Her eligibility for Islamic obligations

 Muslim women are expected to fulfill Islamic obligations, just as men are. Her guardian is obliged to command her to perform acts of worship, something which should be instilled from childhood. The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Command your children to pray when they attain age seven and hit them over it when they attain age ten -and separate their beds at that age).'' According to Imam An-Nawawi, this Hadith unanimously applies to both male and female children.

A Muslim woman is obliged to perform ritual acts of worship from puberty. She is obliged to perform prayers, fast, to give the annual charity (Zakah), and perform the sacred pilgrimage (Hajj) with the right that no one can prevent her from carrying out these obligations. As a general rule, the beliefs, acts of worship, conducts and rulings that Allah has ordained for man apply to both males and females on an equal basis.

 Allah says, 

                     "Whoever works righteousness -whether male or female while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) 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.

                       "Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam) men and women, the believers men and women (who believe in Islamic Monotheism), the men and the women who are obedient (to Allah), the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and the women who are patient (in performing all the duties which Allah has ordered and in abstaining from all that Allah has forbidden), the men and the women who are humble (before their Lord -Allah), the men and the women who give Sadaqat (i.e. Zakat, and alms), the men and the women who observe Saum (fast) (the obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the optional Nawaffil fasting), the men and the women who guard their chastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).'' Al-Ahzab 33:35.

              Ibn Abbas narrated the grounds for which the above verse was revealed was when the believing women inquired from the Messenger as to why he frequently referred to the believing men and not the believing women too. So Allah revealed this verse. 

 

It was also reported that Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) said that she asked the Messenger of Allah: "O Messenger of Allah, why are the men mentioned in everything and no mention is made of women?'' It was then that this verse was revealed. In response to the believers' request, 

Allah says,

                   "So their Lord accepted of them (their supplication and answered them), "Never will I allow to be lost the work ofany of you, be he male or female. You are (members) one of another.'' Aal 'Imrafn 3:195

                                The reason for the revelation of this verse is the same as the previous verse. Ibn Katheer commented on Allah's saying, ''You are one of another'', as meaning: "You are equal as far as My reward is concerned.''

Allah also explains that those who bother the believing women commit the same sin as those who bother the believing men. 

He says, 

               "And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, they bear (on themselves) the crime of slander and plain sin.'' Al-Ahzafb 33:58.

The Muslim woman, like her male counterpart, is required to promote and enjoin in righteousness, while forbidding and preventing sin. 

Allah says,

                    "The believers, men and women, are Auliya' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma'ruff (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give the Zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.'' At-Tawbah 9:71.

     The individual obligation of a Muslim woman is extended to warfare Jihad) if the enemy invades the Muslim land. The scholars state that if the enemy invades the territory of a Muslim people, engaging in Jihad becomes an individual obligation upon all the Muslims, both male and female. The woman must participate even without her husband's permission because the right of the husband cannot prevail over an individual obligation.

Right to education

 The right to education is equally shared by men and women. Although the premise of equality is a general notion in Islamic law, at time differences in legal rulings can be found which, with analysis, are deemed to suit her feminine nature. The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim.'' This Hadith applies to women just as it applies to men. The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) is also reported to have said, "If a person has a daughter who he refines and educates, as well as spending generously on her from that which Allah has blessed him with, then she shall be a shield for him against the Fire.''

         

          During the time of Allah's Messenger, the woman used to strive in search of knowledge. Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the womenfolk came to Allah's Messenger (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) and said, "Messenger of Allah, men have taken all your time. So fix a day for us.'' On that he promised them one day for religious lessons and commandments. It was such determination that led A'ishah ") to comment, "Wonderful are the Ansafr women! Shyness did not prevent them from learning knowledge of the religion.''

          The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Command your children to pray when they attain the age of seven and hit them over it when they attain the age of ten, and separate their beds (at that age).'' An-Nawawi commented, "The Hadith applies to both boys and girls; there is no difference between them according to the consensus of the scholars.'' He then said, "AshShafi'i and scholars of his madhhab (school of legal thought) said, 'Fathers and mothers should teach their young children purification, prayer and fasting and other acts of worship. They should teach them that fornication, homosexuality, consumption of alcohol, lying, backbiting and other vices are forbidden. They should teach them that as soon as they have reached the age of puberty, they have become legally obliged. This training is compulsory according to the correct view of the scholars. The wages for such training shall be from the boy's wealth if he has some, but if he does not have any, then it becomes the responsibility of whoever shoulders his responsibility.' Ash-Shafi'i and the scholars of his madhhab also believed in the necessity of educating the mother because training her is part of training the children. Such education is therefore obligatory (like maintenance). There are also some nonShari'ah sciences that may be regarded as necessary for females such as obstetrics and genecology so that male doctors are prevented from having to see naked women.

        In Al-Fatafwa Al-Hindiyyah, the scholars were questioned regarding a woman with a medical condition requiring a doctor to examine a private part of the body. The scholars determined that it was improper for a male physician to examine her, and instead, a female doctor should take his place. However, in the case of no female doctor or specialist and a fear that her situation may worsen, the male physician may examine her (while lowering his gaze as much as possible) on the condition that her body is covered entirely except for the area that requires examination.

