Family and Women Affairs

Question 65: Can a Muslim consider his failure in life as a kind of test by almighty God?

Answer 65: Failure in one’s life may have different reasons:

1. Failure to understand the rules of life and failure to recognize the law of causality and its effects on the results. Islam demands action and taking one’s way in life to search for rules, earning one’s living, and desiring God’s graces. Anyone who does not act and does not acquire anything but surrender to despair and gloom, and wait for the goodness and Godspeed to come to him effortlessly must be violating the command of almighty God and the teachings of Islam. God says: “… so walk in the path thereof and eat of His provision. And to Him will be the Resurrection” (Holy Qur’an: 67:15)

2. The reason for one’s failure in life might be due to a punishment by God for his evil acts and intentions. Success in life is a blessing from God that might be denied to certain people. For instance, one who does not cooperate with people, help those in adversity, give a hand to the weak, relieve those having difficulties, and does not meet the needs of the paupers, such a person, if he/she has a problem or suffers from some difficult circumstances and God does not save him from his/her agony and gloom, he has to know that reward is the same as the act, and prophet Muhammad says: “Anyone who helps one in difficulty, God will help him in this life and in the hereafter, and almighty God said: “As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to God and fears Him, And believes in al-Husna, We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness). But who is greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient. And belies Al-Husna, We will make smooth for him the path for evil.” (Holy Qur’an: 92:5-10) and said also: “But the evil plot encompasses only him who makes it.” (Holy Qur’an: 35:43)

3. The visitation could be from God to his slaves in order to test their patience and faith. Surely, there might not be any lack of understanding of the divine rules which run life, and man might not be remiss in his/her action, and he/she might not have an evil intention towards others, yet he/she finds obstacles in the path of his life. In this way, the visitation is from God to probe the extent of the faith of the one inflicted, the extent of his strong belief and his adherence to principles. Almighty God said: “…and we shall make a trial of you with evil and with good. And to us you will be returned” (Holy Qur’an: 21:35). When a true believer inflicted he/she is patient, satisfied, contented, not feeling sorry for what he misses from the joys of life because his hopes will be much concentrated on the God’s reward in the hereafter. Prophet Muhammad says: “The case of the believer is fascinating, all of his situations are good for him; if he is granted provision he thanks God, which is good for him; and if he is inflicted with adversity, he is patient, and that is good for him too. That is not meant for anyone but the believer.”¹

Question 66: If there is no celibacy in Islam, why do the Sufi groups exist?

Answer 66: Truly, in Islam, there is no celibacy, that is, to abstain from marriage and prevent oneself from legal desires and pleasures. Islam has replaced this term with what goes along with its rules, as Prophet Muhammad said: “Jihad (holy war) is the celibacy of Islam.”² Some people understood the meaning of celibacy to be abstaining from life and having a passive stance towards it. Islam considers jihad in the path of God to spread the religion of God and defend the truth that God has revealed as celibacy of Muslims. It is the Islamic positivety versus negativity of others.

It is a fact that many Sufi groups exist in the Islamic world. These groups originally emerged as a reaction against the kind of luxurious life certain Islamic societies were enjoying. This motivated them to adopt the call for asceticism and reduce the interest in life at the expense of the hereafter and the necessity to keep away from all that drives the attention from almighty God. None of these groups did really call for celibacy; if they had done, their action would undoubtedly be sinful. Islam renders enjoying good things legal; it prohibits abominations and calls for marriage. It even made marriage and reproduction desirable so that the nation would increase in number, and goodness increases alongside it. Those are taken-for-granted matters, which all people know and do not need a proof or evidence for. This is how the story of Sufism began, and in the course of time and as a result of ignorance in religion and having little or no contacts with scholars, deviation and extremism spread among many of these groups. By the time they became, however, at complete distance from the guidance of Islam, its orthodox teachings and rules. In order to achieve all goodness Muslims should commit themselves to the guidance of the Noble Qur’an, the path of the prophetic traditions, as they contain all that makes one do without the thought and understanding of people.

Question 67: How can you interpret the contradiction between a Muslim’s acts (like prayer, fasting, pilgrimage) and his/her daily behavior and manner, especially when dealing with people?

Answer 67: It goes without saying that Islam should guide the Muslim in both his/her private and public life. The purpose of prayer is to proscribe adultery and evil, as almighty God said: “Verily, the prayer prevents from great sins of every kind, and every kind of evil wicked deed” (Holy Qur’an: 29:45). This should be the norm, but, often, we do not find the proper effect of prayer and the other forms of worship on a good number of people. It seems that a great deal of them are not sincere and in their worship and do not take their prayers seriously. They lack the education and enlightenment that help them perform their rituals perfectly. It is only when these people take their religious affairs more carefully, honestly, and faithfully that their worshipping rituals will have its true effect on their lives; consequently, end any likely contradiction between their worships and daily interactions with the society.

Chapter 2:

Matterss of Physical and Moral Cleanness

Question 68: When is a person considered to be pure from the Islamic point of view?

Answer 68: Purity in Islam has two meanings: moral and physical. Moral purity is embodied in the belief in almighty God only and not believing in another deity besides Him. It also involves belief in God’s messengers/prophets, in His books, in the hereafter and the prerequisites of faith. What is also involved here is the cleanliness of the heart from grudge, from vanity, from hypocrisy, from pride and jealousy; and the acquisition of all virtues so that one may aspire above any immoral act or sinful custom.

As to the physical purity (hygiene and cleanliness), this can be of two kinds for man:

1. Purity or purification from major hadath (for men and women after a sexual intercourse; for women, after the menstruation period) by bathing. And purity from a minor hadath (after sleep and in case something comes out from the human body, whether material or immaterial) by ablution. All of that has a great deal of details, but they have no place here to discuss.

2. Cleanliness from impurities: one should keep away from all forms of impurities in terms of body, and clothes, and should remove any likely traces of such things as blood, urine, excrescence, wine, etc. If man’s heart is clear from polytheism, and endowed with moral virtues; and if man abstains from bad manners and cleans his body from impurities and dirt, he/she will be completely pure in the view of Islam.

Question 69: What is the relationship between the purity of the soul and that of the body?

Answer 69: Islam insists on purity (which of course include cleanliness and hygiene), as it accounts for half of the religion. Almighty God said: “Truly, God loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a bath and cleaning and washing thoroughly their private parts, bodies, for their prayers)” (Holy Qur’an 1: 222). Prophet Muhammad: “Cleanliness constitutes half man’s faith.”³ He also said: “God is gracious and loves graciousness, He is Pure and loves purity and.”⁴

Purity, as such is values and beauty. But cleanliness of the soul and the heart from moral abominations is more important than the cleanliness of the body from material dirt and impurities. Islam insists on purity in general and the purity of the soul and the heart in particular. Anyone whose heart is pure and clean, his/her appearance is bound to be so, and vice-versa. This is the basis and the principle upon which the Islamic values are based. If this principle is missing in people’s lives, they will never know cleanliness, neither spiritually nor physically. The manifestations of physical cleanliness, which non-Muslims seem to enjoy, are not more than a deceptive appearance from afar. If one approaches any of them, he/she would mostly likely sense a disgusting smell coming out of them. This is not to mention purity of their soul and heart, which has no place in those who do not really believe in God. The least contemplation of the situation of the non-Islamic societies would give us so much evidence and proof.

