Jumu'ah Mubarak, Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Our Almighty Lord enjoins in the verse I have recited: "O mankind! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)." [1]
Our Prophet (s.a.w.) said in the hadith I have read: "Indeed you have rights over your women, and your women have rights over you." [2]
Brothers and Sisters!
Humans have a special place in the sight of Allah since they are intelligent, responsible and the most honorable of all creation. Of course, the creation of human as man and woman with different qualities has many reasons and wisdom behind it. That being said, man and woman share the same honor since they are both human, and take the same responsibility since they are both Allah's servants. It is the duty of both women and men to live in accordance with Allah's countenance and to work to spread goodness, justice and mercy and prevent evil, oppression and injustice. Indeed, our Almighty Lord enjoins: "If any do deeds of righteousness, be they male or female and have Faith, they will enter heaven, and not the least injustice will be done to them." [3]
Honorable Believers!
There are many verses in the Qur'an about the status of women in society, their value before Allah and their rights. The Qur'an tells us about many women who left a mark in history, starting from Hawwa, mother of humankind. Asiya, with her faith and courage, Maryam, with her chastity and patience and Hajar, with her faithfulness and devotion are shown as examples to us all. Khadija was the first person who believed our Beloved Prophet (s.a.w.) and supported him no matter what. The first woman who became a martyr for Islam with the love of tawhid in her heart was Sumayyah. Aisha was the one who carried the knowledge, the Sunnah and the wisdom from the house of our Prophet to the humankind. The view of our religion, nation, and civilization regarding women under the light of these beautiful examples is always to protect their rights and respectability. Any outdated mentality and cruel attitude towards women are surely the remnants of the period of ignorance (Jahiliyya).
Honorable Believers!
Each human is born with the most fundamental rights and depriving a person of these rights because of their gender is incompatible with Islam and justice. To feel sorry for the birth of a baby girl, to despise her, to deprive her of education, to marry her forcefully at a young age is simply oppression. However, our Beloved Prophet, the father of four daughters, gave us the good news that our daughters are the means of mercy and forgiveness for us and said: "Whoever is put to trial by these daughters and he treats them generously (with benevolence) then these daughters will act as a shield for him from Hell-Fire." [4]
Our mothers are our source of love and our door of prayer. Each mother who works and gives without any expectation in return and under whose feet the heaven is laid deserves goodness and kindness.
Brothers and Sisters!
A verse tells us about the fact that starting a family means finding peace for a man and a woman: "And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought." [5] We carry the burden of earthly life and endure sadness and sorrow together with our spouses, who are the shoulder for us to cry on. They are our life partners with whom we share our home, joy and happiness. Our Prophet (s.a.w.) defines men and women as "two halves that complete each other" [6]. He teaches us an attitude which protects and supports one another and connects us with love and trust. Because a healthy, peaceful and strong society is built together by women and men.
Dear Muslims!
Today humanity goes through a tough trial about women's rights, just like it does on many other subjects. In all parts of the world, war, violence and oppression affect women more than anyone. Women who are suffering, who were imprisoned and forced to migrate are waiting for help.
On the other hand, as the ummah of the Prophet who said: "Fear Allah concerning women! Verily you have taken them on the security of Allah, and they have been made halal (lawful) unto you by words of Allah (by marriage)." [7], we often cannot protect his sensitivity, and forget that we must act merciful towards them when in fact we have to follow the path of the Messenger of Allah, who not once raised his hand against a woman. However, sadly, violence, abuse and murders of women keep rising.
Against this dire situation, let us never abandon mercy, justice and fairness when it comes to women. Let us heed the call of our Prophet (s.a.w.) who said: "The best of you are those who are best to their women." [8] Let us pray for the believers who protect those entrusted to them:
"Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous." [9]
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[1] Hujurat, 49/13.
[2] Tirmidhi, Rada', 11.
[3] Nisa, 4/ 124.
[4] Bukhari, Zakat, 10.
[5] Rum, 30/21.
[6] Abu Dawud, Taharah, 94.
[7] Muslim, Hajj, 147.
[8] Tirmidhi, Rada', 11.
[9] Furqan, 25/74.
Issued by: General Directorate of Religious Services