Equality of Men and Women in all Three Levels of Islam
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Creator: Shaykh `Abdul Rahman `Abdul Khaliq
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Identifier: http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=451
Language: en
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Subject: women
Title: Equality of Men and Women in all Three Levels of Islam
Created on: Thu Oct 04 14:34:01 -0400 2007
Updated on: Thu Oct 04 14:34:01 -0400 2007
Version: 1
Abstract: ... ers, the Last Day, and to believe in Allah's decree (and that the good and evil consequences thereof are from Allah). These are the fundamentals of Islam and Iman. It is likewise required for every woman to worship Allah as if she sees Him. For although she cannot see Allah, she must believe that He sees whatever she does in secret and in public. Women (exactly like men) have been commanded with these three levels of the religion (Islam, Iman, Ihsan). Women are also obligated to enjoin good and forbid evil; to wage jihad by saying that which is truthful; and to adhere to all noble behavior, like: truthfulness, trustworthiness, courage, modesty, and self-respect. Every Muslim woman is commanded to be steadfast in her religion and not to be negligent with her faith. It is impermissible for her - under any pressure or compulsion - to open her heart to accept the word of disbelief. Hence every Muslim woman falls under Allah's statement: "Whose disbelieves in Allah, after he has believed - excepting him who has been compelled, and his heart is still at rest with the Faith - but whosoever's breast is expanded in unbelief, upon them shall rest anger from Allah, and there awaits them a mighty chastisement." (Qur'an 16:106) Clearly when Islam charged women with all these duties and in all these obligations made her equal to men, the intent was to honor her and permit her to reach the highest degree of perfection of her being. The duties that Allah has obligated humanity with are but a means to honor us. Prayer, as well as fasting, is an honor for the servant and a means to raise his rank. To adhere to Allah's straight path and the manners of Islam are, without doubt, a means to honor us and not to humiliate us as imagined by those who are ignorant of Allah and follow their desires. Such people think and imagine that a human being who does not believe in Allah, does not uphold the trust of these duties, and does not perform what Allah has commanded him is of a higher standing than the believer who adheres to the obligations of Islam. Such an idea is ignorance and renders human beings on par with the animals. Humans have been created to be tried by Allah and have been charged with fulfilling these duties to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) and His creatures. As for animals, while they have been created by Allah, th... [Full Article...]
