Quran Pocket Guide

In Islam, a woman enjoys the same status as that of a man: in the words of the Quran, “You are members, one of another.” There is no difference between man and woman as regards status, rights and blessings, either in this world or in the hereafter. Both are equal participants, so far as the carrying out of the functions of daily living is concerned. Women have played an important role in dawah work since the dawn of Islam. The wife of the Prophet, Khadijah, used to listen to him and encourage him in the pursuit of his noble cause. Speaking the Truth There are two types of utterances—the straightforward and the devious. The straightforward utterance is that which exactly conforms to the facts; which is based on factual analysis and which is presented with the support of solid arguments. As opposed to this, the devious utterance is that which is not realityoriented, which is based on guesses and conjectures and simply amounts to expressing an opinion: it is not factual reporting. The first mentioned is the utterance of the believer (mu’min), while the second is that of the hypocrite. Believing Women “Surely, for men and women who have surrendered [to God]— believing men and believing women, obedient men and obedient women, truthful men and truthful women, patient men and patient women, humble men and humble women, charitable men and charitable women, fasting men and fasting women, men and women who guard their chastity, men and women who are ever mindful of God—God is ready with forgiveness and an immense reward.” (Al-Ahzab 33:35) This verse shows what Almighty God wishes a man or woman to be like. The ten virtues He would like them to possess are as follows: Islam (submission to God), Faith in God, obedience, truthfulness, patience, sincerity, charity, fasting, chastity and remembrance of God. Just as these qualities are required of men, so also are they required of women. Although their manifestation may in some respects be different, as far as the qualities themselves are concerned, they are the same for both. The Position of Women The honorable position accorded by Islam to woman is symbolically demonstrated by the performance of the rite of sa‘i, an important part of the pilgrimage to Makkah, made at least once in a lifetime as a religious duty by all believers who can afford the journey. The rite of sa‘i is performed by running back and forth seven times between Safa and Marwah, two hillocks near the Kabah. This running, enjoined upon every pilgrim, be he rich or poor, literate or illiterate, king or commoner, is a re-enactment of the desperate quest of Hajar (Hagar), Abraham’s wife, for water to quench the thirst of her crying infant when they arrived at God’s behest in this dry, desert country, four thousand years ago, long before there was any such city as Makkah. No Salvation on the Basis of Belonging to a Group “The believers, the Jews, the Christians, and the Sabaeans—all those who believe in God and the Last Day and do good deeds—will be rewarded by their Lord; they shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Al-Baqarah 2:62) The success of the hereafter has in no way a relation with any group. It all depends on one’s actions rather than on relations with a group. The following verse of the Quran clarifies this fact. The Book: There is No Doubt in It