I would like to become a musilim

3- رد على سؤال: هل الحجاب قمع أم حرية للمرأة؟

Why do Muslim women have to cover their heads

. For many women it is the truest test of being a Muslim. The answer to the question is very simple - Muslim women observe HIJAB (covering the head and the body) because Allah has told them to do so. "O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." (Qur'an 33:59) Other secondary reasons include the requirement for modesty in both men and women. Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skills instead of looks and sexuality. A Muslim school girl is quoted as saying, "We want to stop men from treating us like sex objects, as they have always done. We want them to ignore our appearance and to be attentive to our personalities and mind. We want them to take us seriously and treat us as equals and not just chase us around for our bodies and physical looks." A Muslim woman who covers her head is making a statement about her identity. Anyone who sees her will know that she is a Muslim and has a good moral character. Many Muslim women who cover are filled with dignity and self esteem; they are pleased to be identified as a Muslim woman. As a chaste, modest, pure woman, she does not want her sexuality to enter into interactions with men in the smallest degree. A woman who covers herself is concealing her sexuality but allowing her femininity to be brought out. Often forgotten is the fact that modern Western dress is a new invention. Looking at the clothing of women as recently as seventy years ago, we see clothing similar to hijab. These active and hard-working women of the West were not inhibited by their clothing which consisted of long, full dresses and various types of head covering. Muslim women who wear hijab do not find it impractical or interfering with their activities in all levels and walks of life. Hijab is not merely a covering dress but more importantly, it is behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public. Dress is only one facet of the total being. The basic requirement of the Muslim woman's dress apply to the Muslim man's clothing with the difference being mainly in degree. Modesty requires that the area between the navel and the knee be covered in front of all people except the wife. The clothing of men should not be like the dress of women, nor should it be tight or provocative. A Muslim should dress to show his identity as a Muslim. Men are not allowed to wear gold or silk. However, both are allowed for women. For both men and women, clothing requirements are not meant to be a restriction but rather a way in which society will function in a proper, Islamic manner

4- لماذا ترث المرأة نصف ما يرث الرجل؟

why do women inherit half of what men get?
why do women inherit half of what men get? Is a Muslim woman's inheritance less than man's inheritance? 1. In the pre-Islamic era, women were deprived of the right of inheritance. However, with the avent of Islam, they were granted a definite share of the inherited estate, despite the opposition voiced by many Arabs at the time, who considered that the right to inheritance was a privilege for men since they defended the tribe and fought its enemies. In some cases in Islam the male heir inherits double the inheritance of the female: "God (thus) directs you as regards your children's (inheritance): to the male a portion equal to that of two females". [4/11] A hasty opinion on this matter may consider that such a ruling is injust. However, the faith of Islam is completely innocent in this case, since the difference in the inheritance of males and females has nothing to do with favouring males and is based upon the responsibilities which are obligatory for men and not for women. 2. According to Islamic Law it is a man's religious duty to maintain and provide for his wife, children and other members of his family, which might include his father, mother, and brothers and sisters if they are not able to support themselves. His wife, on the other hand is not charged with any financial responsibilities, and she is not even financially responsible for herself, however wealthy she may be, and her husband is responible for her maintainance. If we understand this, we will realize that when she inherits half of any inheritance, her financial position is still superior to a man's financial position. 3. In this connection it is important to emphasize that there is absolutely no general rule in Islam that women should inherit only half of what men inherit. Concerning this question of inheritance there is in the Qur’an only one rule concerning what children inherit: “God (thus) directs you as regards your children’s (inheritance): to the male a portion equal to that of two females...”. (Sure 4/11) But in the whole **** of Qur’an and Sunna there are only four cases in which the man inherits double, but there are more than 30 cases in which the woman either inherits the same as the man or inherits even more or inherits while the man does not inherit anythings. Many Egyptian Christians go to the Egyptian Islamic centre for legal opinions in order to follow the Islamic system of inheritance which settles all disputes between the heirs.