Question 70: When a person embraces Islam, is it obligatory upon him/her to have a bath or shower?

Answer 70: Bathing or taking a shower for those who embrace Islam is a divine requirement. It is required and strongly recommended both physically and morally. What a beautiful beginning for one who embraces this religion, after saying the testimony, with the intention of starting a new period in his life based on physical and moral cleanliness. Also, it could be possible that the one who has embraced Islam has had a sexual intercourse with his wife. This, as such, confirms bathing and it becomes obligatory, as it is seen by the majority of scholars. The purpose of this bathing is the emphasis of the cleanliness.

Question 71: When a person embraces Islam, will ablution suffice for a bath, or is a bath obligatory?

Answer 71: Ablution does not exempt one who has embraced Islam from having a bath.

Question 72: If a person wants to embrace Islam and does not find water, what can he do?

Answer 72: Absence of water does not prevent one from embracing Islam. He embraces Islam and says the testimony: “There is no deity by God, and Muhammad is His Messenger”, then he/she can bathe when water becomes available.

Question 73: Is removing hair for one wanting to embrace Islam obligatory? And is that a part of purity and/or cleanliness?

Answer 73: The question about hair here is a vague one, for it does not specify which hair should be removed. However, if it refers to the hair of the head, it is not required to be removed, as it is not considered part of cleanliness to remove it. However, prophet Muhammad (pbuh) related: “Any man who has long hair, should honor it”, i.e. keep it clean and tidy. As to the moustaches and the beard, Islam shows their rule in the saying of the prophet: “Trim the moustaches and leave the beards.” So Muslims are required by this hadith to cut the hair of the moustache so that the edge of the upper lip could be seen; and to leave without shaving it, because it is an emblem of Islam and a sign of manhood.

As to the hair of the armpit and pubic hair (round the private parts) it is recommended to be removed whenever it gets long, but it should not be left for more than forty days. This as well as other things, like trimming the fingernails, is the natural signs according to which God created people.

Question 74: Can a convert wear garments he/she used to put on before his/her conversion while these clothes still have some of his/her sweat on the same clothes?

Answer 74: Sweat is not considered to be an impurity. If these clothes were known to have some impurity on them, like urine, it would suffice to wash them before wearing them again.

Question 75: Is not it self-contradictory in Islam when it urges its followers to be clean and to use water before prayer for cleanliness, and then requires them to use earth when water is not available?

Answer 75: There is no contradiction whatsoever between Islam’s legislative system and any of its rules. As mentioned above, Purity and/or cleanliness is a fundamental requirement in Islam. Using clean earth (or sand) in Islam does not contradict hygiene. The whole process can be summarized as follows: a Muslim can tap the earth with one’s hands without carrying anything, then rubbing the face with his hands. It is a symbolic meaning of the moral cleanliness, which should precede prayer when water is not available to be used in ablution, or when one is unable to use water for some reason, like illness. Observing almighty God’s commands and obeying Him in every matter is the deeper aim of washing one’s face with earth, though it is not regarded as a real cleaning material as much as a symbol of worship and compliance with God’s commands in the establishment of prayer and getting ready for it.

Question 76: In matters related to bathing, why do Muslims waste large amounts of water for bathing, while it might be possible to wash the private parts only, like an apple falling from a bag, it is enough to wash it in isolation of the other apples in the bag.

Answer 76: This sound to be a naïve question and far removed from truth. It is not rational to compare the refined human being (with all his/her qualities, feelings, emotions, texture, cells, nerves, etc.) to a bag of apples! I do not think that it is feasible to compare the sexual intercourse, in which the whole human being interacts and from which the extraction of man’s blood and genes comes, to an apple falling from a bag. This operation may cause a psychological change and form a new creature that has both its development and intricate living world. Islam requires bathing, because it is a rule of the all-knowing God, blessed by the Lord, the Best of Creators.

Question 77: What is Islam’s position regarding women’s circumcision? Isn’t it a savage act and a loss of dignity and abuse of their sexual rights?

Answer 77: Circumcision of women is legal if not desirable in Islam, depending on the state of the woman and her environment. In some countries with hot climate, woman circumcision might become a necessity for a perfect conjugal life with her husband. What harm or bestiality happens to the woman if she is circumcised? There is no difference between the circumcision of a male and that of a female. It is an extra piece of flesh in the body of a little child, which can carefully be removed and for the sake f purity, beauty; which verify the aspects of manhood in the circumcised little boy and the qualities of womanhood in the little girl. We see no wrong with it, and there is no loss whatsoever in dignity.

Question 78: Are Muslims allowed to eat from the food and/or slaughtered animals of the People of the Scripture (Christians and Jews)?

Answer 78: Muslims can at any time eat from the food and/or the slaughtered animals of the people of the book. Almighty God says: “The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals) of the People of the Scripture is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them” (Holy Qur’an: 5:5). This testifies the ease of Islam and its tolerance in dealing with non-Muslims, so that they come closer to Muslim and cohabit with them peacefully. This is the beginning of the way to understand Islam closely through action and behavior, not through speech and pretension only.

Chapter 3:

Matters Relating to Prayer

Question 79: Is it all right for a Muslim to say his/hers prayer in a languages other than Arabic? Can he/she read surah al-fatiha (the opening chapter of the Qur’an) and any other (short) surah in a different language than Arabic? Also, is it obligatory to supplicate and revere God in Arabic only?

Answer 79: Saying one’s prayer cannot not be considered acceptable unless it is read in Arabic. Every non-Arab Muslim should learn some Arabic so that he/she could at least perform his obligatory religious rituals. Arabic is the language of the Qur’an and Islam. However, it is possible only temporarily to read the meaning of the surat al-fatiha in another language (other than Arabic) until the person has learnt to read it in Arabic. It should be emphasized at the same time that learning to read Arabic is easy, especially the Noble Qur’an. Almighty God says: “And We have indeed made the Qur’an easy to understand and remember; then is there an one who will remember (or receive admonition)?” (Holy Qur’an: 54: 17).

As to supplication and glorification in languages other than Arabic it is lawful, though it is preferable to be performed in the language of the Qur’an itself.

Question 80: What is the divine rule regarding a non-committed Muslim who does not perform his/her prayer, not out of denial, but negligence? Is he/she considered to be an infidel?

