplate.
At Friday prayer (Jummah), when the Imam begins to speak we are not to say one word. There is Hadith to the effect that any one speaking during the sermon (Khutbah) gets no credit for the entire prayer. Besides losing all credit for that prayer, if our voices disturb anyone, we are accountable for that. Children should use self-restraint or stay home; the Masjid is not a playground.
When the Azan (call to prayer) is called, sit still. When you hear the Iqamah recited, at the line “Hayya ‘ala Salah†rise and quietly form your straight lines, standing shoulder to shoulder with the sisters on either side of you. Our Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings on his sweet soul, warned us the Shaitan (Devil) will fill up the empty space if we are not touching each other in the prayer line. Silently offer your intention to follow the Imam and wait for him to call the Takbir Al Ahram (Allah hu Akbar) before lifting your hands. Each worshipper needs permission from the Imam to change position so do not change your position until you hear “Allah hu Akbar†or “Sami Allah hu liman Hamida†(Allah hears one who praises Him) when returning from ruku (bowing position). Even if you have memorized a particular Sura or Ayah that is being recited, it is best to be quiet and listen as listening is an aid to perfection and has a different effect on us than recitation. Out of respect for Allah, Glorious and Great, the Holy Qur’an and our brothers and sisters, we should remain silent during Recitations, lectures and prayers.
After the completion of the obligatory portion of the prayer, it is recommended to change location with your neighbor to perform the Sunnah prayers, so that more areas of the earth will bear witness for our act of prayer on the Day of Judgement.
After the prayer, it is recommended to greet your sisters with “As Salaamo alaikum†and to warmly embrace one another. Now is the time to speak, remembering where we are and
Lower your voice for the harshest of sounds without a doubt is the braying of an ass.
(Sura Luqman 31; 19)
Many sisters come from countries where women do not go to the Masjid, so it is particularly lovely that here we can. Let’s all enjoy this favor from Allah, Exalted is He, and turn it into a blessing by being grateful and doing our best to have good manners (adab).
May Allah, The Source of all good, reward you with His Good. (Aamin).
Khadija J.C. Locks
Sister Khadija is a resident of Los Angeles, CA. She is the author of “The Wealth of the Inheritorsâ€, published by Nuqoosh Press, Lahore, Pakistan. She is currently working on a book on the subject of Islamic stories for children. She is a regular contributor to the IECRC Newsletter.
A Tribute To Hazrat Syeda Fatima Zahra, Blessed Mother of Hazrat Syeda Zaynab (May Allah be pleased with them both)
Issue # 12
April 22, 2007 / Rabiuth Thani 1428
It is related in the famous book Khasais-e-Kubra of Hazrat Allama Jalaluddin Suyuti (b. 1445 CE, may Allah have mercy on him) that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Countless Prayers and Peace Be Upon Him, His Blessed Family and Noble Companions) said:
“No person is a believer unless they love the People of my Household [Ahle Bayt] for my sake and for the sake of Allah Almighty.â€
In another Hadeeth, Hazrat Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:
“My family among you is like Noah’s ark. He who sails on it will be safe, but he who holds back from it will perish.â€
Further, the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said about Hazrat Fatima Zahra (may Allah be pleased with her):
“She is a piece of my body. Whoever hurts her has hurt me.†[Bukhari Shareef]
Today the pen is raised for the mention of that Pure Personality who is known as “Jaane Ahmed (May Allah be pleased with her).†She is that pure personality who received the title of Khatoone Jannat [Lady of Paradise] during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and whom the world knows as Hazrat Syeda Fatima Zahra (May Allah be pleased with her). She had the honor of being the most beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May Allah be pleased with her).
Syeda Tayyeba Abida Zahida
Yani Khatoone Jannat pe lakhon salam
In the words of Hazrat Maulana Hasan Raza, brother of the great Mujaddid [Renewer of the religion] of this century, Ala Hazrat (may Allah have mercy on them both) said in her greatness:
Jin ke ghar beijazat Jibril aate nahin
Qadar vaale jaante hain qadre Ahle Bayt
Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) was the youngest daughter of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). Her mother’s name was Hazrat Khadija Kubra (May Allah be pleased with her). The Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) received revelation in the 40th year and in the 41st year Hazrat Fatima’s (May Allah be pleased with her) blessed birth further adorned the Blessed Household. Hazrat Khadija (May Allah be pleased with her) said that the good news of the arrival of this blessed daughter had been given to her beforehand that the pure personality whom she was going to give birth to is going to be the leader of the women of Paradise.
