Check these out too!

1. http://www.islaam.net/main/display.php?category=152
2. http://www.islam-qa.com/en/cat/16
3. http://www.islamreligion.com/category/101/
4. http://www.kalamullah.com/sisters.html
5. http://sisters.islamway.com/
6. http://www.habibihalaqas.org
7. http://www.igotitcovered.org/
8. http://www.youtube.com/user/idealmuslimah114

You Can Be the Happiest Woman in the World (A Treasure Chest of Reminders) by Dr. Aaidh al-Qarni book notes

Chapter 1
 10 Thoughts to Ponder...
10. Ghusl, Wudo, Siwak, and being organized are effective medicines for all kinds of distress and worries.
 Think About It!
3. If Allah is with you, then whom do you have to fear? If Allah is against you, then what hope do you have?
10. The pleasure of haram actions is followed by regret, loss, and punishment.

Chapter 2
 Your gold is your religion, your adornment is your moral attitude, and your wealth is your good manners.
 Sickness is a message in which there is a glad tiding and good health is a garment that has a price.

Chapter 3
 Giving up sin is jihad (fighting in Allah's cause), but persisting in it is stubbornness.
 Beware of the dua of the one who has been wronged and the tears of the one who has been deprived.

Chapter 4
 When you wake up in the morning, do not expect to live until the evening.
 Do not complain about your problems except to those who can help you with their advice and kind words.

Chapter 5
 We need money in order to live, but that does not mean that we need to live for the sake of money.
 Be happy just to be alive.

Chapter 6
 Be happy with what is in your hand, content with whatever Allah has decreed, and give up all daydreams that do not suit your efforts and abilities.
 If you have made mistakes in the past, learn from them, and then let them go.

Chapter 7
 The value of life is to live every minute of it.
 Women have produced the great men of this world.

Chapter 8
 How to Achieve a Happy Life!
An American psychologist said, “Living a happy life is a fine art which entails 10 things:
1. Do a work that you love. If you cannot do that, then find a hobby that you love and do it in your spare time and reinforce it.
2. Take care of your health for it is the spirit of happiness. This means being moderate in eating and drinking, exercising regularly, and avoiding bad habits.
3. Have a goal in life, for this will give you motivation and energy.
4. Take life as it comes and accept the bitter and the sweet.
5. Live in the present, with no regret for the past, and no anxiety about tomorrow that has not yet come.
6. Think hard about any action or decision and do not blame anyone else for your decision or its consequence.
7. Look at those who are worse off than you.
8. Have the habit of smiling and being cheerful and keep company with optimistic people.
9. Strive to make others happy so that you may benefit from the atmosphere of happiness.
10. Make the most of occasions of happiness and joy and regard them as necessary to renew your own happiness.

Chapter 9
 Physical well being comes from eating little, mental well being comes from sinning little, well being of the heart comes from worrying little, and well being of the tongue comes from speaking little.
 Women are more precious than treasure and wealth.

Chapter 10
 Learn patience from Asiyah, loyalty from Khadijah, sincerity from Aishah, and steadfastness from Fatimah.
 The quickest message of happiness to others is a sincere smile from the heart.

Chapter 11
 The wives of Nuh and Lut betrayed their husbands (by rejecting their teachings), so they became insignificant before Allah. But Asiyah and Maryam believed, so they were honored.
 Acknowledge Allah in times of ease and He will help you in times of hardship.

Chapter 12
 Take a Brave Stance When you Check Yourself!
Ask yourself these questions and answer wisely.
1. Do you know that you are traveling on a journey from which there will be no return? Have you prepared yourself for this journey?
2. Have you taken provision from this transient world in the form of righteous deeds to give you comfort and soothe your loneliness in the grave?
3. How old are you? How long will you live? For every beginning there is an end and the end will be either Paradise or Hell.
4. Have you imagined how it will be if the angels come down from heaven to take your soul while you are heedless/sinning and having fun?
5. Have you imagined the day, the last hour in your life, the hour when you leave your family, friends, etc.? That is death!
6. After your soul has departed your body and you are taken to be washed and shrouded, then taken to the mosque for the funeral prayer to be offered for you, then you are carried on the shoulders of men to be taken to the grave, the first stage of the Hereafter. Will it be one of the gardens of Paradise or one of the ditches of Hell?
 Foul tongues cause more trouble to their owners than to their victims.

Chapter 13
 The Keys to Victory!
The key to: glory, obedience to Allah and His Messenger (b.p.u.h); provision, striving hard whilst praying for forgiveness and fearing Allah, the Exalted; Paradise, Tawhid (monotheism); faith, pondering the signs and creation of Allah; righteousness, sincerity; a spiritual life, studying the Quran, beseeching Allah in the hours before dawn, and giving up sin; knowledge, asking the right questions and listening attentively; victory, patience; success, fearing Allah (piety); getting more, gratitude; longing for the hereafter, disinterest in worldly gains; a response, dua (supplication).
 If a beautiful woman is a jewel, then a righteous women is a treasure.

Chapter 14
 The happiest [person] is the one who makes the largest number of people happy.
 Do not wait to be happy to smile, but smile to be happy.

