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Khutba #39
Let us all practice Taq’wa (piety and righteousness), and revere Allah and obey His divine commands. We ask Allah to protect us from evilness and falsehood and help us lay a foundation with moral values according to the rules of our Lord.
The Holy Quran says in Surah 2 (al-Baqarah), Ayah 228:
وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ “…and the women have similar rights over men in a just manner...” From history we find that in previous ages women were considered as part of man’s wealth and property. In Arabia before Islam a woman could be sold and purchased like any property. As heathens, the idol-worshipper Arabs of the pre-Islamic era considered women as cause of bad luck and misfortune. They even buried infant females and young girls alive. But with the advent of Islam, Islam completely changed all the previous practice, for so deplorable they were. Islam disqualified infanticide as never justified; thereby abolished. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) fought against these practices vigorously, often quoting the Holy Quran as in Surah 81 (al-Tak’weer), Ayah 8-9:
وَإِذَا الْمَوْؤُودَةُ سُئِلَتْ بِأَيِّ ذَنبٍ قُتِلَتْ “…And when the girl buried alive is made to ask: For what crime she had been slain! Muhammad (pbuh), the man of mercy, considered women as the precious component of society, as precious as men. He taught that women are entitled to rights and obligations as much as men are. He taught that no body has the right to insult and look down upon women just because they happen to be females.
In marriage a woman is considered to be an equal partner to her husband. The Holy Quran in Surah 30 (al-Room), Ayah 21 describes the woman as a companion of her husband with reciprocal love and a source of peace to him. It says:
وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ “And among His wonders is that He created mates for you, out of your own kind, that you may dwell in harmony with them, and instilled love and tenderness between you. Verily in this are signs for those who reflect.”
In the West, Western countries take women as a medium of enjoyment or as a sexual object. That is why, when the slogan of woman’s freedom is raised, exploitation of her role in the West took place even by females themselves! The break up of many families, disintegration in the family life, and profound family instability is the aftermath.
On the other hand, by example provided by ladies such as Khadija (a.s.) Fatima (a.s.), Zainab (a.s.) and many more, Islam highlighted the greatness of women. Their role illustrated the meaning of woman’s life and turned it into an example and a specimen for future races. Theirs were the best examples for ethical and moral life that point to nobility, graciousness, and civility.
The Holy Quran clears woman of the responsibility for the fall of Adam completely. The Quran gives woman respectability, honor and dignity. It was up to Islam to give woman the same rights as those of man for the first time in history. The Quran says in Surah 2 (al-Baqarah), Ayah 228:
وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ “…and the women have similar rights over men in a just manner...” Modern man recognizes there can be no freedom in the real sense without economic rights. Fourteen hundred years ago, Islam gave woman the right to inherit the property and wealth of her father and husband and to acquire, own, and dispose of wealth, as she liked. The Holy Quran says in Surah 4 (al-Nisaa), Ayah 32:
لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا اكْتَسَبُواْ وَلِلنِّسَاء نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا اكْتَسَبْنَ “…for men shall have what they earn, and women shall have of what they earn…” In marriage a woman is considered by Islam to be an equal and free partner. Describing the woman as a companion of her husband, an individual to love, and a source of peace and solace to him, the Holy Quran in Surah 30 (al-Room), Ayah 21 says:
وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ “And among His wonders is that He created mates for you, out of your own kind, that you may dwell in harmony with them, and instilled love and tenderness between you. Verily in this are signs for those who reflect.” To impress upon his followers the high position of womanhood, the Prophet (pbuh) declared:
Islam makes no distinction between men and women as far as their moral or spiritual capabilities, or their consequential rewards or punishment for the Hereafter. The Quran says in this regard in Surah 9 (al-Taubah), Ayah 71: المُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاء بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاَةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ أُوْلَـئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللّهُ إِنَّ اللّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ “And [as for] the believers, men and women, are wali (Guardians) unto one another: they enjoin the good and forbid the wrong, and are constant in prayer, and they render the poor-due, and pay heed unto God and His Messenger. Upon them Allah will bestow His Grace; verily, God is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” Also in quoting Surah 16 (al-Nah’l), Ayah 97, it says in this regard:
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ As for anyone, be it male or female who does righteous deeds and is a believer — him shall We certainly cause to live a goodly life, and certainly shall We grant unto such, rewards according to the best of what they ever did.