source

http://islamic-council.org/lib/FACTS-E-PDF/p5-123.pdf

5- ثواب المرأة في الجنة

reward of women in paradise
reward of women in paradise Jannah or Paradise is not for men alone. It is prepared for both, righteous men and righteous women. All the joys and blessings of Jannah are for both of them. Allah has mentioned in the Qur’an that He put both Adam and his wife Hawwa’ (Eve) in Jannah after creating them, and He told them to eat and enjoy everything (except the fruit of one tree). [See al-Baqarah 2: 35; al-A`raf 7: 19] Thus, all the trees, gardens and rivers of Jannah are made for both men and women and they both will enjoy them. All Believers, males and females, will enter the Jannah. Allah says, ( Gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter there, as well as the righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their offspring) (ar-Ra`d 13: 23) Further, Allah says, (Indeed, the people of Paradise will be happily occupied. They and their wives shall be in shades, reclining on raised couches. There are for them fruits and there is for them all that they ask for…) (Ya-Sin 36: 55-57) In the Hereafter Allah will say to the Believers, (Enter the Garden, you and your wives, you will be made glad. There will be brought round for them trays of gold and goblets, and therein is all that the souls desire and eyes find sweet and you will stay there forever. This is the garden, which you are made to inherit because of what you used to do. Therein for you is fruit in plenty whence to eat. ) (Az-Zukhruf 43: 70-73) There are many other places in the Qur’an where it is mentioned that men and women both will find their reward and none will be deprived. [See: Aal `Imran 3: 195; An-Nisa’, 4: 124; An-Nahl 16: 97; Al-Ahzab 33: 35; Ghafir 40: 40] The life of women in Jannah will be as pleasant and happy as the life of men. Allah is not partial to any gender. He created both of them and He will take care of both of them according to their needs and desires. Let us all work to achieve the Jannah and then, in sha’ Allah, we will find there what will satisfy all of us fully. This verse clearly denotes that those women who do righteous deeds are rewarded with Paradise and given a high rank that is equal to the good deeds they have offered. Shedding more light on this issue, we'd like to cite the following fatwa issued by the outstanding Muslim scholar, Sheikh ibn Jibreen: There is no doubt that reward in the Hereafter encompasses both men and women. This is based on the following Qur'anic verses: ( Lo! I suffer not the work of any worker, male or female, to be lost) (Al `Imran 3: 195) (Whosoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer, We will give a good life. ) (An-Nahl 16: 97) (And whoever does righteous good deeds, being a male or a female, and is a true believer, such will enter Paradise. ) (An-Nisa 4: 124) (Verily, the Muslims, men and women, the believers, men and women... Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward. ) (Al-Ahzab 33: 35) Allah mentions them entering into Paradise together, saying: (They and their wives will be in pleasant shade. ) (Ya Sin 36: 56) (Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness. ) (Az-Zukhruf 43: 70) Allah also mentions that He will recreate women in Paradise in the following verse: ( Lo! We have created them a (new) creation. And made them virgins… )

(Al-Waqi`ah 56: 35-36) That is, Allah will recreate the elderly women and make them virgins; the same will be done for old men, Allah will make them youth. It is also mentioned in the Hadith that the women of this worldly life have a superiority over Al-hur Al-`In due to the acts of worship and obedience that they performed in this world. Therefore, the believing women will enter Paradise just like the believing men. If a woman had a number of husbands, she, upon entering Paradise with them, would choose among them the one with the best character and behavior.