Women in Islam

author unknown

How do women fit into Islam? What is their fate?
This has been the subject of many a debate

‘For the believing men and women, is a great reward’
This is from Surah al Ahzaab, the words of our Lord

It can be seen from reading the Holy Quran
That a woman has some privilege over a man

Praying is exempted during menstruation
Here Islam gives women consideration

A woman after marriage becomes a wife
For nine long months she carries new life

During childbirth she is exempted to fast
Islam is against the burying of girls in the past

They can pray at the mosque or even at home
They may marry or divorce, it’s their choice, their own

After marriage she can retain her old maiden name
And is rewarded for treating all her offspring the same

Once they are married they should live pious lives
‘And the best men are those who are best to their wives’

Islam shows equality my sisters and brothers
Don’t forget paradise lies at the feet of your mothers

Women in the UK had property rights from 1938
This right was given by Islam, 14 centuries to date

In the UK, women could vote from 1918
This was stated 1400 years ago in Islam, our deen

Women can work and lead a happily married life
But shouldn’t neglect her role as mother and wife

A woman for her child’s upbringing, deserves her credit
Islam also gives a woman the right to inherit

A woman’s status in Islam, we should never neglect
In Islam they are favored and deserve their respect.

The Ideal Muslimah: The True Islamic Personality of the Muslim Woman by Dr. Muhammad Ali al-Hashimi book notes

Translated into English by Nassrudin al-Khattab

Conclusion

In the preceding pages, I have explained the character of the Muslim woman as Islam wants her to be, according to the wise guidance it gives her in all aspects of life and in the forming of her mind, soul, psyche, morals and behavior. This is referred to quite clearly in many ayat and sahih hadith, which strike a precise balance in her character, in such a way that no one aspect dominates at the expense of another, and vividly describe the ideal way of dealing with one's parents, relatives, husband, children, neighbors, friends and sisters in Islam, and others whom one meets in the society in which one lives.

The previous chapters explained that the Muslim woman's role is not merely to stay at home, nursing children and taking care of the home. In addition to all that, the Muslim woman is in fact raising a heroic new generation, playing an important role in da`wah and making an important, constructive contribution in all areas of life, working side-by-side with men to populate and cultivate the earth, enrich life and make people happy.

It is abundantly clear that the Muslim woman who is guided by Islam is pure, constructive, productive, alert, aware, educated and refined. She fully understands her duties towards Allah(S.W.T), and towards herself, her parents, her husband and children, her relatives, her neighbors, her friends and sisters in Islam, and her society as a whole, with all the different types of people, events and transactions it includes.

She believes in Allah (S.W.T) and the Last Day; she is alert to the trials of this life and the traps of the Shaytan; she worships Allah (S.W.T), obeys His commands, heeds His prohibitions, accepts His will and decree, returns to His protection and seeks His forgiveness when she stumbles or becomes negligent; she is aware of her responsibility before Allah (S.W.T) towards the members of her family; she is keen to please Him by whatever she does; she understands the true meaning of being a servant of Allah (S.W.T) and supports His true religion; she enjoins what is good and forbids what is evil as much as she is able.

She is aware of her obligations towards herself, understanding that she is a human being composed of a body, mind and soul, each of which has its own needs and requirements. Hence she is careful to strike the right balance between her body, mind and spirit; she does not devote attention to one at the expense of the others, rather, she devotes to each of them the attention that is needed to form a balanced personality, always guided by the wise teachings of Islam as seen in the Qur'an, Sunnah and example of the righteous salaf who followed in the footsteps of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) with all sincerity.

She takes care of her outward appearance without going to extremes of excess or showing off, and she takes care of her inner nature in a manner that befits the human being whom Allah (S.W.T) has honored by making the angels prostrate to him and subjugating all that is in heaven and earth for his benefit. In this way, she develops a balanced, likeable character, one that is attractive both in appearance and in her thinking, reasoning, behavior and reactions.

She does not allow her care of her body and mind to distract her from spiritual matters; she devotes just as much attention to her spiritual development, and polishes her soul through worship, dhikr and reading Qur'an. Her guideline in all of this is to maintain a precise balance between all aspects of her personality.

She treats her parents with kindness and respect. She knows their status, and her duties towards them, and she is very cautious not to disobey them. She never spares any effort to find the best way to treat them properly and she surrounds them with every type of care, honor and respect.

With her husband, she is an ideal wife, intelligent, respectful, obedient, tolerant and loving, eager to please him and to respect and honor his family. She conceals his secrets, and helps him to be righteous, to fear Allah (S.W.T) and to do good deeds. She fills his heart with happiness, peace and tranquility.

With her children, she is a loving, compassionate mother who wisely understands the great importance of her motherly role in bringing them up. She makes them aware of her love and care for them, and never withholds right guidance from them or fails to correct them if they need it, so that they will grow up with an ideal Islamic upbringing that will cultivate in them the best morals and attitudes and a love for the highest things.

With her daughters- and sons-in-law, she is kind, fair and wise, and offers them sincere advice. She does not interfere in their private matters. She treats them well and strives to strengthen the bonds of love and to ward off the evils of disputes.

With her relatives, she upholds the ties of love, and does not neglect to keep in touch and treat them well. She is keen to maintain the relationship even if they do not uphold the ties, acting in obedience to the teachings of Islam, which urge the upholding of the ties of kinship with love and affection.

She treats her neighbors well and is concerned about them. She knows the great rights they have, which Jibril emphasized to the Prophet (P.B.U.H) so strongly that the Prophet thought he was going to make them his heirs. So she likes for them what she likes for herself. She treats them well, respects their feelings, puts up with their insults, turns a blind eye to their faults and mistakes, and is careful not to mistreat them or to fall short in her treatment of them.