Some of the famous laurels awarded to Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) are Batool, Zahra, Tayyeba, Tahira, and Zakiya. She is called Batool because throughout her lifetime she did not love this world and adopted independence from it. The titles Zahra, Tayyeba, and Tahira reveal her purity. Such purity has not and will not be received by any woman in the world! Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) was kept pure by Allah Almighty from menstrual blood and lochia all her life. The Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:
“My daughter Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) is a human hoori whom Allah has kept free from menses and lochia.â€
Hazrat Syeda Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) received the blessed name “Fatima†because the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said that Allah has kept her away from hell. The Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) further said:
“Those who love her, Allah will keep them away from the hellfire.â€
As long as she lived with her respected Father (Peace Be Upon Him), she helped Him (Peace Be Upon Him). She helped Him (Peace Be Upon Him) in many of the battles and tended to His (Peace Be Upon Him) wounds with her blessed hands. Whenever the disbelievers placed obstacles and caused her Father (Peace Be Upon Him) pain, she helped Him (Peace Be Upon Him) despite her young age. In many instances she would cry witnessing the pain of her Blessed Father (Peace Be Upon Him).
She was married after the Battle of Badr in the holy month of Ramadan to Hazrat Ali (May Allah be pleased with him). According to narrations, she was 15 years old and Hazrat Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) was 21 or 22 years old. Khatoone Jannat’s status can be known by the fact that her message of marriage was sent by Allah Almighty through Hazrat Jibreel (peace be upon him). Hazrat Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) says that he was in the Company of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and Hazrat Jibreel (peace be upon him) arrived with Allah Almighty’s Message. The Holy Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) turned to Hazrat Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) and said “Marry Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) to Hazrat Ali (May Allah be pleased with him).†All the other Companions were also present. Kitabun Nikah of Ibn Majah relates that all the preparations for the marriage of Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) were done by Hazrat Aysha (May Allah be pleased with her). Hazrat Aysha (May Allah be pleased with her) said that, “I have not seen a wedding better than the wedding of Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her).†Hazrat Fatima’s (May Allah be pleased with her) marriage was the only marriage in which the most number of angels attended. It is related in the famous book Shahnamae Islam that her dowry from the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was one small bed, two wheat grinding mills, two earthen jars, one leather cushion filled with date-palm leaves, and one small water carrier.
Mila tha faqr-o-faqa ka asli jahez unko
Ke bakshi thi Khuda ne ek jabeene sajda rez unko
Chaleen theen Aap ke ghar se Nabi y ki laadli beti
Haya ki chadar sabr ke gehne
Ridae sabr bhi haasil thi Sayyida Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) ko
Ke hona tha unhein Sartaje Khatoone Jannat bhi
There is a very heart-moving narration regarding the Mehr (gift given to the bride by the groom at the time of marriage) of Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) that was revealed at the time of her passing away. Being the great personality that she was, she had been given the knowledge of her leaving this worldly abode. She called her respected husband Hazrat Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) and expressed her desire for this very special piece of paper to be placed with her when she was laid to rest. When Hazrat Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) enquired about the history of this paper she went on to say that when she was being married to Hazrat Ali (May Allah be pleased with him), her blessed Father, the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) asked her if Hazrat Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) was acceptable to her. She said that her husband to-be was acceptable but the Mehr was not. At this instance Hazrat Jibreel (peace be upon him) came and said that Allah Almighty is offering the entire Paradise as her Mehr. She respectfully said that even this is not sufficient. Hazrat Jibreel (peace be upon him) went back to Allah Almighty and returned with the Message that the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) may ask His Beloved daughter and she would be granted whatever she wishes for her Mehr. When the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) asked her what she wanted for her Mehr, she replied, “All my life I have seen You (Peace Be Upon Him) crying for your people [Ummat]. I would like my Mehr to be the forgiveness [bakhshish] of your Ummat.†At this juncture Hazrat Jibreel (peace be upon him) came with this piece of paper which said, “O Muhammad y! I have made Fatima’s (May Allah be pleased with her) Mehr the forgiveness of the Ummat-e-Muhammadiya.†Subhan Allah! What a great reflection of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him)!
All her life Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) lived with patience and gratitude. Once Hazrat Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) brought home some spoils of a battle and Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) made two silver bracelets and a curtain for their home. When the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) saw this, He (Peace Be Upon Him) returned from their home without saying anything. Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) immediately understood what had displeased her Blessed Father (Peace Be Upon Him). She immediately gave away these items in charity. Subhan Allah what simplicity in the home of the Leader of the women of Paradise!
Allah Almighty bestowed Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) with uncountable miracles. Her entire life was a miracle. One famous miracle was related to her Blessed Chador (shawl). It is related that once Hazrat Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) came home and found that there was no food and his blessed wife and children were starving. Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) said, “I am the daughter of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). Take my Chador and pawn it with this Jew.†Hazrat Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) did so and brought home some wheat for Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) to grind and feed the family. That night the wife of the Jew, who had thought that this was an ordinary shawl, saw bright light coming from it and from their entire home. They immediately realized that this was no ordinary shawl and neither was its owner. They went to the home of the Beloved Daughter of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and apologized for their mistake and both the Jew and his wife accepted Islam!
