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Session Details
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| Guest Name |
Zainab Al-Alwani
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Instructor of Fiqh and Islamic Studies, Graduate School of Islamic and Social Sciences
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| Subject |
Fatwas on Women's Issues
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| Date |
Sunday,Mar 27 ,2005
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Time |
Makkah
From...
17:00...To...
18:30
GMT
From... 14:00...To...15:30
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Host
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| Answer |
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Brothers and sisters, the session has already started. You can submit your questions. Please, make your questions short and clear so as to help us answer all your questions.
Yours,
Islam Online Fatwa Editing Desk.
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| Name |
Mariam
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How should the situation, where men outnumber women by a vast majority in a disaster area, be treated? For example, we have recently heard about gender imbalance in Aceh region. Due to the fact that the great number of dead in the Asian disaster were women and children, there is a great number of men now without wives? This has driven some women to resort to early marriages, rape? Did such a thing ever happen in the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the 4 rightly guided caliphs? What is the role of Muslim governments as well as Muslims in general towards this urgent crisis?
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Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
First of all, the question whether it happened at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), it did not happen in the same manner. What can be relevant or close to this issue is the way the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and Muslims dealt with war, which would leave many orphans and widows. Allah Almighty says in Surat An-Nisaa', (To orphans restore their property (when they reach their age), nor substitute (your) worthless things for (their) good ones; and devour not their substance (by mixing it up) with your own. For this is indeed a great sin. If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess. That will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.) (An-Nisaa’ 4: 2-3)
After asking a number of people who just came from Ache and have been working on the Tsunami-stricken people, I got to know that there are a number of problems that need to be tackled along with solving the issue of gender imbalance.
First, the people of Ache are suffering from a state of trauma. They are very frustrated and psychologically ill. There should be a team of Muslim psychologists and experts to treat those cases and help them with their crisis.
Second, the people of Ache are very isolated, even within Indonesia itself, and they are very connected to their land. They do not marry from outside their family circles; they do not leave their city and move from to a different area, etc. This will have a negative impact when it comes to solving the issue of gender imbalance. Therefore, I would suggest the following:
1. Relief Organizations should focus on education, especially with teenagers and youth so that they can marry from outside the city or move to a different city.
2. Scholars and imams should go to this city for the purpose of spreading religious knowledge and educate those people about Islam and its teachings, thus strengthening their faith in face of trials and tribulations.
3. Supporting boarding schools that have been recently established in Ache where teenagers are well-educated and raised in Islamic environment. Relief organizations should call upon all donors to support these schools and even establish more since the existing ones do not accommodate all youth.
4. Establishing a security system to protect the under-age girls from being harassed or sexually abused.
In addition, men should be greatly encouraged to marry from outside the city as a state of emergency. Also, young ladies that have reached the age of puberty and are ready for marriage should be encouraged to get married. Furthermore, there should be women institutions to work on teaching young ladies basic skills of marriage, parenting, motherhood, house management, etc.
As for the role of Muslim governments, they are supposed to be very involved by sending relief delegations to study and analyze the situation and evaluate it in a way that we know what and how much is needed. According to the evaluation, they can send as much as they can. And as we know some of the Muslim governments are capable to help in building institutions, schools, orphanages and hospitals and not to leave the Muslim children who lost their parents with no support and be deported to different countries where they will be subject to missionaries, because we as Muslims, governments and people, will be responsible before Allah for that.
You can also read:
Between Polygyny and Polyandry
Helping Disaster Victims (Live Fatwa)
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Ruth
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What kind of services etc. should be facilitated for women in Aceh in the light of the issue of gender imbalance after the tsunami?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Some of the services that can be done are:
1. Educating women in different areas and help them to build different skills so they can be able to support themselves and their families.
2. Establishing a support system within the community so as to have different groups for the children at the same age so they can work together and help each other and to know the need of each family. In this case, for each group there is a leader who will be in contact with the institutions or relief organizations to inform them about the need of that group of families.
3. Taking care of the health of women, children and elderly people. There should be a groups of doctors, nurses to study and analyze the situation and help them according to their need.
4. In this case as emergency, the governments and relief organizations should establish a security system by guarding the tents or the areas where women live so that they can be protected against any possible harassments.
5. Muslims in Ache should establish a system where they can help those women get married and have someone at home to take care of them.
6. Muslims from outside Ache should build different organizations and institutions to facilitate their marriage or at least their moving from one area to another.
Helping Disaster Victims (Live Fatwa)
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Ramzy
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Do Muslim women have the right to choose which kind of medication or treatment they will receive if they are ill (terminally ill)? Or can the husband override their choice? For example, if a woman wishes to be treated with holistic treatment and the husband insists on chemical therapy.