With her friends and sisters in Islam, she is distinguished from other women by the way in which she builds her relationship with them on a basis of love for the sake of Allah (S.W.T), which is the highest and purest love that exists among human beings, as it is free from any impurity or ulterior motive and its purity is derived from the light of the Revelation and Prophetic guidance. Therefore the Muslim woman is sincere and tolerant in her feelings of love and sisterhood towards her sisters, and she is keen to maintain the ties of sisterhood and love between her and them. She does not cut them off, forsake them, gossip about them, hurt their feelings with hostile arguments and disputes, bear grudges, or withhold any favor she could do for them, and she always greets them with a cheerful, smiling face.

In her relationship with her society, she is a social being of the highest class, because of what she has learned of the wise teachings of Islam concerning social dealings and high morals. From the rich spring of Islam she derives her customs, habits and behavior and the ethics and values which purify her soul and form her distinct social character.

She is of good character (has a good attitude towards others) and is sincere and straightforward with all people. She does not cheat, deceive or stab in the back. She is not a hypocrite. She does not speak falsely (or bear false witness). She offers sincere advice and guides others to good deeds. She keeps her promises. She has the characteristic of modesty and self-respect. She does not interfere in that which does not concern her. She avoids slandering the honor of others and seeking out their faults. She does not show off. She is fair in her judgments of others. She does not oppress others. She is fair even to those whom she does not like. She does not rejoice in the misfortunes of others. She avoids suspicion. She restrains her tongue from malicious gossip. She avoids cursing and obscene speech. She does not make fun of anybody. She is gentle with people. She is compassionate. She strives to benefit others and protect them from harm. She eases the hardship of one who is suffering. She is generous. She does not remind the beneficiaries of her charity. She is patient. She is tolerant. She does not bear grudges or harbor resentment. She is easy-going, not harsh. She is not envious. She avoids boasting and showing off. She does not speak in an affected or exaggerated manner. She has a likeable personality. She is friendly and likeable. She keeps secrets. She is of cheerful countenance. She has a sense of humor. She tries to make people happy. She is not over-strict. She is not arrogant. She is humble. She is modest in her dress and appearance. She pursues noble things. She is concerned about the affairs of the Muslims. She honors guests. She prefers others to herself. She measures her habits and customs against the standards of Islam. She uses the greeting of Islam. She does not enter any house other than her own without permission. She sits wherever she finds room in a gathering. She does not converse privately with another woman when a third is present. She respects her elders and distinguished people. She does not look into any house other than her own. She chooses work that suits her feminine nature. She does not imitate men. She calls others to the truth. She enjoins what is good and forbids what is evil. She is wise and eloquent in her da`wah. She mixes with righteous women. She hastens to reconcile between Muslim women. She mixes with women and puts up with their insults. She appreciates favors and is grateful for them. She visits the sick. She does not attend funerals.

This is the personality of the Muslim woman as defined by the teachings of Islam.

No doubt the Muslim woman is the most refined example of womanhood ever known in any human society. Along with all the fine qualities listed above, the Muslim woman also possesses wisdom, purity of soul, a high level of spirituality, a sound concept of life, the universe and humanity, and a deep awareness of her important role in life.

Surely a woman's reaching such a high level of intellectual, psychological, spiritual and moral development is a great human blessing, which is unequalled by any of the many other blessings that human beings enjoy. It is a cultural achievement greater than any other reached by humanity in its long history. The fact that women have reached this high level of development means that they are mature and are fully qualified to play their important role in life.

What we see today in many parts of the Muslim world of Muslim women's backwardness and failure to reach that high level that Islam wants for them, is a result of the fact that the Muslims in general have wandered far away from the pure sources of Islam and have become lost in various kinds of jahiliyyah or intellectual and psychological dependency on others. None of this would have happened to the Muslims in general, and Muslim women in particular, if the Muslims had preserved their spiritual and intellectual sources properly, and men and women had drunk from these pure sources which would have given them immunity, originality and distinction.

Whilst the attack on the Muslim world was aimed at the identity of the Muslims in general, men and women alike, to disrupt it and to contaminate its original intellectual sources, no doubt many prongs of this attack were aimed at the Muslim woman in particular, with the aim of stripping her of the dress of virtue by which she had been known throughout history, and making her wear the alien, tight-fitting, borrowed dress that makes her look like a copy of foreign women in her appearance, thinking and behavior.

Tremendous efforts were devoted to the call for the Westernization of Muslim women by various societies, organizations and movements. Al-hamdu lillah, all of it ended in failure in the face of the reawakening of educated Muslim women who understood the teachings of Islam. Many of the men and women who supported Westernization have now retreated, admitting the depth of the Muslim woman's belief, and the originality of Islam in her thinking, psychology and feelings.

The great hopes that are pinned on the Muslim woman, who is aware of her role, require her to be even stronger in proving her Islamic identity, wherever she may live and whatever her
circumstances may be. By reinforcing her Islamic identity, she clearly demonstrates her awareness, high aims, sincerity and devotion to Islam and its distinctive culture. This is also indicative of her ability to contribute to the revival of the ummah to which she belongs and the development of the country she lives in.

Some Advice to the Muslim Women by Khalid Yasin lecture notes

Allah and Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) don’t like Muslim women spreading and complaining about their husbands, family, house, food, etc.

Muslim women have the right to “back door” divorce (khula).

• Awra of Muslim women is the whole body and voice! Everything except the face and hands must be covered minimum.

Conditions of Clothing
Clothing should not:
1. Reveal shape of body
2. Be transparent
3. Resemble the clothing of women from Jahiliyah (period of ignorance before Islam)
4. Imitate men
5. Imitate kuffar

• Plucking and designing eyebrows is Haraam! Allah’s curse is upon plucked and plucker.
• Curse on women who put on perfume outside her home.