As mentioned earlier Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) had already been given the knowledge of her leaving this ephemeral world. When she learnt of this, she did all of her household chores, gave showers to her children, cooked for her husband, and then informed him that it is time for their separation. When Hazrat Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) asked her how she knew, she said that she had a dream in which the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was beckoning her saying that Heaven is eager to meet her. Subhan Allah! She said, “O Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) these are my last moments.†She kissed her children, took them to the Roza Mubarak of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). She performed the major ablution [ghusl], wore clean clothes, faced the Holy Kaba and placed her right hand under her cheeks. Hazrat Asma bint Umayr (May Allah be pleased with her) was her handmaid whom she gave special instructions. Hazrat Asma (May Allah be pleased with her)said that Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) requested to be by herself to say some special words to her Lord. Hazrat Asma (May Allah be pleased with her) then heard Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) crying, “Oh my Lord! Have mercy on the sinning members of the Ummat of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and forgive them.†This was her last prayer. Subhan Allah! How fortunate we are to have a mother like her! She also instructed that no one except her husband should perform her ghusl and that during her burial full respect must be observed of modesty [purdah]. She (May Allah be pleased with her) said that modesty on the face of women is sweeter than honey. It is written in the Khasaise Kubra that the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said, “First I will come out of my resting place on the Day of Judgment and then my daughter.†In another Hadeeth He (Peace Be Upon Him) said, â€My daughter Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) will cover the Pul Sirat wearing a green chador. The people in the Mehshar will be commanded to lower their gaze that the leader of the women of Paradise Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) is passing through.â€
Allah Almighty blessed her with Hazrat Imam Hasan, Imam Husayn, Hazrat Muhassan, Hazrat Bibi Umme Kulthum and Hazrat Bibi Zaynab (may Allah Almighty be well pleased with them all.) Each of them are shining stars as in the eloquent words of Ala Hazrat (May Allah be pleased with him):
Teri Nasle pak mein hain bachcha bachcha Noor ka
Tu hai ayne Noor Tera sab gharana Noor ka
May Allah Almighty grant us a portion of the Purity & Pleasure of Allah that was bestowed to Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her). May Allah grant us a portion of the tears that she shed in the grief of the Hereafter. May Allah grant us the guidance [taufeeq] to recite the Holy Quran like she did. Peace be upon the Pure and Pious Personality of Hazrat Fatima (May Allah be pleased with her) and upon the Beloved of Allah, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (May Allah be pleased with him).
Wa salaamun ‘alal Mursaleen.
Wal hamdulil Lahir Rabbil ‘Aalameen.
Syeda Zille Humma Qadri
Women Reciting Naats – Poetry in Praise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)
Volume 1, Issue 1 (Part 3)
May 31, 2003 / Rabi’ul Awwal 29, 1424
A Naat is a Holy recitation praising the most blessed and exalted of all creatures, the appointed guide and perfect model for humanity, the one to whom the trees bowed and shaded, the beloved of Allah, Muhammad (may his sweet soul be blessed and given peace). This recitation is always delivered in a respectful, humble manner so the reciter becomes only the Words. Not a star nor a voice, not even a personality. These heartfelt descriptions and words of praise are intentionally written to arouse the feeling of love for the most perfect of humans (may Allah Exalted and Great bless him and give him peace).
In those auspicious days when he (peace and blessings be on him) was migrating from Mecca Sharif to Medina Monawwara, the people of Madina Monawwara anxiously watched and waited for his arrival. At long last, the glorious moment arrived and the children joyfully sang:
Tala’al-Badru ‘alayna
Min thaniyyatil-wada’
Wajaba al-shukru alayna,
Ma da’a lillahi da’
Oh the white moon rose over us
from the valley of Wada’
and we owe it to show gratefulness
where the call is to Allah.
Ayyuha al-mab’uthu fina
Ji’ta bil amril mutaa
Ji’ta sharrafta al-Madinah
Marhabanya khayra da’
Oh you who were raised amongst us
coming with a work to be obeyed
you have brought to this city noble-ness
welcome! Best call to Allah’s Way.
The original references reliably report the participation of girls between the ages of 5 and 13 years. Furthermore, it has also been reported by the historians that there were some women who welcomed the Holy Prophet Muhammad (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) by joining in the reciting. It is also well documented and known how much the Holy Prophet enjoyed this display of love and affection toward him (may his sweet soul be blessed and given peace).
About poetry, the Hadith is:
What’s good therein is good,
What is bad is bad.
In listening to these Holy recitations, Insha Allah, the level of our knowledge of and love for this jewel among gems (may his sweet soul be blessed and given peace) will grow and guide us to the Love of Allah, Glorious is His Majesty!
Say:If you do love Allah, follow me
Allah will love you and forgive your sins, for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Ale Imran 3: 31]
Shaikh Shahab Ud-Din Suhrawardi (may his soul be blessed) said:
For those intent with Love of Allah,
Hearing is an aid to perfection.
So let us all aim for perfection in nearness and obedience to our Lord and Creator, Exalted is He.
Khadija Jamal Locks
Sister Khadija is a resident of Los Angeles, CA. She has written “The Wealth of the Inheritorsâ€, published by Nuqoosh Press, Lahore, Pakistan. She is currently working on a book on the subject of Islamic stories for children.
