Ideal Women

life and her property entirely in his hands, and would never complain about anything. God selected Khadija for this work because of her superlative qualities. She gave up everything—her life, her property, her leisure and her comfort—for the sake of the Holy Prophet. She suffered tremendous affliction, but never complained. These qualities made her worthy in God’s sight to be the companion of His final prophet. In every day and age, women and men are needed who will devote themselves to the mission of Islam; people who are willing to involve themselves in the scheme that God seeks to implement in the world. Such people are like a small cog-wheel, which revolves only according to the motion of a bigger cog-wheel, in this case the will of God. This is undoubtedly a trying task; but it is also one that carries a vast reward. To perform this task is, in the words of the Quran, “to help God” (Quran, 61:14). There can be no doubt about the excellence and superiority of those whom God deigns to make His helpers. □ The destitute are those who have nothing to their credit in the next world Abu Huraira says that the companions were sitting with the Prophet one day, when he said to them, “Who would you say is really destitute?” “Those who have no money,” they ventured—“In my community,” the Prophet said, “the destitute are those who pray, fast, and give alms, yet at the same time are harsh to others, accuse others falsely, take other’s property, spill blood and kill. Their good deeds will be given to others until they have none left, and the payment still remains to be made; they will be made to bear the evil deeds of others and will be cast into hell. The one who prays lives under God’s protection Salman Farsi says that he went to Abu Bakr to ask for some advice. “Salman,” he said, “fear God. You can be sure that the Muslims will soon be victorious, but your share in these victories will only be what you need for food and apparel. And as for those who pray to God, God protects them night and day. And do not slay any man, for if you do so you will forfeit God’s protection and He will cast you, face down, into hell.”