The Lost Shield.
He guards, she is cherished.
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A Muslim man is a shield, not merely made of iron or steel, But of faith, devotion and a strength that's meant to be real.
As a father, the love in his heart knows no bounds, A love unbroken, meant to last.
For his daughter he is the first to show, How love, respect and mercy are needed to grow.
He shapes her with kindness, Showing her the beauty in selflessness.
He guides her steps but lets her lead, For she is the future, the queen of .
And to his son, he is a silent guide, That teaches him how to be a man.
As a brother, he's her steady ground, To protect her honour , make her feel safe and sound.
He knows her dreams, her fears, He lifts her up, though the world may look down.
He's her shield against the sights so harsh, In his comforting grasp, she feels no pain.
He guards her like a precious pearl, With every action, he reminds himself of Allah's rules.
With a husband, it's more than just a promise, He is her garment, forever and more.
He shields her not just with his arm or body, But with his soul, for in her honour he finds his pride.
He supports her dreams, brushes off her deepest fears, And wipes away her silent tears.
He speaks with gentleness, acts with grace, For in her heart, he finds his place.
As a son, laid on the lap of the woman Who prayed for him day and night.
Her weary hands, tired with love and labour, Held him close, shaped his nature.
Yet she had from him no demands, Only the respect that he would grow to understand.
He was born to ease her pain, to be her peace For Paradise lies beneath her feet.
As a stranger, his duty is clear, To guard his gaze, be it far or near.
He values and respects her privacy, For he knows, it is Allah's words he must follow.
In a world where modesty is rare, He is the one who shows sincere care.
When she's in trouble, he offers aid. But never forces nor invades.
Unfortunately this shield has now been lost, Its importance neglected, at a huge cost.
Where safety once prevailed, now shadows reside, And women walk in fear, not in delight.
The protection they deserve is torn apart, By eyes that pierce and words that disrespect.
They forget that she was never a stone, But a flower, meant to bloom.
They fail to see the weight she bears on herself, Her silent cries, her whispered prayers to her Lord.
Yet the shield lost can be found once more, If they turn to the teachings of their Lord.
For every woman in his life, a man is meant to be, The shield that guards her dignity.
To be a protector is not to control her, But lift her, to make her feel whole.
For in protecting her, he thereby guards his own soul, Fulfilling his duty, making him whole.
So to the men who have lost their way,
Return to the right way, For in her trust, you succeed and find your way.
When I walk down the streets, covered from head to toe, I'm met by ugly stares of strangers around me. A constant fear envelops my chest with every step I take. It's suffocating to live in a world where there are stories of women being harassed , disrespected or even worse, raped. So many of them untold to the population that it just becomes another background noise.
It's never just a noise though, for me, for us women.
We carry it within, constantly adjusting ourselves, looking over our shoulders wondering if we're their next prey. It's distressing to live in a world where safety is not a right, but a privilege.
I often ask myself this question, 'Why do I live in a world where being a woman makes me vulnerable and subject to potential harm'? The fear runs deep but I know I'm not alone, so many women carry this very same fear with them, from crowded streets to quiet alleys. We're advised to be vigilant, attentive and careful but why isn't the world told to change? Why aren't they told how they should behave?
I dress modestly for my faith , for Allah but it seems as though it's never enough - that no matter how much I try I cannot fully escape the eyes that seem to hold no decency. It's like they see you, but they don't really see you.
Now to the main topic of what's more saddening is that Allah , in His book, the Quran has already provided us with a solution:
˹O Prophet!˺ Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do. (Surah Al Nur, Verse 30)
Why then have men in today's age forgotten that no matter if a woman is covered or not, your own responsibility is to make sure you have your gaze down and not look at women to fuel the fire of desires within you?
Allah has asked the believing women to cover themselves, but you have your equal share in being responsible for displaying modesty in your encounters.
Don't the men realize that this a command from their Lord, not just a mere suggestion? One therein which they abide by would not only protect themselves from grave sins but the women from harm.
Narrated by Ibn Abbas:
I did not see anything so resembling minor sins as what Abu Huraira (RA) said from the Prophet(SAWS) , who said, "Allah has written for the son of Adam his inevitable share of adultery whether he is aware of it or not: The adultery of the eye is the looking (at something which is sinful to look at), and the adultery of the tongue is to utter (what it is unlawful to utter), and the inner self wishes and longs for (adultery) and the private parts turn that into reality or refrain from submitting to the temptation." Sahih al-Bukhari 6612
Imagine a world where every man followed this command. How safe and secure would the women feel? How the numbers of harassment and rape would go down? A world, where each woman is honoured and given the respect she deserves. Where every man related or unrelated to her comes to save her from any danger she may be facing instead of plainly watching it pass by.
Allah's guidance is complete, it's we who fail to implement it properly. Real men are meant to be the protectors, the shields for their women and the women around them , the ones who lower their lustful gaze and not just guard their modesty but the dignity of women.
Our Creator knew that looking at women would tempt your soul to incline towards evil deeds, for the beauty of woman is enchanting to your sight. Likewise, Allah has ordered the believing women to cover their body from men outside except from their husbands, who they're lawful for so as to not make you attracted towards her beauty when she's not even yours!
So be that shield for the women around you, be that silent protector as she navigates through the streets. Be the one who guards his sight for her to feel safe and secure. For you never know in what state or condition she may be, and adding to your unkind stares would cause her distress and feelings of discomfort. And fear Allah regarding it, as He warns in the Quran:
O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed, Allah is ever, over you, an Observer. (Surah An-Nisa, Verse 1)