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
I don't like the way the question is put, as husband and wife having different decisions regarding medical treatment. This is because they are supposed to be one unite and they should work together to accomplish the best of treatment available. In this case, both the husband and wife should consult the doctors and experts in order to reach the best result.
The wife has the right to choose the kind of treatment she will receive but with full knowledge about it, its consequences, etc. If it is best for her, she can convince her husband about it. If he is not convinced, and she still believes it is the best treatment for her illness according to the consultation with doctors, she has the right to proceed with her choice.
Another thing that has to be put in mind here is that the type of treatment must agree with the teachings of Islam and it cannot be something that would violate any of the rules of the Shari`ah.
You can also read:
Husband and Wife: Mutual Rights and Obligations
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Um Ammar
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housewife
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I have questions concerning raising teenage daughters.
I have good daughters, Al-hamdulillah, who observe the prayers, fast, and hijab, and who recite the Qur'an. My question is related to "hudud" in Islam, where the lines seem to become increasingly blurred.
For example, when my daughters gather with their other Muslim friends (all female), they like to entertain themselves by dancing, and I was wondering about the restrictions on clothing, while in a gathering that contains only females. There must be some limitations, such as not showing certain parts of the body, etc.
Additionally, could you inform me of some Qur'anic recitations to help my daughter with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, in addition to her medical treatment?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
As for the first question, Allah says in Surat An-Noor: (And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers…) (An-Noor 24: 31)
In Islam, we have the concept of 'awrah. This concept is very deep in a way to respect our body even though in the areas we are allowed to show part of our bodies but still for men and women they need to set certain limitations. For females, even though they are among themselves, it is better for them to have decent dresses and to teach themselves and others that this part of respect. So dress decently and with no excess. They should never dress provocative. So the ladies gathering together can entertain themselves and enjoy some freedom but their whole goal should not be to show off their bodies.
As for the recitations of some ayat to help with this disease, you can recite the following:
Surat al-fatihah, Ayat al-Kursi, the last two protective surahs from the Qur'an, Surat Al-‘Ikhlas, Morning and evening du'a’, Surat Yasin
May Allah bless her and cure her as soon as possible.
You can also read:
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Shaima
- United Kingdom
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student
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I pray that Allah rewards you for your service to the Ummah.
My question is simple, yet I seem to get confusing answers when I ask it.
I have heard conflicting views on the plucking of eyebrows. One view is that it is okay to remove hair that is above the bridge of the nose. The conflicting view states that it is forbidden to pluck away any hairs from the eyebrows, and is backed up by the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that quotes him cursing the one who plucks the eyebrows, and the one who has her eyebrows plucked.
I have heavily connected eyebrows, and I am still afraid to pluck them, for fear of punishment. It does seem that many Muslim girls and women have begun plucking and shaping their eyebrows, despite the above hadith, adding to my confusion. Please advise, and may Allah shower you with blessings.
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Your confusion is normal because there a number of issues to be discussed as far as plucking the eyebrows is concerned. For example, what is the significance or wisdom behind the prohibition? What is meant by nams or plucking in the hadith? What can and cannot be removed? Is the prohibition only for the eyebrows or for the whole facial hair? All these questions have been discussed among scholars and there are differences of opinions based on various interpretation of the hadith. I don't think this forum would allow me to discuss all these issues in detail, but to summarize the issue for you, I would say the following:
1. You can safely remove the hair between the two eyebrows, above the nose.
2. Facial hair is not included in the prohibition.
3. Modifying the excessively hairy eyebrows is allowed with moderation.
4. Plucking the eyebrows to the extent of shaping it very thin is not allowed at all.
The whole issue lies in the fact that Islam teaches us to appear in a nice and beautiful way. This can be found in many hadiths of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In this case, the face is the most important thing as far as beautification is concerned. So, you better determine by looking at the eyebrows. If they look normal and nothing is wrong with them, then there is no need to be confused! But if there is a problem such as hair growing excessively then, according to some scholars, it is allowed to modify it with moderation and without exceeding the limits or changing Allah's creation.
Allah created us as beautiful and we should preserve this natural state as much as we can. Nowadays people tend to change everything, thinking that they will look better. Muslims, however, should seek a balance and should observe moderation.
You can also read:
Straightening the Eyebrows
Removing Unwanted Hair from the Body
Allah Almighty knows best.
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riz
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Is the coil allowed islamically as a form of contraception? I have had 3 ceasarian sections, and the doctors have advised me not to try for another baby for at least a few years. Therefore, is this form of contraception permissible for me?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Islam encourages keeping healthy life, especially for the mother. In your case, you should take care of your health in a way that would allow you to raise your children properly. If the doctor advised you to stop getting pregnant for few years, so you should take advantage of their advice and spend good time with your children until you are physically capable of having another baby.