For the end of the 1st part of the Khutba, read Surah Al-Asr, take a short intermission, then start the 2nd part of the Khutba with a short Du’aa.
An interesting story that took place during early Islam is worth mentioning, since it illustrates mother’s rights. A Christian man by the name of Zakariyya felt attracted to Islam for some time, though his father, mother, and all family members were Christians. Zakariyya’s conscience and heart were inviting him toward Islam, and he felt an irresistible pull toward it. Finally, and against the wishes of his father, mother, and family members, he embraced Islam and surrendered himself to the commandments of God.
As the Haj season commenced, enthusiastic Zakariyya left Kufa in a caravan for the Haj, and he had the honor to meet Imam al-Saadiq after he arrived in Medina. He narrated to Imam al-Saadiq the circumstance of his embracing Islam. Al-Saadiq, having heard the story, enquired, “What was it in Islam that attracted you most?” The man replied: “I can only say that it was Allah’s Words in the Quran, they impressed me with a magnetic pull. Allah says to his Prophet (pbuh) in Quran: “O Prophet! Earlier you didn’t know what the book is and didn’t know what the faith is, but We revealed to you this Quran and made it a light by which We guide whomsoever We wish”. Imam al-Saadiq affirmed by saying: “I verify that Allah has guided you”. Then the Imam prayed by saying three time, “O’ Allah! I implore Thee to be the Guide to this man”. Afterwards the Imam said to Zakariyya: “Son! Ask me what comes to your mind”. Zakariyya said: “My father, mother, and family members, are all Christians. My mother is blind. I am in association with them, and I have to eat with them. What am I supposed to do in such circumstances?” Imam al-Saadiq asked: “Do they eat pork?” Zakariyya answered: “No, they don’t even touch it.” The Imam replied: “Then, there is nothing wrong in your association with them”. After a pause Imam al-Saadiq recommended: “Take special care of your mother’s health. Be kind to her as long as she lives. When she dies, don’t let others take charge of her body, but [with utmost care] you personally take charge to prepare her for burial.”
When the Haj season came to an end, the young man returned to Kufa but kept in mind the Imam’s advice. He was particularly keen in serving his mother, with emphasis on kindness and love. He served her food with his own hands whenever needed. He even took care of her personal needs, for she was blind and in need of much care.
The change in behavior after his return from Mecca surprised his mother, so one day she asked her son curiously: “Son! Earlier, when you followed our religion [Christianity] you were not kind to me. What happened to you now that made you so kind and caring?” Zakariyya answered: “Mother! A person from the family [descendent] of our Prophet has recommended that I take special care of you”.
Very surprised, but delighted and curious, the mother asked: “Is he himself a Prophet?” Her son replied: “No mother he is not a Prophet. He is the descendent of the Prophet”. The mother retorted inquiringly: “Son! I think he must be a Prophet because this type of advice and preaching are not given by an ordinary man, not by any except Prophets who are of the highest nobility.” Zakariyya answered back: “No mother! Be sure that he is not a Prophet. He is the descendent of Prophet Muhammad. You see, there will be no Prophet after our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)”.
Highly impressed, the mother asked approvingly: “Son! This religion is wonderful. Teach me your religion”. Delighted and surprised, Zakariyya began to teach his mother, first Kalimah al-Shahaada: [There is no deity but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah]. The mother felt an irresistible power within her, she decided to embrace Islam herself. Zakariyya then taught her the process of reciting Salat (prayer). The mother, though blind and old, learned fast, and she said the Dhuhr (noon) prayer and Asr (afternoon) prayer. When it became night, the mother was anxious to recite the Maghrib (evening) and Ishaa (night) prayers, for she found such comfort and peace at heart.
Late that night the mother fell gravely ill. With a weak quivering voice she called for her son, urgently asking him: “Son! Teach me once more of all things you had taught me before.” Seeing how sick she was, yet anxious to hear about her newly found Islam, Zakariyya reiterated the Shahaada to his mother, and whatever he could of the principles of Islam, meaning belief in Allah, the Prophet (pbuh), the Angels, the Divine Books and the Ma’ad (the phenomenon of Day of Judgment).[1] The mother repeated the principles as the basis of her new belief, accepting them happily, then breathed her last, surrendering her soul to the Lord.
Finally, let us read Surah Al-Nasr with a short Du’aa to close the Khutba
[1] Anecdotes of Pious Men, by Mutah’hari, Mother’s Rights, Page 99. |
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