أساسيات الإيمان
Basic tenets of faith
Nine Great Benefits of Reading and Reflecting Over the Qur'aan In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon His last Messenger Muhammad, to proceed: Indeed the Book of Allaah is not a book like any other, it is the timeless Speech of Allaah, not a created thing, a study guide for life and death and what comes after. Therefore it deserves a more careful study than anyone else's speech. It necessitates that its reader return to the early narrations of those who witnessed its revelation and heard its explanation by the one deputed by Allaah to rehearse and explain His Words to humanity (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam). For if one would try to ponder over the meanings of the verses without having done this study, then surely the filth of the time that he lives in and his ignorance of the correct application and understanding that the early Muslims had would cause him to understand some things not intended by Allaah Most High, and therefore he would go astray, thinking to be worshipping Allaah. So every sincere Muslim who hopes to earn Allaah's Love by reciting and reflecting over Allaah's Book, then let him hold tight to the meanings explained by the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wan sallam), and those taught by the Companions and their immediate followers, and the early scholars of Islaam. Know that reciting and pondering over the Book of Allaah, devoting your time regularly to its study and implementation has tremendous benefits in this life and the Next, so let us now look to just a few of them to attach ourselves more firmly to Allaah's Majestic Words. Each benefit stands as enough of an encouragement on its own for us to shun any laziness we have and dedicate ourselves to the Qur'aan properly. 1. - Reading and reflecting over the Qur'aan fulfills an Islaamic duty. Indeed the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) summarized this Religion with his statement: "The Religion is naseehah (sincerity)!" So then Tameem ibn Aws (may Allaah be pleased with him) then said, "We asked, 'To whom?'" He (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) replied: "To Allaah, HIS BOOK, His Messenger, the leaders of the people, and their common folk." [Saheeh Muslim #194 (1/220 of Sharh An-Nawawee)] The sincerity that is due to the Book of Allaah, as Ibn Rajab Al- Hambalee said, includes having a strong love for it, honoring it and extolling its great status, affirming that it is the Speech of Allaah, seeking to understand its meanings, acting by it, following the orders found in it, spreading its correct understanding, continually studying it, and taking on the good manners that are encouraged in it. [refer to Jaami'ul-Uloom wal-Hikam, p.221 (Ar-Risaalah, 1417)] So by reading and reflecting over the Qur'aan, one fulfills an obligation and is rewarded for that. Upon fulfilling this obligation, the Qur'aan then becomes a proof for him on the Day of Judgment! And that is our second benefit we will take by embracing this Noble Book... 2. - The Qur'aan will be a proof for us on the Day of Judgment. This is due to the statement of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam): "...and the Qur'aan is a proof for you or against you..." [part of a hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim #533 (2/97 of Sharh An-Nawawee)] So one of two things will occur with this proof, the Book of Allaah. It will either be in your favor, a proof for you on the Day when you will need every single good deed, or it will be something standing against you, the very Speech of your Creator, a proof against you! Who could be saved from the terrors of that Day if Allaah's own Speech is against him?!?! Think carefully, dear Muslim brother or sister, about your position with the Qur'aan! Are you neglecting it, contradicting it, being heedless of its orders and prohibitions, are you thinking deeply over it?! Will it be on your side on the Day of Judgment?! "O Allaah! We ask you, by Your Glorious Speech and the rest of Your beautiful Names and Attributes, to make the Qur'aan a proof for us! O Allaah! Don't make the Qur'aan a proof against us on that Day, and save us from the hellfire!" For if Allaah makes the Qur'aan a proof in our favor on that Day, and then it would also be an intercessor for us, when NO intercession will take place except by His Permission. 3. - The Qur'aan will intercede for us on the Day of Judgment. The proof: Aboo Umaamah relates that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said: "Read the Qur'aan, for verily it will come on the Day of Standing as an intercessor for its companions." [Saheeh Muslim #1871 (3/330 of Sharh An-Nawawee)] 4. - Your status in this life will be raised. In Saheeh Muslim, we find a lovely story, about how a man from the promised people of Jannah, 'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, and his deputy over Makkah understood this. On the authority of 'Aamir ibn Waathilah, he said that Naafi' ibn 'Abdil- Haarith met up with 'Umar (ibn Al-Khattaab) at (a place called) 'Usfaan. 'Umar used to put him (Naafi') to work (to govern) over Makkah. So he ('Umar) said, "Who have you put to work (to govern) over the people of the Valley (Makkah)?" He (Naafi') said, "Ibn Abzaa." He ('Umar) said, "Who is Ibn Abzaa?" He (Naafi') said, "One of our freed slaves." He ('Umar) said, "So you have put a freed slave in charge of them?" He (Naafi') said, "Verily he is a recitor of the Book of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and verily he is knowledgeable of the laws of inheritance." 'Umar said, "Verily your Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) had said: "Verily Allaah raises some people by way of this Book and lowers others by it." [Saheeh Muslim #1894 (3/339 of Sharh An-Nawawee)] 5. - You will be from the best of the people. 'Uthmaan (may Allaah be pleased with him), the third khaleefah and fourth most virtuous person on earth after the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), Aboo Bakr, and 'Umar, said that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said: "The best of you are the ones who learn the Qur'aan and teach it to others" [Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree #5027 (9/89-90 of Fat-hul-Baaree)] 6. - There are ten rewards for each letter you recite from the Qur'aan As an authentic hadeeth in Sunan At-Tirmithee proves: "Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allaah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that "Alif, Laam, Meem" is a letter, rather I am saying that "Alif" is a letter, "laam" is a letter, and "meem" is a letter." [Sunan At-Tirmithee #2910; Al-Albaanee authenticated it in Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmithee (3/164)] So increase your recitation of the Qur'aan to gain these merits, and to gain the following merit as well... 7. - The recitors of the Qur'aan will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. 'Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), the Prophet's beloved wife who held his head in her lap as he took his last blessed breaths, relates that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said: "Verily the one who recites the Qur'aan beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have TWICE that reward." [Saheeh Muslim #1859 (3/325 of Sharh An-Nawawee); another version of this hadeeth with a slightly different wording can be found in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree #4937 (8/852 of Fat-hul-Baaree)] So do not let the Shaytaan give you false excuses, such as "I am not an 'Arab," or "It's not my language." This hadeeth is a firm proof against these whisperings. Dedicate yourself to the Book of Allaah, whether you are an 'Arab or not! The excuses have been eliminated and the pathway has been cleared for you to embrace the Book of Allaah without holding back or offering excuses! And surely you will not hesitate to seek a teacher or a study circle for the Qur'aan once you hear the last and perhaps greatest benefits of reading and contemplating over the Qur'aan... 8. - The Qur'aan will lead you to Paradise. The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said: "The Qur'aan is an intercessor, something given permission to intercede, and it is rightfully believed in. Whoever puts it in front of him, it will lead him to Paradise; Whoever puts it behind him, it will steer him to the Hellfire." [an authentic hadeeth found in Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan #124 (1/330-331 of Tarteeb Ibn Balbaan, printed by Ar-Risaalah), on the authority of 'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood; Al-Albaanee authenticated it in Silsilatul-Ahaadeethis-Saheehah #2019] 9. - Your position in Paradise is determined by the amount of Qur'aan you memorize in this life. 'Abdullaah ibn 'Amr ibn Al-'Aas heard the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) saying: "It will be said to the companion of the Qur'aan: Read and elevate (up through the levels of the Paradise) and beautify your voice as you used to do when you were in the dunyaa! For verily, your position in the Paradise will be at the last verse you recite!" [Sunan At-Tirmithee #2914; Al-Albaanee authenticated it in Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmithee (3/164-165)] Know that these nine benefits, from the many benefits available, can only be attained by a sincere commitment to the Book of Allaah, not by a person's mere statement, "I love the Qur'aan, it's beautiful." Rather the heart must be sincerely attached to Allaah's Book and the limbs and tongue will follow in this attachment. You must know that only a few of the numerous benefits of reading and reflecting over the Qur'aan have been mentioned here. There are many benefits that await your reading in the Qur'aan and books of hadeeth, like the chapter of the Qur'aan that will argue on your behalf in the grave, and that it is a physical healing, a source of rest and relaxation for your heart, among many other things. And Allaah knows best. TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING 1. What are some dunyaa benefits of reading and reflecting over the Qur'aan? 2. What are some benefits of reading and reflecting over the Qur'aan that one may enjoy in the Hereafter? 3. What would you say to Muslims who are discouraged from reading the Qur'aan since they are not 'Arabs? RELATED ARTICLES 15 Unauthentic Narrations About the Qur'aan The Virtues and Excellence of the Qur'aan (EL) Giving Priority to the Qur'aan (EL) - Shaykh Hamad Al- 'Uthmaan How Do You Benefit From the Qur'aan? (EL) - Ibn Al-Qayyim Source: BAKKAH.NET