Answer 80: Prayer is one of the basic pillars of Islam, if not the most important one. It comes second to the declaration of faith (the two testimonies). It is the pillar, which distinguishes the Muslim from the infidel. It is usually the last thing that Muslims maintain from Islam. Any Muslim who abandons it becomes so close to infidelity, if not considered an infidel indeed. Some scholars believe that when a Muslim neglects prayer because of laziness, he/she becomes an infidel. Others regard it as sinful and very close to infidelity, so long as this lazy Muslim recognizes it and believes it is obligation.

Question 81: Is the prayer performed when one is absent-minded or busy about worldly affairs considered to be invalid?

Answer 81: Prayer is not considered invalid when one is absent-minded or busy, but the worshipper will not obtain the reward of this prayer. Full reward cannot be achieved except through humble and content prayer.

Question 82: Does it suffice a Muslim to perform his/her prayer only verbally? Are the physical movements (of bowing, prostrating, etc.) integrated in the prayer itself?

Answer 82: Prayer is worshipping God, and it is made in a particular manner which Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught us. Almighty God instructed the prophet to perform it this manner through the revelation of angel Gabriel. The prophet (pbuh) said: “Pray in the manner you saw me doing.” Following the prophet’s tradition is an Islamic obligation, whether we realize the purpose of some of his deeds or not. However, when we do not fully comprehend the purpose and surrender to God’s commands, that is a kind of belief in the unseen and a testimony to the belief in God—although we can never see Him.

Question 83: Is it permissible for a Muslim to pray in a church if he/she does not have time or could not find a more appropriate place?

Answer 83: Praying in a church is undesirable because it is a place for non-Muslims. A Muslim can perform his/her prayer in any other place on earth, so long as it is clean pure. The prophet says that whole of the globe has been made a place for worshipping. A Muslims who does not have enough time to pray while he is in a church for some reason could go out and pray nearby the church, in the street, or in any other clean place. However, prayer in a clean church for a Muslim can still be valid though it may not be favourable.

Question 84: What is the divine rule concerning the convert’s past obligatory prayers, which he had missed before conversion? She he/she perform them all?

Answer 84: Islam is a religion of tolerance. “It nullifies everything before it,” as related by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).⁵ Accordingly, a person who has embraced Islam is not required to compensate for any Islamic obligations before embracing Islam.

Question 85: Is the prayer of someone who has converted but not yet circumcised, acceptable?

Answer 85: The prayer of one who has embraced Islam and has not been circumcised is acceptable if he insures that he cleans the circumcision location properly, i.e. if he is sure that he has cleaned the inner part of the piece to be cut in circumcision, and he has to do circumcision as soon as possible, for it is one of the requirement of Islam.

Chapter 4:

Matters Relating to Zakat

Question 86: If a Muslim struggles hard in order to achieve his own wealth, why should he/she give a certain amount of this wealth in the form of zakat? Is not all the money his/hers? Cannot God give the poor money?

Answer 86: Islam has its own comprehensive educational system which takes care of both the individual and the society at the same time. It maintains balance in rights and duties, chastens and purifies the soul from greed and miserliness, and makes man feel that he/she is an integral part of the society. Islam preaches that there is no complete happiness unless all are happy; a well known Muslim poet says: “No clouds should ever rain on me or on my land/ Unless it rains all over the place.” Islam has established a society based on cooperation, solidarity, reciprocal connection, mercy, love, benevolence and altruism. A true Muslim’s conscience suffers and gets tormented if people around him are under distress or hardship. A Muslim, who has been endowed, by God, with health and strength to collect money, is supposed to give thanks to his Lord for His gifts. The best way for a Muslim to give thanks is to help brethrens in Islam who need help, to give the deprived and poor from what God has given him. Love and intimacy as such would be established and maintained between the poor and the rich. In this way, society would feel better; and the spirit of cooperation and harmony would prevail among the members of the same community. Besides, the one who is poor and frugal might become rich one day, and vice versa; he who gives today might be in need in the future. Every right has one duty against it, and vice versa.

If we look at the modern advanced societies, we find them imposing different systems of social security, collecting taxes, and trying all the time to protect these systems by the force of law. Islam legislated the system of zakat, which is fundamentally is a test, in order to achieve solidarity for the sake of brotherhood, love, and goodwill. However, the rebellion of some people against this system obliges the Islamic state to take zakat from them by force so that the right of the society continues to be maintained before the right of individuals, so that happiness can prevail. Almighty God relates: “Help you one another in al-Birr and al-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression” (Holy Qur’an: 5: 2) and prophet Muhammad related: “He is not a believer in me that who sleeps full at home while his neighbor beside him is hungry and he knows about him.”

It is in this way that Islam brought people up so that society could be a civilized one. History has not witnessed a similar example. Islam still has the aptitude to form such society based on these values and high ideals if it has the enlightened and conscious leadership and if people are enjoying an atmosphere of freedom and dignity.

Question 87: Is it permissible for a convert to give zakat to non-Muslim relatives for reconciliation so that they may embrace Islam?

Answer 87: Yes, it is possible to give zakat to relatives for reconciliation so that they may embrace Islam. In fact they are entitled to get such zakat. Almighty God says: “As-sadaqat (here it means zakat) are only for the poor, and to the needy (but do no beg) and those employed to collect (the funds), and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam)” (Holy Qur’an: 9: 60). Though non-Muslims, these people must be given from the money of zakat so that they may, hopefully, embrace Islam. Many people have embraced Islam out of their desire to get money, but later they became interested in the religion and became good Muslims.

Question 88: Out of the eight ways of spending zakat comes “and those who are in the path of God.” Does this include sponsoring Islamic promulgators and buying books for free distribution?

Answer 88: Zakat should go to those specified by almighty God in the Qur’an. According to the majority of scholars, the type mentioned above, in the path God, means jihad (holy war) against the enemies of God. As to those who have devoted their time for Islamic call and have nothing to earn their living from, they are entitled to the zakat money. As to buying books and distributing them free, if the books are useful to those who are going to receive them, especially in the field of religion, and they were among those entitled to zakat money, there is no objection to this. Generally speaking, distributing books to the poor and to the needy, it is one of the most useful deeds which bring the Muslim closer to God and it is the most important kind of the ways to spread the Islamic call, but this should not come from the zakat money. The charitable people should assign an amount of money as alms for this kind of activity.

Chapter 5:

Matters Relating to Fasting

Question 89: Can not the fasting of Ramadhan be regarded as a kind of starving, self-torment and physical infliction when Muslims deprive themselves from food and drink for many hours every day and for a duration of a month? Why do not they fast as others (Jews and Christians) do?

