ummtaalib

Candle of Jewish Hanukkah lit at Ibrahimi Mosque According to local sources, Israeli President Isaac Herzog stormed the Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron and lighted the candle of Hanukkah. Meanwhile, Israeli War Minister, Benny Gantz, lighted the candle of Hanukkah at al-Buraq Wall in occupied www.instagram.com/p/CW0_cImsQTt/

A traditional Palestinian breakfast Eye On Palestine (@eye.on.palestine) • Instagram photos and videos This is humus (garbanzo beans smashed mixed with sesame purée,lemon juice and olive oil on top. Next is fried cauliflower and next fried sliced eggplants and the rest you should know. If you have a chance try it with pocket bread (hbazzi7359aolcom)

By Shaykhul-Hadīth, Hadrat Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh Every capability and strength in the human body has limitations. For example, the human capability of seeing is limited; one may be able to see someone walking at a distance of 100 metres, but as the person walks further away, it will become increasingly difficult to see him. After travelling a certain distance, the person will completely disappear from sight. The human capability of hearing is also limited; one is able to hear a person speaking from a close distance, but is unable to hear a person speaking from a far distance. Similarly, every strength and capability granted to us by Allāh ta‘ālā has limitations. The intellect is also one of these limited capabilities granted to us by Allāh ta‘ālā. There are many things which the human intellect cannot perceive as it has boundaries beyond which it cannot function. Therefore, just as we do not expect to be able to see everything with our eyes or hear every sound with our ears, we should not expect to be able to understand everything with our intellects. The Three Sources of Knowledge There are three sources of knowledge: 1. The first source of knowledge is the five senses. We use our five senses (i.e. eyesight, hearing, taste, smell and touch) to perceive different things. For example, when we touch a surface, we learn that it is smooth or rough. When we taste a fruit, we gain knowledge of whether it is sweet or sour etc. 2. The second source of knowledge is the intellect. If used within its limits, the intellect is a great blessing of Allāh ta‘ālā. By using the intellect to ponder upon the creation, one can attain the recognition of the Creator. This alone shows how great of a blessing the intellect is. Allāh ta‘ālā states in the Glorious Qur’ān, From the five senses, we most often use the senses of seeing and hearing, thus Allāh ta‘ālā sufficed on mentioning only these two when referring to the five senses. Thereafter, He mentioned the heart with which we think and understand. Thus, in this verse, Allāh ta‘ālā states that He granted us senses and intellect, through which we can acquire knowledge. 3. The third source of knowledge is wahy (Divine Revelation). Allāh ta‘ālā revealed wahy upon the Prophets ‘alayhimus salām and they conveyed the knowledge of wahy to their nations. Limitations of the Intellect From the three sources of knowledge, the five senses and intellect have limitations: 1. The five senses cannot perceive what the intellect is able to perceive. For example, the intellect can perceive that there is oxygen in a room but the five senses cannot. Intellect tells us that a human cannot survive without oxygen; therefore, the fact that people in that room are alive certainly means that oxygen is present in the room. Now, if a person refuses to believe that oxygen exists in the room because of not being able to perceive oxygen with his five senses, then we would all deem him to be irrational. We would explain that he will only be able to come to the correct understanding by applying his intellect, as the five senses have their limitations and cannot perceive what the intellect is able to perceive. 2. Similarly, the intellect cannot perceive what wahy is able to perceive. Just as the five senses fail to grasp what the intellect can grasp, the intellect fails to grasp what wahy can grasp. Therefore, just as we accept the limitations of the five senses, we also need to accept the limitations of the intellect. Hakīmul-Ummah, Mawlānā Ashraf ‘Alī Thānwī rahimahullāh very beautifully explains the limitations of intellect. He says, ‘…Like other senses the perceptions of intellect have limits. Beyond these limits, wahy is needed. The example of this is that if a person (mounted on a horse) desires to climb a mountain, the horse will only be able to go till the bottom of the mountain. To climb the mountain, one will have to go himself. Similarly, the feeble intellect is incapable of climbing the mountain (which can only be climbed by wahy)…’ Do Not be Self-Opinionated After recognising the limited nature of the intellect, we can understand how a person will be prone to making mistakes if he was to apply his intellect beyond its boundaries. We can also better understand the dangers of the norm today, where each person has taken his own intellect as the sole authority in deciding what is right and wrong. This attitude is a sign that one has too much reliance on his own opinions, a quality regarding which Nabī sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam warned the Ummah. Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, Sayyidunā ‘Umar radhiyallāhu ‘anhu said, There are many Islamic beliefs and teachings which we cannot comprehend with our intellects, yet we still have conviction in their truthfulness solely because Allāh ta‘ālā has revealed them in the Glorious Qur’ān or through His Messenger. For example, we believe in the existence of Jannah and Jahannam and in the life Hereafter despite not being able to comprehend them. We wholeheartedly accept these because they have been sourced from wahy which is beyond the perception of our intellects. In fact, attempting to understand such beliefs with the intellect will lead one astray. It was due to applying the intellect beyond its limits that many individuals and sects rejected the truth and deviated from the straight path. Do Not Follow Mere Speculations One incorrect use of the intellect is to jump to conclusions by following whatever comes to mind, especially when it comes to the matter of religion. By doing so, one is basing his religion on mere speculation. Allāh ta‘ālā states regarding those who disbelieve in the Hereafter, Conclusion We must understand that our duty as Muslims is to submit wholeheartedly to the beliefs and teachings of Islām, whether our intellects are able to comprehend or not. This can only be done when one acknowledges the limitations of the intellect, thus accepting the knowledge received through wahy. We should be confident in this regard and should avoid attempting to justify all the injunctions of Dīn through the intellect. May Allāh ta‘ālā grant us the ability to totally submit our intellects to wahy and grant us steadfastness on Dīn. Āmīn. Extracted from Riyādul Jannah, Vol. 29 No. 9, 2020 © Riyādul Jannah

