Asiya (RA) A Woman To Learn From

I've read the story of Asiya (RA), one of the best women of Jannah (Khadeejah, Fatimah, Maryam mother of Jesus are also the best women of Jannah) and I loved it so much that I thought in making a post about the morals of this story. It inspired me. Alhamdulillah.

Asiya (RA) was a great woman, a great example of how women must be, strong, independent, confident and steadfast in her faith. Her husband oppressed her and he did awful things to her, did she obey him? NO why? Because women doesn't have to obey anyone who “asks” her to give up their faith, dignity, rights, integrity or everything. We don't have to obey when he force us to do something we don't want, something we don't believe in or something bad.

We as muslims must seek knowledge and this include women, no man can stop us from this if any does so, you better be away from such people, learning is important to not be ignorant, to not be easily influences nor manipulated, can't you see it's importance?

The Prophet (saw) said: "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim" [Ibn Majaah]

Islam has forbidden us from following any path other than the path of ‘Ilm: “And follow not that of which you have no knowledge. Verily! The hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those you will be questioned (by Allah).” [Quran 17:36]

Also, we must be careful from where we learn from, study your options and if you see something negative (against the real teachings of he Quran) in it, go away from it. This is your key to Jannah, make sure you get the right one, you only have this life to do so.

A narration of Imam Zuhri springs to mind, "Be careful from whom you take your knowledge, because that is your Deen."

As a revert muslimah, I found many many MANY “brothers” and “sisters” that when they knew I was a revert they desperately wanted to “help” me and with the excuse “you know nothing” they tried to brainwash me and make me believe horrible things telling me that's what Islam says. Everytime I asked for references they said “You are douting Islam? You are not a Muslim you must believe me” “Later I can't now” and those references never came etc etc.

So my advice is, 1 if someone tells you something about Islam, ask for references ALWAYS, if what they are saying is true, they won't have any problem to give it to you, if they give them to you, check them by yourself, just in case. Don't let yourself being emotionally manipulated “Don't you trust my word? Is not my word trustworthy enough?” Things like this. Actually no, their word is not trustworthy enough so don't be afraid or sad to ask for proofs, it's your right.

Another advice which I follow without exception is, Islam is peace, love, respect... so whatever goes out of those lines, IT'S NOT ISLAM. Doubt it and search the truth, it might have been out of context or totally invented.

"La cura para la ignorancia es preguntar" 

- Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu Allahi Wa Salam)

"Allah will exalt those who believe among you and those who have been granted knowledge to high ranks." [58:11]

"And say: My Lord increase me in knowledge." [20:114]

"It is only those who have knowledge among His servants that fear Allah." [35:28]

"Whoever follows a path in the pursuit of knowledge, Allah will make a path to Paradise for him. [Bukhari]

"When Allah wishes good for a person, He makes him understand the religion." [Bukhari]

In conclusion, please please please, get knowledge, be strong and stand up for your belief and rights and don't allow anyone to take them away from you. You are precious, Allah made you like this, no one on earth can make you feel the opposite. Claim what Allah has given you. Those who deny it, FEAR ALLAH, you can't decide what to follow and what don't as you can't force anyone to follow something that benefit you and ignore those that don't benefit you but does to them. Don't be arrogant, don't be selfish, don't be an hypocritical man.

"El Islam no es un buffet donde puedes 

elegir lo que quieras."

May Allah guide us and give us the right knowledge and understanding of His Islam. May Make us women strong enough to stand up for our rights and men wise enough to accept them and make it easy for us. Amin

Aishah Aish

Forced Marriages (Part 1)

FORCED MARRIAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN ISLAM!!

Forced marriage is not an issue of religion, but it is a cultural practice that violates the right of a woman and as a Muslim. The act of forcing someone to marry is in fact an act that is against the practices and teachings of Islam.

Some think that consent of the bride and/or groom is not needed in marriage or as long as the parents of the female agree to the proposal then it is allowed. This is a wrong concept. Marriage in Islam is suppose to be a beautiful and blessed time for both men and women.