As for coil, if it is temporary then it is permissible, otherwise you may choose another method of contraception.
You can also read:
Contraception: Permissible?
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Sarah
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I work in the health sector, and very often I come across people who are very damning to Islam, particluarly with regards to praying and fasting. I remember a secretary saying to me that she thought fasting was bad for you as you were not able to drink during the day! Despite giving her all the health benefits and doctrinal teachings behind fasting, her outlook couldn't be shifted. Could you give me any advice on how to deal with such people?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
First of all, you should know that you will never be able to please or convince anybody. So, don't be frustrated if someone disagrees with your practices.
Secondly, there are different theories in the field of health. Some people will agree on the benefits of fasting, while others would disagree. The issue is not about health, it is about practicing an act of faith and following Allah's order.
So, you should explain to your colleague that you are practicing your own faith and you believe it is the right way for you.
You can also read:
Ethics of Giving Sincere Advice
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Zainub
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If despite continued reminders from the wife a husband still decides to take interest. Will the wife be accountable on the Day of Judgement. Also one who lives off haram income, his worship is also not accepted by God, will it also be the case where the wife is completely helpless. I mean will her worship and supplication not accepted. The wife tried many times with her husband but he insists that the interest that the bank offer these days is not the one which Islam considers haram.
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this case, she needs to put more effort to solve the problem.
1. She should educate herself more about the Islamic stance on riba, and other bank transactions so she can be able to counter his arguments. She needs to educate herself about the system of usury and interest not only from an Islamic perspective but from a secular one too.
2. You should not really bother about leaving off his income because the interest does not make out the whole income. It is only a percentage in the income which is not the overriding one.
Scholars have discussed this issue and conclude that in case of money earned from different ways which involve some haram, so we go with the majority case. So you assume you are eating from the halal part.
3. Your acts of worship have nothing to do with his earning, because the Qur'an says: (no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another.) (Al-Isara’ 17: 164)
4. You may also try to involve more knowledge people with you such as a local scholar or imam.
5. You should keep trying and follow up with him and never give up or stop.
You can also read:
Ethics of Giving Sincere Advice
Husband and Wife: Mutual Rights and Obligations
Refuting Claims on the Permissibility of Bank Interest
Allah Almighty knows best.
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A H
- Canada
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student
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Can someone perform prayer while wearing pijamas that has pictures (eg.teddy bears on them)?
Sometimes when I am performing obligatory prayer my children’s behavior (reading out loud or arguing one an other) causes me to forget which rak`ah I am in. Usually, this happens during Zuhr and `Asr time.Is it acceptable if I repeat all over or continue which rak`ah I think I am in?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
May Allah bless you for the efforts you make to teach your children about Islam. It is better to have special prayer clothing so the kids will know there is something special for prayer. So it is better to make a long-loose jilbab for you and your children and use them better than pijams that would contain something controversial.
As for the second question, you should spend more time with your children to teach them about the importance of prayer and how they should be quiet and listening to the recitation in Salah. It will take time, but it is worthy of efforts.
If you forget how many rak`ahs you pray, then do not discontinue the Salah. Work on what you are certain about and then make up for the missed rak`ah(s) and then offer two sajdas at the end of the prayer.
You can also read:
When Is Prostration of Forgetfulness Needed?
Wearing T-Shirts with Pictures in the Mosque
Allah Almighty knows best.
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abu shuaib
- Somalia
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Our sisters have important roles to play in the Muslim society. What would you advice them for as they have been targeted by feminists whose only aim is to criticize the Muslim women. Is there something wrong with a Muslim woman who chooses to stay in her home to educate and bring up her children and to be modest?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
This is a grave misconception about fulltime mother or women staying home to raise their children.
In western countries now many Muslim women play a very active role at home. Some educate their children, some do home schooling with them, and some even go and volunteer time at school to work with their children. The problem is not with sitting home, it is rather with what you do at home. I think Muslim women can still play a great role even if they decide to sit home and allocate all their time for raising their children.
The Status of Woman in Islam
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Editor
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Brothers and sisters, we are so sorry for not answering all your questions because the time is over. We apologize for any inconvenience. Do keep in touch. Join us in coming sessions.
Yours,
Islam Online Fatwa Editing Desk.
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| All Fatwas published on this website (Islamonline.net) represent the juristic views and opinions of eminent scholars and Muftis. They do not necessarily form a juristic approach upheld by this website. Click here to read Full Disclaimer. |
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