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: “The best of Muslims is he from whose hand and tongue, other Muslims are safe.” (Muslim) “The best of people are those with the most excellent character.” (Tabarâni) “The best prayers for women are those performed in the most secluded parts of their houses.” (Ibn Khuzaymah) “The best of you are those who feed others and return greetings.” (Abu Ya’lâ) “The best of that which you treat yourself with is cupping.” (Hâkim) “The best of days that you should perform cupping are the 17th, 19th and 21st of the month. I did not pass a single gathering of angels on the night of Isrâ’ except that they would say to me, ‘O Muhammad, perform cupping!’” (Ahmad) “The most beloved of deeds according to Allah are the continuous ones, even if they are little.” (Bukhari) “The most beloved words according to Allah the Most High are four: Subhânallah, Alhamdulillâh, Lâ ilâhaillallah and Allahu Akbar.” (Muslim) “The best of provision is that which suffices a person.” (Ahmad) “The most beloved word according to me is that which is most truthful.” (Bukhâri) “The best word of remembrance is: Lâ ilâha illallah and the best supplication is: Alhamdulillâh.” (Tirmidhî) “The best of charity is that which is given to the relative that harbours enmity against you.” (Ahmad) “The best prayer is that with the longest (Qiyaam) standing.” (Muslim) “The best of all worship is supplication (dua).” (Hâkim) Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam was asked: “Which of the believers are the most intelligent?” He replied, “Those who remember death the most and are best prepared for what comes after it. They are the intelligent ones.” (Tabraani) Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

VIOLENCE by Israhel-lis in capital letters The Israeli occupation police stormed the well-known Palestinian restaurant of " The Old Man and the Sea " in the occupied city of Jaffa, assaulted the workers and closed it for 30 days.Eye On Palestine (@eye.on.palestine) • Instagram photos and videos The Israeli occupation forces brutally assaulting Palestinian young men in Silwan village, this morning. www.instagram.com/p/CWtDzoEliAu/