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet said: "I was shown the hell-fire and that the majority of its dwellers were women who were ungrateful." It was asked, "Do they disbelieve in Allah?" (or are they ungrateful to Allah?) He replied, "They are ungrateful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors and the good (charitable deeds) done to them. If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them and then she sees something in you (not of her liking), she will say, 'I have never received any good from you." (Sahih Bukhari, book #2, hadith #28)

• If a woman cooks, cleans, etc. for her husband, it is a blessing for her in front of Allah. It is not her obligation; she is not a servant of man!
• Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) took care of himself and his family, and was grateful!

In the home, women should keep herself, children, and home clean and keep secrets safe in husband’s absence.

Women can work as long as the work does not compromise her responsibility, her hijab, her family, or put her in danger.

Advice to Women
1. Responsibility to pursue knowledge
• “Women are the teachers of the home.” –Khalid Yasin
• They are the first support for the Muslim community.
2. Advise each other
3. Engage in dawah
• Inform and reform Muslims
• Clarify and invite non-Muslims
• Propagate Islamic message
4. Be aware of deviations, chauvinism, personal interest and rebellion.

Critical Issues Facing Muslim Women by Khalid Yasin lecture notes

O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women; and fear Allâh through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allâh is Ever an AllWatcher over you. (1) (Quran, 4:1) English translation by Dr. Muhsin on Quran Explorer.

Men and women are equal in the sight of Allah.

Narrated Abu Huraira: A man came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man said. "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man further said, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man asked for the fourth time, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your father." (Sahih Bukhari book #73, hadith #2)
• Respect and serve your mother!

• Men and women are not the same. They are different physiologically, psychologically, biologically, emotionally, etc., thus their social roles are not the same.
• Allah, as the Creator, legislated the laws for humankind.

Problem
• Islam, especially issues related to women, have been polluted and complicated by nationalism, cultural and ethnic preferences.
• Islam is imprisoned by Muslim nationalism, cultural and ethnic preferences, resulting in many misconceptions, misrepresentations, distortions, etc. regarding Islam and Muslim women.

Non-Muslims
• One should properly study and understand Islam based on religious sources of Islam, which are the Quran and Sunnah (behavior of Prophet Muhammad SAW), not Muslims!
• Study Islam with an open mind, then look at the Muslims in past history and present and see the differences and similarities between the real Islam and its practices, and “Muslims.”

Muslims
• Muslims must bring their hawwa (desires, feelings, emotions, and inclinations) with the accordance to what Prophet Muhammad SAW brought (the Quran and his Sunnah), to be a true believer!
• Muslims should not be in denial, blaming non-Muslims for every problem of the Muslims.

Shariah law regulates the life and death of a Muslim.

Beating of women is taken out of context. Verse means “hit lightly.”

Plural marriages (1-4) for men are allowed, but “1 is better if you only knew.”

Allah says for females to observe hijab (headscarf of women).

Marriage and Divorce
• Forced marriages are unIslamic, are cultural, tribal, ethnic practices.
• Arranged marriages with consent of parents and man and woman getting married.
• Muslim women can end marriage. They have a right to divorce.

Female circumcision is not an Islamic practice but cultural, ethnic, and tribal. Islamically, circumcision is mutilation.

Work
• Muslim women have a right to work in any field they want ex. doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, etc., but Islam discourages work that may compromise her morals and endangers her ex. coming home late at night from work.
• They can work, have their own business, be professionals, go to school, etc.

Muslim women can vote and represent society, can be in positions to lead and work towards leadership. They can be in charge of government department and administration.

Muslim women can inherit and own property.

Recommendations for Muslim Sisters
All Muslim women should:
1. Engage in Islamic studies
2. Understand issue of hijab and proper Islamic dress
3. Connect with a Muslim leader, scholar, Imaam, student of knowledge, etc.
4. Prepare for marriage and responsibilities for marriage
5. Find out about community Masjid or center
6. Encourage other Muslim women to be energetic and committed to Islamic movement
7. Respect their husbands, take care of their children, and guard themselves, especially their tongues
8. Be more concerned with responsibilities rather then demanding rights
9. Learn proper dawah skills
10. Develop a world view (think about the whole world)

The Rights and Duties of Women in Islam by Abdul Ghaffar Hasan book notes 8/8

The Rights and Duties of Women in Islam by Abdul Ghaffar Hasan book notes 7/8

The Rights and Duties of Women in Islam by Abdul Ghaffar Hasan book notes 6/8

The Rights and Duties of Women in Islam by Abdul Ghaffar Hasan book notes 5/8

The Rights and Duties of Women in Islam by Abdul Ghaffar Hasan book notes 4/8

The Rights and Duties of Women in Islam by Abdul Ghaffar Hasan book notes 3/8

The Rights and Duties of Women in Islam by Abdul Ghaffar Hasan book notes 2/8

The Rights and Duties of Women in Islam by Abdul Ghaffar Hasan book notes 1/8

Woman's Status in Islam & Christianity

A comparison between Islam and Christianity on how the religions treat women from their religious texts.

