Back to Morous (12 seconds on the shot clock)

Submitted by moderate Muslim (United States), Mar 25, 2007 at 22:12

Ok Morous

You have a big post. I'm going to try to answer point by point : my stuff in bold.

And if you be apprehensive that you will not be able to do justice to the orphans, you may marry two or three or four women whom you choose. But if you apprehend that you might not be able to do justice to them, then marry only one wife, or marry those who have fallen in your possession. (Maududi, vol. 1, p. 305) <<

This is a correct quotation to the best of my knowledge. However, the key phrase is, that you might not be able to do justice to them, then marry only one wife. No man can treat do justice to multiple wives with the exception of the Prophet (pbuh) this is widely accepted thought in Islam.

The share of the male shall be TWICE that of a female . . . . (Maududi, vol. 1, p. 311)

This is talking about inheritance. In the times of the Prophet, women did not have the responsibilities of men. THe men had to support the family and the women did not. That is why the inheritance was more for the man.

This is not my work below, but what I found pertinent, as it is written by scholars.

I suggest one who would like to be open minded reads all of this, but it is doubtful that such as dhimmi would do so. Showing himself (or herself) to be rather thourough, Morous will probably read the whole thing.

Introduction:

Before i explain the most commonly misquoted and misunderstood hadith found in Bukhari and Muslim, i first want to tell the reader some important information about the system of hadith collecting and writing down by famous Imams in history. Imam Bukhari for example in his Jami is not only collecting Hadiths but at the same time he is trying to prove his opinions on fiqh which is known as fiqhul bukhari fi tarajimihi. Therefore, Imam bukhari might bring the same Hadith a number of times to prove different things from it, however, in doing this he does not bring the full Hadith, but chops the irrelevant bits off so that it doesnt drag and goes straight to the point. This in hadith terminology is known as taqteeul hadith. One great scholar from Azhar Sheikh Musa Shahin Lashin ( who spent 23 years writing a brilliant commentry on Sahih Muslim fathul mun'im) is currently working on a huge project in collecting all the hadith taqtee' of bukhari and putting them together according to the system of Imam Muslim's sahih. This is a very tedious job because in the case of some hadiths you might think that they are two different hadiths and have nothing in common, however in reality they are two different part of the same hadith. Some one who has great expertise in the field of hadith can only carry out a project like this.

The most commonly misquoted and misunderstood hadith:

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:

Once Allah's Apostle went out to the Musalla (to offer the prayer) on 'Id-al-Adha or Al-Fitr prayer. Then he passed by the women and said, "O women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you (women)." They asked, "Why is it so, O Allah's Apostle?" He replied, "You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone MORE DEFICIENT IN INTELLIGENCE and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you." The women asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What is deficient in our intelligence and religion?" He said, "Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?" They replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isn't it true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?" The women replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her religion." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 6, Number 301)

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:

The Prophet said, "Isn't the witness of a woman equal to half of that of a man?" The women said, "Yes." He said, "This is because OF THE DEFICIENTCY OF A WOMAN'S MIND." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 48, Number 826)

The meaning of the hadith in question:

A: ( Sheikh G.F. Haddad )

The problem here is the misconception about the meaning. Even the plainest statement can become completely incoherent on the tongue of a retarded person or a pathological liar. The hadith here uses two figures of speech: the first is hyperbole (mubalagha) meaning exaggeration in the words "even a prudent, sensible man might be led astray by some of you" i.e. a fortiori an ordinary man. The second figure is synechdoche (majaz mursal) consisting in using the whole for the part: intelligence to mean the specific legal testimony of a woman, and religion to mean the prayer and fast at the time of menses.

Numerous verses and other narrations stress that the reward of women equals that of men even if their acts differ. So this particular narration is not meant literally but as an acknowledgment of the power women wield over men while ostensibly less active in the public and spiritual spheres.