Belgium moving forward Belgium’s foreign office has announced on Wednesday that it will label all products produced in West Bank Israeli settlements, considered illegal under international law. Israel slammed Belgian's decision and canceled meetings with the Belgian Foreign Ministry and the country's parliament. www.instagram.com/p/CWtsLJPNgoX/

Facebook censors Palestinian accounts

Q. Party A wishes to marry Party B. However, they reside in different countries. If they have a virtual Nikah over video call will this be valid? (Question published as received) A. It is a condition for the Nikah to be valid that both parties and/or their representatives, as well as the witnesses, be present at the meeting in which the Nikah is officiated. Hence, at the place where the Nikah is being conducted, representation from both parties must be present. If only one party is present and the other party is participating in the proceedings over a video call, this will not fulfil the requirement for a valid Nikah. It should be noted that the absent party can appoint a representative to represent them at the Nikah meeting. This will fulfil the requirement for the Nikah to be valid. (Shaami Vol. 3 pg. 21) And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best Mufti Ismaeel Bassa Mufti Moosa Salie (The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.) Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)

Jordan-Israhell deal Yesterday: #Israel, #Jordan and the #UAE are expected to sign a deal today in Dubai under which a solar plant in the Jordanian desert will generate power for Israel, in exchange for a desalination plant in Israel that will provide Jordan with water www.instagram.com/p/CWoS99OK3vg/ Jordan University students chanted for Palestine in rejection of the brand new Israel-Jordan deal, through which a solar power plant will be constructed in Jordan to generate electricity for 'Israel', while a desalination plant established in 'Israel' will send water to Jordan. www.instagram.com/p/CWoIjDnFXwv/ (Traitors to their own!)

The Israeli occupation forces demolished a house in Al Carmel town, in massfer Yatta today, and moved to Al Derat village and demolished a new cemetery in the village. (The family's clothes are drying in teh background!)

Today, The Israeli bulldozers demolished an underconstruction Palestinian residential building near the barbed fence in Wadi Al-Hummos neighborhood, which is part Sur Baher village in Jerusalem, but located out side the Apartheid Wall. By @abushaqrahhisham