Forced marriages are clearly not acceptable according to The Quran:

O you who believe, it is not lawful for you to inherit the women by forcibly/unwillingly... [4:19]

Marriage is done by mutual agreement:

When you divorce women and they have completed their waiting term do not hinder them from marrying other men if they have agreed to this in a fair manner. [2:232]

All examples in The Quran involving decisions between marriage partners are in the reciprocal Arabic word form, e.g. "taraadaa" [2:232-233, 4:24], "tashaawar" [2:233], which means they are mutual.

The relationship between a husband and wife is discussed in affectionate terms in The Quran, not of one enforcing decisions on the other:

And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts. Verily in that are signs for those who reflect. [30:21]

...They are a garment for you and you are a garment for them.... [2:187]

And they say, "Our Lord, let our spouses and children be a source of joy for us, and let us be the foremost among the righteous." [25:74]

In The Quran, there is a pre-marriage requirement for a male to give the female a dower, see the following examples in which the female is involved in the decision making process:

And give the women their due dowries willingly, and if they remit any of it to you of their own will, then you may take it with good feelings. [4:4]

...And unto those with whom you desire to enjoy marriage, you shall give the dowers due to them; but you will incur no sin if, after [having agreed upon] this lawful due, you freely agree with one another upon anything else... [4:24]

Lastly, The Quran reminds us that believers are those who conduct their matters by mutual consultation/counsel [42:38]

The following hadith also clarifies the position of forced marriages in Islam;

Khansa Bint Khidam said “My father married me to his nephew, and I did not like this match, so I complained to the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him). He said to me “accept what your father has arranged.” I said “I do not wish to accept what my father has arranged.”

He said “then this marriage is invalid, go and marry whomever you wish.” I said “I have accepted what my father has arranged, but I wanted women to know that fathers have no right in their daughter’s matters (i.e. they have no right to force a marriage on them).

(Fathul Bari Sharah Al Bukhari 9/194, Ibn Majah Kitabun Nikah 1/602)

At first, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told Al Khansa to obey her father, and this is as it should be, because the concerns of fathers for the well being of their daughters is well known. But when he realized that her father wanted to force her in to marriage she did not want, he gave her the freedom to choose, and saved her from the oppression of a father who wanted to force her into an unwanted marriage. The choice that our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave to the Al- Khansa is she can either remain married to the man, or divorce herself from him.

This has become a very common issue in today's society. However Islam does not allow force marriage, this must be known to every parent!!

Aishah Aish

Message to Muslimahs / Mensaje para las Musulmanas

Message to Muslimahs: 

[My own thoughts]

Islam gave you many rights, learn them and use them. Stand up and don't allow any man(or another woman), in his ignorance, handle you and put you under his feet.. you were made to stand by his side, you have voice, you have opinion and it's as valid as his. Don't let any culture force you to be less than you deserve. Culture came from humans, Islam came from Allah, choose Islam over culture at anytime. Learn by yourself, don't let anyone to impose you their thinking, study because you have that right too. Refuse to do whatever you don't feel comfortable doing, refuse to do anything that goes against Islam's teachings and against the Prophet (salla allahu allahi wa salam)'s teachings. It is important to learn by yourself because this days even the Islamic places are getting under the west control and they only want us to submit to what they think is right or to what pleases and benefits them... never allow it. Never.

With the right knowledge and with Allah's help we will be as appreciated as Allah appreciate us and as recognized and valued as Allah recognize and value us as women in shaa Allah.

Mensaje para las musulmanas:

[Pensamientos míos]

El Islam te dio muchos derechos, apréndelos y úsalos. Levántate y no permitas que ningún hombre u otra mujer), en su ignorancia, te maneje y te ponga bajo sus pies... fuiste creada para estar a su lado, tienes voz, tienes opinión y es tan válida como la suya. No dejes que ninguna cultura te fuerce a ser menos de lo que te mereces.

La cultura vino del ser humano, el Islam vino de Allah, elige el Islam sobre la cultura siempre. Aprende por ti misma, no dejes que nadie te imponga sus pensamientos, estudia porque también tienes ese derecho. Rechaza hacer lo que sea que no te haga sentir cómoda haciéndolo, rechaza hacer lo que sea que vaya en contra de las enseñanzas del Islam y en contra de las enseñanzas del Profeta (salla allahu allahi wa salam). Es importante que aprendas por ti misma porque en estos días incluso los países islámicos están bajo el control del este y ellos solo quieren que nos sometamos a lo que ellos piensan que es correcto o a lo que les complace y beneficia. Nunca lo permitas. Nunca.

