Women Rights of Inheritance in Islam

Islam is the religion in which every aspect of life is being discussed and managed no matter what’s the issue in the life of human beings. We can say that Islam is the complete code of life. Religion Islam organizes a Muslim’s life by issuing many rules and laws which guarantee an honorable and happy life for each Muslim. Everyone is included in these laws; rulers, men, women, children, poor and sick people, and all other individuals living in the society. Since women form a main part of the society and most of their rights were denied in the pre-Islamic periods. 

Islam has honored women by issuing many laws to protect them and to give them a noble life. The distinct and fixed right of inheritance is one of these laws which Islam set for women. In comparison with other religions, Islam has guaranteed equal right of inheritance for women.

Allah Almighty says in Holy Quran: “For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much — an obligatory share.” (Quran 4:7)

From the above verse, we can conclude that Allah (SWT) mentioned clearly about the rights of inheritance for both men and women. It also clarifies the rights of women in inheritance that were not known before. Many people claim that Islam does injustice to women in case of inheritance but it’s not true. Allah Almighty offered a full and detailed method of women’s inheritance in the Quran and Sunnah, if someone wants to know about it they can read from Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

One of the companions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) Sa’ad ibn Abi Waqqas was ill and requested to devise the majority of his wealth as charity, or a half of it since he was wealthy and only had one daughter. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) forbade him and only allowed him to give a third, and said: “A third and a third is a lot, and it is better that you leave your heirs wealthy rather than leave them needy begging from the people. You will not spend anything seeking Allah’s countenance but you receive a reward for that expenditure, even the morsel of food you put into your wife’s mouth.” (Bukhari)
Due to the result of Islam’s interest in giving each person in the family his or her right of inheritance, came very specific and evident to fit all changes of families in different cases. In Holy Quran Allah Almighty clearly defined the rights of inheritance for both men and women in a way: “Allah (thus) direct you as regards your children’s (inheritance) to the male, a portion equal to that of two females. If only daughters, two or more, their share is two-thirds of the inheritance. If only one, her share is a half. For parents, a sixth share of the inheritance to each, if the deceased left children. If no children and the parents are the (only) heirs, the mother has a third. If the deceased has brothers (or sisters) the mother has a sixth. After payment of legacy and debts. Ye know not whether the parents or your children are nearest to you in benefit. These are settled portions ordained by Allah, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” (Quran, 4: 11)

In short, Islam came up at the time when the status of a woman was at everlasting low and her rights were totally underprivileged. Islam has never failed to constantly improve the status of the women to the highest standard by giving an equal treatment to them as that of men. Islam is the only religion that gives women fair rights of inheritance.

Noorani Travel Ltd services

If you are planning for Hajj or Umrah this year, then contact “Noorani Travel Ltd” and choose your best Umrah packages. We have the huge range of Umrah packages and Hajj packages. Call us for further details: ***0208 819 3505***

source: quranreading.com

Social Role of Muslim Women in Islam

The Holy Book Quran declares that men and women are created from one soul to be partners to each other, that male and female have the same religious responsibilities, and both genders will receive like rewards on the Day of Judgment. There is a difference between Islam and tradition. Some Muslim countries or societies may be seen as oppressive to women but if you take a closer look, it is their traditions and culture rather than Islam that suppresses and deprives women of their rights. Islam, on the other hand, liberates women and gives them rightful standing in society, unlike any religion or race.

When we talk about the role of women in Islam then we have to discuss it in detail which we are going to discuss in this article about women and Islam and her role in Islam and society in which she is living as a Muslim woman. Islam has given dignity and respect to Muslim women in society and in religion Islam that didn’t give in any other religion.

Role of Muslim women in Islam:

There have been many misconceptions about the real role of Muslim women in Islam. Many people view Islam as a religion that oppresses and suppress women but they are wrong. Most non-Muslims who are completely unfamiliar with the teachings and belief of Islam turn to paint Islam with a brutal brush. From the beginning, Islam worked on creating equality among people and tried to eliminate the different barriers created by people that distinguished them from one another and let them feel superior or inferior.

Allah (SWT) stated many times in the Holy Book Quran about the role of women and even dedicated a whole Surah to them (Surah An-Nisa). Clearly Allah does not make any distinguishing about the importance of men and women, to Allah both men and women are equal as he stated in the Quran “To whomever, male or female, does good deeds and has faith, We shall give a good life and reward them according to the best of their actions.” (Quran, 16:97). From this ayah, it can be clearly proved that in the eyes of Allah both men and women are equal.

Islam considered to give women an equal entity and declared their status as a beneficial and important part of the society and did whatever possible to ensure that women experienced and enjoyed the same respect in the society like men. Women make up half of society and they are responsible for the nurturing, guidance and transformation of the successive generations. It is the woman who pervades principles and faith into the souls of the nation.

The Prophet (SAW) said. “The pursuit of knowledge is a duty of every Muslim, man, and woman.”From this saying of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), we can say that education is compulsory for both men and women and Islam gave an equal right to women to get the education but also opened the door to a better understanding. When a woman will be educated then she can up bring her children in a good and an Islamic way according to the teachings of Allah Almighty.

The biggest example of the rising of women can be seen in the Quran, where Allah Almighty addresses both men and women alike related to the giving of commandments. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:

“The Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the worshipping men and worshipping women, the truthful men and truthful women, the pious men and pious women, the alms-giving men and the alms-giving women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who are chaste and the women who are chaste, the men who remember Allah much and the women who do likewise, Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward for all.” (Quran, 33:35)

From above ayah, we can conclude that Allah Almighty has associated the same qualities of dignity and piety with women the same as He has associated with men. Allah Almighty said women are equal to men and women must also possess the same level and kind of dignity as men must.