Demolitions continue... Monastery takeover

Question I read your answer titled ‘Can a wife refuse her husband’s call to bed?’ in which, in light of the many Prophetic Hadiths, you stated that a wife has a religious obligation to fulfil the sexual needs of her husband unless she has an excuse. Is this ruling only for the wife, or can it be extended to the husband? Does the husband also have a religious duty to fulfil the sexual needs of his wife? ANSWER In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, The right to sexual fulfilment belongs to both the husband and wife, and it is wrong to assume that in Islam only the husband has this privilege. The wife has as much right to expect that her sexual needs are fulfilled as the husband. As such, sexual relations are a right of both spouses. The renowned Hanafi jurist (faqih) Imam Ibn Abidin (Allah have mercy on him) states, ‘Among the effects of marriage is the permissibility of each spouse deriving sexual pleasure from the other.’ (Radd al-Muhtar ala ‘l-Durr al-Mukhtar 3/4) A husband is religiously obliged to fulfil the sexual needs of his wife and not deprive her of this right. Refusing sex without a genuine reason or excuse and using it as a weapon against her constitutes a sin in the eyes of God (i.e. in the next life). Many jurists (fuqaha) hold that it is obligatory for the husband to engage in sexual intimacy with his wife every so often. (See: Bada’i al-Sana’i 2/331) Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Amr (Allah be pleased with him) relates, ‘My father married me off to a woman of good lineage, and he used to consult his daughter-in-law (i.e. my wife) and ask her about her husband. She would say to him, ‘An excellent man, [but] a man who has not slept with us in bed nor removed the veil from us since we came to him!’ When that went on for a long time, my father mentioned it to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace). The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, ‘Send him to me.’ So I went to meet him soon after, and he said, ‘…Have I not been informed that you fast all day and pray all night?’ I said, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah.’ He said, ‘Do not do it. Fast [some days] and do not fast [other days], and pray and sleep, because your body has a right over you, your eye has a right over you, your wife has a right over you, and your visitor has a right over you…..’ (Combined from two variations of the same Hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari no: 4765 and 1874) In this Hadith, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) advised Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Ass (Allah be pleased with him) to be moderate in his worship, and upon learning that he had not slept with his wife, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said to him, ‘Your wife has a right over you,’ clearly defining the husband’s responsibility of fulfilling the sexual and other needs of the wife. Abu Juhayfa relates, ‘The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) joined Salman and Abu al-Darda’ (Allah be pleased with both) together in brotherhood. Salman visited Abu al-Darda’ and saw [his wife] Umm al- Darda’ poorly dressed and thus said to her, ‘What is the matter with you?’ She said, ‘Your brother Abu al-Darda’ has no need of this world [meaning he did not care whether his wife adorned herself for him or not since he was very busy in worshiping Allah].’ Abu al-Darda’ came and made some food for him [i.e. Salman]. Salman said, ‘Eat.’ He replied, ‘I am fasting.’ Salman said, ‘I will not eat unless you eat.’ So he ate. In the night, Abu al-Darda’ went to stand in prayer and Salman said to him, ‘Sleep!’ and so he slept. Then he got up again and Salman said, ‘Sleep!’ When it was the latter part of the night, Salman said, ‘Now get up, and they both prayed together.’ Salman then said to him, ‘Your Lord has a right over you, your self has a right over you and your wife has a right over you, so give each rightful person their due right.’ Abu al-Darda’ came to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) and mentioned this to him and the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, ‘Salman spoke the truth.’ (Sahih al-Bukhari 1867) As such, a husband is religiously obliged to have sexual relations with his wife every so often – enough to maintain her outward and inward chastity such that she does not incline towards committing a sin. If a man consistently refuses his wife, he will be sinful in the sight of Allah. However, as with the case of the husband’s right to sexual intimacy, this obligation is conditional on his physical ability to have sex with his wife. If he is too ill or weak to engage in any sexual activity or fears that having sex with his wife will result in unbearable weakness, then he will not be sinful. All of the above is at the level of law. The spirit of marriage is different. Seeking one’s rights through demands and argumentation contradicts the spirit of marriage, and never solves anything. Rights should always be understood in light of the following Prophetic guidance: ‘The most perfect of believers are those most perfect in character; and the best amongst you are the best of you to your spouses.’ (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 1162) (For more details on this, you may refer to my book, ‘Islamic Guide to Sexual Relations‘ available from most Islamic book retailers). And Allah knows best [Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam Darul Iftaa Leicester , UK Source

