Women: The heart of the Ummah in Islam

A gift of compassion and completeness.

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Imagine a world without the gentle touch of your mother, the care from a sister or the unwavering support of your wife. Life would feel certainly dull and meaningless without a woman by your side. Likewise, when the first man was created alone, he felt the incompleteness within him for which Allah granted him a gift, his female counterpart.

When Allah created Prophet Adam (AS), He placed him in the heavens amidst the trees, flowing rivers and lush gardens. Despite, the abundant blessings he was bestowed with, Adam (AS) was the only species of his kind, hence he naturally felt lonely, and his soul longed for a companion with whom he could share his life.

He used to desperately pray to Allah (SWT) to bless him with company. One day he woke up and his gaze sighted someone looking very similar to him, a female, whose name was Hawwa (AS).

Allah (SWT) mentions this creation in the Quran:

O humanity! Be mindful of your Lord Who created you from a single soul, and from it He created its mate, and through both He spread countless men and women. And be mindful of Allah - in Whose Name you appeal to one another - and ˹honor˺ family ties. Surely Allah is ever Watchful over you. (Surah An-Nisa, Verse: 1)

Her soul was created from the soul of the Adam (AS) teaching us that men and women were created to be equal with each having their own set of responsibilities to fulfill. So, a woman is truly a precious gift given to man from Allah after many, many prayers and deserves to be treated well with love and care. ❤

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Prophet (SAWS) said, "Treat women nicely, for a woman is created from a rib, and the most curved portion of the rib is its upper portion. So, if you should try to straighten it, it will break, and if you leave it as it is, it will remain crooked. So, treat women nicely." (Al-Bukhari)

A woman was created from the rib of a man. Not from his head to top him, nor from his foot to be stepped upon on, but from his side to be equal to him, under his arm to be protected and near his heart to be loved by him.

As a daughter:

When a girl child is born, she opens a door to Jannah for her father.

Allah mentions in the Quran:

To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; He creates what He wills. He gives to whom He wills female [children], and He gives to whom He wills males. Or He makes them [both] males and females, and He renders whom He wills barren. Indeed, He is Knowing and Competent. (Surah Ash-Shura, Verse 49–50)

She is a mercy from Allah (SWT), the one who brings joy and light to everyone around her. Moreover, the greatest man to ever walk on this earth, our beloved Messenger (SAWS) himself was blessed with four daughters, hence why should one consider them as a burden when in reality they are the ones who love wholeheartedly, care deeply and give their unmeasurable support to reduce the sufferings of their parents? The Prophet (SAWS) himself said,

Whoever has three daughters, and he accommodates them, shows mercy towards them, and supports them, Paradise is definitely guaranteed for him.

Thus, someone asked the Prophet (SAWS), what if they are two daughters only?

He replied,

"[He gets that reward,] even if they are [only] two."

Imam Al-Hasan (RA) said: "Girls are a source of reward and sons are a blessing; rewards are in one's favor (on the Day of Judgement) whereas one will be held accountable for blessings."

So, love, give respect and take good care of your daughters, for they will act as a shield against you on the Day of Resurrection.

As a wife:

When a woman become a wife, she completes half of the Deen of her husband.

Allah mentions in the Quran:

And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who give thought. (Surah Ar-Rum, Verse 21)

It was narrated from Abdullah Ibn Amr (RA) that the Prophet (SAWS) said,

"This world is but provisions, and there is no provision in this world better than a righteous wife."

She is the one who leaves her childhood home, her family, her parents, everything behind just to become your dearest and closest companion in this life. She is the one who not only gives birth to your children but nurtures them with love and care raising them to become successful individuals in this life and the next. She is your confidant. The one who supports you through thick and thin. If you take one step towards her, she will find ten reasons to make you feel happy. That is how Allah (SWT) created women, loving and compassionate.

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said:

"The most complete of the believers in faith, is the one with the best character. And the best of you are those who are the best to their women.

In another Hadith he also mentions that the Prophet (SAWS) said:

"A believer must not hate a believing woman (i.e., his wife); if he dislikes one of her traits, he will be pleased with another." (Muslim)

Women are not created weaker than men. They are created more beautiful and less fierce, as beauty hates to harm and hurt others.

So, love her well for your children will notice how you treat her. You're teaching your sons how to treat a woman and your daughters what they should expect from men. Treat your woman with respect for one day someone will do the same with your daughter.

As a mother:

When a woman becomes a mother, she not only has to carry herself but her child within her.

Allah mentions in the Quran:

And We have commanded people to ˹honor˺ their parents. Their mothers bore them through hardship upon hardship, and their weaning takes two years. So be grateful to Me and your parents. To Me is the final return. (Surah Al-Luqman, Verse 14)

She carries you not for two or three but full nine months enduring the challenges and struggles that come with it all with a smile on her face and the yearn to one day meet the little one she had within her all along. She bleeds herself to make our entrance into this life. Not only that but after she gives birth, she sacrifices her sleep, her comfort to make sure you sleep well. She lets herself go on empty stomach for hours while ensuring you are well fed and happily healthy.

A man came to the Prophet (SAWS) and said: "O Prophet of God! Guide me, to whom should I be good in order to benefit completely from my good deed?"

He said: "Be good to your mother."

He asked: "Next to her?" The Prophet repeated: "Be good to your mother." He said again: "And next to her?" The Prophet answered: "To your mother." The man said: To what another person should I be good?" The Prophet said: "To your father."

A woman is not incomplete to be made whole by a man, and she isn't a disgrace to be covered by a man. She is who births one half of the society and raises the other.

Treat her with utmost respect and kindness for she carried you in her for nine months and in her heart forever. She is your door to Jannah and her prayers are the reason for your success in this life and the next.

In his last sermon, before he died, the Prophet (SAWS) repeated 'take care of women' three times, and he was crying when he said it.

Whether as daughters, wives or mothers, a woman plays a vital role in upbringing the next generation and deserves to have their rights honored by men. Men are seen as the guardians of women but that does not mean women are seen any less than men.

For surely, what is being guarded is more precious than the one guarding it.

A beautiful saying by Shaikh Abdullah Adhami:

The Arabic word for sun, 'Shams' is feminine. Whereas the word for moon, 'Qamar' is masculine. The sun burns itself to give life and light to everything around it and the moon is glittering, shining its light for it radiates back the brilliance of the sun. So, when you shine as men the implication is that you are reflecting the glorious light of your women.