However, the real import of the hadith - spoken at the Farewell Pilgrimage - and its actual context was that the Prophet (peace be upon him) challenged the women that were present to realize that unless they helped raise money with their gold and jewelry, they would miss the reward of men waging jihad as well as show ingratitude.

In the full version of the hadith the Prophet also orders the women to ask forgiveness and desist from frequently cursing their husbands. All this was spoken at a time of

(1) the impending departure of the latter on jihad
(2) the impending departure of the Prophet from this world and
(3) the fact that "Cursing the believer is like killing him."

But the Prophet (peace be upon him) was also being playful in his use of strong terms to impress this teaching on the listeners. Ruqayyah Waris Maqsud writes, "After the Farewell Pilgrimage at the Eid prayer, the Prophet walked past the men leaning on Bilal's arm, and came to the rows of women behind them. Bilal spread out a cloth and the Prophet urged the women to be generous with their gifts of charity, for when he had been allowed a glimpse into the flames of Hell, he had noted that most of the people being tormented there were women.

The women were outraged, and one of them instantly stood up boldly and demanded to know why that was so.
'Because,' he replied, 'you women grumble so much, and show ingratitude to your husbands! Even if the poor fellows spent all their lives doing good things for you, you have only to be upset at the least thing and you will say, 'I have never received any good from you!' (Bukhari 1.28, recorded by Ibn Abbas - who was present on that occasion as a child).

At that the women began vigorously to pull off their rings and ear-rings, and throw them into Bilal's cloth."

(source: fatwa by shaykh G.F. Haddad at www.livingislam.org)

My own note:

• The reward of women equals that of men even if their acts differ , example:

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, says in this regard, addressing women: "Take care of your home for that is your Jihad." (Musnad Ahmad). Jihad is the epitome of Islamic life. Declaring home-making as Jihad for women is giving it the highest possible status in an Islamic society.

B: ( Sheikh Muhammad Ali Al-Hanooti )

1. Our source of knowledge is Allah (SWT). Reason is not a source, but is a tool to understand what Allah revealed to us through his messanger (SAAWS). If you believe in this data, then your argument would be in the authenticity of the content of a Hadith.

2. The Quran is always fully articulate in vocabulary and style. Everything in the Quran is the exact saying of Allah. The Hadith is different in punctuality of language, because some Hadiths one related by the companions of the Prophet (SAAWS), they could have a different synonym or a different additional or omited conjuction or article. This is what is called in the Hadith terminology "narration by meaning".

The Hadith in question does not depict a woman as inferior; not at all! Islam honours women very high and many verses of the Qur'an and practices of the early Muslims bear witness to the fact that woman is, at least, as vital to life as man is, and that she is not inferior to man in any way (in neither religion or intelligence). Islam never belittles woman or underestimates her role in the society. Allah has made this clear in the Glorious Qur'an, by stating shining examples of some women for the believers– male and female- to emulate. In this context, the Glorious Qur'an says,

"And Allah citeth an example for those who believe: the wife of Pharaoh when she said: My Lord! Build for me a home with thee in the Garden, and deliver me from Pharaoh and his work, and deliver me from evil doing folk; and Mary, daughter of Imran, whose body was chaste, therefor We breathed therein something of Our Spirit. And she put faith in the words of her Lord and His Scriptures, and was of the obedient." (At-Tahrim: 11-12)

Allah Almighty and prophet Muhammad praised the good women, let us look at the following quotes from our Islamic sources:

"For Muslim men and women,- for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in God's praise,- for them has God prepared forgiveness and great reward. (The Noble Quran, 33:35)"

"The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practise regular charity, and obey God and His Apostle. On them will God pour His mercy: for God is Exalted in power, Wise. (The Noble Quran, 9:71)"

In islam women clearly have the right to forbid men what is evil, so this proofs women aren't inferior to men in religion or intelligence, since Allah swt gives women the right to correct men when they are wrong, and to forbid them the evil.

3. The Hadith is authentic, the Prophet (SAAWS) talks about women not as a gender or a race or ethnic. He talks about sinful people who deserve what they will have of destiny. If a man does the same, he will have the same Hell. This is the only way you can interpret the Hadith.