Question What are the rights of woman after marriage? If the husband calls the wife to bed, can she say no? Does the husband need the wife’s consent to have Intercourse? If there is no consent, and the wife doesn’t want to, and he forces himself over her, isn’t that rape? ANSWER In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, —– An Important Clarification In light of recent attempts by some to sensationalise my views by taking them out of their intended context and accusing me of “legitimising and vindicating rape within marriage,” I would like to categorically express that the answer below does not, in any way, call for rape within marriage. In fact, it clearly delegitimises rape stating: “… the above does not in any way mean that the husband may force himself over her for sexual gratification…” and “he [the husband] must restrain himself from forcing himself over her”. The answer below merely discusses the religious and Islamic obligation of a wife to fulfill the sexual needs of her husband and not use sex as a weapon against him. The ruling also applies to the husband, in that he has a religious obligation to fulfill the sexual needs of his wife and not deprive her of this right. Refusing sex without a genuine reason (or permission) and using it as a weapon against one’s husband or wife constitutes a sin in the eyes of God (i.e. in the next life), but does not legitimize rape or forced sex in this life. —– Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “When a man calls his wife for sexual intimacy and she refuses him, thus he spends the night in anger, the angels curse her until morning.” (Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim, See: Riyad al-Salihin, no. 281) Sayyiduna Talq ibn Ali (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “When a man calls his wife for sexual intimacy, she should come, even if she is (busy) in the cooking area.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi & Sunan al-Nasa’i) Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “By the one in whose hands is my life, there is not a man who calls his wife for sexual intimacy and she refuses him except that Allah becomes angry with her until her husband is pleased with her.” (Sahih Muslim, No. 1436) The above and other narrations of the beloved of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) clearly signify the importance of the wife obeying her husband in his request for sexual intimacy. It will be a grave sin (in normal circumstances) for the wife to refuse her husband, and even more, if this leads the husband into the unlawful. Imam al-Nawawi (Allah have mercy on him) states in his commentary on the Hadith of Abu Huraira stated above: “This Hadith indicates that it is unlawful (haram) for the wife to refuse her husband for sexual intimacy without a valid reason. Menstruation will not be considered a valid reason, for the husband has a right to enjoy her from above the garment (on top of cloths).” (Sharh Sahih Muslim, P. 1084) However, the above does not in any way mean that the husband may force himself over her for sexual gratification. The Hadith mentions “the husband spends the night in anger or being displeased” which clearly shows that he must restrain himself from forcing himself over her. Had this not been the case, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) would have advised the husband to gain his right in a forceful manner. Similarly, it should be remembered here that, the wife must obey her husband in his request for sexual intimacy unless she has a valid reason. She must obey his as long as she does not have to forego her own rights. As such, if the wife is ill, fears physical harm or she is emotionally drained, etc; she will not be obliged to comply with her husband’s request for sexual intimacy. Rather, the husband would be required to show her consideration. Allah Most High says: “On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear.” (Surah al-Baqarah, 286) Many times it is observed that the husband demands from his wife to fulfil his sexual needs no matter what state she is in, and uses the above quoted Hadiths to impose himself over her. If the wife is not in a state to engage in sexual activities and has a genuine and valid reason, and the husband forces her, then he will be sinful. Muslim husbands should realize that their wives are also humans and not some type of machines that can be switched on whenever they desire! Finally, these matters should be resolved with mutual understanding, regard for one another, love, gentleness and putting one’s spouse before one’s self. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) has reported to have said: “None of you can be a true believer until he loves for his brother/sister what he loves for himself.” The importance of this is even greater in a marital relationship. And Allah Knows Best [Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam Darul Iftaa Leicester , UK Source

Q: Is it necessary for the husband to give his wife an allowance? A: Shariah commands that the husband provide his wife with Nafaqah. Nafaqah entails providing the wife with shelter, food, clothing and the necessities of life in accordance to their financial status and position. Apart from this, it is recommended, though not an obligation, for the husband to also give his wife a monthly allowance to purchase whatever she requires for herself. And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best. أَسكِنوهُنَّ مِن حَيثُ سَكَنتُم مِن وُجدِكُم وَلا تُضارّوهُنَّ لِتُضَيِّقوا عَلَيهِنَّ وَإِن كُنَّ أُولـٰتِ حَملٍ فَأَنفِقوا عَلَيهِنَّ حَتّىٰ يَضَعنَ حَملَهُنَّ فَإِن أَرضَعنَ لَكُم فَـٔاتوهُنَّ أُجورَهُنَّ وَأتَمِروا بَينَكُم بِمَعروفٍ وَإِن تَعاسَرتُم فَسَتُرضِعُ لَهُ أُخرىٰ ﴿٦﴾ لِيُنفِق ذو سَعَةٍ مِن سَعَتِهِ وَمَن قُدِرَ عَلَيهِ رِزقُهُ فَليُنفِق مِمّا ءاتىٰهُ اللَّـهُ لا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّـهُ نَفسًا إِلّا ما ءاتىٰها سَيَجعَلُ اللَّـهُ بَعدَ عُسرٍ يُسرًا ﴿الطلاق: ٧﴾ عن عائشة أن هند بنت عتبة قالت يا رسول الله إن أبا سفيان رجل شحيح وليس يعطيني ما يكفيني وولدي إلا ما أخذت منه وهو لا يعلم فقال خذي ما يكفيك وولدك بالمعروف (صحيح البخاري رقم 5049) باب النفقة هي لغة ما ينفقه الإنسان على عياله وشرعا ( هي الطعام والكسوة والسكنى ) (الدر المختار 3/571-572) ( فتجب للزوجة ... على زوجها ... بقدر حالهما ) به يفتى قال الشامي: قوله ( به يفتى ) ... قال في البحر واتفقوا على وجوب نفقة الموسرين إذا كانا موسرين وعلى نفقة المعسرين إذا كانا معسرين وإنما الاختلاف فيما إذا كان أحدهما موسرا والآخر معسرا فعلى ظاهر الرواية الاعتبار لحال الرجل فإن كان موسرا وهي معسرة فعليه نفقة الموسرين وفي عكسه نفقة المعسرين وأما على المفتى به فتجب نفقة الوسط في المسألتين وهو فوق نفقة المعسرة ودون نفقة الموسرة (رد المحتار 3/572-575) Answered by: Mufti Zakaria Makada Checked & Approved: Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)