Answer 89: Fasting in Islam–like every other ritual–invokes admiration of this religion and of its educational method in life. Islam is not a religion based on the satisfaction of emotions or benumbing of feelings. Also, it is not a religion which follows the inclinations of people or pleads them to meet around it like foam. It is a heavenly religion which came to build up the good man who qualifies for becoming of God’s vicegerent on earth, multiply in number, and establish both truth and justice. Great tasks like these require strong will and patience on the burden of life and its oddities. Nothing like fasting could sharpen the will. When a man feels hungry, out of his/her own will, at a time when nothing could prevent him/her from food; when man chooses to abstain from food and drink until a specific time, his/her will becomes subordinate to the mind and thought. As such a Muslim becomes able to abstain from things on the occasion of abstaining and moves forward in the location of action, and does and leave what he/she thinks right after thinking and contemplation, away from emotions and quick excitement, and respond to ideas and various obsessions. Fasting is also a kind of education of the rich and the well-to-do to taste the meaning of need and the sting of hunger which the poor always suffer from. When those feel as the others do, cooperation, solidarity and mercy prevail among the individuals of all society, but when fasting is merely superficial, as the followers of some other religions do, this does not go with the comprehensiveness of Islam and its distinction. This religion is characterized by its own rules and distinction of thoughts from other creeds so that what is good is known to be different from the bad. Scum always goes in vain, and what avails the people stays in the land.

Question 90: Islam is a religion of ease. What did God in his Almighty enjoins such a difficult task as fasting on the Muslim, especially those who live in hot areas?

Answer 90: There is no hardship in Islam and God does not charge man to do more than he/she could. Any obligation in Islam that is too difficult for man and may cause him too much difficulty will not continue to be an obligation. On the one hand, anyone who cannot fast may not do so provided that he/she compensate for not fasting by feeding a needy person for each day he/she did not fast. On the other hand, Islam is a heavenly religion with a great heavenly message which intends to build a nation, establish a civilization, and take care of society by defending its rights, and achieving a great role on the international level. Such a religion should in the first place prepare its followers to endure difficulties and hardships so that they could be qualified to build nations and develop civilizations. May God bless the soul of that who said: “If the souls are great the bodies will be tired because of their will.”

Desiring comfort and living in slackness, dullness and laziness are the qualities of one who is impatient, the kind of people who are not expected to be good to themselves or to others. Has ever a nation risen in history and was important while it was sitting dull, neither struggling nor getting tired or exhausted? Could such people know the taste of real comfort, unless they were exhausted because of work? Could people feel the pleasure of recovery without knowing the meaning of disease? Could people know the taste of freedom without suffering the agony of suppression?

By contemplating these great meanings, we realize that the obligation of fasting is a heavenly educational one and the difficulty in it may be intentional and deliberate, otherwise it would not achieve the desired aim in the formation of the nation and its preparation for grand tasks.

Question 91: How could a Muslim fast while living in a country where the sun does not set most of the hours of the day, as in the Scandinavian countries for instance?

Answer 91: Fasting is a kind of worship. It is a way of getting accustomed to patience and developing a serious will; and a Muslim has to be as strong as possible in terms of religion, will and body. The Muslims of such cold countries as the Scandinavian, where the sun does not set most of the hours of the day, should fast and be patient until the sun sets even though the day is much longer than the night. If someone, due to a certain defect or illness, feels unable to endure fasting for such a long time, he/she can choose not to fast but must make up for that when he/she becomes able to do so. Otherwise, if there is no possibility that the Muslim would be able to fast, then he has to compensate in terms of feeding a needy Muslim by providing him/her with average food, which he often offers to his family, for lunch or dinner for everyday he did not fast.

Chapter 6:

Matters Relating to Pilgrimage

Question 92: How does Islam command its followers to kiss a stone in Makka with the aim of getting closer to God? Why should Muslims circumambulate a stone building, or stand on a mount of stones and rocks while, in the meantime, it ordains its followers to keep from statues and idols which are made of stone. Is not that self-contradictory?

Answer 92: The acts of pilgrimage, such as circumambulate the Holy Kabah, kissing the stone, and standing on a mount of Arafaat are not considered in any way to be a statue worship, which is strongly prohibited in Islam. The case of worshipping idols implies intention and a heart attached to these solid stones with the belief that these statues have power and can affect man’s life. Such beliefs are regarded by Islam as a matter of mental setback, for how could an inanimate object a living creature?

The whole rituals of pilgrimage represent complete obedience to God, which God Himself requested from man. Whether one can realize the secrets behind these rituals or not, a Muslim should follow the commands of God so long as He commands us to do so. God is All-Knowing and All-Wise, and He commands His slaves to do only what is beneficial and good to them.

The pilgrimage rituals imply great educational intentions, which have their effect on the life of the Islamic nation. They are the landmarks around which Muslims from all over the world meet, stand and move in the same direction. Circumambulating the Kaabah together in the same direction while all are clad in white, and repeating the same call is a real submission to God Will. All this reminds Muslims of their emotional, intellectual and dogmatic unity and the unity of their orientation towards great matters in life and the unity of their path and destiny.

It also reminds them of equality in rights and duties; people are equal, no one is unimportant or important, there is neither ruler nor ruled, neither a prince nor a commoner, and no one is distinguished from others in dress, circumambulating, standing or in any related ritual. Great must be the effect of pilgrimage on the rich and the famous when they are considered to be equal to the poor and the needy. Their pride is bound to be lessened—something which makes them feel the life of simplicity, deprivation and exhaustion; consequently they would reconsider the nature of their social relationship with the public.

Pilgrimage also has educational effects, when languages, colors and localities of the Islamic world meet and live together for a few days every year with the unity of feelings, language, behavior and intentions.

Now, could any rational person think that the pilgrimage rituals and acts are like the rituals of humbleness before an idol made of stone which cannot cause any harm or good to itself or to others?.

Question 93: What is the idea behind circumambulating the Kaabah? Do Muslim worship the this building?

Answer 93: Muslims worship God only and do not worship anything else besides Him. Circumambulating the Holy Kaabah is not a ritual of worshipping the stone building in itself. Rather, it is a symbol of total submission to God’s commands; around which the Muslims’ words and intentions unite, and on which their opinions unit. Despite all the differences in their colours, languages, countries, all Muslims meet around the Kaabah, which makes them feel their greatness, strength and unity, as mentioned before. On the other hand, there is a variety of worship thorough which the Muslims get closer to almighty God, the physical reason behind which is not known for sure; rather they are the emblem of yielding to That Great God Whom Muslims knew as enjoying strength, greatness, mercy and perfection. Muslims love God and believed in Him. One of the effects of that love is the haste a Muslim shows to carry out His command without knowing its effects. The obvious aim is their trust in God, and the desire to obtain the reward both here and hereafter

The matter of worship whose desired effect in particular is not known to Muslims is a kind of spiritual food them, so that their soul can be balanced and their nature be settled, as man is made from body, mind and spirit. The body is physical and has its material and concrete food, and the mind is the container of science and knowledge and has its food in Islam, as God opened before him the horizons of the universe and life and urged him to research and probe the depths of the universe and benefit from it. Also, God praised the mind and appreciated it so much in order to give it a confidence, testimony, and a value which helps him to achieve his tasks in life. As for the spirit, it is that transparent unknown being whose nature and essence has not been recognized yet. As to the spirit, God made its food from worships, and particular supplications, which provide for this basic element in man its growth, balance and coordination with the body and mind so that man could become complete, good and straight.