      • There is no disagreement among the scholars on the legality of educating females. However, any form of education should take place in a way that does not contradict the injunctions of Islam. The following are regulations that must be observed while educating females:

a.          She should not mix with members of the opposite sex (inside the classroom). A female student must not sit beside a male student, which is established from the fact that the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) fixed a day for women in which he admonished them, that day differing from those of men. We find that even in acts of worship women do not mix with men. Instead they are allocated a separate place from where they hear sermons and perform their prayers. However, it is not imperative to create a special place segregated off for them to pray in nor to erect a barrier between their rows and the rows of men for no such thing was found during the Prophet's time.

b.           She should lower her gaze and refrain from showing off her adornment. This is in accordance with Allah's injunction: 

             "And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islafm), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigor, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, 0 believers, that you may be successful.'' AnNoor 24:31.

Abiding by the above regulations prevents temptation and the spread of corruption. 

Honoring women as wives

 Allah commands that a Muslim man treat his wife kindly, 

saying,

             "And live with them honorably.'' An-Nisa 4:19.

Ibn Katheer said, "This means to speak to your wives softly and let your actions towards them be as kind as possible, that is to say, in the manner you would like reciprocated. 

Allah also says, 

                          "And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect) to what is reasonable.'' Al-Baqarah 2:228. 

 In an authentic Hadith reported by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "The best among you is the best one in treatment of his family and I am the best of you in the treatment of his family.'' Among the characteristics of Allah's Messenger were kindness and cheerfulness. He used to joke with members of his family being extremely amicable with them, to the extent that it is narrated that he would engage in racing 'A'ishah, the mother of the believers (May Allah be pleased with her), thereby showing love to her. She said, "The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) competed with me in a race and I outstripped him (that was before I put on weight). After I had put on some weight, I competed with him and he outstripped me. He then said, "This outstripping is in retaliation for that one.'' It was also the habit of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) to spend some time with his family after performing the 'Isha' (late evening) prayer before he went to bed.

A Muslim is required to exercise patience with his wife even if he dislikes her. 

Allah says, 

                   "If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good.''In his commentary of this verse, Ibn Katheer said, "This Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah; and it is an authentic Hadith. An-Nisa 4:19.

Means that your patience by keeping them, though you dislike that, may do you a lot of good in this world and the Hereafter. According to Ibn 'Abbaus, that good may be in form of an abundantly blessed offspring that Allah may bless him with by that woman if he is patient with her and shows compassion to her.'' Likewise, the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "No believing man should hate a believing woman. If he dislikes a behavior of hers, he should be pleased with other aspects of her.''

                           The woman's legal rights upon her husband are clearly detailed in the chapter on marriage. However, we are going to mention here one of the instances cited by the scholars that relates to honoring motherhood.

                           The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him), advised on many occasions that the mother should be treated in the kindest way. He also advised that caring for her should be given preference over that of the father. Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated, "A man came to Allah's Messenger and said, "O Allah's Messenger! 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.'' 

                          The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) also regarded her pleasure as a way to Paradise. A man came to him and said, "Messenger of Allah, I want to fight in the way of Allah, please advise me.'' The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Do you have a mother?'' The man answered in the affirmative. Thereupon the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Go and stay with her, for Paradise is at her feet.'' 

Her entitlement to care and equality with male children

 

Islam shows a great concern for a woman in all stages of her life. It calls for her to be taken care of as a child, such that she becomes a shield against the Hellfire and a way to Paradise for her carer. Anas ibn Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "If a person takes care of two girls until they attain the age of maturity, he shall come on the Day of Resurrection in my company (and he joined two of his fingers together).''

              Islam forbids favoring the education and care of a boy over that of a girl. The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "If a person has daughter and he did not bury her alive nor disgrace her or favored his son over her, Allah will admit him to Paradise.'' Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a man was sitting in the company of Allah's Messenger (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) when his son happened to come to him with which he kissed the boy and sat him on his lap. Thereafter his daughter came in and he sat her down beside him. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him)) said, "You have not treated them equally.'' Additionally, Al-Fatafwa Al-Hindiyyah mentions: "It is unlawful to favor a male over female in gifts. The Malikis are of the view that a trust will be invalid if the beneficiaries are only male children to the exclusion of female ones. This is because in doing so the benefactor has re-enacted the actions of the time of ignorance.

              Taking care of a girl in her childhood should include grooming her for her future life. Although images and statues are prohibited, the Shari'ah has exempted dolls, and consequently, it is lawful to produce, sell and buy dolls. Playing with dolls is a form of preparation for young girls facilitating a form of experience of taking care of their own offspring when they eventually become mothers. 

             'A'ishah (May Allah be pleased with her), the Prophet's wife, used to play with wooden dolls along with her friends. Whenever her friends would see the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him), they would withdraw away from him in bashfulness. The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) used to buy toy dolls for her.