Naftali Bennett Hamas is a radical Islamic group that targets innocent Israelis & seeks Israel's destruction. I welcome the UK’s intention to declare Hamas a terrorist organization in its entirety — because that’s exactly what it is. Thank you to my friend @BorisJohnson for your leadership.

Hamas reacts with fury as Britain moves to ban group UK Home Secretary Priti Patel is pushing to ban the Palestinian movement under the Terrorism Act. Hamas has condemned a move by Britain towards banning the group as a terrorist organisation which could see supporters of the Palestinian movement face up to 14 years in prison. Home Secretary Priti Patel, who will push for the ban in Parliament next week, argued on Friday that it was not possible to distinguish between Hamas’s political and military wings. She called Hamas “fundamentally and rabidly anti-Semitic”, adding the proscription was required to protect the Jewish community. Hamas responded in a statement, saying: “Instead of apologising and correcting its historical sin against the Palestinian people … [Britain] supports the aggressors at the expense of the victims.” That comment referred to the Balfour Declaration and British Mandate, which it said handed “Palestinian lands to the Zionist movement”. “Resisting occupation, by all available means, including armed resistance, is a right guaranteed by international law to people under occupation,” added the statement. The group called on its supporters to condemn the UK’s move, as it described Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands, forcible displacement of Palestinians, the demolition of their homes, and the siege of more than two million people in Gaza Strip, as “terrorism”. Patel, who is on a trip to Washington, DC, said her move was “based upon a wide range of intelligence, information and also links to terrorism”. Continue reading at al-jazeera

Tension reported in the old city of Jerusalem today Witnesses are talking about an armed clashes with occupation forces. Number of Israeli soldiers and settlers were injured in shooting that happened in the old city of Jerusalem.

Palestinian land turned onto a garabage dump A silent weapon used by the Israeli Occupation to keep a tight grip on the remaining lands of the West Bank... A weapon, that brings diseases and slow death upon Palestinians, toxifies the environment, and harms animals. About the Occupation’s disposal of its waste in the West Bank…

Wrong body delivered to family! The Isra-helli occupation forces postponed the release of the body Amjad Abu Sultan (14) which was supposed to be today at an Israeli military checkpoint in the West of Bethlehem city. He was killed by the occupation forces near Bethlehem on 14.10.2021,The family of the child discovered that the body wasn't the body of their son Amjad. Eye On Palestine (@eye.on.palestine) • Instagram photos and videos