Chapter 7:

Family and Women Affairs

Question 94: Why did Islam limit the number of wives to four? And why does it confine man’s sexual pleasure to marriage commitments, home and tasks?

Answer 94: Islam limited the number of wives to four as the maximum number for a variety of reasons. On the one hand nature and reality have proved the righteousness of this rule, especially when we take into account the rising percentage of women compared to that of men. On the other hand men are more exposed than women to dangers and mortality like wars and perilous jobs. If man’s marriage is limited to one woman only, a number of women will be deprived from the bliss of marriage which is an instinctive demand in all human beings; which provides shelter, intimacy and marital life for every member of the family. When allowing man to marry more than one wife Islam does not make the case obligatory, but rather something lawful. As a matter of fact, Islam encourages marrying only one wife for those men who do not have the ability to be fair amongst their wives. It proscribes its male followers to marry more than one if they cannot fulfill marital duties equally well among the wives. Almighty God says: “…then marry (other women of your choice, two or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one...” (Holy Qur’an: 3: 3). However, the percentage of those who marry more than one wife is limited, as most men limit themselves to one wife. The percentage is lesser among those who marry three or four women.

Islam prohibits intercourse between man and woman outside wedlock as this cause harm on to both the individual and on society. It causes many diseases, it leads to loss of lineage and it brings about the destruction of the family, which is the nucleus of any society.

It remains to say in this context that it is difficult to find a man or a woman in the western societies not having one or concubines. This is something that often happens at the expense of the family and its structure. It is strange how developed people would justify having concubines but not wives!

Question 95: Why does Islam allow polygamy for men but not polyandry for women? Where is justice here?

Answer 95: Only those who regard marriage as purely sexual relationship propagate this point of view. They ask: “Why cannot a woman have the same right as men, of marrying more than one man? The answer can be as follows: if a woman marries more than one man, the lineage will be lost, as the woman is responsible for pregnancy. If land is not good for planting more than one kind of plant at the same time, how could a woman be good for planting more than one kind of semen at the same time? Science has proved that out of millions of sperms, only one is able to fertilize the egg. If the relationship of the woman is with one man within marriage, we know for sure that this fertilization has come from her single husband, not anybody else, even though the sperms are millions, but if the woman is married to more than one man, how could we know whose sperm it was that fertilized the egg of the woman; eventually, to whom should the child belong? And which of these husbands will be responsible for this family? Is it then justifiable that for the sake of equality with man in polygamy the lineage of children will be lost?

Naturally speaking, the majority of women reach the age of menopause early. The age of menopause ranges between 40 and 50. As to men, their potency continues until very late, on the one hand, and some women do not desire their husbands, which causes them sexual frigidity, which is much more common in women than in men. Women have their menstruation and confinement periods, and some of them have long menstruation periods. This prevents men from having sexual intercourse with them.

Question 96: Why is it not lawful for man to have sex with his wife when she is having her menstrual period?

Answer 96: What is forbidden during the menstrual period is the vaginal sexual intercourse only. All other forms of sexual pleasure are lawful, as almighty God said:

“They ask you concerning menstruation. Say: that is an adha (a harmful thing for a husband to have a sexual intercourse with his wife while she is having her menses), therefore keep away from women during menses and go not unto them till they are purified (from menses and have taken a bath). And when they have purified themselves, then go in unto them as God has ordained for you (go in unto them in any manner as long as it is in their vagina). Truly God loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a bath and cleaning, and washing thoroughly their private parts, bodies, for their prayers) (Holy Qur’an: 1:222).

Almighty God commands men to keep away from women during their menstrual period, that is, not to have vaginal sexual intercourse in the vagina. intercourse in the vagina during menstruation has been proved medically harmful. In fact it comprises every kind of harm, as straight natures hate mixing with impurities. Judaism prohibited cohabiting with the woman during her menstruation, eating with her, and having sexual intercourse with her. Islam is a medial religion, it allows men and women to enjoy each others in any way except sexual intercourse.

Question 97: Does Islam encourage marriages arranged by the parents without prior consent from the son or the daughter?

Answer 97: Islam does not encourage arranged marriages without the consent of the son or the daughter, even though the guardian is the father, which is clear in what Prophet Muhammad said:

“A widow is not married until she gives her consent, and a virgin is not married until she gives her permission.’ They asked, “O, Messenger of God, how can she give her permission?” He said, “By keeping silent.” And in other words “A widow has more right than her guardian to give her consent, and a virgin is asked and her permission is her silence.”⁶

Khansa’ Bint Huzam related that her father married her off when she was a widow. She, therefore, came to the prophet (pbuh) to complain about it. The prophet annulled her marriage.⁷ It was also related that the a virgin maid came to the messenger of God and told him that her father had married her off by force, and the prophet gave her the choice to stay with her husband or to leave him.”⁸

It was related too that a girl came to the messenger of God and told him: “My father married me off to his nephew for reputation;” whereupon the prophet gave her the choice to stay with her husband or to leave him. She said: “I have accepted what my father had done, but I wanted to tell the women that a father does not have the right to do so.”⁹ These traditions and many others confirm that Islam does not allow a father or a guardian to marry his daughter or sister off except when she gives her full consent. And in the likely case she is forced to marry out of her consent, she can file a case to the court or to the authorities, which have the right to nullify the marriage.

Question 98: Why does not Islam allow a Muslim woman to marry a Jew or a Christian at the time it allows the Muslim man to marry a Jewess or a Christian woman? Also why does not Islam allow Muslim men to marry other women than Jews or Christians (People of the Scripture)?

Answer 98: Islam allows Muslim men to marry Jewish or Christian women. This is a clear indication of the extent to which it tolerates and honours the followers of these two heavenly religions. It deals with them in a special way which does not apply to the followers of other religions, in terms of eating from their food and marrying women from them. In all religions, the guardianship is in the hand of the man. In this case if a Jew or a Christian man marries a Muslim woman, he might deal arbitrarily with her and use his right to force her (and their children if any) to abandon Islam. But for this, Islam might have allowed equal treatment in marriage, like equal treatment in food. Almighty God says:

“Made lawful to you this day are at-tayyibat [all kinds of halal (lawful) food, which God had made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits). The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals) of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them. (Lawful to you in marriage) are chaste women from the believers and chaste women from those who were given the Scriptures (Jews and Christians) before your time when you have given their due mahr (bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage), desiring chastity (i.e. taking them in legal wedlock) not committing illegal sexual intercourse, nor taking them as girl-friends. And whosoever disbelieves in Faith [i.e. in the Oneness of God and in all the other Articles of Faith, i.e. His (God’s) Angles, His Holy Books, His Messengers, the Day of Resurrection and al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments)], then fruitless is his work; and in the hereafter he will be among the losers” (Holy Qur’an: 3:5)

Islam gives equal treatment to the chaste Christian or Jewish woman as one as the Muslim women in terms of wage (dowry), prohibition of unlawful sexual intercourse, or making them concubines: it allows them to keep their religion while they are wives to Muslim men. As to marriage of non-Muslim men to Muslim women, it is prohibited for particular reasons:

1. Man has the authority and guardianship on his wife, in which likely case he might affect her behavior, conduct, thought and beliefs.

