10. Islaam mein aurat ke ek amoomi aurat ki hesyat se haqooq [Women as kinfolks and neighbors]
Women as kinfolks and neighbors
The same general rights are legislated in Islamic jurisprudence for women as are required for men. A concern for general public welfare and mutual support of one another is a trademark of the Islamic social system. The Prophet said:
“The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever.” [Muslim #2586]
And he said:
“The believers, one to another, are like a firm structure, supporting one another.” He then intertwined his fingers.” [Bukhari #467 & Muslim#2585]
A woman as an aunt, niece, cousin, or any type of relative, regardless of the distance, is included in the kinfolk to whom Allah commanded to be good, kind and supportive. Allah, the Exalted, states in the Qur’an:
“Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship?” (47:22)
The Prophet said:
“A person who severs his kinship ties, will never enter Paradise.” [Muslim #2556]
And he said:
“Charity to a poor person is charity, and to a (poor) relative is both charity and maintaining the ties (of kinship).” [Tirmidhi #658 & Ibn Maajah#1844 and verified]
If a woman is a neighbor and she is a Muslim, she is entitled to two rights: the right of Islam, and the right of a neighbor. Allah, the Exalted, states in the Qur’an:
“Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinfolk, orphans, the poor who beg, the neighbor who is related to you, the neighbor who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer you meet, and those slaves whom your right hand possesses. Verily, Allah does not like anyone who is proud and boastful” [4:36]
Islam obligates a Muslim to be good to all his or her neighbors. The Messenger of Allah said:
“Jibreel (Archangel Gabriel) continued to urge me to take care of the neighbor so much so that I thought the neighbor was going to be made a legal heir.” [Bukhari #5668]
He also said:
“By Allah he is not a believer, by Allah he is not a believer, by Allah he is not a believer! They asked: “Who, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “The one from whose harm the neighbor is not safe.” [Bukhari 5670]
It is also reported by Asfahani in Hilyatul-Awliya that Talhah said:
“Umar Ibn al-Khattab () went out of his home one night. I decided to follow him to see what he was doing during the night. I saw him entering a certain house and after a while I saw him come out and enter another house. In the morning I went to the first house and entered it to find out who lives there. To my surprise I found an old, blind and disabled woman. I asked her: ‘What did the man, who came in your home last night, want from you?’ She said: “This man has been taking care of me for a time now, serving my needs and helping me and supporting me.’ Talha said to himself: ‘Why should I investigate Umar’s actions?’
The Messenger of Allah said:
“The person caring for the widows and the poor is like the one who fights in the way of Allah.” The narrator said: I think that he added also: Like one who stands in the night prayer without any laziness and like the one who fasts every day (from sunrise until sunset).” [Bukhari #5038 & Muslim #2982]
These are some distinguishing aspects of honoring, respecting, caring for, and supporting women according to Islamic teachings that summarize the rights of women. We believe that women never witnessed this extent of respect and honor throughout the history of mankind on earth. Some traditions show that the Islamic law never tolerated crimes or abuses against a woman during any stage of her life.
REFERENCE:
Book: “Women in Islam & Refutation of some common Misconceptions”
by Dr. Abdur Rahman bin Abdul Kareem Al- ShehaTranslated by: Abu Salman Deya ud-Deen Eberle.