Part One: SEERAH (Biographical Sketch) CHAPTER

C:\Users\Admin\Dropbox\The Message - Material of Maulana\16. Books and Review\Apa's Books\Life And 56 This informal education was so important for Aishah that she became the most distinguished personality so far as religious knowledge was concerned. She survived the Prophet for a full fifty years. Throughout this period she remained a very valuable source for the acquisition of religious knowledge. Her house served as a school of religious learning. In the early period of Islam, regarded as model for all believers, we have a number of examples that show that women used to take part in practical matters. For instance Khadijah, the Prophet’s wife, conducted business, and Fatimah, the Prophet’s daughter helped with giving first aid to the wounded in battle. Asma, Abu Bakr’s daughter, looked after her camels and date orchard, etc. Western civilization believes in gender equality, that is man and woman are one and the same thing. There is no difference of any kind between the two. But Islam regards this equality as unnatural. In the light of Islamic teachings men and women both are, without doubt, equal. In God’s eyes, both have equal rights and duties. Owing to their biological structure, however, they are different from one another. That is to say, they are equal but different. The characteristics of true believers, both men and women, are referred to in the Quran in these words: “Those .... who are devoute, sincere, patient, humble, charitable and chaste, who fast and are even mindful of God - on these both men and women, God will bestow forgiveness and a rich reward.” (33:35) These are the attributes which both men and women must cultivate if they want to become God’s favoured servants. These are the qualities that form the basis of Islam, and are the true means of salvation in the Hereafter.