2. In terms of equal treatment, Christianity and Judaism do not allow the marriage of Christian or Jewish woman to marry a Muslim man.

3. In order to prevent the authority of non-Muslims over Muslims, almighty God said: “And never will God grant to the disbeliveers a way (to triumph) over the believers” (Holy Qur’an: 4: 141).

Question 99: Why can a Muslim divorce his wife any time likes, while a woman is not allowed to do so except after long and inconvenient procedures?

Answer 99: Islam does not allow man to divorce his wife arbitrarily and unjustly. If he does so that means he has not maintained his responsibility efficiently. Islam legislated several measures which a man should adhere to before he can take the decision to divorce his wife. These include:

1. advising her,

2. desertion her in bed,

3. beating her harmlessly,

4. arbitration, i.e. asking (any of her and/or his relations) for intervention,

5. first divorce (revocable),

6. second divorce (revocable),

7. third (or final) divorce (irrevocable).

Almighty God said: “As to those women on whose part you see ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly, if it is useful)” (Holy Qur’an: 4: 34). After all of these stages, the irrevocable divorce can take place, and there are several stages that the husband has to follow, otherwise his divorce will be arbitrary and unfair to his wife. On the other hand, there are several things to do, like:

1. man is usually less hasty or excited and has more self-control of nerves and emotions than woman;

2. man has authority and guardianship at home which commands him to spend on the wife and family.

3. man is the one who pays the marriage portion, whereas the woman takes it.

Question 100: Why should a woman wait if her husband has been away from her for a very long time until a judge can give a verdict of her divorce?

Answer 100: It is not a matter of waiting as much as there should be confirmation and proof of the complete absence of news about the husband. Marriage is a real bondage and contract which implies intimacy, mercy, stability and tranquility. Almighty God says:

“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect” (Holy Qur’an: 30: 21).

It is known that whenever the contract has grand effects, it is more difficult for the legislator to dissolve it and that depends on the contractors themselves. If the absence of the husband allowed the dissolution of the contract accordingly, there must be patience and confirmation, as mentioned before, in dissolving this contract, so that neither of the contractors would be done any harm because of haste. This happens depending on the cause of absence and its justifications. The judge should estimate such matters and try to avoid harm to anyone as much as possible.

Question 101: Why should there be a guardian and two righteous witnesses at the time of the marriage contract in Islam? Is it not possible for a woman to have her complete freedom in this respect, and not wait for someone to humiliate her in choosing and allow her to marry? Since men have the right to marry whenever they like, why, women are not granted the same status? And why her guardian’s consent is a prerequisite in this instance?

Answer 101: Part of the answer has already been given in (Answer 97). Here is the rest of the answer. At the time of marriage, there should a guardian (usually the father) and two righteous witnesses. Marriage is different from unlawful adultery, and a woman is not allowed to marry without the consent of her guardian; the guardian in turn is not allowed to marry her off without taking her consent. The responsibility here is mutual; it cannot be achieved except through the consent of the two sides, both the guardian and the girl. This signifies a respect for the woman and maintenance of her right. It takes care of her and does not cause her any harm or humiliation. If she happens to choose a suitable man and her guardian prevents her from marrying him, or in the likely case she has no guardian, the judge can be in charge of marrying her off in spite of the objection of her guardian. In Islamic jurisprudence the judge is the guardian of anyone who does not have a guardian, i.e. he can marry a woman off if she has no guardians.

If a woman wants to marry a man and there is another one who is better than him, the consent of the guardian and the witnesses will be superfluous, and her freedom will not be limited. But if the husband she has chosen is not an appropriate one (to the best of the guardian’s knowledge), her guardian can interfere. Preventing her from such a marriage is deemed to her interest. Not all kinds of freedom necessarily bring benefit to man, and every kind of limitation is harmful to hime/her. Almighty God says: “…and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. God knows but you do not know” (Holy Qur’an: 2: 216).

Question 102: Is it lawful for a woman to divorce her husband if he is infertile, ill or having a chronic disease? And is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife if she is barren or has a chronic disease?

Answer 102: As mentioned above, divorce is in the hand of man not woman because of reasons, most important of which is his right of guardianship. However, Islam has made it lawful for woman to dissolve the marriage contract (In Islamic jurisprudence–mukhaala’a), which happens when a woman asks the judicial authorities to dissolve the marriage contract, either because of the infertility of her husband or because of some harm caused by the husband to her, as is the case when the husband is chronically ill. This matter will be different if the woman knows about her husband’s situation before her marriage to him.

Question 103: Why is not lawful for girls in some Muslim countries to choose any man she wants to marry?

Answer 103: Islam should not be judged through the practices of some of its followers; people should be judged according to their implementation of Islam. Islam does respect the will of the girl, as mentioned above. However, the consent of the girl’s guardian should be achieved when she would like to marry and the marriage contract will not be valid without it.

A woman is free to choose any man she wants to marry; she is also free to reject any man she does not want to marry. This is alright as long as her choice is right. As to the choice based on socialization between man and woman or unlawful courtship, it is undoubtedly a failing one. In this case, the guiding guardian, who takes in his consideration the benefit of his daughter or ward, should interfere. Prophet Muhammad said: “Any woman married off by an angry guardian, her marriage is invalid.”

If the guardian is fair, he should interfere, as his consent is beneficial not only for the girl in this case, but also it goes beyond that to include his family and clan. Islam stresses familial and social relations. The fact that Islam is the religion of equality is true and right, because it holds similar things as equal, it draws distinctions between contradictions, antitheses and differences. If it regards different things as equal it would be unfair and unjust. Man and woman are the same in terms of humanity, in reward and in punishment, in rights and in responsibility, and in many duties. The same applies to the marital home, as almighty God said: “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…” (Holy Qur’an: 2: 228). As man is responsible for work and expenditure for his family, and is exposed to more struggling in life, he was given an extra degree: “but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them” (Holy Qur’an: 2: 228). Almighty God also said: “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because God has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means” (Holy Qur’an: 4: 34).