Creation

Christianity:
When the woman (Eve) saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband (Adam), who was with her, and he ate it...Then the man (Adam) and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?" He (Adam) answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." And he (God) said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" The man said, "The woman (Eve) you put here with me – she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." To the woman he (God) said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." To Adam he (God) said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life." Genesis 3:6-17

Islam:
(God said): "O Adam! You and your wife dwell in the Garden, and enjoy (its good things) as you wish, but do not approach this tree, or you run into harm and transgression." Then began Satan to whisper suggestions to them (Adam and Eve), bringing openly before their minds all their shame that was hidden from them (before). He (Satan) said: "Your Lord only forbade you this tree, lest you should become angels or such beings as live forever." And he (Satan) swore to them both, that he was their sincere adviser. So by deceit he brought about their (Adam and Eve) fall. When they tasted of the tree, their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the Garden over their bodies. And their Lord called to them: "Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an avowed enemy to you?" They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls. If You do not forgive us and do not bestow upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be lost." Quran 7:19-23

Female Gender vs. Male Gender

Christianity:
"...if a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child, then she shall be unclean seven days...but if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks..." Leviticus 12:2-5

Islam:
1. "To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female children to whomever He wills and bestows male children to whomever He wills." Quran 42:49
2. "He who is involved in bringing up daughters, and accords benevolent treatment towards them, they will be a protection for him against Hell-Fire." Prophet Mohammed

The Female Spiritual Essence

Christianity:
"I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare." "Look," says the teacher, "this is what I have discovered. Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things, while I was still searching but not finding I found one upright man among a thousand, but not one upright woman among them all." Ecclesiastes 7:26-28

Islam:
1. "And Allah sets forth, as an example to those who believe, the wife of Pharaoh. Behold she said: 'O my Lord! Build for me, in nearness to You, a mansion in the Garden, and save me from Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from those that do wrong," "And Mary the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity; and We breathed into (her body) of Our spirit; and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of His Revelations, and was one of the devout (servants)." Quran 66:11-2
2. "Heaven is at the feet of the mothers." Prophet Mohammed

Menses

Christianity:
"When a woman has her regular flow of blood, the impurity of her monthly period will last seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean till evening. Anything she lies on during her period will be unclean, and anything she sits on will be unclean. Whoever touches her bed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening. Whoever touches anything she sits on must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening. Whether it is the bed or anything she was sitting on, when anyone touches it, he will be unclean till evening." Leviticus 15:19-23

Islam:
Ali asked the Prophet Mohammed if when a man and a woman make love then their clothes stick to them from the sweat of their bodies, or if when a woman has her period her clothes stick to her body, are the clothes considered unclean. The Prophet replied, "No, the uncleanness is only in the semen and the blood." Prophet Mohammed

Sexual Relation during Her Menses

Christianity:
"Do not approach a woman to have sexual relations during the uncleanness of her monthly period." Leviticus 18:19

Islam:
"They ask you concerning women's courses (period). Say: They are a hurt and pollution, so keep away (of making love) from women in their courses, and do not approach them until they are clean..." Quran 2:222

A Woman's Right to Education

Christianity:
"Let your women keep silent in the churches, for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law, and if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for woman to speak in the church." 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

Islam:
"Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim man and Muslim woman." Prophet Mohammed

Right to Inheritance

Christianity:
"Say to the Israelites, 'If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his daughter...'" Numbers 27:8

Islam:
"From what is left by parents and those nearest related there is a share for men and a share for women, whether the property be small or large – a determinate share." Quran 4:7

Dressing Modesty / Head Covering

Christianity:
1. "Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head...If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head." 1 Corinthians 11:3-6
2. "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." 1 Timothy 2:9-10

Islam:
1. "O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad), that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." Quran 33:59
2. "...they (believing women) should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women...or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex..." Quran 24:31

Polygamy

Christianity:
1. "After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him." 2 Samuel 5:13
2. "He (Solomon) had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines..." 1 Kings 11:3
3. "And Lamech took unto him two wives; the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah." Genesis 4:19
4. "If a man has two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the first-born son be hers that was hated: then it shall be, when he maketh..." Deuteronomy 21:15
5. "If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall her not diminish." Exodus 21:10

Islam:
"If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one... to prevent you from doing injustice." Quran 4:3

Prohibition in Marriage

Christianity:
"Do not take your wife's sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living." Leviticus 18:18

Islam:
"Prohibited to you (for marriage) are: your mothers, daughters, sisters...and two sisters (the wife and her sister) in wedlock at one and the same time..." Quran 4:23

Divorce

Christianity:
"...Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery." Mark 10:11-12

Islam:
"O Prophet! When you do divorce women, divorce them at their prescribed periods, and count (accurately) their prescribed periods and fear Allah your Lord..." Quran 65:1

The Divorcee & Widow

Christianity:
1. "...who marries the divorced woman commits adultery." Matthew 5:32
2. "The woman he (the priest) marries must be a virgin. He must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, or a woman defiled by prostitution, but only a virgin from his own people." Leviticus 21:13-4

Islam:
"If any of you die and leave widows behind, they shall wait concerning themselves four months and ten days. When they have fulfilled their term, there is no blame on you (marrying widows) if they dispose of themselves in a just and reasonable manner..." Quran 2:234

The Respect of Parents

Christianity:
1. "Then he (Jesus) went down to Nazareth with them (his parents) and was obedient to them..." Luke 2:51
2. "For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother' and 'anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death." Mark 7:10
3. "Each of you must respect his mother and father..." Leviticus 19:3

Islam:
1. "He (God) has made me (Jesus) kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable." Quran 19:32
2. "And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents. In travail (pains of childbirth) upon travail his mother bore him, and in two years was his weaning. (Hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to your parents. To Me is (your final) goal." Quran 31:14

Source: http://www.iiie.net/index.php?q=node/60

Women in Islam vs. Women in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition (book) notes 9 cont.

Women in Islam vs. Women in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition (book) notes 8 cont.

Women in Islam vs. Women in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition (book) notes 7 cont.

Women in Islam vs. Women in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition (book) notes 6 cont.