Con el conocimiento correcto y con la ayuda de Allah seremos tan apreciadas como Allah nos aprecia y tan reconocidas y valoradas como Allah nos reconoce y valora como mujeres in shaa Allah.

سلام أعطى لكِ ( أيتها المرأة) حقوقاً. تعلمِيهم و أجيدِى إستِخدامَهم! قِفى ولا تسمحِى لأىّ ذكر أو أنثى بفِعل جهْلهِم فى أن يتَحَكَموا بكِ أو فى أن يضعوكِ تحت أقدامِهم. لقد خُلقْت لكى تقفى بجانب الرجل لديكِ صوت و أفكار مثله تماماً و لا تسمحِى للعادات و التقاليد(الثقافة البشرية) فى أن يرغموكِ على أن تكونى أقل مما تستحقين فالعادات والتقاليد جائت من عند البشرِ أما الإسلامُ فقد نزلَ من عندِ ربِ العالمين. إحرِصى على إختيار و تفضيل الإسلام فوق العادات والتقاليد, علّمى نفسك بنفسِك و لا تسمحى للآخرين بفرض آرائِهم و تفكيرِهم عليكِ و أطلُبى العلم لأن لك الحق فيه أيضاً. و أرفُضى القيام بكل فعلٍ يتعارضُ مع مبادئك الشخصية أو مع مبادئ و تعاليم الإسلام أو تعاليم الرسول الكريم (صلى الله عليه و سلم). و من المهم أيضاً تعليم نفسك بنفسِك لأن فى أيامنا الحالية الدول الإسلامية تخضعُ لحكم الدول الغربية و الغربُ يريدنا بأن نخضعَ لما يعتقدُ بأنه الحق و أن نسعى و نقوم بما يسرهُ و يفيدهُ. مع المعرفة الصحيحة و بعون الله تعالى سيتم تقديرنا و الإعتراف بنا كما قدرنا و قيّمنا الله عز و جلى.

Equality/ Igualdad:

"Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward." (Quran; 33:35)

"Dios ha preparado perdón y magnífica recompensa para los musulmanes y las mu­sulmanas, los creyentes y las creyentes, los devotos y las devotas, los since­ros y las sinceras, los pacientes y las pacientes, los humildes y las humildes, los que y las que dan limosna, los que y las que ayunan, los castos y las castas, los que y las que recuerdan mucho a Dios." (Corán: 33,35)

"He created you from one soul. Then He made from it its mate..." (Quran 39:6)

"Os ha creado de una misma alma de la que ha extraído a su cónyuge..." (Corán 39: 6)

Sayings of the Prophet/Dichos del Profeta (Salla allahu allahi wa salam):

~ The Prophet said: 'The most perfect of the believers in faith are the best of them in moral excellence, and the best of you are the kindest to their wives. (Sunan At-Tirmidhî)

~ El Profeta dijo: "El más perfectos de los creyentes en la fé son los mejores de ellos en la excelencia moral, y los mejores de vosotros son los mas amables con sus esposas." (Sunan At-Tirmidhî)

~ The Prophet said: 'None but a noble man treats women in an honorable manner, and none but an ignoble treats women disgracefully.' (Sunan At-Tirmidhî)

~ El profeta dijo: "Nadie mas que un hombre noble trata a las mujeres de una forma honorable, y nadie mas que un innoble trata a las mujeres vergonzosamente." (Sunan At-Tirmidhî)

~ The Prophet said: 'Seeking knowledge is a religious obligation for every Muslim (male or female).' (Sunan Ibn Mâjah, Sunan Al-Bayhaqî)

~ Dijo el Profeta:”La búsqueda del conocimiento es una obligación para todo mu­sulmán y para toda musulmana" (Sunan Ibn Mâjah, Sunan Al-Bayhaqî)

Aisha Aish