4. The Prophet (SAAWS) has explained what he says of shortage of deen which is different from the chrisitian missionaries interpretation or translation of deen. He says, you are less commended to practice the deen, because of menstruation. When he talks about lack of intellect, he does not talk about potential of brain or capacity of talent or skill. A woman is overloaded by being a mother or a babysitter or pregnant. All these carriers are around the clock, because of what she is, she is always likely to forget more than a man who is devoted to one career only. Allah is merciful, he forgives her and makes it easy for her when she is not fully responsible to give a full testimony as a witness. Nothing of that is defaming a woman, there is not a law that discriminates a woman to put her down.

(source: http://www.islamonline.net/livefatwa/english/Browse.asp?hGuestID=j2y56m )

C: ( Sheikh Salman al-Oadah )

When Islam discusses the deficiencies of women, it is neither insulting them nor belittling them. Some men, unfortunately, do precisely that when they quote the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that women "have a deficiency in their intellect and their religion". They take these words out of context as a means of oppressing women and putting them down.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) meant something quite different. He said: "I have never seen among those who have a deficiency in their intellect and their religion anyone more capable than women of swaying the intellect of the most determined of men." He is actually asserting here the power of women to influence men and sway their opinion. This is one of the distinctions that women, in their natures, have.

He then went on to define precisely what he meant by these deficiencies. In the remainder of the hadîth, some women asked him: "O Messenger of Allah, what is this deficiency in our intelligence and religion?" He replied: "Isn't it that a woman's testimony as a witness is half of the testimony of man?" They said: "Yes." He said: "This, then, is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isn't it true that when she is in her menses, she leaves off prayers and fasting?" They said: "Yes." He said: "This is the deficiency in her religion."

These are matters of Islamic Law. A woman is neither sinful nor blameworthy because of the prayers and fasts that she misses. She, in fact, receives blessings by obeying Allah and abstaining from those acts while she is menstruating. Her testimony as a witness is half that of men only in matters wherein she is generally less versed than men. In other matters wherein women have particular knowledge, like fosterage and virginity, the testimony of a woman is accepted but not that of a man.

Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) attested to the perfect character of four women: Mary, Âsiyah the wife of Pharaoh, Fâtimah, and Khadîjah. He definitely did not mean that these women did not go through menstruation. He was referring to their good character, strength of intellect, and soundness of opinion.

Source: http://www.islamtoday.net/english/showme_weekly_2003.cfm?cat_id=30&sub_cat_id=524

D: ( Sheikh `Abdul-`Aziz Ibn Baz )

"The Prophet, peace be and blessings upon him, explained that women's mental deficiency is reflected in their weak memory (A woman is overloaded by being a mother or a babysitter or pregnant. All these carriers are around the clock, because of what she is, she is always likely to forget more than a man who is devoted to one career only) , the fact that makes Shari`ah stipulate that a woman's testimony must be corroborated by another woman. Thus, this injunction does not imply woman's inferiority to man; rather it has more to do with justice than to gender.

As for the shortcoming in religion, this stems from the fact that when menstruating or having post- partum bleeding, women neither pray nor fast, and they do not have to make up for their prayers.

As we know, women have no hand in the obstacles that disrupt their religious performances. This is something divine, which reflects Almighty Allah's overflowing mercy on them, for it will be extremely hard for a woman to be tasked with religious obligation while she is having menstruation or post-partum bleeding. That's why she is exempted from fasting or praying, as a sign of mercy on her. Also, they do not make up their prayers. This is because if they were ordered to make up their prayers, it would be extremely hard for them, given that prayers are performed five times a day. Menses may last for a number of days, up to seven or eight or more. Post-partum bleeding lasts for forty days. It'd be definitely hard for women to be obliged to make up the prayers missed while responding to the demands of nature.

So, in the light of the above-mentioned facts, the Hadith does not have any indication of looking down upon women or considering them as inferior, especially when we know that some women excel men in many matters.