A book, Perfect Madness by Judith Warner, published by Riverhead Books, tells us that during her research, Warner discovered that: “Seventy percent of American moms say they find motherhood today ‘incredibly stressful.’” “Thirty percent of mothers of young children reportedly suffer from depression.” In the lands where all that glitters is somehow perceived to be gold and therefore desirable, women are discovering that playing roles that were not ordained for them by God is not all it is cracked up to be. Women in the West, who have long been battling both themselves and the natural order to be “superwomen,” are finding that banging their heads on the glass ceiling is giving them more than a headache. They are finding themselves on a merry-go-round that will not stop. Their makeup and their hair must be perfect; their size must be unrealistically thin; their children must be perfect, talented, and high achievers; their houses must be spotless; and all this must be achieved in the stolen hours between working and sleeping. This is more than just struggling against the glass ceiling in pursuit of career goals: It is banging your head against a wall on a relentless and ongoing basis. As Judith Warner states, “I have seen so many mothers banging their heads against a wall: treating their pain – the chronic headache of their lives – with sleeping pills, antidepressants and anxiety meds, and a more and more potent, more and more vicious self-and-other-attacking form of anxious perfectionism.” The chronic headache of their lives …! Is that a life? This is mere survival in a life of stress and loneliness. The superwoman goal is unachievable not because women are incapable, but because they fail to see that fulfilling natural and predestined roles is undoubtedly the real super achievement. Playing mother, wife, and career woman all at the same time is not an enviable position, and, except in cases of necessity, the woman’s role as caregiver and homemaker should take precedence over career and outside activities. Islam defines women as superwomen – but with a different meaning. Islam recognizes that the role of wife and mother is of paramount importance. Islam defines marriage as half of the religion. Islam clearly states that Heaven lies at the feet of mothers. Islam goes much further than just recognition; it clearly defines the roles that women play and states rights and obligations with clarity and common sense. The role of a mother in bringing up children is greater than that of a father. She is responsible for their emotional, behavioral, and intellectual development. She is responsible for instilling the love of Islam in them, especially in their early formative years. When a woman understands the teachings of Islam and her own role in life, she understands her complete responsibility for the upbringing of her children, as is referred to in the Quran: “O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones.” (Quran 66:6) More than 40 years ago, Muslim women who were secure in their roles and their lives could see the damage being caused by a Western lifestyle. In 1962 after observing her Western sisters, Salma Al-Haffar said in the Damacus newspaper Al-Ayyam,: “It is truly a shame that women lose the most precious thing that nature has given them, that is, their femininity, and then their happiness, because the constant cycle of exhausting work has caused them to lose the small paradise which is the natural refuge of women and men alike, a refuge that can only flourish under the care of a mother who stays at home. The happiness of individuals and society as a whole is to be found at home, in the lap of the family; the family is the source of inspiration, goodness and creativity.” Nowadays, a woman is often forced to make choices that are not easy. Often, she feels that she must work to help financially support the family. Often, she is the family’s sole breadwinner. However, before we focus blame on the stresses and demands of society today and blame them for the destruction of family values and the pain and anguish of failing supermoms, let’s recall how we have unrealistically idealized women’s lives in the 21st century. On the other hand, the lives of Muslim women must be guided only by the precepts of the Quran and the Sunnah. We must not be fooled by slogans such as “times have changed.” The Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, was sent with a message for all mankind, in all times and in all places. The guidelines sent down to us by our Creator, God Almighty, are perfect and cover all situations. God made it clear that a woman’s first responsibility is to her Creator, then to her husband, and then to her home. There is nothing in Islam that prevents a woman from continuing her education, from working or from pursuing outside activities. Nothing, that is, except the well-being of her family. The importance that Islam places upon marriage is clear. “And among His signs is this that He has created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity with them; and He has put love and mercy between you. Verily in that are signs for those who reflect.” (Quran 30:21) The usual by-product of marriage is children, and these children are the future of society. What greater role can there be than that of mother? How can the women who fulfill this role be regarded as anything but superwomen? Women who understand their religion are secure in the fact that God Most High knows what is best for His slaves. Women must be vigilant, for our society’s future rests in their hands, and being burnt out supermoms achieves nothing but stress and anxiety. Unfortunately, many non-Western women today are blindly rushing to follow a well-worn road. It is a road of consumerism and excess, and it leads nowhere. That nowhere has no substance; it is merely a feeling of emptiness and loss. It is better not to follow such women into oblivion; let us learn from their mistakes. As is evident from the research found in Perfect Madness, the Western lifestyle being clutched to so desperately is not a cure for what ails us. The motherhood that needs to be sought is compatible with God Most High. That is it, nothing more. If we achieve this, we are the real superwomen; the true supermoms. By Sister Aisha S jamiat.org