Women in Islam vs. Women in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition (book) notes 5 cont.

Women in Islam vs. Women in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition (book) notes 4 cont.

Women in Islam vs. Women in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition (book) notes 3 cont.

Women in Islam vs. Women in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition (book) notes 2 cont.

Women in Islam vs. Women in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition: The Myth and the Reality by Dr. Sherif Abdel Azeem (book) notes 1/9

To a non-Muslims Woman by Rashid Khan

When you look at me
All that you can see
Is it the scarf that covers my hair
My words you can't hear
Because you're too full of fear
Mouth gaping, all you do is stare

You think it's not my choice
In your own "liberation" you rejoice
You think I'm uneducated
Trapped, oppressed and subjugated
You're so thankful that you're free

But non-Muslim woman you've got it wrong
You're the weak and I'm the strong
For I've rejected the trap of man
Fancy clothes-low neck, short skirt
Those are devices for pain and hurt
I'm not falling for that little plan

I'm a person with ideas and thought
I'm not for sale, I can't be bought
I'm me-not a fancy toy
I won't decorate anyone's arm
Nor be promoted for my charm
There is more to me than playing coy

Living life as a balancing game-mother
Daughter, wife, nurse, cleaner, cook, lover
And still bring home a wage
Who thought up this modern "freedom?"
Where man can love 'em and man can leave 'em
This is not free, but life in a cage
Always jumping to a male agenda
Competing on his terms
No job share, no creche facilities
No feeding and nappy changing amenity
No time off for menstrual pain
"Hormones" they laugh "what a shame"
No equal pay for equal skill
Your job they can always fill
No promotion unless you're sterilized
No promotion unless you're sexually terrorized
And this is liberation?

Non-Muslim woman you can have your life
Mine-it has less strife
I cover and I get respected
Surely that's to be expected
For I won't demean the feminine
I won't live to male criterion
I dance to my own tune
And I hope you see this very soon
For your own sake-wake up and use your sight
Are you so sure that you are right?

Does Islam Oppress Women? by Abdur Raheem Green lecture notes

Oppression- denying something its rights
Right- something part of its nature/natural to it

Example 1
Killer whales/dolphins that are put on display in a closed, narrow space are oppressed! It is taken away from its natural environment where it swims in 1000s of miles of ocean water.

Example 2
It is the right of a worker/employee to get paid for their work. If someone is deprived of this pay, they are depressed!

1. Narrated Ibn 'Umar: The Prophet said, "Zulm (oppression) will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection." (Sahih Bukhari book #43, hadith #627)
2. “Allah does not love the zalimoon (oppressors).” (Quran)
• Islam condemns oppression!
• A Muslim’s duty is to fight against oppression ex. jihad to relieve people of tyranny.

Islam is from Allah (God), the Creator. He knows us better than we know ourselves. “And indeed We have created man, and We know what his ownself whispers to him. We are nearer to him than his jugular vein (by Our knowledge). (Quran chapter 50, verse 16)

In Israel (occupied Palestine) an experiment took place where children where separated from their parents at the earliest age possible so parents don’t influence their children in their habits and behavior. They thought children wouldn’t care what toys they played with ex. dolls, cars, makeup etc. But, the boys took mechanical toys and the girls took “girly” toys. It is scientifically proven that boys and girls are different from a young age. Thus, men and women are different in our biology and human “makeup.”

• The nature of women is to be a mother and care for children.
• The society that takes women away from their nature is the society that oppresses women!
• Society makes women who are wives, mothers, and homemakers feel inferior.
• Women are desperate to have kids at 30+ because of the pressure from society.

Women are honored in Islam!

1. “Reverence Allah and the wombs that bore you.” (Quran)
• One of the worst sins in Islam is disobeying one’s parents, especially mothers.
2. Narrated Abu Huraira: A man came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man said. "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man further said, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man asked for the fourth time, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your father." (Sahih Bukhari book #73, hadith #2)
3. “Paradise is at the feet of your mothers…” (Hadith)
4. A man came with his mother on his back to Umar ibn al-Khattab and said, “I have taken my mother on my back through the whole of Hajj. Did I pay her back?” Umar replied, “You didn’t pay her back for one tear she shed when giving birth to you!” (Hadith)
5. “The best of you are those who are best to their wives, and I am the best to my wives.” (Hadith)
6. “Women are created from the bent rib and the most bent part is the top most part (the mind).” (Hadith)
• Enjoy women the way they are. Straightening them = divorce!
7. “…the most precious thing in this world is a righteous woman!” (Hadith)

• Islam teaches us to respect women ex. mothers, wives, etc.
• It is the responsibility of men to maintain and protect women.
• Allah requires women to be obedient to their husbands if he tells her to do something WITHIN HER CAPABILITY.
• If a man oppresses his wife, Allah will put a tyrannical ruler to oppress him!

Does Islam Oppress Women? by Abdur Raheem Green

Notes coming up soon!

How a Pearl Protects Itself: A Khutbah for the Muslim Woman by Sheikh Muhammed al Shareef

When news of the Christian army that had prepared on the horizons to wipe out Islam reached Abu Qudaamah Ash-Shaamee, he moved quickly to the mimbar of the masjid. In a powerful and emotional speech, Abu Qudaamah ignited the desire of the community to defend their land – jihaad for the sake of Allah. As he left the masjid, walking down a dark and secluded alley, a woman stopped him and said, "As salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullaah!" Abu Qudaamah stopped and did not answer. She repeated her salam again, adding "this is not how pious people should act." She stepped forward from the shadows. "I heard you in the masjid encouraging the believers to go for jihaad and all I have is this…" She handed him two long braids. "It can be used for a horse rein. Perhaps Allah may write me as one of those who went for jihaad."