Social Role of Muslim Women

Now we will discuss the role of Muslim women in different areas of life in a society which gave her by Almighty Allah. At a social level, Islam recognizes the different roles that women have in society and makes sure that women receive respect and devotion for their place in the society. In Islam, women are great mothers, obedient daughters, caring wives and equal sisters. We will discuss these roles of women in light of some verses and hadiths:

• Women as Mother: Islam holds great respect for mother and endorses the followers to respect their mothers. “Paradise is at the feet of the mother.” Islam recognizes the great role that women play in the upbringing of the children and that the future of mankind and of societies depends on mothers. The paradise mentioned by the Holy Prophet (SAW) refers to both the social paradise that can be achieved in Islam and the heavenly paradise. Therefore, mothers have been placed in a position of the highest respect. Referring to respecting the parents in their old age, Allah Almighty says in Quran: “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to parents. When one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor repel them but address them in terms of honor.”(Quran, 17:23). From an ayah, we can conclude that the mother has the same rights in old age on children as the father. No Muslim is allowed to discriminate between father and mother.

• Women as Sister and Daughter: Women as a daughter, her importance is such that the Holy Prophet (SAW) tells us: “He who brings up his daughters well, and makes no distinction between them and his sons, will be close to me in Paradise.” Islam ensures that in both these roles sister and daughter women enjoy absolute respect, care, and protection. In Islam both male child and female child are equal and a parent is as responsible for the education and upbringing of female children as they are responsible for the male. Moreover, as far as the brother-sister relation is concerned, it is respected in Islam and brothers and sisters are to respect and treat each other well. In the Quran, Allah Almighty says: “He bestows female (offspring) upon whom He wills, and bestows male (offspring) upon whom He wills.”(Quran, 42:49). In Islam, there is no discrimination between male and female children and they both should get an equal education.

• Women as Wife: The character of men in an Islamic society is established in relation to their treatment of women. As our beloved Prophet (SAW) mentioned: “The best from among you is one who behaves best towards his wife.” Islam is the first religion that settled the rights of women as wives and associated the element of giving respect to them. Allah says in Holy Quran: “And among His signs is this that He created wives from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility, with them, and He put love and mercy between your (hearts).”(Quran, 30:21). Therefore, the love that produces tranquility is put in the heart of both the partners; hence, husband and wife both have the duty of caring and loving each other for a healthy relationship. Also, women are the caretakers of men in the same way men are the caretakers of women.

Muslim women should understand the rights and roles that Islam has given to her and then in the light of those rights and roles, she must perform all the social and Islamic roles with absolute dedication and commitment. Islam is really the complete way of life and a divine religion that is not lacking in any sense, let alone upholding women’s right.

source: quranreading.com

Mother’s Day

How many times have you been reminded of the above verse? But time and again we forget ourselves and overstep the limits. Yet, parents are parents, and at the end of the day, you’ll always be their darling child. Parenting is a ginormous responsibility which Allah has blessed some people with; the number of sacrifice parents goes through to ensure their child gets the best start in life is unparalleled. Sleepless nights, tiresome days, coupled with continuous forbearance and patience is just a small part of parenthood.

Now it’s our turn to give back. Though we can never ever repay our parents for the time and effort they dedicated to us; we can show them gratitude.

It’s Mother’s Day, and many children will be encouraged to draw cards, write cute messages and purchase gifts for their beloved mothers, who will welcome them with open arms and a heart-warming smile. It seems harmless, giving your mother a gift, making her happy; right?

It’s true there is no harm in buying gifts for your mother, treating her, and bringing a smile to her face, but the issue is when we assign a particular day and turn it into a celebration.

By incorporating Mother’s Day into our lifestyle, we are only imitating the disbelievers. For Mother’s Day was originated by a certain Anna Jarvis who held a memorial day for her mother who had died, the event soon becomes a celebration and in 1914 Woodrow Wilson took it to the Calendar’s an official “day”. Later in her life, Anna Jarvis regretted that it had become a commercialized celebration.

But Mother’s Day also has more sinister origins than Anna Jarvis’ commemorations. It is in fact linked to the Christian 40 days of Lent in which they remember the events leading up to the supposedly ‘crucifixion’ of whom they call Christ the son of god, and is more correctly called ‘Mothering Sunday’. It falls on the fourth Sunday of the season of Lent, also called Laetare Sunday, on which Catholics and Anglicans would visit their ‘Mother Church.’ It was later adapted for all; Protestants and Catholics alike by Constance Smith. Today it is commercialized for all, no matter their religion.

Other origins of Mother’s Day are found in Roman and Greek tradition, mothering festivals were held in honor of their mother gods Rhea and Cybele.

Hence to engage in the celebration of Mother’s Day even with just a small card, is to participate in these Christo-pagan practices, which are in reality celebrations of associating partners with Allah. As Muslims, we do not believe Jesus to be the son of God, nor do we believe in Cybele or Rhea, so why would we participate in their celebrations?

In addition, by merging such festivals into the Muslim calendar is to blur the lines between the different religions. As Muslims, it is our duty to preserve our identity, and maintain the uniqueness and purity of Islam. Muslims have their own holidays and festivals to joyously celebrate, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha.

To us Muslims, every day is Mother’s Day, in the sense that every day we should strive to make our mothers happy. And every day we should honor, respect, and serve our mothers.

Abu Hurayrah reported that a person said, “Allah’s Messenger, who amongst the people is most deserving of my good treatment?” He (peace be upon him) said, “Your mother, again your mother, again your mother, then your father, then your nearest relatives according to the order (of nearness).” (Sahih Muslim)

source: saudigazette.com.sa