أركان الإسلام
The Rites of Worship
Ingratitude for God’s Blessings Maulana Wahiduddin Khan Right from a glass of water to political power, everything that people possess in this world is from God. Everything is a direct blessing of God. Whatever one finds in this world is there because of the will of God. If God does not will it, no one can have anything, no matter how hard he tries for it. This is an undeniable truth proved by the Qur’an and the Hadith. Another thing that we learn from the Qur’an and the Hadith is that there are two forms of divine blessing. One special and the other general. Political power is a special blessing of God. We learn from the Qur’an that political power is not given to everyone. Neither can it be received through political movements or the gun culture. It is directly related with the way of God. One of the sunnah of God is that if a group proves, in the real sense of the word, to have true faith and to be virtuous in action, then God grants that group political power: Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good works to make them masters in the land (24:55). That is, even when power is desirable, the movement will begin from the point of character building and individual reform instead of political action. Then God’s general gift is what is shared, more or less by everyone. In principle, it consists of two kinds of things—peaceful circumstances and the easy availability of the necessities of life. This we learn from the following verse of the Qur’an: God has made an example of the city which was once safe and peaceful. Its provisions used to come in abundance from every quarter: but its people denied the favors of Allah. Therefore, He afflicted them with famine and fear as a punishment for what they did. (16:112) Two things in this verse are called the blessings of God: peace and provision. It shows that from the worldly point of view these two things are essential for human beings. If a group comes to possess these two things, then it should not wage war for anything else, such as political power. Rather considering those blessings to be sufficient, believers should engage themselves in thanksgiving to God, until God himself paves the way for whatever else is to come. What is thanksgiving to God? It is that whatever God has given us should be put to proper religious and constructive use. Remaining ******* with what one already has is thanksgiving, whereas regarding what one already possesses as unimportant and launching stormy movements for things not in our possession is ungratefulness. Any Muslims in possession of both peace and provision ought to occupy themselves with spiritual matters rather than political activities. Now is the time to engage themselves in producing spiritual fervor in their people; in launching movements of moral reform; in educating their people; in planning the way to communicate God’s message to other communities; in spending their time in their places of worship, in developing their academic institutions, in setting up their settlements as a model abode of godly people, etc. This is true thanksgiving. This is to pay the due of God’s blessings. A non-believer’s eyes are on his rights while a believer’s eyes are on his responsibilities. That is why an unbeliever is always running for what he has yet to possess, while a believer always engages himself in discharging his responsibilities within his own sphere. Those who do not follow the path of thankfulness, launch heated movements towards political goals or revive the gun culture against their supposed enemies. Such people are undoubtedly anarchists. Their case is one of adding insult to injury, even if their movement has been launched in the name of Islam. For such people it is the decree of God that they never reach their political goal, and whatever blessings of peace and worldly provision they have already enjoyed be denied to them. They will lose what they already possess. This is the way of God.