The next day as that Muslim village set out to confront the crusader army; a young boy ran through the gathering and stood at the hooves of Abu Qudaamah's horse. "I ask you by Allah to allow me to join the army."

Some of the elder fighters laughed at the boy. "The horses will trample you," they said.

But Abu Qudaamah looked down into his eyes as he asked again, "I ask you by Allah, let me join."

Abu Qudaamah then said, "On one condition; if you are killed you will take me with you to Jannah amongst those you will be allowed to intercede for."

That young boy smiled. "It's a promise."

When the two armies met and the fighting intensified, the young boy on the back of Abu Qudaamah's horse asked, "I ask you by Allah to give me 3 arrows."

"You'll lose them," said Abu Qudaamah.

The boy repeated, "I ask you by Allah to give me them."

Abu Qudaamah gave him the arrows and the boy took aim. "Bismillah!" The arrow flew and killed a Roman. "Bismillah!" The second arrow flew, killing a second Roman. "Bismillah!" The third arrow flew, killing a third Roman. An arrow then struck the boy in the chest, knocking him off the horse. Abu Qudaamah jumped down to his side, reminding the boy in his final breaths, "Don't forget the promise!"

The boy reached into his pocket, extracted a pouch and said, "Please return this to my mother."

"Who's your mother?" asked Abu Qudaamah.

"The women that gave you the braids yesterday."

Think about this Muslimah. How did she reach this level of taqwa where she would sacrifice her hair and her son? Indeed, she spent her life in the obedience of Allah, and when exam time came, she passed. Not only did she pass herself, but her children shone with that same beauty of eman; children that she herself raised.

Most often the lectures, khutbahs, and talks are all directed to the Muslim men. We forget that from the hady (guidance and way) of RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam was that he would allocate a specific day of the week to teach the women. Women would come up to him in Hajj, in the street, and even in his home to ask him questions about the deen. At the Eid salah, after addressing the men, he would take Bilal and go to the women’s section and address the women. Allah revealed an entire surah by the name of An-Nisaa’ (The Women), another by the name of Maryam (Mary), and yet another by the name of Al-Mujaadalah (The Woman Who Pleads). It is in enlivening this Sunnah that today this speech shall be addressed to the believing women – al-mu'minaat.

Dear sister, dear mother, and dear daughter, everyone is looking for happiness and fun, and I am sure that you are not excluded. Where is that happiness and fun though? And where and when do you want that happiness? Do you want to have ‘fun’ in this life at the expense of the hereafter? Or is it in the hereafter, when you meet Allah, that you want to be happy?

Everywhere you go you shall find a swarm of people, media, and culture swearing to you that happiness is the happiness of the dunya. Is it really happiness though? On the Day of Repayment, Allah shall take the most ‘happiest’ kafir of the dunya and dip him in Jahannam (Hellfire). Then He shall ask him, "Have you ever seen any happiness?" The Kafir will say, "Never!"

Nay, the happiness is only the happiness of the hereafter no matter what happens in this dunya. Allah shall bring on the Day of Repayment the most tested human and dip him in Jannah (Paradise). He shall then ask him, "Have you ever seen sadness?" And that person shall say, "Never!"

And don't think that this happiness and fun is exclusive to the Hereafter. It is very much tied to this life as well. Listen and understand the words of Allah: Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he [or she] is a true believer, verily to him We will give a good life [in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision], and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do [i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter] (An-Nahl 16/97).

Dear sister, you have to understand that you or anyone may enter Hellfire. By Allah, we are not better than Fatimah, the daughter of Rasul Allah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam. And he said to her, "O Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad, ask me whatever you wish from my wealth, for I shall avail you nothing to Allah." Meaning that it doesn't matter if you're my daughter; if you don't work for Jannah, saying to Allah that my father is so and so will not help you in any way.

Islam is filled with many mu'minahs who completed their taqwa of Allah. When the other girls put up posters of kafir singers, athletes and actresses, you should put up posters in your heart of Fatimah and many other mu'minahs.

One of these women was Aasiyah, the wife of Fir'own. Her eman in Allah thrived under the shadow of someone who said, "I am your Lord, Most High!" When news reached Fir'own of his wife's eman, he beat her and commanded his guards to beat her. They took her out in the scalding noon heat, tied her hands and feet, and beat her perpetually. Who did she turn to? She turned to Allah! She prayed, "My Lord, build for me a home with you in Paradise, save me from Fir'own and his deeds, and save me from the transgressive people."

It was narrated that when she said this, the sky opened for her and she saw her home in Paradise. She smiled. The guards watched astonished – she's being tortured and she smiles? Frustrated, Fir'own commanded a boulder to be brought and dropped on Aasiyah to crush her to death. But Allah took her soul before the boulder was brought and she became an example for all the believing men and women till the end of time: And Allah has set forth an example for those who believe: the wife of Fir'own [Pharaoh] when she said, "My Lord, Build for me a home with You in Paradise, and save me from Fir'own and his deeds, and save me from the transgressive [disbelieving people] (At-Tahreem 66/11).

When we talk about jihaad and shuhadaa' (martyrs), do you know who the first Muslim in Islam to be killed in the path of Allah was? It was Summayah, the mother of Ammar. When Abu Jahl heard of her, her husband Yaasir, and her son Ammar’s Islam, he whipped them all and beat them, so much so, that RasulAllah would pass by them as they went through this test of their eman and would say to them, “Be patient, O Jannah!”