Suspicion comes from adopting corrupt criteria; difference in jobs leads to differences in concepts. When a European woman wants to work, earn her living, and spending money, as man does, undoubtedly she will demand equality. Troubles emerge from asking a woman to do what is not her duty. For this, and besides other reasons, Islam does not regard man and woman as equal in a variety of respects, including testimonies, inheritance, guardianship, custody, confinement after divorce, and the areas of the private parts of the body which should be covered, and the duty of expenditure, divorce, etc. It is a well know fact that organic and functional build of woman is different from that of the man. The French scientist Alex Carrel stated:

The difference between man and woman does not come from the particular shape of their genitalia, or from the presence of womb in woman, or from the method of education, as the difference is of a more important nature than this. The differences come from formation of texture itself, and from the fertilization of the body with specific chemical materials which the ovary exudes. Ignoring those essential facts by feminists led them to believe that both sexes should receive the same kind of education, and that both sexes should be given the same authorities and similar responsibilities. In fact, woman differs considerably from man, as every cell of her body carries the nature of her sex.¹⁰

Question 104: Since Islam is the religion of equality, why it gives man double what it gives to woman in matters of inheritance?

Answer 104: Islam gave man double what it gave to woman in inheritance for several reasons:

1. Man’s need for money is more than that of woman, because he is charged of the financial burdens of life which are double the burdens of woman. When he becomes adult, he is required to spend on himself (marriage expenses for example), at the time girl continues to be spent on by her guardian until she gets married. When she accepts to marry a man, her future husband gives her the marriage portion. When she gets married, her husband becomes in charge of spending on her.

2. Money is the nerve of life and proper management of finance is both an individualistic and collective duty. Man is often better at handling inherited money and better at managing and investing it.

3. Islam observed the possibility that the inheritors may share the inherited money: men mostly participate in running the business of their fathers, whom they inherited while women do not.

4. Giving man double the amount of the inheritance to woman man is not always the case, as both man and woman may get the same amount in some cases, as in the case of the brother of a mother, and the sister of a mother, and the father and mother from their son, if the son has inheriting descendents, and so on.

5. Inheritance is one of the forms of support, and men are much more supportive to their dependants more than women.

Question 105: Why does not an infidel brother inherit his Muslim brother, and vice versa?

Answer 105: Inheritance is an expression of loyalty, connection and relation. If the inheritor is different from the testator in terms of religion, there will not be guardianship or relation between them, since the most important relation is that of Islam. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Neither an infidel inherits a Muslim nor a Muslim inherits an infidel.”¹¹ Prevention of inheritance is a prevention of the forms of sympathy and relation, both of which might corrupt the Muslim’s faith. When Islam prevents inheritance between a Muslim and an infidel, it affirms the rule “profit against loss” and vice versa, which does not negate justice, but a kind of equal treatment.

Question 106: Why does Islam prohibit an heir from inheriting his testator in case this latter was killed by his inheritor? In this case what is the fault of the killer’s children if they did not take part in the murder?

Answer 106: Depriving the killer from inheriting his testator is a kind of prevention of a greater evil, as there could be more murders of testators. It is also a treatment of man according to the opposite intention of the killer and punishing him in a similar kind. The jurisprudential rule for this is: “Anyone who makes haste to get something before it is the right time is punished by depriving him from it.” Depriving the killer from inheriting does not prevent his children from inheritance, as long as they are not prevented by other heirs because of other reasons of prevention, than killing.

Question 107: Why cannot a woman travel on her own, while man can? Why should she always be escorted by a mahram (unmarriageable relative man) if she wants to travel? Also, why she can not travel without her guardian’s consent?

Answer 107: A woman may travel without a mahram but only for short distancees–less than a day and a night. In case she wanted to take more than this, she is required to be accompanied by a mahram or by a trusty group. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “A woman may not travel for more than one day and night on her own without a mahram.”¹² Islam disallows a woman from traveling on her own for a long distance for the sake of her safety, protection, reputation and to preventing any evil which might befall her. Of course she can always travel for any distance with a good company or a group of people provided that her safety is maintained and confirmed. Unless accompanied and/ or escorted by amahram a woman may not even travel to perform her pilgrimage, which is one of the greatest Islamic forms of worship.

Question 108: Why would a woman wait for the consent of her husband or the companionship of one of her unmarriageable relatives if she wants to perform pilgrimage, although pilgrimage is an obligatory duty for women as well as for men who are allowed to travel without the consent of their wives?

Answer 108: This question has already been answered (answer 107). However, we can also say that God Himself out of mercy and compassion with His people wanted to make life easier for them people. Some scholars mentioned that one of the conditions for women to perform pilgrimage is to be accompanied by a mahram. This is not a condition of duty as much as a condition of performance. It is not a condition for acceptance: if she performs pilgrimage without mahram the pilgrimage is deemed to right and she would have fulfilled this ritual. But God did not oblige her to do what she could not do and she is rendered sinful if she dies without performing pilgrimage if she does not find an accompanying mahram or a trustworthy company.

The consent of the husband for the wife to go with one of her unmarriageable relatives to perform pilgrimage remains a controversial matter among religious scholars.

Question 109: Could you comment on the prophetic tradition which says: “The people who give the leadership to a woman would never be successful.”¹³

Answer 109: This tradition has its own historical context. It was stated by the prophet as a response to the political change in the crumbling Persian Empire in the 6^th century. In a failing attempt to save their empire, the Persian crowned Khosrau’s daughter, Buran, as their leader. When the prophet learned about this incident, he (pbuh) said: “The people who give the leadership to a woman would never be successful.”

Some scholars interpret this saying according to its historical context only, that is when the prophet foretold the downfall and the breaking-up of the Persian Empire—which is an historical fact. However, there are scholars who take the words in a more general sense. They say that the authority of the woman will always be lacking because she might be exposed to difficult situations over which she might have no control because of her nature and weaknesses.

Question 110: Why does not Islam allow women to take judicial positions, i.e. become judges?

Answer 110: Depending on the prophetic hadith in question 109, most scholars believe that women cannot become judges, because of the discrepancy of their nature as dealing with legal problems requires more reason than passion. However, Abu Hanifah, the well known leader of an Islamic school, stated that women may become judges but only in affairs where her testimony is indispensable and/or crucial. Ibn Jareer at-Tabari and the Malikis have no objection to women’s judicial positions.

Question 111: What is meant by the prophetic statement regarding women that they have “Women have their own deficiencies in both minds and religion”?

Answer 111: It has been reported that the prophet (pbuh) once addressed women by saying: “O womenfolk, give alms. I have seen that the majority of the people in hell are women.” The women asked: “O, Messenger of God, why?” He said: “You keep swearing, and deny your husbands, I have not seen people with incomplete minds and religions who could affect the mind of the strict men like you. Then they asked: “What is our lack of mind and religion, O, Messenger of God?” He said: “Is not the testimony of woman half that of a man?” They said: “Yes.” He said: “That is the lack in her mind.” He added: “Does not she abstain from praying and fasting when she has her period?” They said: “yes.” He concluded: “That is their lack of religion.” It is obvious from the answer of the prophet that the lack of woman’s mind is in the matter of testimony, which needs control and affirmation. Man is more affirmative and controlling in this respect than woman. Also, he could afford to witness a crime more than a woman could do, that is because of the nature of woman who could not endure to do as a man can. A woman needs another woman’s testimony to confirm hers, as women are often busy with their children, and home, which usually distracts her mind and thinking. The first part of the tradition alludes to the cunning of women in some respect, that they affect the strict man’s mind. This is the most rhetorical description of women, as the self-controlled man is sometimes led by their intrigues. As such, one who is not self-controlled is more likely to be led by others.

