Muslim Women-the Hidden Jewels of the Muslim Community

     Ramadhan will be starting soon and it is important that we prepare not only our physical surroundings but our psychological being to welcome this great month.
     
Muslims today live in the last days. We are fortunate to live in the best time and also in the worst time in the history of mankind.     It is the best of times because we live in the era of technology where the world has become like a global village. It is because of this and the volume of information that comes to us via the telephone, television and internet system that we can learn about events taking place throughout the world as they occur.      

We also live in the worst time in all history because we live the age of Dajjal. This is the time when it is difficult to follow the path of Islam. In fact, following the path of Islam in these times can lead to suffering, persecution and even death. We know this becuase in many parts of the world today, our Muslim brothers are dying and we see on television our Muslim sisters in tears. It is in these times that the Muslim women must shine like the most precious and valuable jewels of the entire Muslim community. A valuable, beautiful jewel has many facets and so too does the Muslim woman.

     The world looks at our Muslim sisters in their hijabs and black burqahs as a sign of backwardness and fanaticism. What they have not realized is that the black burqahs and the hijabs is a form of protection and comfort. Muslim women are beautiful but if her beauty is not seen, then she will not be attacked by physical eyes, hands or unseen evil beings. She will therefore be more protected and comfortable to move around in society for her daily needs.     Just as we love jewellery and just as a jewel shines for all to see, so to must the Muslim woman shine in her dealings with all. She displays love and kindness to children and to her Muslim sisters. This means that wherever she lives, she will try to assist those in need and at the very least remember those Muslims who are being persecuted in her prayers.      

      Another facet of the Muslim woman’s character is that she has endurance and faith in Allah. Therefore in the face of difficulties and problems in this world, she will be a source of strength to others, as she will have in her heart the verses from the Holy Qur’an:-            

Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere- (Al Qur’an 2:155)     

The Muslim woman is the repository of knowledge for the Muslim community. The women are the first teachers of Islamic knowledge and they are the ones to instil in the hearts of their children, love for Islam. It is also important to remember that in countries where Muslims are attacked and killed, it will be the Muslim woman who will carry the torch of Islamic knowledge. She must not only have Islamic knowledge but academic knowledge as well so that she can understand issues as they occur in the world and be able to combat the propaganda instilled by others about Islam. This is one of the most crucial facets of her character in today’s world.     

Another aspect of the Muslim woman is that she follows the laws from the Holy Qur’an where it says:-          Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that ye may learn self-restraint (Al Qur’an 2:183)So it is that the Muslim woman fasts in the month of Ramadhan. 

In addition to this, she prays and recites dhikr to develop her self spiritually. It is, therefore, she who would more fully understand the verse in the Qur’an:-          

And hold fast altogether by the Rope which Allah (stretches out for you) and be not divided amongst yourselves. (Al Qur’an 3:103)

So it is that the Muslim woman recognises another Muslim woman wearing a hijab and feels a connection with her even if they never meet. The Muslim woman knows that she may never live to see the Prophet Isa (May Allah be pleased with him). She also knows that she may never see Dajjal with her eyes and may never have the opportunity to join the army of Imam Mahdi. But as a Muslim woman, she would ensure that her children and future generations would recognize them and be able to join them when they do arrive. The only way she can do this is to develop her own qalb (heart) and then assist those around her to develop theirs.       

It is in the month of Ramadhan that the Muslim woman would further develop all the facets of herself. As such, the Muslim woman knows that all knowledge comes from Allah and she welcomes Ramdhan as it is the training ground to develop all her capabilities. She also welcomes Ramadhan as it provides sanctuary in the last days of our world.