الآخرة
Al-Akhirah (The Hereafter)
Al-Akhirah (The Hereafter) Belief in Al-Akhira, Life after Death, is so crucial to the Islamic faith that a doubt about it amounts to the denial of Allah. Allah's own word in the Holy Qur'an is the foundation of this faith. Besides, the Prophet has explained the centrality of this belief for a person who wishes to lead an Islamic life. We know that we have no means of knowing life after death as a perceptual experience. But Allah has given us certain levels of consciousness that give us insight into realities not perceptible through the senses. The Holy Qur'an speaks to our rational mind when it answers the question of the disbelievers: "Who will give life to the dead bones?" Say: "He Who created you first! Then will they wag their heads towards you and say, 'When will that be?' Say, 'May be it will be quite soon!' It will be on a Day when He will call you, and you will answer [His call] with [words of His praise, and you will think that you tarried but a little while!" (17: 51, 52) In the Holy Qur'an, Allah appeals to man's reasoning and addresses his power of reflection and judgment in the following verses: "Then behold [O man!] the tokens of Allah's Mercy! - How He gives life to the earth after its death: verily the same will give life to the men who are dead: for He has power over all things" (30: 50) "It is Allah Who sends forth the Winds, so that they raise up the Clouds, and We drive them to a land that is dead, and revive the earth therewith after its death: even so [will be] the Resurrection!" (35: 9). "And among His Signs is this: you see the earth humble; but when We send down rain to it, it is stirred to life and yields increase. Truly, He Who gives life to the (dead) earth can surely give life to (men) who are dead. For He has power over all things" (41: 39). All these verses clearly emphasize how the dead earth is revived by God. This is something that is obvious to us, but if so, how can we deny the truth of the resurrection, when the Almighty God can easily revive the dead bones? Comparing two groups of people (e.g. those who are going to get the highest reward from Allah and those who are to receive His punishment in the Hereafter) Allah asks: "Are [these two] alike? - one to whom We have made a goodly promise, and who is going to reach its [fulfillment], and one to whom We have given the good things of this life, but who, on the Day of Judgment, is to be among those brought up [for punishment]?" (28: 61). Speaking of the fate of those who used to deny the Day of Judgment, Allah says: "Until, when death comes to one of them, he says: 'O my Lord! Send me back [to life], In order that I may work righteousness in the things I neglected.' - 'By no means! It is but a word he says.'- Before them is a Partition till the Day they are raised up. Then when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no more relationships between them that Day, nor will one ask after another! Then those whose balance [of good deeds] is heavy, they will be successful: But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will they abide…" (23:99-104). Belief in the Life after Death encourages a person to lead a good life on earth, since he knows the fate that awaits him if he ignores the commands and warnings of Allah given in the Qur'an. In fact, belief in the Hereafter is the strongest incentive for a person to lead a life of virtue while here on Earth. The real road to a peaceful society can be paved only if people believe in the Hereafter.

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