Yes, no one can deny the fact that a woman may perform many good deeds and exceed many men in virtue, morality, etc. Islamic history abounds with examples of great women who have made great contribution to the progress of mankind. This is very clear to anyone who is well informed about the status of women during the time of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and the early generations.
In addition, the Hadith in question does not disqualify women from being narrators of Hadiths, and there is nothing that prevents a woman from being one of Allah's pious servants, if she is steadfast in her religion even with her being excused from fasting or praying during menstruation or post-partum bleeding"

The fatwas by our beloved sheikhs and the authentic interpretation of the hadith in question clearly refutes the false anti-islamic argument that men are superior to women in intelligence and religion, since the hadith in question is not meant literally but as an acknowledgment of the power women wield over men while ostensibly less active in the public and spiritual spheres. Further the Quran and the authentic sunnah of our beloved prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) proof that this hadith is not meant literally, since:

A:

The authentic sunnah of our beloved prophet Muhammed (peace be upon) is enough proof to refute the lie that men are superior or better then women in creation, intelligence and religion, Since the prophet clearly stated:

"Assuredly, women are the twin halves of men." (Sahih reported by Abu-Dawud (RA) The Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) said, He said, "Yes, for women are the twin halves of men." (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 113; Ahmad, 25663. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)

It was narrated that ‘Aa'ishah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about a man who finds some wetness (on his clothes) but did not have an erotic dream, and he said, "He should do ghusl."He was asked about a man who had an erotic dream but did not find any wetness, and he said,"He does not have to do ghusl." Umm Salamah said, "O Messenger of Allaah, if a woman sees that, does she have to do ghusl?" He said, "Yes, for women are the twin halves of men."(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 113; Ahmad, 25663. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 98)

In islam women are the twin halves of men. So this particular narration in sahih bukhari ( is not meant literally but as an acknowledgment of the power women wield over men while ostensibly less active in the public and spiritual spheres.(Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 6, Number 301; see also Volume 2, Book 24, Number 541)

B:

Moreover, the Holy Qur'an makes it clear that while there are many favours of God that He bestows on His creatures in different measures, there is only one favour which determines the superiority of one member of the human species over another and that is taqwa or God consciousness. Thus wealth, strength, health, intelligence, position, education, etc. are all favours of God but we cannot say that a wealthier person is superior to a poorer person, a stronger person is superior is superior to a physically feeble person and so on. we can say only that a more muttaqi person is superior to a less muttaqi person. In the words of the Holy Qur'an:

"The nobler among you in the sight of God is the more muttaqi (righteous) among you." (Qu'ran 49:13)

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves. (Hafiz Ibn Hibban reported in al-Sahih (11/203/#4862) via his isnad, from Fadalah ibn `Ubayd (Allah be pleased with him) (Hafiz Ibn Hibban authenticated it by including it in his al-Sahih. Shu`ayb al-Arna'ut said in his comments that its isnad is sahih) Taqwa (righteousness, God consciousness) is that divine favour of God on which the right use of all other favours of God depends. The more of this quality of taqwa a person has the more the other favours of God benefit him.

Thus the fact that man has been favoured in some ways (for example with physical strenght) more than woman does not make him superior to her. It is only when his taqwa is more than hers that he can from the Qur'anic point of view be considered superior to her. And when a person's taqwa increases to a worthwhile level the question of his superiority does not interest him, for he or she realizes that all praises are due to God.

Back to my work

Morous, I have a question from the Bible for you

By the way, I do not mean to demean your faith by questioning the bible. I respect Jews and Christians as People of the Book, and I believe that we worship the same God.

Should we tell lies?

• Exodus 20:16 "Thou shalt not bear false witness."
• Proverbs 12:22 "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord."

  vs.

• I Kings 22:23 "The Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee."
• II Thessalonians 2:11 "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie."

  Also, compare Joshua 2:4-6 with James 2:25.'

Sorry about the font. Its really messed up.

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