Q: Women, Ceremonies, Jihad and Working for the ummah
Assalamu Alaikum, I have few questions about muslims women`s role in the family and islamic society. Q1: I know women are encouraged to stay home and take care of the household, on the other hand I see women working outside maintaining proper hijab. What would be the islamic ruling or view on these? If you could clarify with reference, I`ll greatly appreciate it. Q2: My question is on the saying that we (muslims)have to adhere to the ummah or jamat or some kind of islamic organization. In my community some people treat it as an obligatory. I have two kids of 3 and 1 yr old and they keep me very busy. So how much it applies to me to be actively involved in dawah and related activity? Q3: What would be the ruling on an islamic gathering based on observation like prophet`s birthday, 15th of shaban or night of isra, ashura etc. Should I join or avoid these? Q4: I hear women`s jihad is different than men. How is it adressed in Quran or Hadith? JAK for all of your answer
All praise be to Allah, and may his peace and blessings be on the last and best prophet and messenger, Muhammad.
Answer 1
I believe it is permissible for women to work as long as they maintain their hijab and Islamic conduct and the job is respectful of the Muslim woman’s nature and conducive to propriety.
The Messenger of Allah said regarding women going out:
(إنه قد أذن لكن أن تخرجن لحاجتكن)
“It has been made permissible for you to go out for your needs” reported by al-Bukhari from ‘Aisha.
Notice that this hadeeth may used by people who encourage women’s liberal involvement in the outdoor life and at the same time by their opponents, since they may say, the Prophet while making permissible the going out of women for their needs, he indicated by mafhoom al-mukhalafah [i], that it wouldn’t be permissible for them to go out for no need. It is also to be noted that many of the earlier scholars interpreted the hadeeth to mean going out to the lavatory, and that is before they had them in their homes. The permission was given by the prophet in this context, but the wording indicated that they may go out for any needs.
The women were also allowed to go out to the masjid, and to the battle field to help with nursing the wounded. Asma’ used to help her husband az-Zubair with his work outdoors, and no one of the sahabah or more importantly the Prophet commented on that. There is no proof on prohibiting women from work. However if the work will result in neglecting the rights of the husband and/or the children, then it becomes impermissible.
Also, women may work outside of their homes on individual basis, however, it should not be a communal policy or direction, nor should it be a trend for the Muslim communities to follow in imitation of others. This is because if most women left their homes for outside jobs, much harm will ensue, including:
• Lack of support for the elderly, handicapped and children, since all the capable adults will be out working.
• The detrimental psychological, emotional, educational and behavioral consequences of children going back to empty homes are incalculable.
• Unemployment for many men, resulting in many families having no income, while others have double income.
• Inflation as a result of the increased buying power of the wealthier families.
• Improper mixing and fitnah.
Answer 2
You should try to do your best and Allah doesn’t burden any one beyond their capacity.
You should bring your kids along with you to the masjid, and involve them in your work. If you clean the masjid with them, they will grow up having a sense of belonging to their community and commitment.
If you look after the work of Islam and be of the maintainers of the houses of Allah and commit to the cause of Allah, He will look after your kids in your life and after your death.
Answer 3
Gathering for the occasions mentioned above have not been the practice of the Messenger or any of his noble companions. Thus, we should follow them in matters of the religion and avoid making up new rituals or ceremonies.
Answer 4
Women are not required to go out for jihad, yet they must defend their land when the enemy invades it with all means possible and islamically acceptable.
[i] When the statement indicates that what is omitted from it should take the opposite ruling of that which is mentioned.
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