As to the lack in woman’s religion, the prophet referred to that in the sense that when she menstruates, she neither prays nor fasts, which makes her more exposed to the devil’s insinuations. If she strengthens herself with supplication and giving alms, she will be more protected from the devil, God willing.

It has medically been proved that when a woman is menstruating, or in confinement she usually goes through an uncomfortable psychological and physical situation. This is a part of the prophetic miracle, as it shows us that woman is exposed to such emergent lack, which is not a permanent lack in the nature of woman.

Question 112: Prophet Muhammad said: “Woman was created from a bending rib.” What does this mean and is it also applicable on men?

Answer 112: This tradition has been mentioned to take care of women and not to prejudice them, as some might think. The original saying stated by the prophet in this respect was: “I command you to take care of women, as they were created from a rib, and if a rib bends, it does at the top part of it. If you try to straighten it, it breaks, and if you leave it, it will continue to be bending. Therefore, take care of women.”¹⁴ This can be taken to mean: accept my command of women and behave accordingly. Take care of women and be kind when dealing with them, because of their delicate nature.

Traditions say that Eve was created from one of Adam’s ribs, i.e. she came out of it as a palm tree comes out from a nucleus—something that has been affirmed by other heavenly religions.

The meaning of “the most bending part of the rib is its top” could be a reference to the most bending part of woman, which is her tongue. The tradition connotes that the woman has a definite nature according to which she was created; it is difficult to change natures and men should cope with this fact. Anyone who tries to straighten a bending rib will break it, and breaking means divorce and/or separation.

It is a fact that almighty God created Adam from earth and water (clay) and created woman from his (Adam’s) rib, and created the jinn from fire.

Question 113: Is it lawful for woman to enter the domain of political and parliamentary life? Is she allowed to vote to choose a certain ruler?

Answer 113: Within the framework of the Islamic law, it is quite possible for women to involve in political and/or parliamentary lives. She is also free to vote for the political ruler of her choice. Abdurrahman ibn `Awf consulted with women in their rooms when he was charged of choosing `Uthman or Ali as the third caliphate the death of Omar.

Question 114: Why does Islam consider the testimony of a woman half that of a man? Are not men and women treated equally well in Islam?

Answer 114: The number of witnesses has nothing to do with respecting the witness or humiliating him. This is due to the kind of testimony and its requirements. In many legal cases, especially those exclusively related to women, men’s testimonies are invalid; only the testimonies of women are to be accepted. This of course does not degrade men. Also there are cases where the testimonies of both men and women are accepted, because they have the same thing witnessed, like the proof of seeing the moon of the month of Ramadhan. There are also cases where the testimonies of men and women are accepted, but because of the lack of interest of women in them, and the probability of women’s forgetfulness, the testimonies of two women are equaled to one testimony of man. The aim here is to maintain right. The Holy Qur’an says: “…so that if one of them (two women) errs, the other can remind her.” (Holy Qur’an: 1: 282). This applies to financial matters; as it is the concern of men to work in markets, attend the contracts of financial negotiations, contrary to women who are not usually concerned with financial contracts.

Question 115: Isn’t it a savagery of Islam to order for the stoning of the married adulterer and whip the unmarried one?

Answer 115: There is no savagery in stoning a married adulterer and whipping an unmarried one, as their acts themselves are ones of bestiality and savagery. Adultery is a transgression of God’s right and natural law. All heavenly religions and conventions have agreed that adultery is heinous crime. Therefore, secular laws are not fair, and Islam’s incurring of such punishments, of the adulterer and adulteress, is to curb man from committing such crime.

The stoning of an adulterer had existed in the creed of the Jews before that of Islam in the books of the Old Testament (the creed of the Jews and the Christians), but the followers of those two religions changed that creed and the scriptures remained until the time of prophet Muhammad (pbuh). When two Jewish adulterers were brought him, he told them that their rule existed in their Torah, but they concealed it from him. To this denial God revealed to His prophet the following Qur’anic verse: “But how do they come to you for decision while they have he Torah, in which is the (plain) Decision of God; yet even after that, they turn away. For they are not (really) believers” (Holy Qur’an: 5: 43). The punishment of the unmarried adulterer according to the Jewish faith was to soil his/her face with black color and to make him/her ride backwardly on an animal while it is led through streets of the village, town or city.

Inflicting a painful punishment on the adulterer and adulteress is not a savage matter, especially after discovering its destructive effects, which threaten societies with perdition. AIDS, syphilis, leukorrhea, to mention only few, are well know fatal diseases which are caused by illegal practices of sex.

Question 116: Why does Islam restrict woman with niqab (hijab)l? Is not that a form of humiliating woman in every way in life? Is not faith in the heart? Is not it lawful for woman to enjoy the bliss of eyesight?

Answer 116: Islam commanded woman to use the veil in order to protect and maintain her from harm and aggression. She is like a jewel that is to be wrapped up with the finest pieces of cloth, and placed in the most protected location, far away from the hands of the corrupted people. This explanation is testified by almighty God’s words:

“O, Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters, and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks. That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And God is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (Holy Qur’an: 33: 59).

This means the following:

1. Islam in its creed surrounds the woman with a halo of decency, which goes with her nature of instinctive shyness—something that exists in every heavenly religion. In Christianity, for example, a nun is made to be dressed decently, a way which is different from other women in her religion, whereas Islam made this rule apply to every woman, as religion is meant to be for all and not specific to a particular section, and this is the way in all of its rules.

2. It is true that faith lies in the heart, but man’s action and behaviour are supposed to testify to faith or belie. Commitment to God’s commands is a proof of the existence of faith, and violating almighty God’s commands is a proof of the absence of faith and its weakness.

1 Cited in Muslim.

2 Cited in Ahmad.

3 Cited in Muslim, hadith No. 328.

4 Cited in Al-Tirmidhi, hadith No. 2723.

5 Cited in sahih al-Jame’ by Al-Allabani, hadith No. 3777.

6 Cited in Al-Bukhalri and Muslim.

7 Cited in all canonical books of hadith.

8 Cited in Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and others.

9 Cited in Ibn Majah

10 Alex Carrel, The Unknown World of Man, p. 114

11 Cited in all canonical books of hadith.

12 Cited in Muslim, Haj book, hadith No. 2388.

13 Cited in Bukhari, in al-Maghazi (The Forays).

14 Cited in Bukhari.