One day, as Abu Jahl beat Sumayyah, she refused to recant her deen; something that enraged Abu Jahl. He took a spear as she lay on the burning sand looking up to the sky, and he speared through her midsection. She was the first of her family and the entire ummah to meet Allah as a martyr.

Dear sister, our role models come from the Qur’an. You may have heard the story of the boy and the king. When the entire village became Muslim by the death of that young boy, the king ordered that an enormous fire be kindled and all those who would not recant their religion be burned alive. A mu'minah, stood with her baby over the fire. She looked at her baby, and seeking her child's weakness and innocence, she considered turning her back. The baby said to her, "What are you waiting for mother. Go forward, for you are on the truth!" She nodded. Then, with her baby in hand, she was pushed to her death.

And they ill-treated them for no other reason than that they believed in Allah, exalted in power, worthy of all praise! / Him to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth! And Allah is witness to all things (Al-Buruj 85/8-9).

And dear sister, your role models can also come to you from today. As her son tells us, a senior woman in a Muslim land decided that all the vanity that normally happens in the gatherings of women was not for her. She turned to salah and praying at night, and in her old age, she found herself calling to her son one night from her prayer room. Her son says, "I came in and she was in sajdah saying that she was paralyzed!" Her son took her to the doctors and she began a cycle of rehabilitation, but there was little hope. She then commanded her son to take her back home, back to her prayer room, back to that sajdah. As she prayed to Allah in her sajdah, the night came and she again called to her son. "Astawdi'ukallaah alladhee laa yadee'u wa daa'i'uh," which means, "I leave you in the trust of Allah, and whenever something is left in Allah's trust it is never lost." She passed away in her sajdah. Her muscles froze in that position and so they had to wash her body as she was in sajdah. They prayed janazah for her as her body was in sajdah. They carried her to the graveyard as her body was in sajdah. They buried her as she was in sajdah. The Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam said that we shall all be resurrected on what we died on; she shall be resurrected on the day of Judgment in sajdah to Allah – jalla jalaaluhu wa taqaddasat asmaa'uhu - because that it how she lived and died.

There are many other stories that we know about of powerful believing mothers, wives and sisters, and many that Allah only knows about. Whenever a halaqah is going on, the Muslim women outnumber the men. Go to an Islamic teachers or schools conference, attend a lecture and you shall see the mismatch of sisters to brothers. Sometimes it is sad to see all these brothers lacking the motivation that many muslimahs have. But if there is a beautiful sign in all this, it is that, insha Allah ta'aala, those sisters are going to raise an army of believing men and women in the coming generation, wAllahu Akbar!

When Imam Ahmad was still young, his father died. He would tell his students of the work his mother went through in raising him, and he would pray for her. In the cold Baghdad nights, she would wake long before him to warm the water so that her son Ahmad could make wudu for Fajr. Then she would wrap him in blankets, she herself cloaked in her jilbaab. She would guide him through the dark, cold alleys to reach the main masjid long before Fajr so that her son could get a good seat in class. Her son Ahmad, at that age in grade 2 or 3, would sit all day long studying Qur’an and Sunnah, and she would wait for him to finish so that she could drop him home safely. At the age of 16, she prepared money and food for him and told him, "Travel for your search of knowledge." He left for Makkah and Madinah and many other places, and met many great scholars. She raised Ahmad to become one of the four greatest imams in Islam.

PART II

Dear sister, after all this, ask a non-Muslim what it is that he wants from you. Does he want you to be liberated? Liberated from what? From Allah and his Messenger? From the Qur’an and the Sunnah? From Jannah? From this deen that Allah chose for you?

And what is he going to give you in return? Happiness? By Allah, he does not own any happiness to give. Is he going to give you love and protection from punishment in the grave and from the gatekeepers of Hellfire and from death? Why is it that they want to liberate young beautiful women? Why don't they liberate the seniors? Why don't they liberate the indigenous? Why don't they liberate the inmates? Why is their target audience a young, skinny and tall woman (their definition of beauty) between the ages of 13 – 28? And why is their first call for you to take off your hijab?

Remember that friend – if you consider him so – carefully, for without any doubt, by Allah, he shall be your bitterest enemy on the Day of Repayment.

Friends on that day will be foes, one to another – except the Righteous (Al-Zukhruf 43/67).
One kafirah summed up exactly what they think of women, "It's not who you are, it's what you wear and what you look like!" And listen to Fabian, a French 'model,' as she spit on the fashion industry. "Fashion houses made me into a mannequin, a wooden idol. The mission: to manipulate hearts and alter minds. I learned how to be worthless, nothing on the inside, but cold. We lived in a world of filth."

When the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam stood on the plain of Arafah and gave his farewell speech, he said to the ummah, "Treat the women kindly!" History records that in Europe, in the same year, at the same time that Islam was saying this, the Christian clergy were arguing whether a woman was a human or an animal! Those clergymen are the ancestors of the kuffar that now want to 'liberate' you.

There is much more than can be said. I shall conclude with the advice of RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam to every Muslim mother, daughter, and wife: "If the woman prays her five (salah), fasts her month (of Ramadan), protects herself (from committing zina), and listens to her husband, it will be said to her, that from any door you wish, enter Paradise!"

O ye who believe! Give your response to Allah and His Messenger, when He calls you to that which shall give you life; and know that Allah cometh between a man and his heart, and that it is He to Whom ye shall [all] be gathered (Al-Anfal 8/24).

Allah and His Messenger are calling you to life. Dear sister, reply!

Source: http://www.khutbah.com/en/soc_issue/women.php